FROM CREATION TO CHRIST: Israel's Decadence, God's Deliverance

Lacking Knowledge of God (vv. 10-12)

The Downward Spiral of Decadence

 - Apostasy: Israel falls into idolatry

- Punishment: Other nations conquer Israel

- Repentance: Israel cries out to God for help

- Judge: God raises up a deliverer

- Restoration: Israel is grateful and promises loyalty to God

- Apostasy: Israel falls back into idolatry

Theological Truths Revealed from Judges

- Humanity is naturally sinful, idolatrous and self absorbed

- Sin and idolatry derive from a lack of knowledge of God and what He has done

- We learn what happens when people try to change external factors without changing their own hearts

- God is faithful to provide a deliverer

- Deliverance does not come purely by external factors

God’s Deliverance

Application

- Individually: We each have to examine our hearts to see if we are living with a transformed heart

        Five things to determine if we have a transformed heart

1. Is your joy and delight in God greater than your joy and delight in the things of this world?
2. You thirst for more knowledge of God
3. You desire to obey God and you feel convicted of sin
4. You want to tell others about God
5. You desire to live a life that magnifies and exalts God rather than yourself

- As a church: