The Kingship of God: Is He the ruler of my heart?

THE KINGSHIP OF GOD: IS HE THE RULER OF MY HEART? Judges 8:22-35 – MHAFB, 22 Mar 20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Series: Days of Anguish, Days of Hope / Topics: Gideon; Salvation; Kingship; Total Depravity; Sin Before Worship: Pray with leaders! Openings Verse: Psalm 5 (10) Songs: Thank You Lord; Trust & Obey: Because of Who You Are ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- SLIDE-Transition to Sermon Introduction Attention: 1. When God made us in His image He gave us the responsibility & authority to rule over creation. a. As we have exercised this through the millennia, we have accomplished some truly great things! b. While none of these are complete & absolute (that is God’s domain, alone), i. Consider how we have exercised our rule in architecture, chemistry, biology, medicine, logistics, engineering, mechanics, computer science, wildlife domestication, & so much more! ii. While we get set back by disasters, humans have an amazing tenacity to rebound & reestablish their domain throughout this world. 2. And yet, with all of this responsibility & authority we have yet to conquer or rule the human heart (soul, mind, spirit). a. The brokenness of sin has caused hearts go astray, they wander, they pursue things that cause b. In Genesis 8:21 God shares that “…the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth onward…” i. And then in Jeremiah 17:9 He shares that, "The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?” (CSB) ii. Then in Mark 7:21-22 Jesus says that “…from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.” 3. Despite all of our accomplishments, all of our capabilities to rule & reign— a. We cannot well rule & reign our own hearts b. When we try to, we deceive ourselves & lead to those very things which Jesus just shared. c. As the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 9:3 shares, “the hearts of people are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live; after that they go to the dead.” d. This is our lot “under the sun” (Ecc. 9:3) apart from God taking an active role to rule our hearts… 4. And with this in mind, we now return to the story of Gideon… Big Picture: 1. A month ago we began to engage with Gideon’s Journey of Faith. a. And up until last week it seemed that his faith in & faithfulness to God was getting stronger & stronger! b. Last week Ch Rogers helped us to see that despite this growth, i. We begin to see hints that Gideon was replacing his fear not with faith in God but perhaps with a desire for power or a trust in himself ii. We were reminded that when God frees us from one sin, we must be careful not to replace it with another! c. So, where are we this week? 2. We are picking up in Judges 8:22-35 to consider… 3. SLIDE-Title-1: The Kingship of God a. SLIDE-Title-2: And as we consider this, I encourage you to ask yourself: Is He the ruler of My heart? b. Not merely your Sunday mornings, your external actions, your co-worker relationships… c. But your inner-heart i. Does God sit upon that throne? ii. Do you love Him & practice obedience to Him in all things? 4. SLIDE-Thesis: As we consider these things, our main idea today is this: a. Our failure to accomplish lasting righteousness shows our great need for God’s kingship in our lives & society. Brief Explanation: a. But, before we get into this, a few reminders for you all-i. As this Sunday is totally digital/virtual, we have posted a digital bulletin & sermon notes page on our Protestant Facebook page 1. Feel free to print these off & use them as you track today’s sermon. ii. After the sermon I will post the ‘answer key’ of these notes as a separate Facebook post, 1. You will find the blanks filled in & underlined for your convenience Passage: 1. Verses-7 Slides: And with that said, I invite you to open your Bibles to follow along as I read... Judges 8:22–35 CSB 22 Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us, you as well as your sons and your grandsons, for you delivered us from the power of Midian.” But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you.” 24 Then he said to them, “Let me make a request of you: Everyone give me an earring from his plunder.” Now the enemy had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites. 23 They said, “We agree to give them.” So they spread out a cloak, and everyone threw an earring from his plunder on it. 26 The weight of the gold earrings he requested was fortythree pounds of gold, in addition to the crescent ornaments and ear pendants, the purple garments on the kings of Midian, and the chains on the necks of their camels. 27 Gideon made an ephod from all this and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. Then all Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his household. 25 28 So Midian was subdued before the Israelites, and they were no longer a threat. The land had peace for forty years during the days of Gideon. 