Can God Bless America? | 2 Chronicles 7:14; Joshua 1:8; Nehemiah 8-9
Can God Bless America? ***
2 Chronicles 7:14; Joshua 1:8; Nehemiah 8-9
1. God's Pattern for Blessing: Return to His Word
Nehemiah 8–9
A. They brought the Book.
• Revival began with Scripture.
• God's people gathered around His Word.
B. They understood the Book.
• The Word was explained.
• Truth produced conviction.
C. They obeyed the Book.
• Repentance followed revelation.
• Worship followed repentance.
2. God's Blessing Always Requires Repentance
2 Chronicles 7:14; Nehemiah 9
Israel acknowledged:
• We sinned.
• God was righteous.
• Judgment was deserved.
They stopped blaming circumstances and confessed their rebellion.
“Repentance/Confession is agreeing with God about our sin.”
3. The Conditions for Blessing Never Change
Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1
God promised success through obedience.
The progression:
• Know God's Word.
• Meditate on God's Word.
• Obey God's Word.
• Experience God's blessing.
4. The Greatest Danger Is Rejecting God
Romans 1
When people reject God:
• Truth is suppressed.
• Worship is corrupted.
• Morality collapses.
• Conscience grows dull.
• God gives people over to their choices.
National decline is ultimately a spiritual problem before it becomes a political, economic, or cultural one.
5. God's Blessing Comes Only Through Christ
2 Corinthians 1:20
National reform cannot replace personal salvation.
A nation changes only as individuals are transformed by the gospel.
*** Lots of ideas originally from Can God Bless America by John MacArthur
5 Jul 2026
Samson – The Judge No One Asked For | Judges 13-14; Hebrews 11:32
No King
Samson - The Judge No One Asked For
“What Could Have Been”
Saint, Savior, Sinner Judge
Judges 13-14 ; Hebrews 11:32
Famous Lessons
“Sin will blind you, bind you, and grind you”
“Sin will take you farther than you want to do, cost you more than you want to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay”
God sent a Savior to people who didn't deserve it with Sampson and with His Son
“Giftedness without Godly Character is Dangerous”
1. God’s Purpose Begins Before Our Participation
Judges 13:1–5
40 years of Philistine Oppression
Israel does NOT cry out for help
Miraculous Message Angel of Lord (Jesus Christ) appears to Manoah's Wife
Miraculous Birth
Miraculous Purpose - 1-Nazarite | 2- to the Lord
Nazarite - “to separate”
No alcohol
No touching dead body
No cutting of his hair
2. A Godly Heritage Does Not Guarantee A Godly Heart
Judges 13:6–14
“You can be around spiritual things without being surrendered to God.”
3. Large Problems begin with Small Compromises & Desires
Judges 14:1-3
“When feelings become the authority, obedience becomes optional”
4. Physical strength does not cancel out spiritual weakness - Judges 14:5-9
“Spirit of the Lord” - Supernatural Anointing/Empowerment
Probably Not Physically Remarkable
“He could defeat a lion but could not control his desires.”
5. Don’t Help People Sin
Judges 14:4
6. When You are Done with Sin, It is Not Done with You
Judges 14
No King
Outcast to Outlaw Judge - Jepthah
Reject, Renegade, Rash
Judges 10-12 ; Hebrews 11:32
Cycle in Judges - Sin, Servitude, Supplication, Salvation, Silence
1. Israel's Greatest Problem Was Spiritual Unfaithfulness
Judges 10:6–16 45 years of peace Apostasy / Idolatry - 7 Fold Description
Geographically
Categorically
Canaanization
The essence of idolatry is enjoying God’s gifts but not being grateful to the Giver, and Israel was guilty.
Comfortable living often produces weak character.
Whether in a nation or a local church, the absence of qualified leaders is often a judgment of God and evidence of the low spiritual level of the people.
Judges 10:11 - 18 years of suffering
Many people want freedom from consequences.
They do not want freedom from sin.
2. God Uses Broken People
Judges 11:1–11
Jephthah's story begins with rejection.
• Son of a harlot
• Rejected by brothers
• Driven away from home
Yet God uses him.
Jephthah is now “a mighty warrior”
Your past does not have the final word. Jesus does!
Jephthah the Disowned (11:1–3)
Jephthah the Desperado (11:4–11)
Jephthah the Diplomat (11:12–28)
Jephthah the Defender (11:29, 32–33)
Jephthah the Doubter (11:30–31)
Jephthah the Daddy (11:34–40)
3. Knowing About God Is Not The Same As Knowing God
Judges 11:29–31
Before battle Jephthah makes a vow.
A tragic vow. A foolish vow.
Why?
Because he appears to misunderstand God's character. The victory was already promised. Yet he tries to bargain with God.
Ignorance of God's Word and Person often leads to spiritual disaster.
4. Foolish Words & Vows Can Create Lasting Pain
Judges 11:34–40
Jephthah Sacrificed His Daughter’s Life (A Dead Sacrifice)
Jephthah Sacrificed His Daughter’s Future (A Living Sacrifice)
Words spoken foolishly can create wounds that last for years.
5. Great Faith Does Not Eliminate Human Weakness
Judges 12
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