FBCC - Second Serving

Judges 21: No King. No Hope. — The End of Judges Introduction If we step back and look at the book of Judges through the lens of redemptive history, the pattern becomes painfully clear. God created the world and placed man in His garden to care for what He had made. But man rebelled. The curse came down on both creation and humanity. Still, God did not close the door. He left open the way of reconciliation. When violence filled the earth, God judged it by flood. But He promised never to do it that way again. The next judgment would be by fire. God then called Abraham and promised to make his descendants into a nation that would be His own. He kept His word. He rescued them from Egypt, gave them His law, and brought them to the edge of the promised land. But they didn’t believe Him. That generation rejected His Word and wandered for forty years until they died. Their children were brought in instead. They received the law again and were given the land. And what did they do...

The Parable of the Sower: How We Respond to God’s Word Introduction Have you ever watched a documentary about a famous person’s life? Many of these stories start at the peak of a person’s success and then trace back to the moment that “planted the seed” for their achievements. It could be an athlete watching their first big game, an actor seeing a powerful performance, or an engineer marveling at an ancient structure. That one moment—one idea—took root and shaped their entire life. Jesus tells a similar story in the Parable of the Sower. But instead of fame or career success, He is talking about something far greater—the kingdom of God. He describes how people respond differently to His message, just like seeds falling on different types of soil. Some reject it, some receive it but fall away, and others embrace it and produce a harvest. This parable is not just about hearing God’s Word but about how we respond to it. Background & Context Jesus often taught in parables—storie...

The Secret of the Kingdom: Understanding Jesus’ Parables Mark 4:10-12 Introduction Have you ever tried to understand something without really being a part of it? Whether it’s a sport, an art form, or a profession, there are things only insiders truly grasp. A musician understands music differently than a listener. A teacher knows the struggles of a classroom in a way students don’t. If you’re not part of the culture, you don’t fully get it. Jesus says the same is true about the kingdom of God. Unless God opens your heart, His truth will seem like a mystery. In Mark 4:10-12, Jesus explains why He teaches in parables: to reveal truth to His followers while hiding it from those who reject Him. This passage challenges us to consider whether we truly understand God’s kingdom or are blind to its reality. Background & Context After teaching a crowd using a parable, Jesus’ disciples asked Him privately about its meaning. He responded: “To you has been given the secret of the kin...

Judges 20:29–48 – 21:1 The Battle Was Hard Introduction There is a common belief that Christianity is easy and that everything about it is pleasant. However, this perspective is oversimplified and fails to consider that sanctification—whether it is initiated by God or pursued by the believer—is a challenging process that often feels uncomfortable. When we view the Benjaminite’s as an agitator to promote repentance and holiness within Israel, it becomes clear that the nation falls short. This ultimately leads to a situation that reveals those who genuinely pursued righteousness amidst the evil committed in Gibeah, exposing their own unrighteousness. 1. The Battle Was Hard (Judges 20:29–34) This section reminds us that righteousness does not come easily. Israel fought hard and struggled—even in obedience—highlighting that the path of faithfulness is not without cost. Just because God is with us doesn’t mean the road will be smooth. The Christian life often includes hardship, fea...

Judges 20:18–29 – “Shall We Go Up Again?” Introduction How do we approach the LORD in our discipleship of Christ? How do we engage, endure, or handle interactions on this earth in this life? Especially when promoted, faced, or surrounded by evil—how do we attempt to act righteously and ensure the scales of justice are properly balanced at the beginning? We find ourselves in a section of Scripture that is not glamorous and is unfiltered before our eyes. The situations are difficult. Unholiness is apparent. God is vividly rejected. But the Scriptures have been recorded for our benefit, so there must be something in this passage that will edify us. I believe this can be found in the open faithlessness of the people of Israel being led back to obedience through the hardship they created. 1. Broken by Their Own Hands (Judges 20:18–21) The people of Israel inquire of the LORD, but their hearts are not yet surrendered. When they march out, they lose 22,000 men. The surface-level q...