The Danger of Half-Hearted Christianity
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Introduction
Introduction
The Danger of Half-Way Christianity
Rosetta Stone - Learn Spanish - started well - no follow through. Hispanic ministry. Now, a few months from Guatemala - No Spanish. I’m going to get lost in Guatemala and will never return because I didn’t finish what I started. (Jerry’s going to be gone, and Logan’s a millennial - no hope for me.)
I want you to finish what you have started in Christ and half-hearted devotion to God will not help you get there. No book better demonstrates this than Judges.
Half-hearted devotion to God - no book better demonstrates this than Judges.
- After Joshua leads Israel to take the land, he challenges them. “Choose this day.” They say they would choose the Lord, but in reality they choose rebellion.
- After Joshua leads Israel to take the land, he challenges them. “Choose this day.” They say they would choose the Lord, but in reality they choose rebellion.
· Judges graphic stories of conquest and failure. Tragic story of half-hearted devotion that led to spiritual failure. Be honest. Half-heart devotion characterizes many Christians. Instead of influencing the world – we are increasingly influenced by the world. The book ends with a chilling phrase: “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” Doesn’t that sound like us?
Judges graphic stories of victories and failures. Tragic story of half-hearted devotion that led to failure in their walk with God and the mission God had for them. Half-heart devotion characterizes many Christians. Instead of influencing the world – we are increasingly influenced by the world. The book ends with a chilling phrase: “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” Doesn’t that sound like us?
· A cycle in the book - Israel does well for a while, then they turn their eyes from God. God sends judgment by allowing the Israelites to be defeated by their enemies. They cry out, God raises up a judge who delivers, and the cycle starts again. Judges are flawed heroes. Book points to our need for a better hero – a greater judge – who ultimately delivers His people: Jesus.
A cycle in the book - Israel does well for a while, then they turn their eyes from God. God sends judgment by allowing the Israelites to be defeated by their enemies. They cry out, God raises up a judge who delivers, and the cycle starts again. The Judges are flawed heroes. Book points to our need for a better hero – a greater judge – who ultimately delivers His people: Jesus.
· I want to show you how we get to a place of half-hearted Christianity and how we overcome it.
I want to show you how we get to a place of half-hearted Christianity and how we overcome it.
The story:
· The story starts well. Joshua died However, there is unfinished business. The tribes of Israel had to go in and possess the land for themselves, and they had to drive out completely the Canaanites who were in the land. But, they were not alone. God was with them: He would lead them and empower them to defeat their enemies.
Joshua died. However, there is unfinished business. The tribes of Israel had to go in and possess the land for themselves, and they had to drive out completely the Canaanites who were in the land. But, they were not alone. God was with them: He would lead them and empower them to defeat their enemies.
But why drive out the Canaanites? Not fair! These were wicked people! and – God said He would drive them out because of their wickedness. God uses Israel as an instrument of divine judgement against Canaan. Not the way God works today. Gave a clear directive to Israel to drive out the Canaanites. Today, God is on a saving mission. Jesus laid down His life. He didn’t take life. Now, we lay down our lives. We extend mercy, and we leave justice in God’s hands.
· But why drive out the Canaanites? Not fair! These were wicked people! and – God said He would drive them out because of their wickedness. After all, these people sacrificed their own children to false gods! In part, God uses Israel as an instrument of divine judgement against Canaan. Not the way God works today. Gave a clear directive to Israel to drive out the Canaanites. Today, God is on a saving mission. Jesus laid down His life. He didn’t take life. Now, we lay down our lives. We extend mercy, and we leave justice in God’s hands.
Why drive out the Canaanites? Not fair! These were wicked people! – God said He would drive them out because of their wickedness. God uses Israel as an instrument of divine judgement against Canaan. Not the way God works today. Gave a clear directive to Israel to drive out the Canaanites. Today, God is on a saving mission. Jesus laid down His life. He didn’t take life. Now, we lay down our lives. We extend mercy, and we leave justice in God’s hands.
· Drive out the Canaanites because of the influence they would have on Israel. (We see this developing in the story.) If they left the Canaanites in the land, the evil of the Canaanites would rub off on the Israelites, and that’s exactly what we see happening. The Israelites wouldn’t influence the Canaanites. Rather, the Canaanites would influence the Israelites.
