Bethel Community Church Orlando

In Judges, Israel's idolatry led to oppression by King Jabin and Sisera. God raised Deborah, a prophetess and judge, who directed Barak to defeat Sisera's army. A miraculous rainstorm disabled Sisera's chariots, ensuring Israel's victory. Jael killed the fleeing Sisera with a tent peg. Deborah's song teaches that faithful leadership glorifies God, inaction is cursed, and obedience achieves God's purposes. Ultimately, God will right all wrongs, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate Savior who brings justice and forgiveness.

The Book of Judges follows a repetitive cycle: Israelites worship idols, God allows enemies to oppress them, they cry out, and God raises a judge like Ehud to deliver them. Ehud, a left-handed man with a disabled right hand, kills the Moabite king Eglon, showing God uses unlikely heroes. God triumphs through our weakness, gives us salvation comes faith, overcomes opposition, and values availability over ability.

Throughout the book of Judges, one can see Israel's spiritual cycle of disobedience, judgment, cries for help, rescue by judges, and then relapse. They start strong (1:1-4) but fail to fully obey, blaming iron chariots (1:19) and enslaving some (1:28). Key lessons from Judges chapters 1 and 2: Disbelief breeds disaster. Forgetting God's works leads to abandoning Him. Idols enslave; God saves. Flawed judges can't fully save, but God's covenant points to Jesus, who delivers and atones. Cure: repent, obey, pray, and trust God.

"When You Believe in God but Worry All the Time" explores how chronic worry among believers reflects a lack of trust in God. So many of us have a restless soul. We are always searching but never finding. We are interested in everything, but satisfied by nothing. Worry is futile and harmful. Believers must surrender anxiety, focus on what they can control, and trust God's provision in order to their deepen faith.

"When You Believe in God but Trust More in Money" addresses Christians who claim to trust God but prioritize money for security and happiness. Jesus teaches that your heart follows your treasure and you cannot serve both God and money. The love of money, not money itself, leads to evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Wealth often fosters trust in money over God, especially in affluent societies. True peace comes from surrendering all to God, and honoring Him with everything through prayer.

"When You Believe in God but Pursue Happiness Your Way" considers how believers choose joy in God despite dire circumstances. Happiness is not tied to external conditions, is a deliberate choice, and is found in God alone. Scriptures like Philippians 4:4 affirm joy is always possible through faith. This focus on God offers eternal hope through salvation in Jesus.

"When You Believe in God but Aren't Sure He Loves You" explores the struggles of believers who grapple with doubts about God's love and presence despite their faith. Pastor Robert investigates several biblical insights that address the doubts and insecurities which can plague believers, particularly the fear that God may not truly love them. 

"When You Believe in God but Don't Think He's Fair" is a common struggle among Christians who question God's fairness in the face of life's injustices. Personal pain, loss, or unanswered prayers can lead to doubts about God's fairness, causing believers to live as if He isn't trustworthy. But God's fairness is not about equal outcomes but about us trusting in Him for salvation and trusting in His greater plan. 

Pastor Robert begins our new sermon series with "When You Believe in God but Don't Really Know Him," and introduces the concept of a "Christian Atheist"—someone who believes in God but lives as if He doesn't exist. Mere belief in God is insufficient. Authentic Christians must move beyond intellectual acknowledgment to a relational, authentic faith, fostering a life aligned with God's presence and guidance.

Jesus' raising of Lazarus, as described in John 11, demonstrates His divine power over death. Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, had been dead for four days when Jesus arrived. Despite Martha and Mary's grief and the skepticism of onlookers, Jesus prayed to God, affirming His divine authority, and called Lazarus to come out. Miraculously, Lazarus emerged alive. This act not only showcased Jesus' power to restore life but also strengthened the faith of many witnesses, affirming his identity as the Son of God and foreshadowing His own resurrection.

Philip, an early Christian missionary, encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official under Queen Candace, traveling from Jerusalem. The eunuch was reading Isaiah but struggled to understand it. Guided by the Spirit, Philip approached and explained the passage, revealing it as a prophecy about Jesus. He shared the gospel, and the eunuch, moved by faith was saved and baptized. This account highlights Philip's role in spreading Christianity to regions outside of Jerusalem.

Was Simon a phony Christian? When Philip preached the gospel and performed miracles, many believed and were baptized, including Simon the Magician. However, Simon's true motives came into question when he offered money to the apostles Peter and John to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, leading to a sharp rebuke from Peter, who accused him of having a heart not right before God. 

After the stoning of Stephen, a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, causing many believers to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. Meanwhile, those who were scattered preached the gospel wherever they went. Philip, one of the seven deacons, went to Samaria and proclaimed Christ there. As a result, many believed and there was great joy in the city.

