Sermons

Song of Deliverance

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Last year marked the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge — the last major German offensive in World War II and a costly one to Allied forces. Many veterans were quiet about the atrocities of war when they returned home. But years later, PFC “Sparky” Kisse was interviewed by his son and asked what it was like to fight against the Germans.

Kisse said, “We had no idea where we were…. You’re so scared you don’t know whether to run, sit down and cry, or what. But once the fighting starts and you hear the bullets, the fear leaves you and it’s nothing…”

That’s a very humble way to say it, but he’s right that when the battle begins, you have to move forward and push through the fear — out of loyalty to your country and love for your family.

Judges 5 is the song of an important battle in Israelite history. it includes an interesting story how some tribes ran away from the battle, while other tribes ran toward it. By way of application, Christians are in a war too. We’re not called to pick up literal weapons in the name of Christ. Peter tried that once, pulling out his sword and slicing off the ear of the high priest’s servant. But Jesus said, “No more of this! Put your sword into its sheath.” And he touched his ear and healed him (Lk. 22:51).

Christianity is not a jihad-like religion of brute force. Quite the opposite. Our Lord said “love your enemies, bless those who curse you.” But we are in a battle — a spiritual battle — against an invisible enemy. And no one is allowed to sit this one out. We, too, must accept the call to war and offer ourselves willingly for the sake of Christ.

Stay alert, brothers and sisters! Go about your day with a combat readiness. Put on the full armor of God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Accept God’s call on your life and serve him today. Remember you are never alone. “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:6).

Several months ago, I preached on Judges 5, and we looked at these themes more closely. In this study, we learned…

  • The Bible contains many types of literature
  • What to do when you feel trapped and afraid
  • Christians are engaged in a kind of “holy war”
  • The benefit of great songs to commemorate great events

Here’s the sermon audio recording:

Thanks for listening! For a complete list of sermons organized by book of the Bible and by topic, please visit my sermon hub.

Sermons

A Call to Courage

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Where are the men? Is there no one who will step up and lead God’s people? This seems to be the question Deborah asks in Judges chapter 4.

Some people read the book of Judges and see Deborah’s leadership as proof there is no distinction between male and female spiritual leadership. From their point of view, women are just as qualified as men to serve as pastors, elders, and spiritual leaders in the church. I’d suggest the very opposite is the case.

When Deborah is mentioned in Judges 4, the author seems to be going out of his way to say something is amiss. The Hebrew text literally speaks of “Deborah — a woman — a prophetess — the wife of Lapidoth” (!) sitting under her palm tree, judging God’s people. While Deborah is a wise and godly woman, the text seems to be saying there’s a problem with this whole picture.

Eventually, Deborah summons Barak, who agrees to lead the army reluctantly. He is willing to go on one condition — that Deborah goes with him. Like the cowardly lion, his behavior is so embarrassing that Deborah says his legacy will be marked with a footnote that a woman brought victory that day. “The road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” (4:9).

I was talking with a friend several months ago who helps provide coaching services to churches in transition. Sometimes these are called “replant” or “revitalization” opportunities. This friend said most of our California churches are either plateaued or declining. There is a need for more pastors and more leaders. And then he said this – “the cupboards are bare.”

You would hope with all the Christian colleges, seminaries, megachurches, and smaller size churches that there would be a long line of men waiting to be trained and deployed. The opposite is true. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

Incidentally, this is why our support of ministries like Gateway Seminary, The Masters Seminary, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is so important. These schools are coming alongside churches to help raise and train the future generation of leaders.

This is not to say women do not have an essential role to play in the local church. There are so many valuable ways they use their gifts to glorify God and edify the body. That’s a conversation for another day. I firmly believe the apostles taught a complementary role for men and women in the church and in the home.

When I began preaching through Judges at Calvary, I entitled our series, “Arise” for this very reason. Judges 4:6 says, “Has not the LORD commanded you, Go?” Then in v. 14, Deborah says to Barak, “Up! For this is the day the LORD has given Sisera.” Over in 5, this desperate cry for leadership is even memorialized in song. “Arise, Barak! Lead away your captives.” The church can grow complacent over time and forget the urgent call to action. Let us arise, preach the gospel, and shepherd God’s people!

Is there something God is calling you to do? Have you been delaying out of fear? Maybe it’s getting baptized, or making some parenting changes, or returning to in-person worship services, or even answering a call to ministry? Stepping out can be scary. But do not fear. God will be with you!

Here’s the audio from the sermon I preached on Judges 4 at Calvary Church. Thanks for reading…and listening!

Sermons

Fatal Error

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For fifteen years, my family lived in Yucca Valley — north of Palm Springs in the high desert. The desert seems harsh and almost otherworldly at first. But as you get to know it, it takes on a striking beauty and serenity. I’ve shared on this blog over the years some of the desert hikes I enjoyed like Skull Rock, Johnny Lang Canyon, and Devil’s Punchbowl.

