FBCC - Second Serving

Judges 20:1–18 How Did This Evil Happen? Introduction There is a powerful and peculiar detail in Judges 20:2 that only reveals its meaning when we step back and take in the full scene: “And the chiefs of all the people, of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God…” The men gathered at Mizpah are not called the nation of Israel, or an army, or even a council of tribes. They are referred to as the people of God . It is a chilling reminder that sin, injustice, and division can exist among the covenant community. This is not a story about outsiders doing evil to insiders. It is the people of God reckoning with wickedness in their own house. Gibeah was in Benjamin. The Levite was from Ephraim. The woman was from Judah. The sin was Israel’s. And now—gathered before the Lord—400,000 men demand to know: “How did this evil happen?” 1. A Twisted Call for Justice (Judges 20:1–7) The story opens with what appears to be a posi...

Judges 19:16–30 While She Suffered...They Slept Introduction: I hope to guide you through this passage of Scripture, which recounts a time of complete darkness, and provide you with hope. When we examine humanity’s ability to support, enforce, establish, and maintain righteousness, any conclusion that suggests we are capable of doing so seems to willfully ignore the lessons of history. Some attribute the root of all the wrongs in the past to religion. However, this perspective often considers only the actions of individuals and their stated intentions. But what if we allowed God to speak first? If we let His Word define justice, and then weigh human actions against that standard, the truth becomes clearer. The problem is not God’s commands—it’s that we’ve rejected them. I am convinced there are no acts of wickedness on earth that were truly commanded by God and faithfully obeyed. Instead, people have acted wickedly and then claimed God was on their side. And that, too, is p...

Motherhood Through Your Redeemer A Second Serving Article Based on the 2025 Mother’s Day Sermon Mother’s Day is a modern tradition dedicated to recognizing and honoring women who have had children. While it is often seen as a day of celebration, it can also bring deep pain. That pain might come from the loss of a child or mother, the difficulty of conceiving, or the absence of a biological child entirely. These experiences are real and often unspoken, and no amount of words can erase that grief. But if I may offer something through the lens of Scripture: In Christ, the status of “mother” can be embraced by all women who belong to Him . In the body of Christ, motherhood is not limited to biology—it is expressed through covenant, care, nurture, and faithful obedience. In that way, spiritual motherhood is not secondary—it is sacred. 1. Naomi’s Story The Old Testament gives us a glimpse of this kind of motherhood in the story of Naomi. Her life, at one point, was marked by profoun...

A Time for Joy and a Time for Longing Mark 2:18–22 Introduction: The Anticipation of a Long-Awaited Meeting Imagine the moment when a soldier returns home after years away. The family waits eagerly, hearts pounding as they scan the crowd. Then suddenly, the soldier appears—and joy erupts. There are tears, laughter, and embraces. No one mourns during a reunion like that. It’s a time of celebration. This is the kind of joy Jesus speaks about when people question why His disciples don’t fast like the Pharisees or John’s followers. Fasting, in their context, was a symbol of longing for God’s presence. But Jesus’ disciples weren’t waiting for God to come—they were already with Him. Jesus reveals that His presence marks the beginning of something completely new—the arrival of God’s kingdom in power and grace. Background & Context Jesus responds to the question of fasting with a powerful image: “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they h...