Drive out the Canaanites because of the influence they would have on Israel. If they left the Canaanites in the land, the evil of the Canaanites would rub off on the Israelites, and that’s exactly what we see happening. The Israelites wouldn’t influence the Canaanites. Rather, the Canaanites would influence the Israelites.
Drive out the Canaanites because of the influence they would have on Israel. (We see this developing in the story.) If they left the Canaanites in the land, the evil of the Canaanites would rub off on the Israelites, and that’s exactly what we see happening. The Israelites wouldn’t influence the Canaanites. Rather, the Canaanites would influence the Israelites.
Is it unfair? One Canaanite king didn’t think so. Adoni-bezek. (vs.4-7) – The tribe of Judah joins with the tribe of Simeon to fight against different Canaanite territories – one of those is the territory of Bezek. The tribe of Judah found the king – cut off his thumbs and big toes. Apparently the king had done the same thing. His response: “As I have done, so God has repaid me.” On the final day of judgment, when God ultimately punishes all who have rejected Christ, no one will say, “this is unfair.” Every person who has rejected the free gift of God’s salvation will say, “I’m getting what I deserve.”
· Is it unfair? Well, one Canaanite king didn’t think so. Adoni-bezek. (vs.4-7) – The tribe of Judah joins with the tribe of Simeon to fight against different Canaanite territories – one of those is the territory of Bezek. The tribe of Judah found the king – cut off his thumbs and big toes. But, apparently the king had done the same thing. His response: “As I have done, so God has repaid me.” On the final day of judgment, when God ultimately punishes all who have rejected Christ, no one will say, “this is unfair.” Every person who has rejected the free gift of God’s salvation will say, “I’m getting what I deserve.”
The story starts well. Judah driving out their enemies as God commanded. Then, a story of courageous faith. Caleb – one of only two of the twelve spies who gave a favorable report of the land when Moses sent the spies to scout out the land. He’s a hero in Israel – one, like Joshua, who had walked in faith. “Whoever captures Kiriath-sepher will receive my daughter as a wife.” Othniel, who will later be the first judge, has faith like Caleb – courageously leads a battle against the enemy. He receives Caleb’s daughter as his reward. She wants more land as a wedding gift. Not just the dessert of Negeb – but land with water. Example of a man and woman who want to live in God’s Promised Land providing for their family. (water for garden, etc.) They get it – they understand what God has in store for them, and they want it.
· The story starts well. Judah driving out their enemies as God commanded. Then, a story of courageous faith. Caleb – one of only two of the twelve spies who gave a favorable report of the land when Moses sent the spies to scout out the land. He’s a hero in Israel – one, like Joshua, who had walked in faith. “Whoever captures Kiriath-sepher will receive my daughter as a wife.” Othniel, who will later be the first judge, has faith like Caleb – courageously leads a battle against the enemy. He receives Caleb’s daughter as his reward. She wants more land as a wedding gift. Not just the dessert of Negeb – but land with water. Example of a man and woman who want to live in God’s Promised Land providing for their family. (water for garden, etc.) They get it – they understand what God has in store for them, and they want it.
Judah drives out more of the Canaanites from various territories, but then all of a sudden their victories come to a halt. (vs. 19) Couldn’t drive Canaanites out of the plains because they had chariots of iron. Isn’t God greater than chariots of iron? “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” Israel had seen God do this before- remember crossing the Red Sea? Egyptians pursuing the people in chariots. The Bible says that the Lord clogged their chariot wheel! () But, it’s typical, isn’t it? We see face an obstacle that’s way too big for us, and instead of depending on God’s strength we say, “We can’t!”
· Judah drives out more of the Canaanites from various territories, but then all of a sudden their victories come to a halt. (vs. 19) Couldn’t drive Canaanites out of the plains because they had chariots of iron. Isn’t God greater than chariots of iron? “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” And, Israel had seen God do this before- remember crossing the Red Sea? Egyptians pursuing the people in chariots. The Bible says that the Lord clogged their chariot wheel! () But, it’s typical, isn’t it? We see face an obstacle that’s way too big for us, and instead of depending on God’s strength we say, “We can’t!”
