Part 4: Grace In Groaning Series

Definition of Grace:

Grace is God extending favor toward us that we do not deserve.

- Both Ephesians 2:5 and 2:8 state it is "by grace you have been saved." God's salvation comes from His grace.

- Some describe grace as unmerited or unearned favor.

In theology, two kinds of grace are often distinguished.

- COMMON GRACE is defined as God's grace given to all humanity regardless of their response to Him.

- Example: Matthew 5:45

- SAVING GRACE is grace from God that provides salvation to a person.

What are the underlying principles of Judges 3?

1. Adversity gets our attention. Vv. 1-8

We all experience times of adversity in our lifetime.

What are God’s purposes for allowing adversities in our lives?

a. To train us. V. 1

- God wants to train us to fight against evil. Vv. 1-4

- Adversity is evidence of spiritual warfare.

b. To teach us. V. 2

c. To trust God. V. 3

- Adversity motivates us to cry out to God.

d. To test us. V. 4

e. To examine our lives. Vv. 5-8

2. Compromise with the world brings disastrous results. Vv. 5-8

Sin always has its consequences. Sometimes the consequences affect future generations more than our own.

Illustration: Lot

- That’s what happened to Lot years before. Genesis 13 says he moved His tent “NEAR Sodom” (Genesis 13:12).

Genesis 13:12ff “Lot moved his tents to a place NEAR SODOM and settled among the cities of the plain.”

Genesis 14:12 They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew WHO LIVED IN SODOM—and carried off everything he owned.

Genesis 19:1a “IT WAS evening when the two angels came to Sodom. LOT WAS SITTING AT SODOM’S [city] GATE.

- In Genesis 13:12, he was NEAR Sodom.

- In Genesis 14:12, he lived IN Sodom.

- In Genesis 14:12, he became one of its leaders.

- And one of the consequence is his daughters were engaged to Sodomite men, and he was willing to let them be violated in order to save his own reputation.

- It all started with one little compromise then it became normal.

Challenge: We must accept people without compromising or adopting their patterns of behavior.

3. No matter how bad you mess up, God will show mercy. Vv. 9, 12-30

Judges 3:9 But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz.

Judges 3:15 But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord again raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed man of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites sent Ehud to deliver their tribute money to King Eglon of Moab.

* When the Bible say God is merciful, it means means that, when we deserve punishment, He doesn’t punish us, and in fact blesses us instead.

4. God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways. Vv. 15, 31

God uses us just the way He made us.

Ehud:

The story about the left-handed judge named Ehud is a bit strange. Most men fought with their right hand.

- That time being left-handed was known to be a weakness among many of that time. In fact, being left-handed in Ehud's day was considered a handicap.

- BUT God used the very thing known to be as a weakness as instrument through which God worked to deliver the nation of Israel from hands of Eglon.

Shamgar:

In Shamgar’s time, the land was so filled with evil that it was not even safe to travel the roads. Judges 5:6.

In the world’s eyes, Shamgar was not qualified to be a deliverer. He was just an ordinary farmer. Yet God used him and his “ox goad” to deliver the Israelites.

Judges 3:31 After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad.

CHALLENGE:

God used Shamgar just as he was. What can He do with your ordinary life?

Whatever weakness you may see yourself as having, God can use it to accomplish great things.

Application:

1. Don’t blame God for your problems. Vv. 1-4

- Many battles we face is because of our disobedience.

2. Be careful who you let in and keep in your life. V. 6

Judges 3:6 and they intermarried with them. Israelite sons married their daughters, and Israelite daughters were given in marriage to their sons. And the Israelites served their gods.

3. Appeal to God based on His grace not on your own worthiness

Plead with God to deliver you from the ruin you have brought on yourself. V. 9

Example: Daniel and Jacob

Daniel 9:18 “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.