Sermon INTRODUCTION Let’s Make a Deal

Yahweh’s grace to Israel 10:10-16 WE are never more God-like in character than when we are moved with pity by the sinful misery of those close to us

If we’ve experienced supernatural grace then we too can be moved to pity for those who are causing us and themselves such misery How does this happen? By remembering that the sin of the one sinning against us is never as great as our own sin against God.

AN OUTLAW LEADER 11:1-11. The wrong pedigree The wrong kind of training The wrong friends God graciously empowers him to deliver His people because he can’t stand to see them suffering.

The universal principles of religion are the fallback modes for those who forget the grace of God IF I OBEY, THEN GOD OWES ME. IF GOD PERFORMS FOR ME, THEN I OWE HIM

THE DISPUTED LAND CLAIMS v THE EMPOWERMENT OF GOD v. 29 THE FOOLISH VOW AND THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES 11:30-31

What does Jephthah promise God? Why does he promise it? Jephthah was not just infected by the pagan’s moral codes, but was still infected by the pagan, works- righteousness understanding of God’s character

Why does he keep the vow? He is functioning from a view of the pagan concept of a God who must be bought off What lessons can we learn from this narrative?

Don’t mistake the gifts of the Spirit with spiritual wisdom. We are far more affected by our culture than we think

A SPIRITUAL WARNING – If we start playing religious “let’s make a deal” with the LORD, we better be ready to give up our ‘one and only’. If He doesn’t have your heart then He doesn’t have you at all.

There is only one sacrifice that means anything and it was offered by God. It was the sacrifice of His “One and Only”