Judges 3:7-5:31

In this section, we see the cycle of...

1. Sin
2. Punishment
3. Cry
4. Deliverance

Example #1
Israel sinned by marrying people of differing beliefs (3:6), and serving false gods (3:7). So God became angry and sold Israel to a foreign king (3:8). Then Israel cried out to God (3:9a), so God raised up Othniel to deliver them (3:9b-11).

Example #2
Israel sinned (left vague, 3:12a). So God gave them over to the Moabites for 18 years (3:12b-14). Then Israel cried out to God (3:15a), so God raised up Ehud to deliver them (3:15b-30). We are given more information about Ehud's method of deliverance. He delivered tribute to Eglon (King of Moab), gained private conference with him, and stabbed him to death.

Example #3
Shamgar delivered Israel from the Philistines. We are given very little information about this deliverance (3:31).

Example #4
Israel sinned (left vague, 4:1). So the Lord sold them to Jabin, King of the Canaanites. After 20 years, the Israelites cried to the Lord (4:3). Deborah was a prophetess and was leading Israel at the time (this makes her quite unique among her gender). She sent for Barak to lead Israel's military into war against Jabin, but he refused to go without Deborah. Deborah agreed to go, but warned Jabin that he would not now receive the honor in the victory (a woman would). The Israelites were, indeed, successful, but it was Jael (the wife of Heber the Kenite) who had the honor of killing Sisera (Eglon's military general) by smashing a tent peg through his head. Chapter 5 records the song of victory sung by Deborah and Barak.

Justifying Grace

Convicting  JUSTIFYING  Sanctifying
GRACE

Justifying Grace: That which aims to reconcile us to God

Ransom Theory
- Early Church, Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostals
- Deals with the problem of Satan’s power
- God trades Jesus for mankind, but gets both
- Mark 10:45, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Timothy 2:6
- Illustrated by The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe
- Satan wins? God deceives? Other Scriptures?

Moral Influence Theory
- Liberal Christians
- Deals with the problem man’s inability
- Man is selfish, Jesus shows the way of self-sacrifice
- Romans 5:8, Philippians 2:5-8
- Illustrated by Pay it Forward
- Depravity? Grace and works? Other Scriptures?

Satisfaction Theories
- Roman Catholics, Conservative Protestants
a) Commercial (Roman Catholics)
b) Political (Protestant- Arminian)
c) Legal (Protestant- Calvinist)
- Deals with the problem of God’s justice
- Man is in debt to God, Jesus volunteers to pay
- Leviticus 16:10, 21-22, John 10:18, 1 Peter 3:18
- Illustrated by The Last Sin Eater
- Violence? Justice? Other Scriptures?

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer,
With His blood He purchased me,
On the cross He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

How do we ACCESS justifying grace?
By FAITH, not WORKS
By FEAR, not PEACE (Fear of God and a sense of sinfulness)

Acts 13:38-39a
Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified

Romans 10:9-10
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

How do we RESPOND to justifying grace?
With PEACE, not FEAR
With WORKS, not FAITH (Works of faith, not empty belief)

Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

James 2:26
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Peter & Friends

A Series of Miracles (Part 22)
Peter & Friends (Acts 4-12)

1. The prayer that rocked the house (4:31)
~ Our priorities are seen in our ‘free’ time (4:23)
~ They prayed with a high view of God (4:24-28)
~ They prayed for boldness, not change (4:29)
~ They prayed for miracles as means, not end (4:30)

2. The sudden death of Ananias & Sapphira (5:5, 10)
~ The church voluntarily ‘spread the wealth’ (4:34)
~ Their sin was deception, not ownership (5:4)
~ Godly discipline can produce godly fear (5:11)

