“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” Human beings have a troubling history of rejecting freedom—as if they’re strangely drawn to bondage, both their own and that of others. Often overlooked, the book of Judges offers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the moral chaos and mystery that lives in everyone. It holds up a mirror and dares readers to look. Through both godly and ungodly examples of leadership—worthy of emulation and avoidance—Judges reveals the human impulse to grasp for power and supposed autonomy, and wield them recklessly, like toddlers with Tonka trucks. This book is a collection of sermons from James Ellis III, preached over the course of twelve months to a single congregation, Maplewood Reformed Church, as a Baptist pastoring Dutch Calvinist. For seasoned preachers or those just beginning to find their voice, this collection is an invitation to wrestle with hard truths, deepen biblical engagement, and proclaim the full counsel of God. Accessible, honest, and unflinching, these sermons will help build a bridge between the ancient text and this modern world—because the story of Judges is, in many ways, still a story for today.

Author Biography

James Ellis III is an ordained Baptist pastor, seminary professor, and author of Dysfunction in the Name of Jesus: Confronting the Idol of Pastoral Workaholism (2025), An Inward-Outward Witness: Suffering’s Role in Forming Faithful Preachers (2022), and Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil: Stories About the Challenge of Young Pastors (2015). He has a rich background in interdenominational ministry, working across racial and socioeconomic lines to foster unity and understanding.

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