From start to finish, Stephen's life was an example of service and dedication to Jesus. Stephen served the Lord and, on the surface, did everything right; yet he ended up dying for his faith and service. Stephen's most effective contribution to the kingdom of God came through his martyrdom. God used Stephen's death to produce the greatest Christian missionary, Paul. 

Not everyone can be great in the eyes of the world. Not everyone can be rich or famous. But anyone can be great in God's economy, because serving others is within the reach of everyone. Greatness is open to all, because anyone can be a servant.

We're here to be witnesses for Jesus. The Holy Spirit will empower us to continually testify the name of Jesus. Although Christians may face opposition or persecution, they are to continually speak the name of Jesus and minister to those who don't know Him.

Ananias and Sapphira, husband and wife, conspire to hold back a portion of the money they received from a sale of some land, while pretending to donate the full amount to the early church in Acts 5. Because of their lies, they died instantly. From their story, we learn that God's not after perfection, but He's after our heart. And ultimately, He wants our honesty. 

Despite the persecution that the apostles and early Christ followers began to experience, they prayed for God to give them boldness. Because they prayed this way, the gospel went forward. In addition, because future generations responded this way, the gospel eventually went all around the world. Their heroism led to our salvation. From where does boldness and courage like that come?

Throughout the New Testament, miracles were God's way of showing His divine power and giving validation to the apostles. Ultimately, the need for physical miracles points to our need for spiritual healing through salvation in Jesus Christ. 

The first message ever preached happened in Acts 2 at the Day of Pentecost. The Apostle Peter urged the people there to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. That day 3,000 people put their faith and trust in Christ. It marked a turning point in their lives. We have the same opportunity today -- to repent and trust Christ or to trust in ourselves.

Whether Jesus comes back tomorrow or in a thousand years, we have a mission to accomplish for Him. We are to be His witnesses. Jesus's mission is under His sovereign rule to expand His kingdom among all nations. Jesus wants us to be less concerned with His coming and more concerned with our going. 

While different apostles do appear throughout the book of Acts, the only single character who unifies the story from beginning to end is Jesus, appearing personally or acting through the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts is about Jesus leading his people through the Spirit to go out into the world and invite all nations to put their faith in Jesus. 

Guest speaker Ward Hodges presents the mystery of the blindness of the Jewish people to Jesus as the Messiah. He expounds on God's working in Israel through the ministry of "Grace for Israel."

Paul is one of the most externally righteous people we read about in the Bible, yet he also persecuted other Christians. His good works didn't lead him to Jesus. No matter what you do to look or act like a Christian, what matters is your relationship with Jesus. Paul realized that on the road to Damascus. Do you have an earnestness to know, to follow, and to worship Jesus Christ?

Christmas is the gift of hope because our hope starts at Christmas. It is the beginning of how we can make the most important and lasting change in our life. Believing in Jesus is how we can become new. If we don't change, we won't have a new year, we'll just have another year.

When did the earthly life of Jesus Christ really begin? John 1:14 tells us that “the Word (referring to Jesus Christ) became flesh and lived among us.” Christmas did not begin in Bethlehem, but nine months earlier when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and implanted within her the divine-human Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wealth and treasure are the number one contenders for our hearts. Jesus teaches through the parable of the rich man in Luke 12 that we can eliminate the competition for our hearts by being givers. If we give on earth, our reward will be great in heaven, because we have learned to be rich toward God.

The story from Mark 12 about the widow who gave all that she had at the Temple is a lesson in how Jesus viewed wealth. Often, the more money a person makes, the less generous they are. But God is not impressed by how many zeros are at the end of your offering. God is looking for a percentage. 

Amassing earthly riches will give you a false sense of security. Instead of putting your hope in the provisions of the world, you should put your hope in the Provider who has given you life and all you need to sustain it. Not only that, God has provided you with the gift of eternal life. 

Every human has intrinsic value because the image God, imago Dei, has been given to him or her. This elevates human dignity over animals. The way we interact with the world in light of the imago Dei must be shaped by our theology. All lives are created in the image of God and have worth. All life, all the way to the point of conception must be protected. The reason that Satan loves murder is that it represents an attack on the image of God.

Does God really want us to know for sure that we are saved? Yes, just like a good father doesn't want his children wondering whether or not they are loved, God loves us and wants us to have assurance in our salvation. When you believe in the name of the Son of God, you are resting in His actions to save you. The gospel, by its very nature, produces assurance. Because you are not depending on how well or how much you've done to earn your way to heaven, you are resting on His finished work.

We are discussing how we can know with certainty that we are saved. So, how we can be sure that we are followers of Christ? 1 John 4 says that our relationship with God is measured by our love for others. Love is how others see God in us.

What dominates your life? Is it the love of the Father, or love of the world? John describes the world as it is arrayed in rebellion against God. He defines this as the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life. John then teaches that the way to overcome the world is by embracing the love of the Father.

