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Can God Bless America? *** 2 Chronicles 7:14; Joshua 1:8; Nehemiah 8-9 1. God's Pattern for Blessing: Return to His Word Nehemiah 8–9 A. They brought the Book. • Revival began with Scripture. • God's people gathered around His Word. B. They understood the Book. • The Word was explained. • Truth produced conviction. C. They obeyed the Book. • Repentance followed revelation. • Worship followed repentance. 2. God's Blessing Always Requires Repentance 2 Chronicles 7:14; Nehemiah 9 Israel acknowledged: • We sinned. • God was righteous. • Judgment was deserved. They stopped blaming circumstances and confessed their rebellion. “Repentance/Confession is agreeing with God about our sin.” 3. The Conditions for Blessing Never Change Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1 God promised success through obedience. The progression: • Know God's Word. • Meditate on God's Word. • Obey God's Word. • Experience God's blessing. 4. The Greatest Danger Is Rejecting God Romans 1 When people reject God: • Truth is suppressed. • Worship is corrupted. • Morality collapses. • Conscience grows dull. • God gives people over to their choices. National decline is ultimately a spiritual problem before it becomes a political, economic, or cultural one. 5. God's Blessing Comes Only Through Christ 2 Corinthians 1:20 National reform cannot replace personal salvation. A nation changes only as individuals are transformed by the gospel. *** Lots of ideas originally from Can God Bless America by John MacArthur

No King Samson - The Judge No One Asked For “What Could Have Been” Saint, Savior, Sinner Judge Judges 13-14 ; Hebrews 11:32 Famous Lessons “Sin will blind you, bind you, and grind you” “Sin will take you farther than you want to do, cost you more than you want to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay” God sent a Savior to people who didn't deserve it with Sampson and with His Son “Giftedness without Godly Character is Dangerous” 1. God’s Purpose Begins Before Our Participation Judges 13:1–5 40 years of Philistine Oppression Israel does NOT cry out for help Miraculous Message Angel of Lord (Jesus Christ) appears to Manoah's Wife Miraculous Birth Miraculous Purpose - 1-Nazarite | 2- to the Lord Nazarite - “to separate” No alcohol No touching dead body No cutting of his hair 2. A Godly Heritage Does Not Guarantee A Godly Heart Judges 13:6–14 “You can be around spiritual things without being surrendered to God.” 3. Large Problems begin with Small Compromises & Desires Judges 14:1-3 “When feelings become the authority, obedience becomes optional” 4. Physical strength does not cancel out spiritual weakness - Judges 14:5-9 “Spirit of the Lord” - Supernatural Anointing/Empowerment Probably Not Physically Remarkable “He could defeat a lion but could not control his desires.” 5. Don’t Help People Sin Judges 14:4 6. When You are Done with Sin, It is Not Done with You Judges 14

No King Outcast to Outlaw Judge - Jepthah Reject, Renegade, Rash Judges 10-12 ; Hebrews 11:32 Cycle in Judges - Sin, Servitude, Supplication, Salvation, Silence 1. Israel's Greatest Problem Was Spiritual Unfaithfulness Judges 10:6–16 45 years of peace Apostasy / Idolatry - 7 Fold Description Geographically Categorically Canaanization The essence of idolatry is enjoying God’s gifts but not being grateful to the Giver, and Israel was guilty. Comfortable living often produces weak character. Whether in a nation or a local church, the absence of qualified leaders is often a judgment of God and evidence of the low spiritual level of the people. Judges 10:11 - 18 years of suffering Many people want freedom from consequences. They do not want freedom from sin. 2. God Uses Broken People Judges 11:1–11 Jephthah's story begins with rejection. • Son of a harlot • Rejected by brothers • Driven away from home Yet God uses him. Jephthah is now “a mighty warrior” Your past does not have the final word. Jesus does! Jephthah the Disowned (11:1–3) Jephthah the Desperado (11:4–11) Jephthah the Diplomat (11:12–28) Jephthah the Defender (11:29, 32–33) Jephthah the Doubter (11:30–31) Jephthah the Daddy (11:34–40) 3. Knowing About God Is Not The Same As Knowing God Judges 11:29–31 Before battle Jephthah makes a vow. A tragic vow. A foolish vow. Why? Because he appears to misunderstand God's character. The victory was already promised. Yet he tries to bargain with God. Ignorance of God's Word and Person often leads to spiritual disaster. 4. Foolish Words & Vows Can Create Lasting Pain Judges 11:34–40 Jephthah Sacrificed His Daughter’s Life (A Dead Sacrifice) Jephthah Sacrificed His Daughter’s Future (A Living Sacrifice) Words spoken foolishly can create wounds that last for years. 5. Great Faith Does Not Eliminate Human Weakness Judges 12

