Have it your way Christianity

Judges 17, 17:6, 13

I.                   There was apparently an earnest desire to please the Lord

a.      The word that is used is LORD which is the true God 17:2, 3, 13

b.      An offering was dedicated to the Lord 17:3

c.      They consecrated one of their sons to the ministry 17:5

d.      When they got the Levite as a priest also they are convinced that God will be pleased 17:13

II.                 Since there is no authority everyone is doing whatever they feel like is right 17:6

a.      The son steals from his mother 17:2

b.      The mother curses or brings a curse on the thief but not the commandments of God 17:2

c.      The son fears the pagan curse more than the commandments of God and returns the money 17:2

d.      The mother makes idols for the LORD 17:3 though this is definitely against the will of the LORD

                                                              i.      Maybe she changed her mind on her vow and keeps most of it for herself or 17:4

                                                             ii.      Maybe she paid 200 and all the other silver was used to make the idols

e.      They make a house for their images 17:5

f.       They make imitation priestly garments 17:5 ephod is a priestly garment

g.      Teraphim are like household gods 17:5

h.      Made their son a priest which is not the will of God 17:5

III.              Preachers who do it their own way

a.      He was a Levite or God’s chosen servants 17:7

b.      He is wandering looking for a place 17:8, 9

                                                              i.      Maybe it was because the people of God were not taking care of the men of God since there was no real authority

                                                             ii.      Maybe it was because he wasn’t satisfied with God’s way of doing things

c.      He is obviously looking for a way to meet his own needs

d.      He is willing to sell his services for money and not near what God would give him 17:10

e.      Micah hires his own discipler – father and priest—means of relating to God 17:10

f.       The Levite apparently begins to disciple the son who was also a priest 17:11

IV.               Micah, his family, and the priest are looking for God’s blessing and prosperity

a.      They have established a worship routine

b.      They have sacrificially given for their worship

c.      They have dedicated their family

d.      They have used all they know from every part of life and religion

e.      They are seeking God their own way for their own reasons

V.                 There is an authority and there has to be an authority 17:6

a.      God can not be worshipped the way you feel would be good or the way you like

b.      God determines how He is to be worshipped and served

c.      The Bible or Word of God is our final authority for faith and practice II Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 17:11