Sun, 17 February 2019
Chuck Colson was a young, aggressive attorney. He rose to be a special assistant to the president of the United States during the administration of Richard Nixon. He moved in the circles of greatest power and prominence. He was known to be ruthless and willing to tackle the toughest of assignments. He was sometimes referred to as the president’s hatchet man.
In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal that rocked the Nixon presidency, Colson was prosecuted and imprisoned. He was in a place of abject shame.
But something happened during those lowest days, Colson came to know Christ as His savior.
In an amazing turn of events, the prisoner became a preacher. Over time he proved to be one of the most influential American evangelicals of the latter half of the 20th century. He founded Prison Fellowship. He authored more than thirty books. He started “Break Point,” a news commentary based on a biblical worldview. He went from shame to fame.
This morning we’re going to meet the biblical character named Jepthah. He too went from shame to fame as God worked in his life.
No matter what our background or failings may be, God can forgive and cleanse and use us to bring good to others and glory to His name. He wants to raise us from our shame to the fame of His name!
Carousel: The Broken Heroes of Judges “Jepthah. From Shame to Fame” Judges 10:6-11:40
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute(1a).
So Jephthah went . . . and the people made him head and leader over them. And Jephthah spoke all his words before the Lord at Mizpah (11).
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites and said, “What do you have against me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?” (12)
Then the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jephthah . . . So [he] crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the Lord gave them into his hand(29a, 32).
And Jepthah made a vow to the Lord (30).
For I have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I cannot take back my vow (35b). |