Welcome Samson Lessons from and Judges 13 16

Welcome

Samson Lessons from and Judges 13 -16 Delilah L A story of: ove ies oss “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. ” Rom. 15: 4

Samson Father - Manoah Samson was a Nazarite - Could not cut hair He had great strength Judges 14: 6 - killed lion with his hands Judges 15: 15 - killed 1, 000 with jawbone Judge of Israel for 20 years Met a woman named Delilah

A story of: Samson Loved a woman L ove Samson and Delilah “And it came to pass afterward he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. ” Judges 16: 4 Ø 3 Women - all Philistines - off limits to a man of God Ø Problem with illicit sexual relationships

God wants us to be Sexually Pure Heb. 13: 4 “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. ” 1 Cor. 6: 18 “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. ” Matt. 5: 27 -28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. ”

God wants us to be Sexually Pure v Young People - Wait until you are married v Single Adults - Keep your bodies pure v Married couples - be faithful to your spouse

A story of: Delilah Loved Wealth L ove Samson and Delilah She was offered 5, 500 pieces of silver - $ ¾ million Judges 16: 5 “entice” = “to deceive, allure, flatter” Philistines were very superstitious - find his secret Satan works in this way 1 Cor. 10: 13 -14 “… but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry”

A story of: Samson’s Lies L ove ies Samson and Delilah 1 st “bind me with seven green withs” [bowstrings] 2 nd “bind me fast with new ropes” 3 rd “weave the seven locks of my head with the web”

Samson was playing with Sin § Playing with Delilah - Getting closer to truth § People get as close as they can to sin Matt. 12: 34 -35 - it is in our heart Rom. 6: 12 - When we sin it controls us James 1: 14 -15 - drawn away by lust - enticed = sin Joseph is a good example

A story of: Delilah’s Lies L ove ies Samson and Delilah q Lied to Samson because she was smarter q Played the “If you loved me you would” card q She did not love him, she loved the money Sin works like this --- Tempted - yield - commit the sin Put distance between you and the temptation

A story of: Delilah’s Lies L ove ies Samson and Delilah Playing with sin is like playing with fire Prov. 6: 27 “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? ”

Tombs Prison, New York City § A man built a prison in New York. § Later he was found guilty of forgery. § Sentenced to several years in the prison he built. “I never dreamed when I built this prison that I would be an inmate one day. ” Num. 32: 23 “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. ”

A story of: Delilah’s Losses L ove ies oss Samson and Delilah v In one sense she really lost nothing - was a sinner v Enjoyed the fruits of her deception v Financially she was set for life. v In the end she lost everything. - Her soul ! Mark 8: 36 -37 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? ”

A story of: Samson’s Losses L ove ies oss 1. He lost much physically § His Freedom § His Vision § His Dignity § His Life Sin has the power to control our lives Ø It can bind, blind and grind Ø Enslaved to the habits of sin Samson and Delilah

A story of: Samson’s Losses L ove ies oss 2. He lost More Spiritually Most expensive haircut in history § Lost His Fellowship with God § Lost His Spiritual Discernment § Lost His Ministry § Lost His Influence Samson and Delilah

Samson was humiliated in the eyes of the enemy God was humiliated along with Samson When they laughed at Samson they were mocking his God as well. When we fail and sin it brings reproach on God. 2 Sam. 12: 14 “by this deed thou has given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme” 1 Tim. 6: 1 “that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. ”

A story of: Sad and Tragic L ove ies oss Samson and Delilah Ø Sin takes you farther than you want to go. Ø Sin will hold you longer than you want to stay. Ø Sin will cost you more than you are willing to pay. Romans 6: 23 “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ”

Samson

Samson Noted for his great strength We can do something Samson did not do. We can Obey God. 1 Cor. 10: 11 “Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come”

Was Samson forgiven ? o God will forgive anyone who truly repents o Samson Prayed o God heard his prayer o God answered his prayer o God listed him in Hebrews 11 as a man of faith

You can be forgiven • Obey the Gospel • Believe • Repent • Confess • Baptized • Repent and Confess your sins

Nelson Chapel Church of Christ 5039 Six Mile Road Maryville, Tn. 37803 www. nelsonchapelchurchofchrist. org June 11, 2017 Sermon by Arthur Pigman 2705 Druid Hill Dr. Maryville, Tn. 37804 art 65 ann@gmail. com