3. The many miracles of the Apostles (5:12-16)

4. The angelic prison break (5:19)

5. The miracles of Stephen (6:8)

6. The miracles of Philip (8:6-7, 13, 39)

7. The healing of Aeneas by Peter (9:32-35)

8. The raising of Tabitha by Peter (9:36-42)

9. The 2nd angelic prison break (12:7)

10. The sudden death of Herod (12:23)

Next Week:
We’ll conclude the Miracle Series
by examining those found in Acts 13-28

Judges 1:1-3:6

Introduction to Judges

Authorship: Traditionally Samuel

A. "In those days there was no king in Israel"
17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25
B. "All the time the house of God was in Shiloh"
18:31 --> 1 Sam. 4, Ps. 78:60
C. To this day Jebusites live there
1:21 --> 2 Sam. 5:6-8

So
... Must be during reign of Saul/David
... Samuel seems like a very logical theory

Time covered
1. From the death of Joshua to the rise of Samuel (about 1400-1100 BC)
2. This is longer than US history, similar to time of kings, but fairly brushed over
-- 1 Samuel 12:9-11
-- Acts 13:20
-- Hebrews 11:32
(Ruth is in this same time period)

Outline

1:1-3:6 Summary of Period
3:7-16:31 Summary of Judges
17:1-21:25 Summary of Moral State

Cycle
1. Compromise
2. Enemies take over
3. Israel cries out
4. Judge rescues
5. Compromise

Chapter 1 discusses the victories (1:1-20) and compromises (1:21-36) of Israel's call to eradicate the Canaanites. This failure to obey carried a price (2:1-5). Furthermore, the next generation after Joshua grew up without knowing the Lord or what He had done for Israel (2:1-10). This led to further problems and a cycle (above) of revival and rebellion (2:11-3:6).

3 Reasons God let their enemies remain

1. To judge the people for their disobedience (2:3)
2. To test the people (2:22)
3. To teach the people (3:2)

Judges

Below you will find my notes from my study of Judges

Judges 1:1-3:6
Judges 3:7-5:31
Judges 6:1-35
Judges 6:36-7:25
Judges 8-9
Judges 10-12
Judges 13-15
Judges 16
Judges 17-21

Questions & Answers

History & Distinctives of
the Wesleyan Church
Part 5: Questions and Answers


1. Isn’t it a little idolatrous to join a church named after a mere human being?

2. Didn’t Paul warn against denominationalism? Why does this Church feel the need to exist?

3. Which denominations are most similar to the Wesleyan Church? Most different?

4. Why does the Wesleyan Church ordain women? Isn’t that unbiblical?

5. Will the Wesleyan Church eventually ordain homosexuals like some other denominations?

6. If I decide to support this church financially, how can I be sure the money is well spent?

7. What do I lose by not becoming a Covenant or Community member? Is it a must?

8. What do you consider the weaknesses of the Wesleyan Church?

9. What do you consider the strengths of the Wesleyan Church?

Covenant Membership Agreement
I, ___________ ___________, affirm that:
 I have been born again in Christ
 I have been baptized
 I am committed to holiness
 I agree with the Wesleyan Articles of Religion
 I accept the Wesleyan Covenant Membership Commitments and Elementary Principles
 I am committed to support the Church


Community Membership Agreement
I, ___________ ___________, affirm that:
 I have been born again in Christ
 I have been baptized
 I am committed to holiness
 I agree with the Wesleyan Articles of Religion
 I am committed to support the Church


Other Membership Issues
I, ___________ ___________,

(Circle one of the numbers below)

1. Would like to change from Covenant Membership to Community Membership
2. Would like to take more time before deciding on church membership
3. Will continue to be a part of the church, but prefer to remain a non-member because:

Wesleyan Membership

History & Distinctives of
the Wesleyan Church
Part 4: Wesleyan Membership

Statistics
1. The WC is present in __ __ countries in the world
2. The WC has over __, __ __ __ churches
3. The WC has over __ __ __ __ __ __ constituents

Vision Statement
Equipping and empowering churches
for Great Commission ministries
in the spirit of the Great Commandment.

