Tag Archives: israel

Sermons

A Call to Courage

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment


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.

Teaching

Dead Sea Scrolls at the Reagan Library

Leave a comment

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.

(Summary generated by Otter.ai)