Rev. Tom Hathaway - July 27, 2025
Faith Without Applause
Everyone’s heard of Rosa Parks. Fewer know Jo Ann Robinson—the quiet leader whose late-night flyer campaign sparked a 381-day bus boycott. And in Judges 4, everyone remembers Deborah and Jael, but few know what to make of Barak, the general who fought... but only after getting a push. This sermon explores what kind of leadership actually changes the world. Not the loudest voice. Not the one in the spotlight. But the faithful ones behind the scenes—who print the flyers, hold the line, carry the gear, and make space for others to shine. Turns out, that’s exactly the kind of greatness Jesus modeled.
Scripture References: Judges 4:1-31
From Series: "Legends"
They’re called legends, but not because they had it all together. The judges of ancient Israel were a wild bunch: prophets, warriors, outsiders, and deeply flawed human beings. Their stories are full of bloodshed, bravery, foolishness, and faith. In this series, we’ll explore these messy figures not as moral examples to copy but as reminders that God works through imperfect people to bring courage, justice, and unexpected hope. These aren’t fairy tales. They’re gritty, complicated, and oddly familiar. And through them, we’ll discover a God who still shows up in the chaos.