In 1 John 1:5-10, John identifies three signs of someone who doesn't know God—even though they think they do. John says that you don't know God if you sin willfully and habitually, you say you have no sin, and you have no confidence before God because of your sin. John says that being unaware of the sinfulness of your heart is a sign you don't know God. The clearest sign that you are growing in grace is not that you no longer sin, but that you are more aware of how much sin pervades your heart.

The book of 1 John is written to anyone wondering, "How do you know that your experience with God is genuine?" Over the next few weeks, we'll be taking a closer look at answering this question.

Mordecai's life has been spared, but the death sentence for all of God's people is still in effect, and it cannot be reversed. What are Esther and Mordecai going to do with the power that they now have? They became missionaries in a pagan culture, and they were used by God to rescue the Jewish people. Today, God calls Christians to be missionaries in a pagan culture to share the gospel of Jesus. 

At Esther's second banquet, the queen makes her request to King Xerxes – to save herself and the Jewish people from death. She also reveals Haman as the enemy, and Haman is hanged on the gallows that he had made for Mordecai.

God is sovereign; He knows the future; and He's at work. Even when we can't see it or understand it, we should not question the providence of God. God is never mentioned in the book of Esther, yet we can see how He is at work through the lives of the people in the book. God is working everything out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. God is in control; God is good; and He is present with us.

Haman found his identity in idolatry. He was consumed with power, never repented, and his life ended tragically. The idols where he found his identity were liars. In contrast, Esther has a change of identity, but her life doesn't end in tragedy and misery. She is not perfect, but she is noble. Haman was concerned with himself. Esther was concerned with others, even to the point of losing her life for them. 

Esther served as a mediator between her people and Xerxes, but Jesus serves as a mediator between God and His people. Esther had to come to King Xerxes on his throne, but our King Jesus got off His throne to come to us. Esther was willing to die for her people, but Jesus actually died for His people. And He's alive and seated on the throne of heaven where He always welcomes us into His presence.

Despite the way people are often characterized, people are not good or morally upright by nature. In this portion of Esther, everyone seems to have their own best interests in mind. First, Esther was hiding that she was Jewish. Next, two of King Xerxes' servants plot to assassinate him. Then the king's nobleman, Haman, wants to kill all of the Jews because Mordecai is a Jew and refused to bow to Haman. Finally, Xerxes gives Haman the power to murder the Jews because Haman is going to pay the king a percentage of the Jews' belongings. Only be God's grace are we kept from being consumed by self-interests, greedy, praise-seeking, or angry when we don't get our way.

Throughout the book of Esther it is evident that King Xerxes lived for himself. He wanted the glory and recognition of being a great king. As Esther enters the story, we can see her as a symbol pointing us to Jesus. While one can find many similarities between Esther and Jesus, only Jesus is the one, true Savior. Just as He did with Esther, God walks with us even when we don't walk with Him. Jesus is a much better king than Xerxes, and Jesus' kingdom is much better than the one Xerxes, Esther, or any other earthly ruler could offer.

Xerxes was the greatest king in the history of the world up to his day. However, his kingdom was filled with lavish parties where addictions were fed and women were mistreated. Xerxes created ungodly laws and saw himself as above the law. Whether past or present, all earthly rulers will leave people disappointed. Earthly rulers attempt to give people what they want; King Jesus gives people what they need. Jesus has a better kingdom. Jesus sits exalted, risen from death, ascended into glory, for all eternity upon His throne. And His kingdom will last forever.

Colossians 1:18 tells us that Jesus should be preeminent in everything. Jesus shouldn't just be a priority in our lives. He is supreme over all things, including: God's creation, our deliverance, and our spiritual growth. Because of Jesus' preeminence, He brought the fullness of God into human form and died on the cross, and shed his blood to pay for our sin; and through that payment, He has reconciled us to God.

Our goal is to move from only discipline and into delighting in prayer to God because of God's delight in us. This will lead us to boldly approach God and submit our lives to Him in prayer.

The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, your family, your career, or even your ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose. Your ultimate purpose in life is to bring God glory.

Technology is a helpful tool, but it can also be harmful. Too many Christians ignore the relationship between technology and their spiritual development. It's not enough to ask ourselves if we are using our devices to openly sin. In at least some ways, a technology-focused life is contradictory to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Technology can never be a substitute for the real world in real communities for which God created us.

God's Design is that we'd love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind. One of the first steps to living in God's Design is obedience. Obedience is difficult. Our natural instinct is to do what we feel and think is right. Each of us must submit ourselves to God's authority and obey His commands. Jesus was obedient to His Father, even to the point of death. But His death took the punishment for our sins and can grant us forgiveness for our disobedience.

Christians are called to be servants first and second to serve. We are called to a life of servanthood that leads to loving acts of service for our Savior. Serving flows from the heart of a servant. Serving doesn't make you a servant; but if you are a servant, you will serve.