Sibling Rivalry: A Genuine Threat to the Mission of the Church

As we continue our journey through the Old Testament book of Judges, we realize that along with the decline of Israel into greater sin and idolatry, there is a real moral decline in the judges themselves. Othniel was the faithful judge who served as a model (Judges 3:7-11), but by the time we get to Gideon, you can see the confused moral compass of the ones God used to deliver his people. Gideon delivered Israel from one idol only to erect another (Judges 8:22-28). Jephthah delivered Israel and then sacrificed his daughter (Judges 11:29-40).

Israel’s mission was to take the land that God had given them and cleanse it from all the idolaters through military force. But in many cases, Israel couldn’t do that. Those pagan nations often defeated Israel and placed them in bondage.

In Judges 12, we see a new threat to this mission: sibling rivalry. For the first time in Judges, Israel is at war with itself. Ephraim and Manasseh were Joseph’s two sons. Gilead was from the tribe of Manasseh. So, when Gilead and Ephraim went to war, it was a sibling rivalry. Instead of fighting the enemy nations, they fought each other. This sibling rivalry was a threat to their mission.

But it’s the same for us today, except our mission is to conquer the nations not by military force but by missionary endeavor. Isn’t this what we’re seeing today in the church? Instead of fulfilling our mission and making disciples of all nations, Christians are fighting one another. Of course, the root of sibling rivalry is pride. Pride divides family and destroys brothers. Pride divided Ephraim and Manasseh. And Pride led the Gileadites to destroy 42,000 of their brothers (Judges 12:6).

So, if we are to pursue peace and fight for unity, we must fight pride. How? Begin by considering Fabienne Harford’s Seven Subtle Symptoms of Pride, linked below. Ask yourself: “How does pride manifest itself in my life? What does it look like when I’m proud? Jealousy? Insecurity? Being easily offended? Fault-finding? Harshness? Superficiality? Defensiveness? Presumption before God? Desperation for attention? Discrimination?

How do we fight pride? First, we must look to our humble, selfless Savior who took on our humanity and have the same mind/attitude that was in him when he humbled himself (Philippians 2:1-11). Then, we must identify our pride and confess it at every opportunity. Finally, we must look to those we have grieved and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. This is what selfless, humble love looks like.

Women’s Bread Baking Class | Saturday, October 26 | 10 AM to 12 PM
Come join the women's ministry as we gather for good company and to learn how to make easy, versatile, peasant bread. All supplies are provided, but we ask that you please bring a large mixing bowl for your bread and two tea towels to cover the bread while it rises. Click here to register!

Fujairah Mission Trip | November 15-19, 2024
If you are interested in going to the Middle East to see the world the Lord is doing in the emirate of Fujairah, contact pastor Juan: juan@highpointeaustin.org.

We are still making plans, but the flights will be approximately $1,300.00 round trip (from Austin to Dubai). We are still working out the details of the lodging, but those are dependent on who will go. So, those going will be responsible for their airfare, lodging, and food. If you are a church member and you’ve never been on an international mission trip, we want to provide a $500.00 scholarship. More details will be forthcoming.

One-Day Membership Class | Sunday, November 10 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM in the Old Choir Room
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars for our One-Day Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. You can register for the class online here.

International Student Outreach Opportunities
Periodically there are volunteer opportunities available to get to know and engage with international students and scholars through the University of Texas Friendship Program and through Bridges International which is a part of Campus Crusade (Cru). If you are interested in receiving information about these opportunities, please send your email address to Sunila Levi. You will be notified when we receive requests for volunteers. Please contact Sunila Levi, Marilyn Waters, or Suzanne Capo if you have any questions.

Life Classes
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from August 25 to December 5:

• Growing in Prayer
• Discipling: Principles and Practice
• Student Ministry Life Class | Spiritual Disciplines: For children 6th–12th grades

• Kids Life Class: For children K–5th grade

 
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• October 6 | Judges 13, Pastor Juan
• October 13 | Titus 2:11-15, Pastor Robert Cline
• October 20 | Judges 14-15, Pastor Juan
• October 27 | Judges 16, Pastor Juan
• November 03 | Judges 17:1-18:31, Pastor Juan
• November 10 | Judges 19:1-21:25, Pastor Juan
• November 17 | 1 Thessalonians, Pastor Robert Cline
• 
  

Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.

Gospel Partner of the Month: 9Marks
9Marks helps pastors, future pastors, and church members see what a biblical church looks like, and to take practical steps for becoming one. 9Marks aims to see churches characterized by nine biblical marks of a healthy church. Why these nine? Because sadly, they’re too often assumed or ignored in evangelical churches.

Learn About the Nine Marks

On-Call Pastor  To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.