One last time, Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms. Did you have a good Mother’s Day yesterday? Some people took Mom out for dinner while still others got together for a cook-out. The point is not what you do, but the time together as a family. I live 1100 miles away from my mom, and wish I could be closer, but she knows how much I love and miss her. I spoke with her by phone. It’s not like being there, but it is the next best thing.
My favorite time of year is the spring. Here in south west Florida we do not have spring. It is pretty much either summer or the northern equivalent of late fall; most of the time its summer. Don’t get me wrong, I love Florida’s weather (except hurricanes, they tend to be a bit annoying) but the spring seems to have an air of newness and freshness about it. The ice, snow, and cold winter winds are gone and are replaced by buds, baby birds, and warm gentle breezes. Football helmets are stored away and replaced by batting helmets; hanging sweaters are accompanied by moth balls and tee shirts are the attire of the day. Spring says all the cold, hard, and nasty is exchanged for warmth, life, and the promise of better days. Spring says there is hope. I hope there is some springtime in your life.
This upcoming Sunday, Friendship Harmony will be participating in the Christians United For Israel Sunday. My message is titled Why Christians Must Support Israel. Do be praying about that message. I’m excited about it and hope I do it justice! Next week I’ll tell you how it went. As part of our attempt to honor Israel, I have been preaching a series of messages this month called Heroes Of Israel. I decided not to use such obvious choices like David, Moses, or even Abraham. The supporting material for them is vast and boiling down their lives to a twenty minute sermon would indeed prove difficult; perhaps in the future God allowing it. By the way, you did know that Abraham was not a Jew. Although he is known as the father of the Jewish nation, it was Jacob who fathered the twelve men who would be the beginning of the twelve tribes of Israel. It was Jacob whose name God changed to Israel. The nation was referred to as The Children of Israel, i.e. The Children of Jacob. So far in our series we have examined King Hezekiah, and for Mother’s Day we got to know Deborah from Judges chapters 4 and 5. I am using a set of five criteria to show why they were heroes. This set of five will be used for all those we will consider in the month long series. When you look back to the notes on Hezekiah from last week, and compare them to today’s notes on Deborah, the major points will be the same. If we as individuals can achieve these same five points in our lives, we too can be heroic in the eyes of the LORD. The notes are printed below for your personal Bible study.
Heroes Of Israel: Deborah
Judges 4,5: Various
Heroes of Israel Series By Victor Cooper
5/7/11
Intro: Today we look at a heroin of Israel: Deborah. Watch this shining example of womanhood as she stands for the things of the LORD.
I. She had a Godly reputation. Judges 4:5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
A. The people of Israel trusted her.
B. Her presence would bolster the confidence of Barak and he would go meet the enemy.
1. In Judges 4:8 Barak hides behind a woman’s skirt.
2. In Judges 4:14-16 he becomes a fearless warrior.
II. She was dedicated to the service of the LORD.
Judges 5:1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day…
A. She took time for praise.
B. She did so in front of others --- she was not ashamed.
III. Deborah led by example. Judges 4:8-9 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. 9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
A. She didn’t say, “God chose you to do it, now get on with it. Get out there!”
IV. Deborah prayed intercessory prayers.
Judges 5:31a So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.
A. Perished enemies would certainly be good news for Israel.
B. The Bible Knowledge Commentary “To be like the sun when it rises means to have a life full of blessing.”
V. God listened to Deborah. Judges 5:31b And the land had rest forty years.
Delivered to the Friendship Harmony Baptist Church 5/8/11/am service.
May the LORD bless your week. Stay safe and well AND don’t forget to enjoy the springtime message God provides through nature. God’s creation is bursting with life --- be sure to be part of it. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!
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