· It only gets worse. Tribe of Joseph goes to Luz, and they rely on a man of Luz to show them a secret way into the city. They let him and his family live, and they go and build another city. Doesn’t really accomplish what God wanted them to! Relying on a pagan instead of relying on God!
It only gets worse. Tribe of Joseph goes to Luz, and they rely on a man of Luz to show them a secret way into the city. They let him and his family live, and they go and build another city. Doesn’t really accomplish what God wanted them to! Relying on a pagan instead of relying on God!
Half-tribe of Manasseh would not drive out the people in Beth-shean – and instead put them to forced labor. Ephraim, Zubulun, Asher, Napthali – none of these tribes drove out the Canaanites. Instead, lived among the Canaanites and put them to forced labor. This isn’t what God called them to do!
· Half-tribe of Manasseh would not drive out the people in Beth-shean – and instead put them to forced labor. Ephraim, Zubulun, Asher, Napthali – none of these tribes drove out the Canaanites. Instead, lived among the Canaanites and put them to forced labor. This isn’t what God called them to do!
· Ch. 2:1-5 – God obviously not happy about any of this. “They shall become thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”
Ch. 2:1-5 – God obviously not happy about any of this. “They shall become thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”
· Vs. 10-15 – the tragedy – The next generation did not know God “They abandoned the Lord” – they went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them… And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies.” In other words, God gave them what they wanted.
Vs. 10-15 – the tragedy – The next generation did not know God “They abandoned the Lord” – they went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them… And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies.” In other words, God gave them what they wanted.
· Do you see it? Tragic! The story started so well for the Israelites – and it ended up in tragic. What happened? Notice – the progression – same for us – started committed – then got sloppy in their obedience – half-way Christianity – one foot in God’s mission, one foot in the world – then completely fell off the wagon. Haven’t you seen that in your life as well? There are areas in your life where you have completely fallen off the wagon because you stopped obeying the Lord in that area. How does it happen?
Do you see it? Tragic! The story started so well for the Israelites – and it ended up in tragic. What happened? Notice – the progression – same for us – started committed – then got sloppy in their obedience – half-way Christianity – one foot in God’s mission, one foot in the world – then completely fell off the wagon. Haven’t you seen that in your life as well? There are areas in your life where you have completely fallen off the wagon because you stopped obeying the Lord in that area. How does it happen?
We choose small compromises that endanger us and do not grow us.
We choose small compromises that endanger us and do not grow us.
In chapter 1, it’s not major sin – the Israelites are obeying – just not fully. Half-way Christianity. “I’ll obey you as long as it’s not too hard.”
· In chapter 1, it’s not major sin – the Israelites are obeying – just not fully. It’s half-way Christianity. It’s an attitude that says, “I’ll obey you as long as it’s convenient.”
It’s not as if the Israelites could not drive out their enemies. They could! God wasn’t going to call them to do something that they could not do. Rather, it’s that they would not drive out their enemies.
· You see, it’s not as if the Israelites could not drive out their enemies. They could! God wasn’t going to call them to do something that they could not do. Rather, it’s that they would not drive out their enemies.
Where in your life are you saying to God, “I can’t…” And God is saying to you, “It’s not that you can’t. It’s that you won’t.” In the areas of your life where you are saying, “I can’t” it has nothing to do with you not being strong enough and everything to do with you not being confident in God’s ability to help you to obey Him. (Chik-fil-a Red - Hard to achieve when everyone is tired of going - they just didn’t share my vision. You don’t share God’s vision for your life so you won’t - you won’t do what’s necessary.)
· Question: Where in your life are you saying to God, “I can’t…” And God is saying to you, “It’s not that you can’t. It’s that you won’t.” In the areas of your life where you are saying, “I can’t” it has nothing to do with you not being strong enough and everything to do with you not being confident in God’s ability to help you to obey Him.
Where are you saying, “I can’t?” Maybe it’s in the area of forgiveness. Someone in your life that you know God wants you to forgive, but you are saying, “God, I can’t forgive that person.” Maybe it’s in telling the truth. “I just can’t tell him the truth. It would destroy him. It would destroy me. I would be humiliated. It might ruin our relationship.” A certain temptation? “I simply can’t quit smoking. I know it’s an addictive behavior that is harmful for my health, but I can’t give it up.” Maybe it’s a specific call. “I can’t share my faith with my neighbor because it would make our relationship awkward.” In all of these areas where God is obeying, it’s not that you can’t obey Him. It’s that you won’t obey Him.
