WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.379 Good morning. 00:00:04.980 --> 00:00:09.040 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:12.060 And it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:12.620 --> 00:00:15.679 A special welcome if you are new or visiting with us. 00:00:15.740 --> 00:00:16.640 We're glad that you're here. 00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:20.780 And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:24.580 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:29.879 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good 00:00:29.879 --> 00:00:33.719 they don't need God's grace, and no one's so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:33.799 --> 00:00:39.140 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word. 00:00:40.039 --> 00:00:43.259 This week we are resuming our series in the book of Judges. 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:46.759 And you'll remember that the book of Judges is about a number of things. 00:00:47.239 --> 00:00:51.859 It's about the need for constant renewal and revival among God's people. 00:00:52.219 --> 00:00:55.340 It's about the need for a true and faithful king, 00:00:55.859 --> 00:00:58.179 a king who can do what no human can do, 00:00:58.179 --> 00:01:00.600 which is to change the hearts of men. 00:01:01.380 --> 00:01:04.500 It's about the power of spirit-filled leadership. 00:01:05.260 --> 00:01:10.280 And it's about God's mercy to hard-hearted people, people like you and me. 00:01:11.099 --> 00:01:15.700 Last time we were in Judges chapter 13 and we began the story of Samson. 00:01:15.819 --> 00:01:17.780 And you'll remember that we asked this question of, 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:21.539 what is our hope when it appears that the lights have gone out? 00:01:21.540 --> 00:01:25.980 And we saw that our hope is that God does not give up on us. 00:01:27.080 --> 00:01:29.260 Israel may have forgotten God. 00:01:29.940 --> 00:01:32.700 God has not forgotten Israel. 00:01:33.440 --> 00:01:36.080 It's with that that we continue into chapter 14. 00:01:36.800 --> 00:01:38.560 And you'll remember, if you've been with us, 00:01:38.600 --> 00:01:42.240 that there's this pattern that was set out at the very beginning of the book of Judges 00:01:42.240 --> 00:01:45.219 that we're going to go from best to worst. 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:49.079 And so we had Othniel, who was our greatest judge of all time, 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:50.959 the model judge, the perfect judge. 00:01:51.299 --> 00:01:57.140 Now we come to the last judge, Samson, who is, without a doubt, the worst judge. 00:01:58.680 --> 00:02:02.039 And so, as we come to this passage, we're simply wondering this, 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:06.060 how is God going to work through this crazy leader? 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:15.219 How is God going to work through the dysfunction and anger and lust and disrespect of Samson? 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:18.439 And so with that, I invite you to turn with me to God's word. 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:20.860 As we turn, you can go in your Bible. 00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:23.159 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:24.939 You can turn on your phone. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:28.219 No matter what you do, remember that this is God's word. 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:30.319 Proverbs chapter 30 tells us, 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:42.019 And so it's for that reason that we read now, Judges chapter 14, starting at verse 1. 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:48.200 Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines. 00:02:48.920 --> 00:02:51.540 Then he came up and told his father and mother, 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:55.160 I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. 00:02:55.700 --> 00:02:58.460 Now, get her for me as my wife. 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:01.160 But his father and mother said to him, 00:03:01.420 --> 00:03:05.560 Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives or among all our people 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:09.700 that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines? 00:03:09.699 --> 00:03:12.079 But Samson said to his father, 00:03:12.619 --> 00:03:15.739 Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes. 00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:17.060 Verse 4. 00:03:18.079 --> 00:03:20.899 His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, 00:03:20.979 --> 00:03:23.839 for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. 00:03:24.579 --> 00:03:27.219 At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel. 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:31.259 Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, 00:03:31.359 --> 00:03:33.019 and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:36.179 And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring. 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:39.240 Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, 00:03:39.480 --> 00:03:41.340 and although he had nothing in his hand, 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:45.080 he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. 00:03:45.840 --> 00:03:49.200 But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:52.140 Then he went down and talked with the woman, 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:54.620 and she was right in Samson's eyes. 00:03:55.740 --> 00:03:56.400 Verse 8. 00:03:56.400 --> 00:04:22.680 Verse 10. 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:25.680 His father went down to the woman, 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:27.680 and Samson prepared a feast there, 00:04:27.900 --> 00:04:29.819 for so the young men used to do. 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:32.459 As soon as the people saw him, 00:04:32.540 --> 00:04:34.660 they brought thirty companions to be with him. 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:36.699 And Samson said to them, 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:38.780 Let me now put a riddle to you. 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:41.060 If you can tell me what it is, 00:04:41.160 --> 00:04:42.899 within the seven days of the feast, 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:43.860 and find it out, 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:46.500 then I will give you thirty linen garments 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:48.160 and thirty changes of clothes. 00:04:48.160 --> 00:04:50.800 But if you cannot tell me what it is, 00:04:50.900 --> 00:04:53.020 then you shall give me thirty linen garments 00:04:53.020 --> 00:04:54.460 and thirty changes of clothes. 00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:56.160 And they said to him, 00:04:56.460 --> 00:04:58.780 Put your riddle, that we may hear it. 00:04:59.840 --> 00:05:00.720 Verse 14. 00:05:02.020 --> 00:05:03.220 And he said to them, 00:05:03.460 --> 00:05:05.200 Out of the eater came something to eat, 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:07.760 out of the strong came something sweet. 00:05:08.440 --> 00:05:11.379 And in three days they could not solve the riddle. 00:05:12.200 --> 00:05:14.600 On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife, 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:17.340 Entice your husband to tell us what the riddle is, 00:05:17.339 --> 00:05:20.560 lest we burn you and your father's house with fire. 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:23.599 Have you invited us here to impoverish us? 00:05:24.399 --> 00:05:26.639 And Samson's wife wept over him and said, 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:28.939 You only hate me, you do not love me. 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:31.259 You have put a riddle to my people, 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:33.019 and you have not told me what it is. 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:34.579 And he said to her, 00:05:34.659 --> 00:05:37.159 Behold, I have not told my father nor my mother, 00:05:37.479 --> 00:05:38.439 and shall I tell you? 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:41.719 She wept before him the seven days 00:05:41.719 --> 00:05:42.839 that their feast lasted. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:45.279 And on the seventh day he told her, 00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:47.079 because she pressed him hard. 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:50.000 Then she told the riddle to her people. 00:05:50.559 --> 00:05:53.079 And the men of the city said to him on the seventh day, 00:05:53.219 --> 00:05:54.439 before the sun went down, 00:05:55.179 --> 00:05:56.500 What is sweeter than honey? 00:05:56.979 --> 00:05:58.559 What is stronger than a lion? 00:05:59.419 --> 00:06:00.659 And he said to them, 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:02.879 If you had not plowed with my heifer, 00:06:03.119 --> 00:06:05.259 you would not have found out my riddle. 00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:07.339 Verse 19. 00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:10.199 And the spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:11.619 and he went down to Ashkelon, 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:13.579 and struck down thirty men of the town, 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:14.619 and took their spoil, 00:06:15.019 --> 00:06:17.599 and gave the garments to those who had told the riddle. 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:20.939 In hot anger he went back to his father's house. 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:24.139 And Samson's wife was given to his companion, 00:06:24.919 --> 00:06:26.059 who had been his best man. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:28.839 I invite you to pray with me 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:31.739 as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:06:31.740 --> 00:06:34.360 Our Father in heaven, 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:36.180 we do thank you again 00:06:36.180 --> 00:06:38.500 that you have given us your word 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:39.560 to instruct us, 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:40.699 to help us, 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:41.939 to guide us. 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:43.740 And we thank you that you 00:06:43.740 --> 00:06:47.500 use imperfect, flawed, sinful people 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:48.120 in your kingdom, 00:06:48.340 --> 00:06:49.100 people like Samson. 00:06:49.780 --> 00:06:51.639 We ask that you would use 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:53.300 this chapter this morning 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:55.639 to show us our great need 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:57.060 for your grace and your mercy. 00:06:58.040 --> 00:06:58.939 You'd comfort us 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:01.620 with that very same grace and mercy 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:03.899 that you would lead us to know 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:06.040 and love our Lord Jesus more and more. 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:07.500 It's in his name 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:08.759 that we ask all of these things. 