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Sermons by Pastor Don Strand

Dominions Conquered: The New Testament Reality

The one big idea: At the cross Jesus crushed the rebellion and now reigns from heaven to bring glory to his Father through the Spirit empowered work of his people to bring all nations into his kingdom to reign with him forever.
1. The baptism of Jesus put the powers of darkness on notice that God had come down to take back what was rightfully his.
2. Jesus began his destruction of the gates of hell and setting the captives free with Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God.
3. The cross was the beginning of an unstoppable march across the known world that will result in a global Eden just as God planned.

Dominions Assigned: The Old Testament Reality

Psalm 82, Deuteronomy 32:7-9
One Big Idea: Before time began, the Triune God created a heavenly host to join with mankind in stewarding and perfecting a creation that would glorify God as they enjoyed him forever. Sadly, some rebelled.
1. God has given created spiritual beings authority to act in our physical world to accomplish his immediate and long term will.
2. Man’s rejection of God brought God’s rejection of man. Lesser gods were given dominion but the redeeming grace of Yahweh would win in the end.
3. It is necessary to recognize the difference in worldview if we are to see the deeper truths of the Bible.

Absolute Apostasy Arrives

Judges 19-21
The One Big Idea: God’s law must be the governing standard for Christians regardless of what may seem right in our own eyes.
1. A Pagan Morality (Judges 19:1-28)
The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties but right through every human heart.
2. A Prideful Problem (Judges 19:30-20:48)
A Christian cannot survive apart from the preaching and teaching of God’s word, corporate worship, and the confirming sacraments of his promises.
3. A Pragmatic Solution (Judges 21:1-23)
The grace of God in Christ to dwell with his people in spite of our sin is the greatest of all miracles.

A Destiny Fulfilled

Judges 16:1-31
The one big idea: God accomplished his predetermined plans in and through a fallen creation to display his glory to all creation.
Destiny Declared
While we may not always understand the means God uses to accomplish his will, we can be certain that the end will be perfect.
Destiny Decreed
God calls us out of the world and makes us different and different can be lonely.
Destiny Delivered
God will never abandon me because he always remembers his promise to me.

A Dental Disaster

Judges 15:1-20
One big idea: Yahweh is always the hero of every Bible story because he is never limited by the weakness of those he uses to accomplish his purpose.
1. I can laugh, even through my tears, at the events around me when I trust in the One who reigns from heaven.
2. I can stand in courage without compromise by trusting in the power of God and knowing I do not stand alone.
3. God’s promises are final, and no one can prevent them from being fulfilled, not even me.

I’ve Got a Secret

Judges 14:1-20
God uses even the worst of our decisions and actions to accomplish His purpose.
1. Secrets destroy relationships and the people who keep them.
2. Secrets don’t remain secret. They become new secrets, and the danger continues.
3. In eternity past, the Triune God secretly planned our redemption and slowly unveiled the secret until the full revelation in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Christmas in Judges

Judges 12:8-13:25
1. Christmas is about the birth of a Savior born to die to break the power and sting of death for all who believe he did.
2. By grace alone, I am a new creation, but I remain a creature. I can know God truly but not completely.
3. Before creation existed, the Father, Son, and Spirit purposed, through the saving work of the Son, to redeem a people to enjoy God’s presence forever.

The Overzealous Savior

Judges 10:6 – 12:7
The one big idea:
At the core of our fallen nature is a profound self-centeredness that keeps us from caring for others. At the center of God’s perfect nature is his unchanging love for those who do not care, even for him.

1. God chooses the weak and the lowly to accomplish small and great things for his glory, even me.
2. It is the height of human presumption and folly to think I can offer anything to God in exchange for his favor.
3. If I have put my faith in Jesus Christ then I am of Jacob, the Lord’s portion, his allotted heritage and I cannot be lost.