· Where are you saying, “I can’t?” Maybe it’s in the area of forgiveness. Someone in your life that you know God wants you to forgive, but you are saying, “God, I can’t forgive that person.” Maybe it’s in telling the truth. “I just can’t tell him the truth. It would destroy him. It would destroy me. I would be humiliated. It might ruin our relationship.” A certain temptation? “I simply can’t quit smoking. I know it’s an addictive behavior that is harmful for my help, but I can’t give it up.” Maybe it’s a specific call. “I can’t share my faith with my neighbor because it would just make our relationship awkward.” In all of these areas where God is obeying, it’s not that you can’t obey Him. It’s that you won’t obey Him.
You are making small compromises – your “I can’t” doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it’s putting you in a dangerous position. By saying “I can’t” you are harming your relationships with others and your walk with the Lord. In short, you simply cannot grow in Christlikeness when you are saying to God in any area of your life where He has called you to obedience, “I can’t do it.”
· You are making small compromises – your “I can’t” doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it’s putting you in a dangerous position. By saying “I can’t” you are harming your relationships with others and your walk with the Lord. In short, you simply cannot grow in Christlikeness when you are saying to God in any area of your life where He has called you to obedience, “I can’t do it.”
This morning, identify your “I can’t” areas and repent!
· This morning, identify your “I can’t” areas and repent!
We choose small gods that enslave us and do not satisfy us.
We choose small gods that enslave us and do not satisfy us.
Because the Israelites said, “we can’t” it ultimately led them to say “we can” to something else - false gods. You’re “no” to God is always a “yes” to something that is contrary to God’s will. For Israel, the gods of the Canaanites would be more appealing than the true God who brought them out of Egypt.
Just like the Israelites, you’ve chosen to turn to small gods because they seem to be more appealing than the true God. And, the small gods you have chosen have not satisfied you. Instead, they have enslaved you and made you miserable.
· Idols enslave us – they are snares – traps. Our idols may promise satisfaction, but they never really satisfy us. They just take our eyes off of the true and living God.
· Just like the Israelites, you’ve made some compromises. You’ve chosen to turn to small gods because they seem to be more appealing than the true God. And, the small gods you have chosen have not satisfied you. Instead, they have enslaved you and made you miserable.
Just like the Israelites, you’ve made some compromises. You’ve chosen to turn to small gods because they seem to be more appealing than the true God. And, the small gods you have chosen have not satisfied you. Instead, they have enslaved you and made you miserable.
Your career offers you power and freedom, so you make it your god. You work 60 or 70 hours a week to get ahead, to get the accolades, to feel like your life matters, but instead your life suffers. You have no time for your family or for your church. Little time off. Your idol has enslaved you – not satisfied you.
· Think about it: Your career offers you power and freedom, so you make it your god. You work 60 or 70 hours a week to get ahead, to get the accolades, to feel like your life matters, but instead your life suffers. You have no time for your family or for your church. Little time off. Your idol has enslaved you – not satisfied you.
· You make your kids your idols. Life is all about your kids – they are the center of the universe. You live vicariously through them. You find all your joy in them. You give them the best of everything. You make sure they have all the opportunities you did not have – then they rebel against you and you are miserable. You are enslaved by your children.
How do you know if you have chosen small gods?
What brings you the most satisfaction? E.g. Your kids are the center of the universe. You live vicariously through them. You find all your joy in them. You give them the best of everything. You make sure they have all the opportunities you did not have – then they rebel against you and you are miserable. You are enslaved by your children.
· Anything you choose in this life to find your ultimate satisfaction in other than God will always fall short of your dreams and expectations. You’ll end up sacrificing much of your life on the altars of your idols, and they will only leave you miserable.
What gets your best efforts? E.g. - Your career offers you power and freedom, so you make it your god. You work 60 or 70 hours a week to get ahead, to get the accolades, to feel like your life matters, but instead your life suffers. You have no time for your family or for your church. Little time off. Your idol has enslaved you – not satisfied you.
What gets your best efforts? E.g. - Your career offers you power and freedom, so you make it your god. You work 60 or 70 hours a week to get ahead, to get the accolades, to feel like your life matters, but instead your life suffers. You have no time for your family or for your church. Little time off. Your idol has enslaved you – not satisfied you.
