Don’t You Judge Me!-Judges

“Just Use What the Good Lord Gives You-Shamgar”

Judges 3:31

April 30, 2023

Justin Scarberry

Message Notes

Judges 3:31

³¹ Now after him came Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck and killed six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad; and he also saved Israel.

God instructed His people to remove all the people in the promised land they would enter into so that they would not be a stumbling block for the building of His people.

Deuteronomy 20:16-18

¹⁶ Only in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave anything that breathes alive. ¹⁷ Instead, you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, just as the Lord your God has commanded you, ¹⁸ so that they will not teach you to do all the same detestable practices of theirs which they have done for their gods, by which you would sin against the Lord your God.

Why should we study the Old Testament?  Is it still relevant?

Romans 15:4

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

The Philistines are a continual enemy of the Israelites.

God gave Shamgar a stick to take out the enemy.

God uses imperfect people to do His will.

God gives us Gifts to use for His Kingdom

Romans 12:3-8

³ For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. ⁴ For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. ⁶ However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’sfaith; ⁷ if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; ⁸ or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Gifts listed in Romans:

Prophesy

Service

Teaching

Exhortation

Giving

Leadership

Mercy

(Note:  not a complete Biblical list of gifts.  See also 1 Cor. 12:8-10 and Ephesians 4:11-12)

We are to use what God gives us to do his will.

Each person is gifted by God in different measure used to serve one another (and not ourselves).

1 Peter 4:10

¹⁰ As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.

One day we will all be Judged on what we did with the gifts we received from God.

1 Corinthians 3:13 NASB

¹³ each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work.

God does not hold a grudge against us when we repent:

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

God let’s us choose every day if we will do His will….. or not.

1. When you think of the Old Testament what are some of the things that stand out to you? When you think of Judges what are some things that stand out?  How much attention do you feel a believer should give to the Old Testament?
2. Read Judges 3:31, what do you think it means that Shamgar “saved Israel”?
3. Read Deuteronomy 20:16-18. If people would use this as a scripture to say that God is not a loving God, would you be able to offer up a defense against that statement?  What are some of the reasons that God gave this instruction to His people?
4. Read Romans 15:4, what is hope? What is the hope that Paul calls out in this scripture?
5. Who were the Philistines? What are some examples of them in scripture?  What characteristics does the Bible give to the Philistines?  Are there any Philistines in our lives?
6. Does God give everyone gifts? Why or why not?  What are some of the gifts that God gives us?  Are these different from talents and abilities?  Can we be focused on the “wrong” gifting?
7. What is the most important gift?
8. Read Romans 12:3-8, have you discovered what your gifting is? What are some things either now or in the past that may have either held you up or even stopped you from using your gift for the Kingdom?
9. Is it held against us if we do not use our gifts for God’s Kingdom? Why or why not? Use scripture to defend your answer.
10. What is a steward? Are we stewards and if so of what?
11. Prayer: God’s word is clear that all of us working together using our gifts is the key to building the Kingdom.  Pray that God will empower you with His spirit in the gifting He has given you or if you do not know what your gifting is that God will show you this gifting and will start to strengthen you in that area to do His will.

For self-reflection:

My gifting is ___________________________________.

I use it (circle one):   Often        Sometimes       A few times      Never

If you do not know your gifting would you consider reaching out to Pastor Darin, Marisza, Justin, John Arobio, or Paul and/or Paulette Adamson for guidance?

if you’re gifting is unclear to you, think about the following questions. You can also talk to another Christian who knows you, they may be able to help you see some of the areas of your life where your gifting shines!

1. What am a good at doing?

2. What am I passionate about?

3. Am I passionate about what I’m good at doing?

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