No King The Rise of the Bramble King – Abimelech Ambition, Idolatry, Murder, Destruction Judges 8:29–35, Judges 9 Sin, Servitude, Supplication, Salvation, Silence 1. Selfish Ambition for Power will Destroy Everything Judges 9:1-6 Ambition without godliness becomes tyranny. Israel had become morally anesthetized. Abimelech should have received condemnation; instead, he received coronation. 2. People Often Choose What Is Impressive Over What Is Right Judges 9:6 A culture that abandons truth will eventually celebrate the wrong leaders. 3. God Always Sees Judges 9:7–21 God sees beneath appearances. People may be fooled. God never is. 4. Sin is Always Judged Judges 9:22–57 Sin contains the seeds of its own destruction. 5. God is Always at Work Judges 9:23, 56–57 Abimelech is a false king. He takes life. Jesus gives life. Abimelech seeks power for himself. Jesus Christ lays down His life for others. Abimelech destroys his brothers to gain a crown. Jesus dies for His brothers to provide salvation. The greatest danger is not merely having the wrong leader over a nation. The greatest danger is having the wrong king over your life.

No King Gideon - Failing the Test of Success - The Compromised Judge Judges 7-8 Cycles in Judges Sin, Servitude, Supplication, Salvation, Silence Rebellion, Retribution, Repentance, and Restoration Disobedience, Discipline, Despair, Deliverance “One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it.” Oswald Chambers 1. God Is Patient With Growing Faith Judges 6:36–40 Wet Fleece, Dry Floor Dry Fleece, Wet Floor “Success/Blessing tempts us towards pride.” “Gideon’s greatest danger was not hiding in the winepress. His greatest danger came after the victory.” 2. God Reduces Our Strength So We Depend On Him Judges 7:1–8 • 32,000 → 10,000 • 10,000 → 300 3. God’s Power Is Displayed Through Our Dependence Judges 7:16–22 The strategy is unusual: • Trumpets • Pitchers • Torches No military logic. Because this battle would clearly belong to God. Giving Attendance Serving/Volunteering 4. After Great Victory Comes Great Temptation Judges 8:22–23 5. Small Compromises After Success Can Destroy You Judges 8:24–27 Ephod from Gold “What begins as a memorial becomes an idol.” If we are not careful, yesterday’s victories can become today’s idols. He compromised in four areas: finances, faith, family, and fantasy. 6. How You Finish Matters Judges 8:28–35 “A change in circumstances/external victories cannot replace heart transformation.” Jesus Is The Better Gideon Gideon was: • Fearful • Imperfect • Inconsistent But Gideon points us toward a greater Deliverer. Jesus Christ never failed. • Never compromised • Never sought His own glory • Never turned aside Where Gideon stumbled, Christ succeeded.

No King Gideon - The Hero in Hiding - The Timid Judge Judges 6 Sin, Servitude, Supplication, Salvation, Silence Rebellion, Retribution, Repentance, and Restoration Disobedience, Discipline, Despair, Deliverance “One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it.” Oswald Chambers 1. Sin Always Carries Awful Consequences Judges 6:1-10 Ingratitude Idolatry impenitence 2. God Often Meets Us In Our Weakness Judges 6:11–24 Gideon - “Chopper or Hacker” Two Excuses His family is to Midian what Midian is to Israel - Very Low He is the Youngest “God sees beyond your present condition.” “You are a Mighty Man of Valor” Courageous Christians are not people who never struggle with fear. They are people who obey God despite fear. 3. Before God Uses You Publicly, He Deals With You Privately Judges 6:25–27 Real battle was not first external, but internal. Israel’s biggest problem was not Midianite oppression. It was spiritual compromise. Tear Down the Altar of Baal If God is to be their Savior, Baal must go. 4. Fearful Obedience Is Still Obedience Judges 6:27-35 Obedience is better than courage. Trembling Obedience is still obedience. Two Arenas Enemies Community New Name - Jerubbaal “Let Baal fight with Him” 5. God’s Presence Makes The Difference Judges 6:14–16 “I will be with you” The Power is always in God's Presence. 6. God Is Patient With Growing Faith Judges 6:36–40

