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.
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.
Last week, I attended a lovely Pastors Breakfast sponsored by the Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic. Pastors were thanked for their support and encouraged to continue speaking on the difficult topic of abortion.
I don’t preach directly against abortion very often, but I do try regularly to point out the sanctity of life and, when appropriate, to mention the evils of abortion as we work through various passages of scripture.
Out of curiosity, I did a search on the word “abortion” in my sermon folder and below are some of the places it popped up. I try to be faithful to the Bible and make contemporary application, while avoiding political soap boxes. How does your church talk about abortion and the sanctity of life?
Sermon Title: The War on Error Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 10:1-12 “…Strongholds are identity groups. Ideologies become fortified, and then form into communities. Today these include the LGBT community. The pseudo-scientific community that has embraced a naturalist, Darwinian view of human origin. The feminist community, with their insistence on abortion rights. The New Age community that almost deifies nature. There are false religions, self-help gurus, and pseudo-Christian cults. We combat these strongholds not with flesh and blood, but by destroying arguments and every lofty opinion with the truth…”
Title: The Family of God Text: Luke 7:36-50 “…Sometimes the church gains a reputation for what is against rather than what it is for. The world wants to portray us anti-this and anti-that. So the church is seen as anti-gay. The church is seen as anti-abortion. The church is seen as anti-cursing and anti-gambling and you name it. People want to depict us as though, ”you’re just a bunch of miserable, mean-spirited, intolerant, hateful people.’ Can I help us reframe that a bit? Instead of thinking about the fact we’re against all these things, could we start by saying we’re for something? We’re for Christ. We love Christ. Christ died for us. And because He died for us, we want to live for Him and please Him. And Jesus has given us certain instructions of how He wants us to live. So that means that if we love Christ, we’re going to love the things Christ loves. And if we love Christ, we’re also going to hate the things that Christ hates. He didn’t hate this woman in our story, but He did hate the sin. And He said, I will forgive the sin, but as we see in a similar story, he says ‘go and sin no more.’ There was a repentance that led to a change in behavior. We oppose sin not because we claim to be perfect. We certainly know we’re not perfect people. Not because we think we’re better than other sinners out there. We oppose sin because we know we are sinners saved by grace that sent Jesus to the cross, and because we have been saved and forgiven, we want to obey God’s will for our lives, which is a life of holiness and obedience…”
Title: Grace Upon Grace Text: Judges 13 “…In our own days, we have seen a kind of moral decline as well. Over past fifty years or so, we’ve seen a sharp rise in divorce, in unwed pregnancies, in sexual immorality, gay marriage, anxiety, disrespect, addiction, cursing and swearing and profanity, lies, greed, gambling, violent crime, abortion, suicide, sharp drops in church attendance, a renewed interest in witchcraft and the occult. People are searching for purpose and meaning and happiness, seem willing to go almost anywhere, except to the Bible itself. This is a unique opportunity. God has placed us here for such a time as this. It is not the easiest time in church history, but the church has the opportunity to be a shining light against a morally black backdrop…”
Title: The Prophet Returns Text: 1 Kings 18:1-19 [At the height of COVID] “…It saddens me that marijuana dispensaries are allowed to stay open, while churches are still closed and told to meet online. Abortion clinics are still performing deadly procedures, while churches are told their life-giving services are ‘non-essential.’ This shows something is drastically wrong with the priorities of our culture…“
Title: Jesus’ Public Ministry Text: Mark 1:35-45 “…Jesus’ ministry was one of both healing and preaching, but preaching was top priority. Mercy ministry is important, but our ultimate goal is to spare people eternal suffering. John Piper says it this way – “We care about all suffering now, especially eternal suffering later…Let’s be like Jesus. In every social issue from abortion to alcoholism, from AIDS to unemployment, from hunger to homelessness, let’s give the help that we would like to receive if it were us. And at every moment in that love, let us feel an even greater urgency to pray and speak and work to rescue people from everlasting suffering through the gospel of Jesus…”
The Dead Sea Scrolls are now on display at the Reagan Library, and our church is planning a field trip there this Friday.
Last Thursday, I taught a seminar to explain the significance of the scrolls, and how to get the most out of a visit:
Here’s the slideshow that goes with that presentation…
Summary and basic outline of my talk:
Introduction Stephen shares his personal experience of visiting Israel, including swimming in the Dead Sea, boat rides on the Sea of Galilee, and exploring caves and tombs. He expresses his love for Jerusalem, highlighting its rich history dating back to King David and the time of Christ. Stephen mentions visiting the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where he saw a permanent display of the Dead Sea Scrolls. He recounts his experiences of seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls at various locations, including the California Science Center and the Reagan Library. Significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls Stephen explains the popularity of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibits and their relevance to people of different faiths. He emphasizes the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls for Christians, as they provide a tangible connection to ancient biblical documents. Stephen discusses the field of apologetics, which defends the faith and the truth of the Bible. He quotes Proverbs 30:5-6 and Revelation to highlight the importance of preserving the Word of God without adding or subtracting from it. The Jesus Boat and Ancient Warfare Artifacts Stephen introduces the Jesus Boat, a replica of an ancient boat found in the Sea of Galilee during a severe drought in the mid-1980s. He describes the process of extracting the boat from the mud and the tests that dated it to the time of Christ. Stephen explains the significance of the Jesus Boat in the context of biblical stories, such as Jesus calling the disciples and the miraculous catch of fish. He also mentions other artifacts on display, including catapult rocks and spear tips, which provide insights into ancient warfare. Archeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls Stephen explains the process of archeology, particularly the study of ancient cities and tells. He describes the layers of civilization found in these tells, with the oldest layers at the bottom and the newest at the top. Stephen discusses the different periods, including the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman period, and their significance in biblical history. He provides a historical perspective, linking the periods to biblical figures like Job, Abraham, and King David. Discovery and Preservation of the Dead Sea Scrolls Stephen recounts the story of the Bedouin shepherd who discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls in a cave in the late 1940s. He explains that the scrolls were found mostly in clay jars and were largely undecayed due to the dry climate of the Dead Sea area. Stephen describes the process of recovering and documenting the scrolls, including the use of modern technology like lasers and MRI equipment. He highlights the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in confirming the reliability of the biblical text over thousands of years. The Dead Sea and Qumran Community Stephen provides a geographical overview of the Dead Sea, including its location, depth, and the surrounding areas like Jericho and Qumran. He explains the significance of Qumran, a community of ancient Jews who were messianic and avid documenters of biblical and extra-biblical texts. Stephen describes the caves near Qumran where the scrolls were found and the challenges of accessing these remote locations. He mentions the shrine of the book in Jerusalem, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient artifacts. The Scrolls on Display at the Reagan Library Stephen lists the specific Dead Sea Scrolls that will be on display at the Reagan Library, including fragments of Exodus, Psalms, and the Book of Tobit. He explains the significance of the paleo-Hebrew script found in some of the scrolls and its historical context. Stephen discusses the extra-biblical texts, such as sapiential literature and the community rule of the Essenes, and their historical value. He emphasizes the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in confirming the accuracy and reliability of the biblical text. The Role of Scribes and the Masoretic Tradition Stephen explains the role of scribes in copying and preserving the biblical text over centuries. He highlights the work of the Masoretes, a group of highly trained scribes who produced accurate copies of the Bible in the Middle Ages. Stephen discusses the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in supporting the fidelity of the Masoretic tradition, which is the basis of modern Hebrew Bibles. He provides examples of the close agreement between the Dead Sea Scrolls and later manuscripts, demonstrating the reliability of the biblical text. Practical Tips for Visiting the Reagan Library Exhibit Stephen provides practical tips for visiting the Reagan Library exhibit, including the importance of arriving early to avoid crowds. He advises visitors to read interpretive signs and make biblical connections to enhance their understanding of the artifacts. Stephen suggests taking advantage of the commemorative booklet available in the gift shop to document the exhibit. He encourages visitors to explore other parts of the Reagan Library, including the presidential travel area and the Air Force One exhibit. Closing Remarks and Final Questions Stephen concludes the presentation with a reminder of the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in confirming the reliability of the biblical text. He encourages visitors to ask questions and seek further information from docents and other knowledgeable individuals at the exhibit. Stephen provides final logistical details, including the meeting time and location for the field trip to the Reagan Library. He opens the floor for any final questions and comments from the attendees.
