Because the children of Israel forsook the LORD and did not heed His word, He told them He would no longer drive out their enemies before them.  God would allow enemies to remain and for His people to face calamity for their sin so they might be tested, turn to Him again and walk in His ways.  Only God has the power to redeem the calamity of sin for good.

Verses in order of appearance:
Deuteronomy 32:35
Judges 2:1-3
Matthew 22:12
Numbers 33:55-56
Judges 2:4-7
Jeremiah 50:6
Judges 2:8-10
Matthew 20:27-28
Judges 2:11-15
Jeremiah 19:4-5
Psalm 7:11
Haggai 1:5-6
Judges 2:16-19
Psalm 78:5-8
Judges 2:20-23
Isaiah 30:18-22
Verses mentioned but not displayed:
1 Kings 1:6
Deuteronomy 6
1 Samuel 15:23

2025-03-09 Ben Grisez Judges 2. 1-23  Calamity of Sin

Synopsis:  A generation of Hebrews grew that did not know war, and God allowed enemies to remain for His redemptive purposes:  to test His people, teach them to know war and for them to personally experience His deliverance.  The passage introduces us to three judges God raised up when His people cried out to Him, and God was faithful to guide them to rest and peace.

Verses in order of appearance:
Judges 3:1-4
Psalm 144:1-2
Judges 3:5-8
Judges 3:9-11
Judges 3:12-15
Judges 3:16-19
Joshua 4:23-24
Judges 3:20-26
Deuteronomy 32:15-18
Ecclesiastes 12:11
Judges 3:27-31
1 Thessalonians 1:10

Verses mentioned but not displayed:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Isaiah 48:22
Deuteronomy 32:15-18
James 5:16

2025-03-23 Ben Grisez Judges 3.1-31 Learning the Hard Way

Deborah was a prophetess who also judged Israel in a season when the Hebrews had been oppressed for decades by King Jabin of Canaan.  Through her bold leadership God confirmed His call upon Barak to muster an army, and the LORD was faithful to defeat Sisera and his 900 chariots of iron.  God uses unlikely people like Barak, Amos and Jael to do His will and overcome all odds, because God does the impossible.

Verses in order of appearance:
Judges 4:1-3
Judges 4:4-7
Judges 4:8-10
Hebrews 11:32-34
Judges 4:11-16
Amos 7:14-15
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Judges 4:17-20
Judges 4:21-24
Judges 5:26
Psalm 83:9-10
Judges 5:24
Psalm 83:16-18
Verses mentioned but not displayed:
John 9
Genesis 24:67
Genesis 31:33

2025-03-30 Ben Grisez Judges 4.1-24 Faith Beats the Odds

Synopsis:  After God delivered Israel from Sisera and his 900 chariots of iron, Deborah and Sisera joined together in song to praise God.  When leaders took the lead in the fear of God, when God's people willingly offered themselves to Him in faith and obedience, He gave them victory over their enemies and enduring rest.  By God's grace, those who love God will shine like the sun in full strength.

Verses in order of appearance:
2 Corinthians 9:7
Exodus 36:3
Judges 5:1-5
Judges 5:2 (KJV)
Judges 5:6-9
Judges 5:10-12
Psalm 66:16-20
Habakkuk 2:19
Judges 5:13-18
Judges 5:19-23
Nehemiah 3:5
Judges 5:24-27
Judges 5:28-30
Romans 8:12-14
Judges 5:31
Isaiah 50:5-10

2025-04-06 Ben Grisez Judges 5.1-31 A Willing Offering

After God's people did evil in His sight, He delivered them into the hands of the Midianites for 7 years who oppressed and impoverished them.  Before saving His people, God prepared them by sending a prophet.  The Angel of the LORD then called Gideon to deliver Israel from their oppressors by God's might, for the LORD is Peace.

Verses in order of appearance:
Psalm 22:30-31
Judges 6:1-2
Numbers 31:7
Judges 6:3-6
Deuteronomy 28:33
Judges 6:7-10
Judges 6:11-13
Judges 6:14-16
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
2 Kings 5:2-3
Judges 6:17-20
Judges 6:21-24
Exodus 33:20
Romans 12:1
Verses mentioned but not displayed:
Genesis 25:1-2
2 Chronicles 16:9
James 4
Hebrews 11:32-34
Luke 4:27
2 Kings 5:17
Hebrews 13:5

2025-04-13 Ben Grisez Judges 6.1-24 The LORD is Peace

Synopsis:  When the time for Jesus to be received up drew near, He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem for the joy set before Him--knowing He would be betrayed, tortured and crucified.  Jesus knew all He would accomplish through His death and resurrection, and every intact bone of Jesus affirms He will forever preserve those who trust in Him.