No King The Odd Couple to the Awed Couple Judges 4-5 Sin, Servitude, Supplication, Salvation, Silence Rebellion, Retribution, Repentance, and Restoration Disobedience, Discipline, Despair, Deliverance Cast of Characters Jabin: King of Hazor in Canaan; a tyrant Deborah: a Jewish judge; a woman of faith and courage “Honey Bee” Barak: a reluctant Jewish general “Lightning” Sisera: captain of Jabin’s army Heber: a Kenite neighbor, at peace with Jabin Jael: wife of Heber; handy with a hammer “Mountain Goat” Jehovah/Yahweh God: in charge of wars and weather Prose and Poetry 1. Act One - Sin Always Leads Back To Bondage Judges 4:1–3 The devil never advertises the chains. 2. Act Two - God Raises Leaders In Dark Times Judges 4:4–5 Throughout Scripture, God often uses unlikely people in desperate moments. Judge & Prophetess - Like Miriam, led in worship 3. Act Three - Don't Hesitate When God Calls Judges 4:6–9 The Word of God should have been enough. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. Faith obeys before it sees the outcome. 4. Act Four: God Gives the Victory Judges 4:11–23 Sisera is warned (vv. 11–12) Sisera is defeated (vv. 13–16) Sisera is slain (vv. 17–23) 5. Act Five - Give Glory to God Judges 5:1-31 Praise the Lord, all you people! (vv. 1–12) Praise the Lord for the volunteers (vv. 13–18) Praise the Lord for His victory (vv. 19–23) Praise the Lord for a courageous woman (vv. 24–31)

No King God Uses Unlikely People Judges 3:12-31 Unlikely Conquerors Unlikely Leaders Unlikely Weapons Unlikely Strategy 1. How did we lose to this guy? 2. How did we get these guys for leaders? Othniel – the Lion of God Cushan Rishathaim - “doubly wicked” Ehud - “hindered in his right hand” Eglon – young cow or bull 1. Sin Always Resets The Cycle Judges 3:12 “Spiritual experiences don’t guarantee spiritual consistency.” 2. God Will Use Anyone Or Anything To Get Our Attention Judges 3:12–14 God strengthens Eglon, king of Moab Lesson on Sin When we sin willfully, the penalty increases Duration and Intensity Our hearts get more calloused It is harder to turn to God 3. God Uses Unlikely People For His Glory Judges 3:15 “God uses his weakness as a weapon.” 4. God’s Lessons and Methods May Look Unusual Judges 3:16–25 5. Faithfulness And Availability Equal Great Impact Judges 3:30–31 Ehud brings 80 years of rest What can I do? • Courage • Self-control • Man of God vss. 15, 28 Shamgar • Born and dedicated to goddess Anath • Shamgar uses an ox goad to kill 600 Philistines This Week * Bring Your Weakness to God * God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary. * God is not looking for ability, but availability. * Jesus is the ultimate unexpected Savior.

Very Good: God’s Design for Womanhood Genesis 1:25–31 Current Issues Attacking Women Trans-humanism, Self-Identification Trafficking of Women Teachings of Islam Tiktok & social media effect Trauma of elective surgery & sterilization Trap of unrestricted freedom & self-expression Our culture is confused about identity because it has rejected the Creator. True dignity, identity, and purpose are only found in God’s design and through Jesus Christ. 1. Woman was Created by God with Dignity Genesis 1:26-27 Men and Women are • Specially created by God • Made in the image of God • Spiritual, relational, rational, and moral beings Because Women Bear God’s Image: • Women are not objects • Women are not disposable • Women are not defined by culture • Women possess God-given worth and dignity 2. Sin has Distorted God's Design Romans 3:10, 23 Sin Has Brought: • Confusion • Brokenness • Shame • Identity struggles • Distorted relationships Our Culture Searches for Identity In: • Appearance • Social media • Sexuality • Success • Self-expression • Approval of others The problem is not God’s design. The problem is sin. We are fallen, sinful lawbreakers in need of a Savior. 3. Jesus Christ Restores What Sin Has Broken Ephesians 2:10 We can be His Masterpiece Jesus Provides: • Forgiveness for sinners • A new identity • Restoration and purpose • Hope for the broken We need women who are Biblically Saved Bible Students Biblically Strong Your identity is not found in culture — it is found in Christ.

No King Cycle of Defeat & Deliverance Judges 3:1–11 1. Cycle Begins with the Sins of the People (3:7) Forgetting God Forgetting who is the enemy of God 2. Cycle Leads to Judgment from God (3:8) Captivity and Oppression Cushan Rishathaim - “doubly wicked” Correction, not Cruelty 3. Cycle Changes as People Cry out to God for Deliverance (3:9) Pain finally outweighs Pride Bondage leads to Brokeness 4. God Sends a Deliverer - Othniel (Judge) (3:9-10) Othniel (Judges 1:11-15) “Lion of God” Caleb's Half Brother Spirit of the Lord upon Him Courage Devotion (Deuteronomy 1:36) Humility (Judges 1:15) Call people to repentance in light of God's law and their sin. Lead people to fight their enemies. 5. Cycle pauses as People enjoy Rest, but they don't change (3:11) Rest is not Change Change brings Transformation Judges provided temporary, external Relief. Othniel delivered Temporarily, Jesus Christ delivers Completely