The Book of Judges - Week 8

Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 21, 2019

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches through Judges 19-21. These chapters tell the story of an unrighteous Levite, his concubine, and the Battle of Gibeah. In these final chapters of Judges, Israel wandered very far from God and redefined right and wrong in their own eyes. This resulted in adopting the value system from cultures around them and committing the worst kinds of sexual violence and murder. We study these stories because we weep with the victims, but also to examine our own heart. If we see areas in our life where we think like the Hebrews in Judges, we are no longer changed by God; we are changing God to fit our preferences.

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The Book of Judges - Week 7

Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 14, 2019

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches through Judges 17-18. These chapters tell the story of a man named Micah, a Levite, and the Israelite tribe of Dan. Micah’s mother pays a silversmith to form an image of God that her son uses as idol worship in his home. Micah hires a Levite to affirm his idolatrous lifestyle and convinces himself that God is pleased with his choices. The tribe of Dan hires the Levite, who is the grandson of Moses, to become their personal priest, and they steal the idols from Micah’s home. Everyone in this story is convinced they are pleasing God, but none of them are obeying God. This story reminds us that if we reform God into an image that we find appealing, we will ultimately serve a God that does not exist.

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The Book of Judges - Week 6

Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 7, 2019

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches through Judges 15-16. These chapters continue the story of Samson and how God used him to drive a wedge between Israel and the Philistines. Even though God used Samson, Samson did not practice self-control or obedience in his personal life. This lifestyle allowed him to excel in the gifts that God gave him, but remain shallow in his character and spiritual maturity. This story reminds us that if we follow Samson’s example of compromise, we will stop our spiritual growth and remain immature in the Kingdom of God.

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The Book of Judges - Week 5

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 30, 2019

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches through Judges 13-14. This story follows the Hebrew judge named Samson. An angel told Samson’s parents to raise him as a Nazarite, and God would use him to overcome the Philistines. However, Samson had self-control issues and a desire to chase what was pleasing to his eyes. Even though Samson was weak, God still used him to drive a wedge between Israel and the Philistines. This story reminds us that our life choices may seem right in our own eyes, but God has a different standard. It also teaches us that even though God uses you, it does not mean He is pleased with you.

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The Book of Judges - Week 4

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 23, 2019

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches through Judges 10-12. This story follows a Hebrew judge named Jephthah. He was an outcast from his family and home, but God anointed him to bring judgment on Israel’s enemies. However, Jephthah had a warped theology of God and made a foolish vow before entering into battle. This vow cost him dearly, and it reminds us to let the Bible shape our theology rather than the culture around us.

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The Book of Judges - Week 3

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 16, 2019

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches through Judges 8-9. This story takes place after Gideon defeats the Midianites with only 300 men. Gideon began to lose sight of God, killed the elders in a nearby city, and built a golden ephod that turned into an idol. Gideon’s son, Abimelech, killed 70 of his brothers and burned the city of Shechem to the ground. These stories remind us that we must follow God in complete obedience, so we don’t drift from God at the end of our life. Gideon also reminds us of how important it is for parents to model the behavior they want to see in their children.

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The Book of Judges - Week 2

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 9, 2019

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches through Judges 6-7. This story takes place after Israel rebelled against God, and the Midianites overtook them. Israel cried to God for help, and He sent a prophet to remind them about their covenant. He then raised a new judge named Gideon. This story teaches us about God’s faithfulness, our weakness, and the difference between regret and repentance.

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The Book of Judges - Week 1

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 2, 2019

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches through Judges 1-5. This story takes place after Israel entered the Promised Land, and Joshua died. God commanded Israel to eliminate the evil tribes inhabiting the land, but Israel decided to disobey. They built homes, planted gardens, and ignored the commandments of God. Because of this disobedience, they continually turned back to sin and cried out to God for salvation. In these five chapters, salvation came in the form of a Judge named Ehud and Deborah. As we study the scripture, reflect on how the choices of Israel mirror our choices in our Christian walk. Jesus asks us to obey Him, but we often only follow part of His commands and ignore others. This attitude of partial obedience is no obedience at all, and it leads us back to a life of hardship and slavery to sin.

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