The cross calls us to pay a price.

The cross calls us to see the world with God’s eyes.

The cross calls us to identify with sinners.

The cross calls us to today.

* Why do we celebrate Easter?

* Why should we make a big fuss about Jesus Christ's resurrection?

* Why should we believe in Jesus Christ's resurrection?

* What does Jesus Christ's resurrection mean to us?

EXHORTATION

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  Gal. 2:20 (NIV)

Backgrounds:
Four times we are told there was no king in Israel:  Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25

Backgrounds:
The nation of Israel went through this cycle:
    1. Apathy:  They did not
    2. Apostasy:  They did evil
    3. Anarchy:  They rebelled

Backgrounds:
Each cycle began with:
    1. Sinning
    2. Suffering
    3. Supplication
    4. Salvation – God raised up a deliverer – a judge

Four Things from Shamgar’s Life:

     1.  Shamgar was a man who did what he could!

He slew 600 Philistines

What did he have? oxgoad

It was a hard place.

He also delivered Israel.

what  he could,
with what he had,
where he was.
For the glory of God!

A.  General (Eph. 5:21) to Specific (Eph. 5:22-6:9)

• Husbands submit to Jesus
• Wives submit to Husbands
• Children submit to Parents
• Slaves submit to Masters

    The created order was implemented in the Garden prior to sin, thus it was not implemented as a check against sin.

C.  Submission is a Military Term

• Failure to take rank causes people to die.
• In context it means “voluntary obedience and cooperation”.

    1. Gave Himself up for her.  (Died for, protected, positioned, gifted)
    2. Set her apart through the word.  (John 17:17)  Teach/Read word - Courtship
    3. Present her blameless and holy before the Lord.  (Presentation at wedding)

E.  Love Wife as You Love Self

• Why the two become one?

Since you love yourself and now the two have become one then it follows that you love your wife as much as self.

I.   God Shows No Favoritism to any Particular Group  (v. 9)

II.  The Gospel Unites Different Cultures (v. 10-11)

III. We Should Remove our Cultural Preferences When More will be Saved (v. 19)

IV. We Should Be Sensitive to Other People's Cultural Preferences (v. 20-21)

Conclusion:

    Unity around gospel, freedom, diversity and sensitivity in cultural expressions.