29 Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) son of Joash went back to live at his house. 30 Gideon had seventy sons, his own offspring, since he had many wives. 31 His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. 32 Then Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. 33 When Gideon died, the Israelites turned and prostituted themselves by worshiping the Baals and made Baal-berith their god. 34 The Israelites did not remember the LORD their God who had rescued them from the hand of the enemies around them. 35 They did not show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) for all the good he had done for Israel. 2. For as it says in Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.” (CSB) Transition: 1. Now, let us go on to continue our first main point today… Main Point 1: Our Failure in Righteousness Explain: 1. Or to put this in a more complete way: a. From the initial fall to present day, every human but Jesus alone has proven that... b. MP1: We are unable to accomplish & sustain righteousness in our lives. 2. While by our will & strength, we can accomplish many good things-a. Sustained moral righteousness—godly holiness in the inner-being— b. This is something that we cannot accomplish. 3. Paul well summarizes this in Romans 3:23 when he shares, a. MP1: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” b. (Also see Psalm 5:9, 10:1–11, 14:1–3, 53:1-3, 140:3; Isaiah 59:1–8; Micah 7:2) 4. But more than merely being sinners, Paul describes us as slaves to sin (Romans 6:16, 20) 5. In fact, the consistent teachings & stories of the Bible reveal that on our own we totally fail at righteousness; consider... a. From Adam & Eve’s 1st fall until the flood we saw sin increase to such a great extend that Genesis 6:5–7 shares Genesis 6:5–7 CSB 5 When the LORD saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time, 6 the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved. 7 Then the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I created, off the face of the earth, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky—for I regret that I made them.” b. Humanity was unable to create any form of a lasting righteousness-i. In fact, it was quite the opposite, ii. MP1: It became so bad that, as the NASB puts it, “every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” c. While the flood started over with one man (and his family) who, although still sinful, walked with God, i. We still see humanity regressing quickly into great sin once more (e.g. Moses’ drunkenness & his sons defilement, the Tower of Babel, etc. ) d. And so God raised up Abraham and his family to know and love Him i. And yet even these great patriarchs fall into much sin e. God frees His people from slavery & gives them His undeserved Promised Land & special relationship with Himself i. And yet even with all His signs and wonders, 1. The people vehemently rebel in the wilderness ii. While having some golden years of spirituality under Joshua’s reign, 1. The time of the Judges shows their quick & deadly descent away from God once more iii. It reveals that... 1. MP1: The heart of man is totally depraved, enslaved to sin & unable to free itself Illustrate: 1. In 2008 the Associated Press shared an article that can demonstrate what our bent toward sin is like… a. In Kodiak, Alaska, a truck full of fish guts was left uncovered at a seafood plant. i. 50 Bald Eagles happened upon this discovery and descended upon it in a frenzy ii. Gorging upon this mess, the birds became too wet and filthy to fly away b. By the time U.S. Fish & Wildlife rescue workers arrived 20 of the eagles had already died i. Two others died shortly afterwards c. It was a sad fate to such majestic animals, i. But it was the consequence of following their appetite w/o fully understanding the consequences that would follow. 2. In many ways we are like these birds… a. We are tempted by "the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:16, NASB) i. (Compare this to how Eve was tempted in Genesis 3:6 & how Jesus was tempted in Matthew 4:1-11 & Luke 4:1–13) b. And as James 1:13–15 shares, when we give into these lusts we sin, which brings forth death. Expand: 1. Let us return back to Gideon… a. Gideon was overcome with his pride: i. While refusing the title of ‘king,’ he receives gifts as a king ii. And he names his concubine’s son Abimelech, 1. A name which means “Father King,” “King Father,” or “My Father is King” b. Gideon was overcome by his greed: i. Accepting Israel’s plunder he literally turns his wealth into an idol by making an “Ephod” 1. An ephod was a priestly garment which God directed Israel to make for their priests (Exodus 28:6–35) 2. Yet Gideon makes it for he and his family, none of which could be priests. 