One of the things you have to get used to is how sharp everything is! The leaves of Joshua Trees are like spikes. Reptiles such as the horned lizard have a thick, spiny skin. Roadrunners have sharp beaks to penetrate their prey. And one cactus in particular is known for its extremely sharp thorns – the cholla cactus.

Cholla cactus, sometimes called “teddy bear” cholla, looks soft and fuzzy from a distance. But up close, you can’t miss the sharp, inch-long spikes. It’s even been called “jumping cholla” because you need only barely brush against it to have it latch on to your skin or clothes. Ouch!

When hiking near cholla cactus, be prepared to pick up little balls of cholla on your hiking boots. You have to be careful when removing it (preferably with tweezers or a pocket knife) or you could be in for a painful shock.

In Judges 2, God says some of the Canaanites and their idols would be permitted to remain in the land of Israel to poke against them. “You have not obeyed my voice…So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” (Judges 2:2-3).

The idols of Canaan, like the barbs of a cholla cactus, would cause much pain and heartache. Much of the book of Judges describes the fulfillment of this curse. I preached through the Book of Judges last year at Calvary Church. In chapter two, we learned …

  • How Christians should respond to tragedy, such as the Palisades Fire we had just experienced
  • Who exactly is the “angel of the Lord”?
  • How apostasy can creep in to a local church
  • The Cycle of Sin we will see in the book of Judges
  • How God has shielded us from his own wrath through Christ

Here’s the audio:

Thanks for listening! For more sermons, please subscribe to my podcast or visit the sermon hub page on my blog.

Sermons

Arise!

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In a relay race, the passing of the baton is one of the most exhilarating yet dangerous parts of the competition. That split-second handoff between two runners can make or break the entire race.

In a similar way, the passing of the baton in leadership is a vulnerable time in the life cycle of an organization. Experience gives way to inexperience. Realism is replaced by optimism. The veteran makes way for the rookie.

Sometimes during a transition, things carry on smoothly and it feels like “business as usual.” In other cases, values change and priorities change. In the case of Israel, after Moses and Joshua, there was no natural successor. To be sure, there were priests, and tribal leaders, and fathers who were expected to give oversight to the nation. But there was no centralized government, military commander, or spiritual authority figure like Moses or Joshua.

With this lack of leadership came a lack of vision and motivation. The people weren’t sure what to do next. They were like sheep without a shepherd, so they inquired of the Lord, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?” The Lord answered, “Judah shall go up” (Judges 1:1-2). And thus begins the book of Judges.

One of the highlights of last year at Calvary Church was our expository series through the Book of Judges. It was an amazing journey, and a season of spiritual growth for our church. I entitled the series “Arise!” in honor of Judges 5:12, when the judge Barak was urged to “Arise and lead away your captives.” It was a fitting challenge for all of us to take up our cross daily and follow God.

In the weeks ahead, I’ll be re-posting those sermons from the Book of Judges so others can join in, starting today with chapter one. In this study of Judges 1, we learn…

  • The danger of trying to do life on our own without God’s guidance
  • Comfort for those who are afraid
  • Why Israel struggled to inhabit the land of Canaan
  • The need for courage in a dark world

Here’s the audio link…

Thanks for listening! For a complete list of sermons, please visit my Sermon Hub page.

Sermons

Thankful to God

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In his book Band of Brothers, Stephen Ambrose traces the path of the 101st Airborne division through World War II. His story is so riveting, it would be turned into a hit HBO miniseries directed by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks — probably one of the greatest war dramas ever made.

Ambrose provides a detailed account of what it was like for soldiers to parachute behind enemy lines on D-Day and the opening weeks of combat. By the end of June, under almost non-stop gunfire, the men “had not had a bath or shower or an opportunity to shave. Many had dysentery; all were continually drenched with sweat. Their hair was matted from dirt and dust made worse by the profuse sweating caused by wearing their helmet constantly.”

On June 29, 1944, the 83rd Infantry Division came to relieve the 101st. Their fresh uniforms and clean faces were a sight to behold. Sergeant Pat Christianson said of the replacements, “They were so clean looking…even the paint on their helmets looked as if they had just been unpacked. The impact of seeing [us] was a shock to them.”

The Apostle Paul’s team of evangelists and friends must have looked a lot like the 101st Airborne division, filthy and weary from combat. Some were in chains. Others wore permanent scars on their back. Yet as a whole they stood strong, encouraged one another, and brought regular comfort and prayer for one another.

Several months ago, I preached on the final verses of Colossians, where Paul sends greetings and gives words of encouragement to his “band of brothers.” In this sermon, I shared…

  • Things I’m thankful for in my first year at Calvary Church
  • What Paul’s greeting tells us about church life in the first century
  • Two friends who were a big help to Paul
  • Why ethnic diversity is a good thing in a local church
  • How a church can become a “band of brothers” 

Here’s the audio link…

Thanks for listening. You can find more sermons on my sermon hub page. 

Thoughts on Life and Leadership