LWWC - Judges - Session 1

Sermon Summary: Judges – Session 1 (When God’s People Refuse to Yield)

1. A New Season Begins with Old Problems

The book of Judges opens after the death of Joshua, during a time when Israel had entered the Promised Land but had not fully obeyed God. Though God was faithful, the people failed to complete the work of driving out the inhabitants of the land, setting the stage for future trouble.

1. Partial Obedience Leads to Compromise

Judah began strong and experienced victory, but many tribes weakened in obedience. Instead of removing the Canaanites, they tolerated them, made compromises, and placed them under tribute. What began as fear or convenience eventually became spiritual compromise.

1. You Reap What You Sow

The confession of Adoni-Bezek reveals a biblical principle: God repays actions justly. The sermon emphasizes the importance of honesty—acknowledging personal responsibility rather than blaming God or others. God is merciful, but consequences often remain.

1. Salvation Brings New Battles

Entering the Promised Land did not eliminate conflict. Likewise, salvation does not remove spiritual battles. The enemy adapts, and believers must remain vigilant, disciplined, and yielded to God in every season of life.

1. Compromise Always Returns with Consequences

Israel’s decision to coexist with the Canaanites allowed foreign gods, practices, and influences to remain. These compromises eventually became snares, pulling the nation away from God and leading to repeated cycles of defeat.

1. God Warns Before Judgment

The Angel of the Lord confronted Israel, reminding them that God had kept His covenant, but they had not. Because they refused to tear down idols and sever ungodly alliances, God allowed their enemies to remain as thorns in their sides.

1. A Generation That Did Not Know the Lord

After Joshua’s generation passed away, a new generation arose that did not know the Lord or His works. Without personal relationship or spiritual foundation, the people turned to idolatry, provoking God’s anger.

1. The Cycle of Judges Begins

Israel repeatedly:

• Forsook the Lord
• Served false gods
• Fell into oppression
• Cried out in distress
• Were delivered by a judge

God’s mercy responded to their repentance, but their refusal to yield led to repeated failure once the judge died.

1. The Root of Sin Is Refusing to Yield

The sermon concludes by identifying the core issue behind all sin: choosing our will over God’s will. Sin manifests in many forms, but it always begins with a heart unwilling to yield.

1. Final Call

Believers are challenged to:

• Learn from Israel’s failure
• Reject partial obedience
• Remove compromises
• Yield fully to God

The message sets the tone for the book of Judges: when God’s people refuse to yield, they suffer; when they repent, God shows mercy.