Consequences Series

Series: Spiritual Decay [#2]

CONSEQUENCES

Judges 2:1-19

Introduction:

Last week we looked at places and ways that spiritual decay begins. Spiritual decay begins with compromise. These compromises, (although very little at 1st) will eat away at the leadership of our Churches, at the attitudes in our lives, and at the godly actions in our families.

Judges 2:1-5

A consequence of decay is an…

1. Outward but not inward repentance.

How did they take care of this decay? Did they cry because of their remorse, or did they cry because of the consequences of sin? We must understand that just because we get emotional about the consequences of our decaying Churches, attitudes, and families doesn’t solve the problem. You can get “fired up” for a moment, but if that is all you do, that “fired up” feeling will go away. You can cry until your eyes are swollen shut, but if that is all you do, your eyes will be back to normal in just a little while. You can scream and yell until your voice is gone, but if that is all you do, your voice will come back.

Also notice that after the Israelites cried, they offered sacrifices to God. Just because you get spiritual all of a sudden does not mean that there are not consequences to sin. When my children would do something wrong, just because they ran over and said, “I’m sorry” or cried their eyes out, did not mean that they still did not get punished. These people thought if they sacrificed to God after they cried really loud, that God would let them “off the hook”. Outward signs of repentance do not always equal inward signs of true repentance. True repentance must begin in the heart. If there is no true repentance, which is repentance of the heart; then look where it ends up.

Judges 2:6-15

We must catch this. All of the areas that we looked at last week that were decaying are now affected. If there are problems in the leadership of the Church, then there is going to be problems with the attitudes of the people. When there are problems with the attitude of the people, then there are problems within the godly structure of the family.

* Because there was no inward change in the leadership, the younger generations had no leaders.

No one was taught and therefore Judges 21:25 became true. “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” If there is no accountability, then everyone will do their own thing.

* Because there was no inward change in the attitudes of the people, they became hardened to the truths of God.

They no longer knew what was right in the eyes of God and so replaced it with their own truths. God’s standard is not easy to live up to, but if you twist it enough you can make it fit your attitudes. The problem is- It is either God’s way or the wrong way.

* Because there was no inward change in the families, they intermarried with foreign nations, (which God had strictly forbidden).

Not only were the people not following God’s design for family, they were worshipping foreign gods just like God said would happen if they married people from foreign nations.

Judges 2:16-19

A consequence of decay is an…

2. Opportunity squandered.

Because the Israelites had the same loving God that we have, God gave them the opportunity to change. God gave them the opportunity to be blessed with the blessings of promise He had given to Abraham and his descendants. God wanted them to be successful as a nation; but they had to do it His way. See, Judges 21:25 says that the people did their own thing because they didn’t have a king; but understand that God’s plan was that He would be their King. In 1 Samuel 8, Samuel was upset with the people because they were demanding that God give them a king so that they could be like the other nations. Samuel was angry that the people didn’t realize that God was supposed to be the King, but what did God say to Samuel? He told Samuel that they were not rejecting Samuel; but they were rejecting God.

Notice the opportunity God gives them to change and be obedient. “The LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.” The Israelites needed godly leaders and God raised them up. God knew what they needed. God knew that this cycle would not stop unless there were some leaders who knew who God was and what He expected. So, God gave them leaders. Let me tell you right now, we need godly leaders in our church. God knows that we need godly leaders and because He loves us and wants us to be successful; He is raising up leaders right now. They may not all be here right now, but maybe you are one of the leaders God is raising up. Will you let Him use you?