3. And the scriptures share how it became a snare to Gideon, his household, & all Israel (Judges 8:27) c. Gideon was overcome by his lust for women: i. As Judges 8:30 shares, “Gideon had seventy sons, his own offspring, since he had many wives.” (CSB) ii. This also was a common practice of people with great authority, like a king iii. Instead of following the clear example God set in creation-a. One man, one woman, & then children-1. Gideon follows the pattern of sinful Lamech and takes multiple wives for himself (Genesis 4:19–24) d. Israel is overcome by their false gods & cruelty: i. As Judges 8:33–35 shares, Judges 8:33–35 CSB 33 When Gideon died, the Israelites turned and prostituted themselves by worshiping the Baals and made Baal-berith their god. 34 The Israelites did not remember the LORD their God who had rescued them from the hand of the enemies around them. 35 They did not show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) for all the good he had done for Israel. e. Despite all of God’s self-revelation through signs, wonders, & His word... i. Time & time again Israel revealed the truth that 1. Despite all of God’s external works & wonders, 2. We are unable to accomplish a lasting righteousness in our societies, a. Let alone in our individual lives! f. Gideon & Israel, like each of us, was overcome by sin in their struggle to remain faithful to God 2. Does this struggle ring true to any of you? a. Our failure at accomplishing a lasting righteousness! b. reveals our desperate need for something more… Transition: 1. And that something more is revealed in our next main point, we need… Main Point 2: The Kingship of God Explain: 1. There is an interesting exchange between the Israelites & Gideon in Judges 8:22–23 Judges 8:22–23 CSB 22 Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us, you as well as your sons and your grandsons, for you delivered us from the power of Midian.” 23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you.” 2. If you know your Old Testament well, this may remind you of and exchange between the Israelites & Samuel in 1 Samuel 8 a. Here Israel demands a king so they can “be like all the other nations: our king will judges us, go out before us, and fight our battles.” (v20) b. Despite Samuel’s warnings that a king will also cause them suffering (vv10-18), c. Israel refuses to back down from this request 3. And in the midst of it, God warns: 1 Sam 8:7-8 1 Samuel 8:7–8 CSB 7 But the LORD told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected me as their king. 8 They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to me, since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, abandoning me and worshiping other gods. 4. Let’s recognize very quickly this clear connection… a. Israel’s inability to accomplish & sustain righteousness in their lives… i. MP2: Our inability to accomplish & sustain righteousness in our lives… 1. Is due to the fact that we have rejected God as our king. Illustrate: C.S. Lewis shared a helpful illustration for us to understand this concept more: 1. I think that many of us, when Christ has enabled us to overcome one or two sins that were an obvious nuisance, are inclined to feel (though we do not put it into words) that we are now good enough. a. He has done all we wanted him to do, and we should be obliged if he would leave us alone. b. But the question is not what we intended ourselves to be, but what he intended us to be when he made us... 2. Imagine yourself as a living house. a. God comes in to rebuild that house. b. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. i. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on. c. You knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. 3. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. a. What on earth is he up to? 4. The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of -a. throwing out a new wing here, b. putting on an extra floor there, c. running up towers, d. making courtyards. 5. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage, but he is building a palace. a. He intends to come and live in it himself. (Source: “Mere Christianity,” Ch. 9, “Counting the Cost”) Expand: 1. As Creator of the universe, the one & only God alone is worthy to be our King. a. But we do not like to have Him in that role… 2. We would much rather receive God as a friend, advisor, & savior 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. a. But to receive Him as our Lord, as the King to sit on our own throne… b. That means we have to get off the throne ourselves! To live the life God designed us to live… a. MP2: We must surrender the throne of our life to Him. In the end we know… a. That “every knee will bow… and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11; c.f. Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11) b. And that “each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12) But we aren’t at the end yet… a. And on this side of the end, we have a choice to make. b. We can either… i. Keep ourselves on the throne of our life, or ii. Abdicate the throne to our God c. And His Word is true, that when we do this willingly in this life, we receive His great salvation! Consider… Romans 10:9–13 CSB 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. MP2: Let’s consider for a moment, then—What happens when we make God our King, Jesus our Lord? a. MP2: He changes our inner-nature (2 Corinthians 5:17), will, & works according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13) to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ! i. And as we willingly work with Him, 1. working out our salvation with fear & trembling (Philippians 2:12), b. MP2: Indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 1:22, 6:16; Ephesians 1:13–14; 2 Timothy 1:14), we come to... i. MP2: Live according to the Spirit of God, ii. MP2: Have our minds set on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5), & iii. MP2: Demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–25)! When we accept God as our King… a. He leads us into the righteousness that He desires b. For our individual lives, our families, our communities, & society at large. c. It changes everything. Transition: 1. And with that, let’s begin to close this off… Conclusion: Conclusion Reiterate: Our failure to accomplish lasting righteousness shows our great need for God’s kingship in our lives & society. 1. As the Israelites & Gideon demonstrated… a. We have all sinned & fallen short of God’s glory b. Left to our own devices, we are inclined toward evil, being enslaved by sin 2. But by God’s grace, He has provided a way to truly be our king! And when He is… a. Our inner nature is forever changed as He indwells us b. Making us as we were truly made to be Apply: Con: So, how should we respond? I encourage you to realize that it all comes down to your Journey of Faith… 1. Con: Ensure God is the total ruler of your heart! a. This starts with the beginning of your Journey of Faith! i. Have you surrendered the throne of your life to Him by? 1. Admit your great need for Him, truly 2. Believe in Jesus, who He is & what He did, & truly 3. Commit to Him as your Lord & Savior ii. This is where we begin, But it isn’t the ending. b. Often even when we’ve come to Christ we struggle with sins i. There are certain areas where He is supposed to be King, but we try to hold it back from Him ii. So, I further encourage you to… c. Con: Confront what you’re holding back! i. Perhaps there are sins that… 1. Are socially acceptable & you choose to also accept 2. You know are wrong, but don’t want to let go of 3. You haven’t trusted God to help you overcome & you need to finally bring before His throne d. Whatever the case… i. Con: Be honest & repentant with all of these! e. Now, the second main application point I have for you actually helps you do this first application point… 2. Con: Focus on Jesus’ kingliness & holiness! a. In Isaiah 6, during a time of national tragedy and anxiety, i. Isaiah shares, “I saw the Lord seated on a a high & lofty throne.” (v1) 1. Seraphim angels were above Him calling out, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Armies; His glory fills the whole world.” (v3) ii. In this vision of God, Isaiah recognized his great need 1. He understood that the Lord was not the total ruler of his heart 2. And he honestly & repentantly dealt with it right there! iii. What was the consequence? 1. Forgiveness & clear direction from the Lord b. In a similar way when Simon Peter first saw the miracle of great fish being retrieved at Jesus’s direction (Luke 5:1–11), i. He also responded with confession of his sins— ii. This, too, was met with forgiveness & clear direction from the Lord! c. Some of us are in great need of forgiveness & direction from the Lord i. But our eyes are caught up on the wrong things! ii. The Scriptures remind us to “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) iii. And to “Set our minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2) d. So I urge you, as you confront the sins in your life, i. Make sure that your eyes are not focused on yourself. ii. Focus them on Jesus: His kingliness & His holiness. 1. He will help you see what you need to otherwise see 2. Just be willing to look where He leads you. e. Finally, as you focus here—seek God’s strength to... f. Con: Live by the Spirit! i. My best advice here is to prayerfully read through Romans 8. ii. Take your time here, invite Holy Spirit to speak with you & teach you through it. iii. Learn more fully what it means to be indwelt by the Spirit of God & how this can altar your life. iv. Begin to sacrificially & humbly live this out. Appeal: Brothers & Sisters, 1. As we each seek God’s great grace to fully surrender to Him, i. In great contrast to Gideon & Israel where there was no right king & everyone did as they saw fit… a. We will have the Great King upon the throne of our heart b. And as we live under His kingship, our lives & our societies will be revolutionized no matter what comes our way! Conclude: 1. Pray with me...