Verses in order of appearance:
Luke 9:51-56
Isaiah 50:5-7
Romans 5:6-8
John 19:32-37
Zechariah 12:10
Psalm 34:17-20
Psalm 31:23-24
Verses mentioned but not displayed:
Mark 15:39


2025-04-18 Ben Grisez Luke 9.51-56 Good Friday 2025

Synopsis:  After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples in person.  Jesus did many signs before and after His death and resurrection so we might believe He is the Son of God and have life in His name.  Praise God for peace with God through Christ Jesus!

Verses in order of appearance:
Luke 24:1-4
Luke 24:5-8
Matthew 12:39-40
John 20:19-20
John 14:27
John 20:21-23
Luke 24:45-48
John 20:24-25
John 20:26-29
Hebrews 13:5
John 20:30-31
Verses mentioned but not displayed:
Matthew 27:63
Mark 8:31
Mark 9:31
Mark 10:34

2025-04-20 Ben Grisez Luke 24.1-8 John 20.19-31 Jesus Gives Peace

After the LORD called Gideon to deliver Israel from their oppressors, he obeyed God to destroy his father's altar to Baal, build an altar to God, and sacrifice his father's bull on the altar using an image as fuel.  Gideon obeyed God and the Holy Spirit came upon him to muster God's people to battle.  God confirmed His word with signs, and this ought to encourage us to obey Him!

Verses in order of appearance:
Judges 6:24
Judges 6:25-26
Deuteronomy 12:2-3
Judges 6:27-29
Luke 16:10
Judges 6:30-32
Jude 1:3
Judges 6:33-35
Acts 5:31-32
Judges 6:36-40
Isaiah 7:14
2 Kings 7:2
Luke 1:18-20
Jeremiah 33:1-3
1 Thessalonians 5:14-21

Verses mentioned but not displayed:
Judges 3:7
Exodus 20:24
Deuteronomy 13:6-10
1 Samuel 5
Zechariah 4:6
Luke 24:49
Hebrews 11

2025-04-27 Ben Grisez Judges 6.25-40 Holy Spirit-Fuelled Obedience

After the LORD God delivered the Midianites into the hand of Gideon and his 300 men promised, Gideon's story was not over as new conflicts arose.  Not only did he need to contend with Midianite warriors and kings, but he faced conflict with the tribe of Ephraim, cities and elders.  Victory brought new temptations into Gideon's life, and it is wise for us to apply these lessons to our lives today.

Verses in order of appearance:
Judges 7:24-25
Judges 8:1-3
Proverbs15:1
Judges 8:4-9
Judges 8:10-12
Judges 18:27
Judges 8:13-17
Proverbs 29:15
Judges 8:18-23
Numbers 35:19
Deuteronomy 13:4
John 5:14
Judges 8:24-28
Psalm 83:9-18

Verses mentioned but not displayed:
Judges 7:23
Hebrews 5:8
1 Timothy 6:10
Hebrews 11:32

2025-05-11 Ben Grisez Judges 7.24-8.28 Victory and New Conflicts

Synopsis:  After the death of Gideon, the children of Israel did not remember the LORD and plunged back into idolatry.  This departure from God led to Abimelech's murderous scheme to kill his brothers and rule over Shechem.  Jotham, Gideon's youngest son, escaped and pronounced a curse God would bring to pass in due time.  Remembering Jesus is what God's people are called to do.

Verses in order of appearance:
Lamentations 3:19-20 (NIV)
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NIV)
Judges 8:29-32
Exodus 21:10-11
Judges 8:33-35
2 Chronicles 24:17-18
Judges 9:1-3
Joshua 24:26-27
Judges 9:4-6
Judges 9:7-13
PIC of Mt. Gerizim from HolyLandPhotos.org
Proverbs 28:9
Judges 9:14-15
Proverbs 6:27
Judges 9:16-21
Proverbs 26:2
Galatians 3:13-14
Romans 12:14-19
Psalm 103:1-5
Verses mentioned but not displayed:
Judges 8:23
Leviticus 18:18
Deuteronomy 17:17
Deuteronomy 21:15-17
Genesis 34
Joshua 8
Deuteronomy 11:29
Deuteronomy 27:12-26

2025-05-18 Ben Grisez Judges 8,29 - 9,21 The Folly of Forgetfulness

Calvary Chapel Sydney is a church located in Castle Hill, Sydney Australia.  We are committed to loving and accepting all people. We are a Christian church and we enjoy a casual, family atmosphere. We teach through the Bible verse by verse to receive the whole counsel of God. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  This rest Jesus promises is what we offer to all through the Gospel.  Our purpose is to love God, love people, and make disciples of Jesus Christ.

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