New Providence Sermon ES20308

I. In the story of Jephthah there is a subplot that is so terrible, so tragic, and so dark that it casts a shadow of evil that overwhelms the glorious victory.

A. And it all happens because Jephthah makes two terrible mistakes.

B. The second error was one of pride built upon the stupidity of the first.

II. Nothing good could be found in the life of Jephthah.

A. Jephthah was an outsider.

B. Jephthah was an outcast.

C. Jephthah became an outlaw.

III. But his story took a sharp turn toward God.

A. Gilead was attacked by Ammon and the best fighter in the clan proved to be Jephthah (Judges 11:4-6).

B. So, you ask, where is the problem? What is dark side of this story?

C. Jephthah made a vow (Judges 11:30-31).

1. First, it was made without thinking it through.

2. Second, it was completely unnecessary.

D. Jephthah kept his vow (Judges 11:39).

IV. What can we possibly learn from this horrible story??

Text

I. The Promises Of God.

A. The promise of God is complete victory.

B. The promise of God is based on who He is, not who we are.

C. We are jars of clay containing the unspeakable treasures (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).

II. The Promises Of Man.

A. We tend to distinguish between a promise and a vow.

B. Keep a good vow.

C. Redeem a bad vow.

III. The Desire Of God.

A. God does not need nor desire your vow.

1. It isn’t about “tithes and offerings”.

2. Vows that attempt to bargain with God turn Him into the needy party.

B. The desire of God is your heart.

Conclusion

I. The story of Jephthah is a story of great tragedy.

A. None of this was necessary.

B. Simply put, Jephthah failed to understand the nature of God.

1. He saw God as being appeased by what he could offer.

2. He failed to understand what God really wanted.

II. God desires your heart (Romans 12:1).

A. We need to understand what God desires.

B. Failing to understand can lead to the same type of mistakes Jephthah made.

Sadly, there are many Christians but few soul-winners.