Mission Statement
To exalt Jesus Christ by:
* Evangelizing the lost
* Discipling the believers
* Equipping the Church
* Ministering to Society

Our Core Values and Beliefs

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY: The Bible is the highest source of written authority for God's plan for His people; it reveals how to live out that plan, individually and corporately. Beliefs, practices, priorities are to be anchored in clear biblical teachings.

CHRISTLIKENESS: Jesus Christ is the defining feature of God's will for all humankind. In Christ is found the highest and most practical meaning and clearest example for holy living or godliness. Christ is both example and strength as Wesleyans pursue integrity, excellence, faith, hope, and love.
DISCIPLE-MAKING: Making disciples is a clear mandate from Christ. This requires a strong focus on evangelism and training in spiritual growth and holy living. Done effectively, this will produce and promote growth and health in and among the churches.

LOCAL CHURCH CENTERED: The denomination exists to serve local congregations. Local churches are the most fundamental and strategic points of evangelism and discipleship. The challenge of the denomination is to keep finding the best ways to serve and strengthen congregations.

Community Membership
This is the participation level of membership. Community members make a profession of faith and agree to the Articles of Religion of the WC and, thus, become eligible to vote in local church elections

Covenant Membership
This is the leadership level of membership. In addition to Community Membership, Covenant members make certain lifestyle commitments and are eligible to serve in the institutional leadership positions of the local church (Pastor, LBA, Trustee, SS Superintendent, etc)

SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Wesleyans respect leadership that is placed over them, while realizing that the authority and effectiveness of spiritual leadership is not primarily bestowed, but earned and manifested by a loving and willing heart of obedience that serves God and mankind gladly. Wesleyans desire to be leaders in serving.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY: There is intrinsic value in every person. Unity becomes all the more important and beautiful in the light of the wide ranges of difference in personality, culture, race, talents, and perspectives. Loving each other eliminates devaluation and deprivation of life to one another.

Catholicity & Distinctives

History & Distinctives of
the Wesleyan Church
Part 3: Wesleyan Doctrinal Distinctives

Catholic Agreements
 Apostle’s Creed
 Nicene Creed
 Athanasian Creed

Wesleyan Agreement
 One God, three-Persons (Father, Son, Spirit)
 Jesus as unique God-man
~ Virgin birth
~ Sacrificial death
~ Physical resurrection
~ Ascension to heaven
~ Future return for judgment
 The Old & New Testament as Scripture (66 books)
~ Inspired & Infallible
~ Inerrant in their original manuscripts
~ Transmitted w/o corruption of essentials
~ Contain all necessary truth
 Our purpose: Love God, Love people
 Marriage is 1 man, 1 woman in Covenant
 Fallen nature (inability to achieve righteousness)
 Universal prevenient grace enabling freedom
 Salvation through Christ alone
~ Includes incompetent & children
~ Accessed by repentance (Savior) & faith (Lord)
~ Expressed by joining God’s Church
 Good works as the fruit of genuine faith
 Gradual & entire sanctification
 Church is entire body of believers in Jesus Christ
 Sacraments (Water Baptism & Lord’s Supper)
 2nd Coming of Christ, General Resurrection/Judgment
 Eternal Heaven & Everlasting Hell
“The Wesleyan Church has grown out of a revival movement which has historically given itself to one mission – the spreading of Scriptural holiness throughout every land”

Social Concern
 Equal Rights: opportunity for all people
 Peace: war to be avoided if/when possible
 Military Service: will defend conscientious objector
 Substance Abuse: avoided except for legitimate use
 Sexuality: within marriage of 1 man, 1 woman
 Divorce: sinful when not biblical, not un-pardonable
 Lord’s Day: opposed to merchandising
 Religion in Public: for public mention/prayer
 Dancing: protests social dancing in public schools
 Oaths: reserves right to affirm by testimony
 Abortion: opposed except in case of mother’s life
 Leisure: careful regulation of media/addictions
 Modesty: dressing with modest simplicity

Worship & Fellowship
 No one form is necessary
 God may physically heal when for His glory
 Liberty concerning secondary issues
 Cross-denominational fellowship

Christian Stewardship
 God is the owner of all persons and all things
 Churches financed through storehouse tithing
 Cautionary fund-raising
 Thought to be given to last will and testament

From Wesley to Wesleyan

History & Distinctives of the Wesleyan Church
Part 2: From Wesley to ‘Wesleyan’

Wesley & the Anglicans
 Wesley intended to reform Anglicanism
 Certain factors led to separation
1. Anglican pulpits closed to Wesley’s
2. Non-loyalists join Methodism
3. Ordination of Lay-preachers
4. Spread of Methodism in America

Methodism in England
 Calvinistic Methodists separated into 3 sects
 Arminian Methodists divided into 3 sects
1. Wesleyan Methodists (500k in 1925)
2. Primitive Methodists (200k in 1925)
3. United Methodists (200k in 1925)
~ These merged in 1932 (Methodist Church)

Methodism in America
 Methodists immigrate to America
 Wesley Chapel built in NYC (1768)
 Wesley sends men to lead movement
 Methodism thrives through Revolution
 Coke & Asbury named superintendents
 Growth to 1.3 million by mid-19th century
Schism in American Methodism
 Organizational issues (clergy vs. laity)
 Cultural issues (black vs. white)
 Moral issues (free vs. slavery)
 Spiritual issues (Holiness Movement)

The Holiness Movement
 ‘Wesleyan Methodist Connection’ (1843)
 ‘Apostolic Churches’ (late 1800’s)
 ‘Pentecostal Churches’ (early 1900’s)
 ‘Church of the Nazarene’ (1908)

Formation of the Wesleyan Church
 Orange Scott leads 1st Holiness Denomination
 Began as protest against tolerance of slavery
 22 ministers and 6000 lay people left MEC
 Participated in ‘Underground Railroad’
 Participated in ‘Women’s Rights’
 Merged with Pilgrim Holiness Church (1968)

History of the Hess Road Church
 Baptists, ME’s, and WM’s met at Olcott
 WM’s met at School house #3 in Appleton
 Church built in 1878, Parsonage in 1901
 Barn built (1926), 7 room annex (1956)
 Foyer/office built (1966) LC (1973)
 New Sanctuary (1993), Parsonage (2003)

Life & Times of John Wesley

History & Distinctives of the Wesleyan Church
Part 1: The Life & Times of John Wesley

18th Century Context

Political/Religious Environment
 King Charles’s vs. the Puritans
 Catholic vs. Protestant
 State/Religion vs. People

Intellectual Environment
 Rise of Deism
 Rise of Rationalism
 Rise of Empiricism

Social/Economic Environment
 Decline of church participation
 Decline of rural communities
 Decline of quality of life

The Wesley Family

 Samuel & Sussanah Wesley
 Non-conformists vs. Anglican
 John & Charles Wesley


The Life of John Wesley

 Born June 17th, 1703
 Number 15 of 19 children (10 survived)
 Rescued from house-fire (1709)
 School in London (1714), Oxford (1720)
 Leader of the ‘Holy Club’ (1729)
 Missionary to Georgia (1735-1738)
 Charles converts, writes 1st hymn (1738)
 John’s heart ‘strangely warmed’ (1738)
 England’s pulpits close to Wesley brothers
 Begins preaching outdoors (1739)
 3 point circuit (London, Bristol, New Castle)
 Societies, Classes, and Bands created
 Fell on London Bridge, married nurse (1751)
 Spouse separated in 1771, died in 1781
 Ordained 28 ministers, separating Methodism
 Traveled about 250,000 miles for preaching
 Preached 40,000 sermons (3,000 unique)
 Wrote/Edited b/w 200 and 300 books
 Gave away more than 30,000 pounds to needy
 Movement reached 50,000 English members
 Movement reached 15,000 Americans
 Wrote final letter (to William Wilberforce)
 Died on March 2nd, 1791

Wesleyan Theology

Below are some notes and papers on Wesleyan Theology

What is 'Wesleyan' Theology?

