People Prone To Sin Series

Before we learn from Judges 8 this morning, open your Bibles to Judges 6 and summarize with me what happened: Judges 6:33-34…. Judges 7:22-23….

Keep those truths in mind as Janet Hansen comes up now and read for us Judges 8……..

Let us read along with Janet…….

If we look at the story carefully, we will note the sins of people which led to troubles and in the end we can also note how people pulled away from sins!

v1…. What can we glean from this as a sin?? The Ephraimites were jealous for not being cited as heroes! Jealousy!

v6…. What can we glean from this as a sin?? The Succoths refused an offer because of pride and arrogance!

v8….. Peniel responded with pride and arrogance as well.

v7,9, 16-17… Sin leads to troubles, even destruction!

v18….. …. What can we glean from this as a sin?? 2 Leaders “looked down” (bad mouthed) Gideon!

v21: the 2 leaders paid for their sin to death.

v22…. What was the sin here?? Based on v22, the Israelites were not considering God, but just an earthly leader!

v23-27…. …. What can we glean from this as a sin?? Gideon made a gold idol and the people worshiped it!

Now look again at v48… Why do you think Israel enjoyed peace for 40 years??

Again based on v22 and what we can note from v33-35, Gideon’s focus on God, brought peace during his lifetime!

v33-35….. Dejavu all over again! People are always prone to sin!

What happened with Gideon and the Israelites is still happening today! All people, including us today, are always prone to sin!

Whenever people do not believe or worship God, there will be troubles of sins!

What can pull people away from sin and troubles? Like the Israelites of old….

Focus on God - believe, trust, and worship God!

The Israelites of old depended on Gideon to lead them to God; and when Gideon died, the Israelites strayed again from God.

Today, who can lead us to God always?? Jesus Christ is the Only way to God forever! John 14:6-7…. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Do you and I truly know Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ taught His disciples and for us today to believe that He….

1. is God!

2. became man and died for people’s sins!

3. was buried but rose from the grave and ascended back to heaven!

4. will return again!

Do you and I truly believe in Jesus Christ?

Believers of Jesus Christ are told in 1 John 1:8-9….

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.

As a sign of our belief in Jesus Christ, let us take a moment to confess us sins and go to the Cross…….. (ask God to search your hearts; write down those personal sins and pin it on the cross to present to God that you believe in Jesus Christ….)

Let us together recite…

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Luke 5: 20 "When Jesus saw their faith, he said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'”

Ephesians 1:7 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."

Jeremiah 31: 34 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Hebrews 10:12-18 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Isaiah 1:18… "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”