What consumes your thoughts? You! You constantly think about what makes you happy, content, etc. You are your idol! But, you make yourself miserable.
What consumes your thoughts?
https://nypost.com/2019/01/31/young-manhattan-nutritionist-hanged-herself-after-posting-suicide-note/ - What were the small gods that left her miserable?
Anything you choose in this life to find your ultimate satisfaction in other than God will always fall short of your dreams and expectations. You’ll end up sacrificing much of your life on the altars of your idols, and they will only leave you miserable.
Be honest with yourself: what have you made an idol in your life? John Calvin – Our hearts are idol factories. What is it this morning that you’ve made most important in your life that is actually stressing you out?
· Be honest with yourself: what have you made an idol in your life? John Calvin – Our hearts are idol factories. What is it this morning that you’ve made most important in your life that is actually stressing you out? How would your life be different if you lived out what Jesus said in ? “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
Root out your idols for the sake of your own soul and the lives of others. What are you teaching the next generation to worship by the way that you worship? This is what happened in Israel. You are teaching your children and grandchildren about worship – you are teaching through your example what is most important. What are your kids and grandkids seeing about Christ in you? In your decisions and priorities?
· Here’s why it is so important for you to root out your idols: the next generation will likely worship what you worship. This is what happened in Israel. You are teaching your children and grandchildren about worship – you are teaching through your example what is most important. What are your kids and grandkids seeing about Christ in you? In your decisions and priorities?
God chooses Big Grace that frees us and does not condemn us.
God chooses Big Grace that frees us and does not condemn us.
God delivers – the Book of Judges saturated in the grace of God. But, the men and women that God raises up to deliver never ultimately deliver the Israelites. They find themselves right back where they started – enslaved to their sin.
· And, there’s tension. Vs. 1 – “I promised you the land.” How can God bless a disobedient people? If anything, it seems like the people are no longer blessed. “Will God give up on His people?”
And, there’s tension. Vs. 1 – “I promised you the land.” How can God bless a disobedient people? If anything, it seems like the people are no longer blessed. “Will God give up on His people?” - Covenant - - God will raise up a Judge unlike the Judges in Judges - who will break the cycle of rebellion and captivity by becoming our sin so we might become His righteousness. God blesses us because of His Son. Jesus ONCE AND FOR ALL delivers us from what has enslaved us so that God can bless us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. If you have not experienced His grace – turn to Him!
· Tension resolved at the cross. Jesus is the ultimate Judge. On the cross our sin was given to Him so that His righteousness could be given to us. As a result, God can bless us because we are now righteous in Christ. And He does bless us! Jesus rose from the dead defeating death so we could be blessed with the gift of eternal life forever free from the enslavement of sin. Jesus ONCE AND FOR ALL delivers us from what has enslaved us so that God can bless us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. If you have not experienced His grace – turn to Him!
Tension resolved at the cross. Jesus is the ultimate Judge. On the cross our sin was given to Him so that His righteousness could be given to us. As a result, God can bless us because we are now righteous in Christ. Jesus rose from the dead defeating death so we could be blessed with the gift of eternal life forever free from the enslavement of sin. Jesus ONCE AND FOR ALL delivers us from what has enslaved us so that God can bless us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. If you have not experienced His grace – turn to Him!
In Judges, after a judge died – the people went back to their former way of life. Good news: in Christ, you don’t have to go back! Instead of being enslaved to idolatry and sin – you can put it to death. God does not condemn us for our sin. In His grace – He deals with our sin in Christ.
· In Judges, after a judge died – the people went back to their former way of life. Good news: in Christ, you don’t have to go back! Instead of being enslaved to idolatry and sin – you can put it to death. God does not condemn us for our sin. In His grace – He deals with our sin in Christ.
What do you do this morning? 1. Stop saying, “I can’t.” 2. Root out the idols. 3. Live in light of grace – don’t go back to what God saved you from. Instead, choose freedom found in surrender and obedience.
· What do you do this morning? 1. Stop saying, “I can’t.” 2. Root out the idols. 3. Live in light of grace – don’t go back to what God saved you from. Instead, choose freedom found in surrender and obedience.