March 12, 2000. The IBEX “Friends & Family” tour began yesterday. Several IBEX students have family visiting this week from the United States. Oh how I wish my parents and Natalie could be here during this time, but I know God has a different plan. As my dad has long said, someday we will all see Jerusalem, when Jesus the Messiah reigns upon the throne.
Believe me, Israel is a beautiful place right now, and a wonderful learning ground, but it pales in comparison to the glory it will someday possess! Most of the children of Israel are still far from God.
Though none of my own family or friends could come visit, I have enjoyed getting to know others. Today I tagged along with the Friends & Family Group through Jerusalem, getting my second whirlwind tour of the city, this time led by Dr. Greg Behle. While all the information was new and undoubtedly overwhelming for the parents, most of it was review at this point for me.
I was especially grateful for the chance to go through Hezekiah’s Tunnel! Most of the IBEX students walked through the tunnel back in January during our chilly visit to Jerusalem, but I was under the weather that day, so had to wait until now.
Hezekiah’s Tunnel is mentioned a couple times in the Bible. As the Israelites braced for the Assyrian siege on Jerusalem, King Hezekiah undertook an engineering project to protect the water supply. “When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and intended to fight against Jerusalem, he planned with his officers and his mighty men to stop the water of the springs that were outside the city; and they helped him…he closed the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works” (2 Chronicles 32:2-4, 30; cf. 2 Kings 20:20).
The tunnel is 1750 feet long and tall enough that you can walk through. It has about 2 feet of water flowing north to south, which spills into the Pool of Siloam — the same pool where Jesus instructed the blind man to wash after he’d been healed (John 9:7).
Todd Bolen says Hezekiah’s Tunnel, and the 6th century B.C. tunnel of Euphalios in Greece, are considered the greatest works of water engineering technology in the pre-classical period. The tunnel was dug out of limestone by two teams starting on each side and meeting in the middle. When they finally connected the tunnels, they carved an inscription called the Siloam Inscription which was discovered in the late 19th century.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary explains, “Many years ago (1880) a youth, while wading up the conduit by which the water enters the pool, accidentally discovered an inscription cut in the rock, on the eastern side, about 19 feet from the pool. This is the oldest extant Hebrew record of the kind. It has with great care been deciphered by scholars, and has been found to be an account of the manner in which the tunnel was constructed. Its whole length is said to be “twelve hundred cubits;” and the inscription further notes that the workmen, like the excavators of the Mont Cenis Tunnel, excavated from both ends, meeting in the middle.”
The inscription itself reads: “[…when] (the tunnel) was driven through. And this was the way in which it was cut through: While […] (were) still […] axe(s), each man toward his fellow, and while there were still three cubits to be cut through, [there was heard] the voice of a man calling to his fellows, for there was an overlap in the rock on the right [and on the left]. And when the tunnel was driven through, the quarrymen hewed (the rock), each man toward his fellow, axe against axe; and the water flowed from the spring toward the reservoir for 1200 cubits, and the height of the rock above the head(s) of the quarrymen was 100 cubits.”
Once again, archaeological evidence supports the Bible text perfectly!
25 years ago, I had the privilege of traveling to Israel for a semester through the Master’s College IBEX program. To celebrate the 25th anniversary, I’m sharing highlights from my journal, emails, and photos.Feel free to share your own IBEX memories here as well!
Pinch Of Clay 