What's a Wesleyan?
Life & Times of John Wesley
From Wesley to Wesleyan
Catholicity & Distinctives
Wesleyan Membership
Questions & Answers

A Theology of Grace
Prevenient Grace
Convicting Grace
Justifying Grace
Sanctifying Grace
Empowering Grace

Convicting Grace

Prevenient  CONVICTING  Justifying
GRACE

Convicting Grace: God’s presence alerting us to our sin

6 Ways that God sends Conviction

1. Through the Holy Spirit
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8)

2. Through holy people
So that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us (Titus 2:8)

3. Through kindness
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head (Proverbs 25:22)

4. Through confrontation
"You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7)

5. Through shunning
Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed (2 Thessalonians 3:14)

6. Through discipline
I have been disciplined…After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated (Jeremiah 31:18-19)


7 Ways We Deal with Sin

1. Cover It Up (1 Samuel 15:13)
“I have carried out the LORD's instructions”

2. Cast Blame (1 Samuel 15:15, 21, 24)
“The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites”

3. Compare It (1 Samuel 15:15)
“But we totally destroyed the rest”

4. Convince Yourself (1 Samuel 15:20)
“But I did obey the Lord”

5. Claim Pure Motives (1 Samuel 15:21)
“In order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God”

6. Change the Terms (Luke 10:25-29)
“And who is my neighbor?”

7. Confess & Repent (1 Samuel 15:24)
“I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command”

If we claim to be without sin,
we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The Leaping Cripple

A Series of Miracles (Part 21)
Jumping into Acts (Acts 3-4)

1. Jesus did miracles by the power of the Spirit
2. The disciples were given the Spirit
3. The disciples did miracles by the power of the Spirit

Setting
1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

Miracle
3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Results
9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Observations from the story of the bouncing beggar

1. The presence of the Spirit did not equal an absence from the temple (3:1)

2. The presence of the Spirit did not equal an absence from physical suffering (3:2)

3. The presence of the Spirit did not equal an absence from financial concerns (3:3)

4. The church must take a closer look at the real problems within our culture (3:4)

5. The church must be in the business of giving people what they need rather than what they want (3:5)

6. The church must remember that has no authority of its own, only that which comes from Christ (3:6)

7. God is more interested in making people strong than in sustaining people in weakness (3:7)

8. God is worthy of a radical response of worship (3:8)

9. God wants to use you to reach others (3:9)

10. You are most useful to God when it’s evident that you’ve been changed by God (3:10)

11. You are not responsible to fill every role (3:11-26)

12. You are not called to comfort, but boldness (4:1-31)

Prevenient Grace

Prevenient Grace

What is Prevenient Grace?

The activity of God in our lives prior to saving faith

What does Prevenient Grace do?

Creation points to a Creator (WHO?)
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

Conscience alerts us to a standard (WHAT?)
Their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. (Romans 2:15)

Control places us where we need to be (WHERE?)
He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him. (Acts 17:26-27)

Clemency takes away original guilt (WHEN?)
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

Compassion motivates God’s activity (WHY?)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Age of Accountability

What does the Doctrine Declare?
The belief that children and the mentally incompetent are safely ‘in Christ’ due to prevenient grace and thus, upon death, will pass on to eternal life

What does the Bible say?

Children are generally ignorant of God’s standards
And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. (Deuteronomy 1:39)

Children are not held accountable for sins of ignorance
The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. (Ezekiel 18:20)
If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? (Prov. 24:12)
For apart from law, sin is dead. (Romans 7:8)

Children go the Lord upon death
I will go to him, but he will not return to me. (2 Samuel 12:23)
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

When is the Age of Accountability?
1. Variable 2. 13 (culture) 3. 20 (Num. 14:29)