Rise Up

Week 7: Sampson

June 5, 2022 • Doug Pittam

It's about Samson. If my grandson was going to choose a hero from the Bible to pattern his life after, I'd steer him far away from the character of Samson. Samson's flaws can be wrapped up in three words: Women, women, women. He had three girlfriends and all of them were not quality choices. His anger issues flared up on a regular basis throughout his life, and it appears that the only Nazarite vow that he kept was "not cutting his hair". It has been said that a wise man learns from another person's mistakes; Samson learned from his own. However, it does appear that he finally learned that his strength was a gift from the Lord. A lesson that we learn from Samson is that, no matter our flaws, no matter our track record; when we call upon God with a sincere heart and pure faith, He hears our prayers. Even at the end of his life after he squandered what God had given him, God still heard his prayer and granted his request. Bottom line: God can use http://anyone.....anyone who is willing.

Week 6: Jephthah

May 29, 2022 • Doug Pittam

The judge Jephthah. Jephthah is a great example of a man who had the Spirit of God come upon him and he saved his people from the oppression of the Ammonites. However, he's also a man who made a rash vow that cost him the life of his daughter, his only child. What a mix of faith in God, and yet incredible humanness. What we learn from Jephthah is that our goal should not be to have the Spirit of God "come upon us" for a particular task; but rather to have God's Spirit come and "live inside of us", which empowers us to live daily for Him. God doesn't call us to tasks as much as to be a different person with His Spirit in control of our lives. Jesus said it's all about "abiding" or "remaining" in Him (John 15). Let's live for the Lord for the long haul. He is Lord, today, and tomorrow.... come what may!

Week 5 Abimelech

May 22, 2022 • Doug Pittam

We will be looking at the bad example of Abimelech, who shows us what not to be as a leader for God's people. He forces himself into leadership and never cultivates truth or integrity, so his reign is short lived and collapses down upon itself. We can see in this story how God returns on both Abimelech and the people of Shechem what they have sown.

Week 4: Gideon

May 15, 2022 • Doug Pittam • Judges 6—7

He could be called the reluctant judge. He needed a lot of convincing before God could use him. He was depressed and fearful, yet wondered of all wonders, God took the time to patiently walk him through all his fears and self-image problems. That same God calls us to His service today. Fear should be replaced by Obedience. And when all is said and done, people who will be used by God can say: "Watch me", "Follow my lead", and "Do exactly as I do."

Week 3: Deborah

May 8, 2022 • Doug Pittam

This week's sermon is on the O.T. Judge - Deborah. It is a great reminder that God again can use anybody who's available and tuned into Him. In this male dominated society Deborah rises up as a godly person who hears from the Lord and directs His people to deliverance. And not only her, but the unlikely Jael is used by God in a significant way to free their people from their enemies. Barak, the commander of the army of Israel, gets the least credit in this great victory in the history of the Israelite people. You get the feeling it's not about the might of the army at all, but God who wins this victory.

Week 2: Ehud

May 1, 2022 • Doug Pittam

Week 1: Othniel

April 24, 2022 • Doug Pittam

Here in SLO, we want you and our church to be relevant in the community by answering the call God has placed in our lives. As a Christian church, sometimes knowing how we should act on God's calling requires looking back at how God originally told leaders to rise up. As you know, we are kicking off our new sermon series on the Old Testament Judges. Rise Up - It's our turn now. It's about who God uses and what it takes to take a stand for God when no one else will. It's about God using ordinary people in extraordinary ways. Seven weeks and we will be challenged to be ready to answer God's call now in our generation which needs a turning toward the Lord.