What Are You Sowing: Judges 9; Galatians 6:7-10

 

One day Gideon’s son Abimelech went to Shechem to visit his uncles—his mother’s brothers. He said to them and to the rest of his mother’s family, 2 “Ask the leading citizens of Shechem whether they want to be ruled by all seventy of Gideon’s sons or by one man. And remember that I am your own flesh and blood!”3 So Abimelech’s uncles gave his message to all the citizens of Shechem on his behalf. And after listening to this proposal, the people of Shechem decided in favor of Abimelech because he was their relative. 4 They gave him seventy silver coins from the temple of Baal-berith, which he used to hire some reckless troublemakers who agreed to follow him. 5 He went to his father’s home at Ophrah, and there, on one stone, they killed all seventy of his half brothers, the sons of Gideon. But the youngest brother, Jotham, escaped and hid.6 Then all the leading citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo called a meeting under the oak beside the pillar at Shechem and made Abimelech their king.
Judges 9:1-6 (NLT)

Then Jotham escaped and lived in Beer because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech.  After Abimelech had ruled over Israel for three years, 23 God sent a spirit that stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the leading citizens of Shechem, and they revolted. 24 God was punishing Abimelech for murdering Gideon’s seventy sons, and the citizens of Shechem for supporting him in this treachery of murdering his brothers. 25 The citizens of Shechem set an ambush for Abimelech on the hilltops and robbed everyone who passed that way. But someone warned Abimelech about their plot.
Judges 9:21-25

Then Abimelech attacked the town of Thebez and captured it. 51 But there was a strong tower inside the town, and all the men and women—the entire population—fled to it. They barricaded themselves in and climbed up to the roof of the tower. 52 Abimelech followed them to attack the tower. But as he prepared to set fire to the entrance, 53 a woman on the roof dropped a millstone that landed on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull.54 He quickly said to his young armor bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me! Don’t let it be said that a woman killed Abimelech!” So the young man ran him through with his sword, and he died. 55 When Abimelech’s men saw that he was dead, they disbanded and returned to their homes.56 In this way, God punished Abimelech for the evil he had done against his father by murdering his seventy brothers. 57 God also punished the men of Shechem for all their evil. So the curse of Jotham son of Gideon was fulfilled.
Judges 9:50-56 (NLT)

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV)

1. We Reap What We Sow

Don’t be under any illusion: you cannot make a fool of God! A man’s harvest in life will depend entirely on what he sows.
Galatians 6:7 (PT)

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:8 (NIV)

2. We Reap Later And Sooner Than We Sow

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

3. We Reap More Than We Sow

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/what-are-you-sowing-judges-9-galatians-67-10/

All About Jesus: Jesus Is My Lion and My Lamb: Revelation 5:1-6

 

I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth.
Revelation 5:1-6 (CSB)

Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until he whose right it is comes and the obedience of the peoples belongs to him.
Genesis 49:9-10 (CSB)

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29 (CSB)

1) Love The Lion and the Lamb

2) Live Like a Lion and a Lamb

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/all-about-jesus-jesus-is-my-lion-and-my-lamb-revelation-51-6/

All About Jesus: Jesus Is My Victory: Revelation 19:11-16

 

JESUS IS MY VICTORY…

1.         Because He’s Constant

Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war.
Revelation 19:11 (CSB)

2.         Because He’s Magnificent

His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself.
Revelation 19:12 (CSB)

3.         Because He’s Transformative

He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God.
Revelation 19:13 (CSB)

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (CSB)

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Proverbs 30:5 (CSB)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
John 1:1-3 (CSB)

4.         Because He’s Triumphant

And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Revelation 19:16 (CSB)

Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who hold firmly to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 19:10 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/all-about-jesus-jesus-is-my-victory-revelation-1911-16/

All About Jesus Part: Jesus Is My Star: Revelation 22:16

 

A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel.
Numbers 24:17 (CSB)

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.”
Revelation 22:16 (CSB)

1. JESUS THE MORNING STAR GIVES DIRECTION

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:1-2 (CSB)

If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:6-7 (CSB)

2. JESUS THE MORNING STAR GIVES PERSPECTIVE

Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 (CSB)

3. JESUS THE MORNING STAR GIVES HOPE

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
Ephesians 1:18 (CSB)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/all-about-jesus-part-jesus-is-my-star-revelation-2216/

All About Jesus: Jesus Is My A-Z: Revelation 1:8; 22:13

 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8 (CSB)

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Revelation 22:13 (CSB)

1. Jesus Reveals Spiritual Truth

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.  All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
John 1:1-3 (CSB)

For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16-17 (CSB)

The one who has seen me has seen the Father.
John 14:9 (CSB)

2. Jesus Knows Everything

“Now we know that you know everything and don’t need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”
John 16:30 (CSB)

3. Jesus Provides What I Need

But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:18-19 (CSB)

4. Jesus Finishes What He Starts

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 (CSB)

…looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 (ASV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/all-about-jesus-jesus-is-my-a-z-revelation-18-2213/

Back Talker: Battle Weary: 2 Thessalonians 3:3

 

1. FAITHFUL TO YOU

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (CSB)

For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (CSB)

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)

A. God is faithful in providing for you

And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (CSB)

B. God is faithful to encourage you

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:16 (CSB)

C. God is faithful in comforting you

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 (CSB)

2. STRENGTHENS YOU

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (CSB)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (CSB)

3. PROTECTS YOU

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (CSB)

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/back-talker-battle-weary-2-thessalonians-33/

Back Talker: Stomp On The Strongholds: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

 

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

…and don’t give the devil an opportunity.
Ephesians 4:27 (CSB)

Living in Spiritual Victory requires me to…

1. Discern The Thoughts

…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

2. Disperse The Weapons

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV)

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God.  Pray at all times in the Spirit.
Ephesians 6:17-18 (CSB)

3. Demolish The Strongholds

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/back-talker-stomp-on-the-strongholds-2-corinthians-103-5/