Religion without God The Problem of a DIY god No King Judges 17-18 Famous Lessons “Sin will blind you, bind you, and grind you” “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay” Judges 17-18 - Religious Chaos 19-21 - Moral Chaos The Failure of a Family (17:1–6) The Perversion of the Priesthood (17:7–13) The Corruption of the Clan of Dan (18:1–31) 1. A Heart That Rejects the God of the Bible Will Create Its Own Religion Judges 17:1–6 Idolatry “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” “Israel descended into sin with or without a king” Whenever God's Word loses authority, people create a god they can control. 2. Religion Cannot Replace A Biblical Relationship With God Judges 17:7–13 Material Blessings Syncretism Religious activity cannot substitute for genuine obedience. 3. Compromise Always Spreads Judges 18:1–20 Covetousness (vv. 1–2) Ungodly counsel (vv. 3–6) Breaking and entering, robbery and intimidation (vv. 14–26) Violence and murder (vv. 7–13, 27–29) Idolatry (vv. 30–31) What begins in one home can influence an entire generation. 4. People Who Reject the God of the Bible Will Find Something to Worship Judges 18:21–31 Idolatry Jonathan the grandson/descendant of Moses 5. The Root Problem Is Rejecting God's Authority Judges 17:6 Truth becomes personal. Morality becomes flexible. Authority becomes optional. Everyone becomes their own authority.