You don't like the old testament?

Why am I preaching out of the book of Judges?  One of my favorite people asked me this last week.

I do think the book of Judges is fun.

I try to preach some from the Old and some from the New testament.  Sometimes a topical series.  But I think it is best that people see the Bible and understand more what the Bible says than what I think.  I hope people walk away from church thinking about God and what He says in the Bible.  The Bible is the authority.

I found myself in Hebrews 11 where it talks about so many people that lived long ago.  It shows them as examples of faith.  I can tell you what faith means.  Or I can show you how people lived their lives by faith.  Examples of men and women with faith are found in the Old testament in the book of Judges.

Jephthah risked his life to defend a group of people who had kicked him out of the tribe.  They told him he deserved no inheritance.   But, then they went back to him to ask him to come back to lead the battle.  The way he trusted God and risked his life shows faith in God.

God stood in front of Samson's mother.  God told her what her son would do.  He told her how to raise this warrior.  Manoah, the father of Samson, prayed that the Angel of the LORD would come back and give more instruction.

I should want God to speak into my life.  I should want God to give me more information.  I should be willing to work hard at listening to God.

I guess that is why I preach from the book of Judges.  I am thankful to team up with people who study, pray, trying to live it out and even talking about the the things God says.