00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:09.519 Amen. 00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:16.720 If we had just Judges chapter 13 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:17.860 to go on, 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:18.659 if that's all we knew 00:07:18.659 --> 00:07:19.819 about the story of Samson, 00:07:19.899 --> 00:07:22.620 we would be only excited at this point. 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:23.959 We talked last week 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:26.180 about how God has this great mercy 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:27.019 for his people 00:07:27.019 --> 00:07:27.899 despite the fact 00:07:27.899 --> 00:07:29.139 that they have forgotten him. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:31.379 They don't even cry out to him for help 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:33.399 and yet God still shows up to rescue. 00:07:33.899 --> 00:07:35.819 He's raising up this redeemer, 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:38.799 this man who's going to save Israel 00:07:38.799 --> 00:07:39.979 from the Philistines. 00:07:40.159 --> 00:07:42.079 And he has even a more complicated 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.939 birth story and calling story 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:46.139 than any other judge that we've seen. 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:47.799 Even more than that, 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:48.699 you may remember 00:07:48.699 --> 00:07:50.379 as we left chapter 13, 00:07:50.539 --> 00:07:52.539 we were told this very last verse, 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:54.379 the spirit of the Lord 00:07:54.379 --> 00:07:55.839 began to stir him, 00:07:56.259 --> 00:07:57.099 that is Samson. 00:07:57.100 --> 00:07:58.980 And so just knowing that, 00:07:59.060 --> 00:07:59.480 we would think, 00:07:59.660 --> 00:08:01.580 wow, God is going to do 00:08:01.580 --> 00:08:03.360 the pattern that he's done before. 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:05.280 Samson has been raised up. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:07.340 What should we expect 00:08:07.340 --> 00:08:08.840 but that he's going to go out 00:08:08.840 --> 00:08:10.080 and have a great victory? 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:12.160 Chapter 14, 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:13.420 we should see Samson. 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:14.140 He's going to go. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:15.800 He's going to trash the Philistines. 00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:17.420 Everyone's going to rejoice. 00:08:17.660 --> 00:08:18.700 Things are going to continue 00:08:18.700 --> 00:08:20.480 very well in the nation of Israel. 00:08:21.260 --> 00:08:22.320 And so it should be, 00:08:22.460 --> 00:08:22.840 in a sense, 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:24.159 a surprise to us 00:08:24.159 --> 00:08:25.679 as we begin chapter 14 00:08:25.679 --> 00:08:27.799 because it is a disappointing 00:08:27.799 --> 00:08:30.479 montage of failure. 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:33.899 Samson does stupid thing 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:35.279 after stupid thing. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.860 Verses 2 and 3, 00:08:38.079 --> 00:08:39.220 Samson is disrespectful 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:40.259 of his parents. 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:41.740 He orders them around. 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:42.600 He says, 00:08:42.679 --> 00:08:42.899 look, 00:08:43.079 --> 00:08:45.220 this woman is right in my eyes. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:46.559 And he says twice, 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:48.480 get her for me. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:51.199 His parents try to dissuade him, 00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:52.039 try to ask him, 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:53.000 hey, isn't there someone 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:54.199 among our own people, 00:08:54.339 --> 00:08:55.699 someone who loves God 00:08:55.699 --> 00:08:56.659 that you could go with? 00:08:57.079 --> 00:08:57.959 And Samson doesn't even 00:08:57.959 --> 00:08:58.480 listen to them. 00:08:58.559 --> 00:08:59.439 He just tells them, 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:00.659 this is what I want. 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:02.740 This is what you're going to do. 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:04.379 And so he has this disregard 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:06.079 for his parents' concern 00:09:06.079 --> 00:09:07.059 and advice. 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:08.219 Even more than that, 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:09.620 Samson has no regard 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:10.459 for God's law. 00:09:11.099 --> 00:09:11.860 If you were with us 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:13.659 back in 2019 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:14.719 when we were in the book 00:09:14.719 --> 00:09:15.399 of Nehemiah, 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:16.719 as we got to the very end, 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:18.599 remember one of Nehemiah's reforms 00:09:18.599 --> 00:09:20.319 was to break up 00:09:20.319 --> 00:09:21.860 these interfaith marriages 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:22.860 where God's people 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:24.259 had married with pagans 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:25.759 who were pulling them away 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:26.340 from worship 00:09:26.340 --> 00:09:27.659 of the one true God. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:30.500 And so Samson's parents, 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:32.159 rightly or wrongly, 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:33.300 like many parents, 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:35.240 decide to pick their battles 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:36.620 and they head down 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.200 with Samson 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:39.240 for this unfortunate marriage. 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:41.419 And let's not miss 00:09:41.419 --> 00:09:42.600 what Samson is doing here. 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:43.519 It's not simply 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:44.300 or merely 00:09:44.300 --> 00:09:45.980 that Samson is marrying 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:47.320 someone who does not love 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:48.259 the one true God. 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:50.399 Samson is marrying 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:52.340 into the Philistines. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.519 He should instead 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:55.500 be fighting 00:09:55.500 --> 00:09:56.799 the Philistines. 00:09:57.840 --> 00:09:59.559 He's doing the very opposite 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:00.360 of what God 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:01.080 has called him to do. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:02.539 He is making friends 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:04.500 with God's enemies. 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:06.980 If that were not enough, 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:08.659 Samson then goes on 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:10.000 to violate himself 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.360 and his parents. 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:13.220 In verses 6-9, 00:10:13.299 --> 00:10:15.279 we see that this lion comes. 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:16.500 The Spirit of the Lord 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:17.500 comes upon Samson. 00:10:17.579 --> 00:10:18.199 He's able to rip 00:10:18.199 --> 00:10:19.159 this lion apart. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:21.159 So far, so good. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:23.360 He comes back 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:24.259 to the lion, though, 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:25.000 and he finds 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:27.659 this beehive is there. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:28.740 He finds there's actually 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:29.539 honey he can get. 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:31.379 Now, remember I told you 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:32.419 last week the fact 00:10:32.419 --> 00:10:33.860 that Samson is a Nazarite 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:34.639 is going to become 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:36.279 very important this week. 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:38.639 Nazarites are set apart 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:40.139 to God with a special focus 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:41.259 and devotion to him, 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:42.319 and there's three things 00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:43.319 they're not supposed to do. 00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:44.259 They're not supposed 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:45.220 to touch dead bodies. 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:46.259 They're not supposed 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:47.059 to cut their hair. 00:10:47.339 --> 00:10:47.919 They're not supposed 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:48.699 to touch alcohol. 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:52.199 Where is the honey? 00:10:53.699 --> 00:10:55.240 It's inside a dead body. 00:10:57.339 --> 00:10:58.319 And it's not really 00:10:58.319 --> 00:10:59.199 just Nazarites 00:10:59.199 --> 00:10:59.839 who aren't supposed 00:10:59.839 --> 00:11:00.919 to touch dead bodies. 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:02.459 It's all of God's people 00:11:02.459 --> 00:11:03.579 are made ceremonially 00:11:03.579 --> 00:11:04.779 unclean by this. 00:11:05.459 --> 00:11:06.939 To make things worse, 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:08.879 it's not just that 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:10.360 Samson touches this honey. 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:11.839 He takes it 00:11:11.839 --> 00:11:12.679 and brings it 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:13.480 to his parents, 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.860 and verse 9 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:16.340 tells us how bad it is. 00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:18.600 He did not tell them 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:19.720 that he had scraped 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:20.180 the honey 00:11:20.180 --> 00:11:21.399 from the carcass 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:22.399 of a lion. 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:25.720 This would be similar 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:27.600 to you today 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:29.379 going to the bathroom, 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:31.960 not washing your hands 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:32.480 at all, 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:34.659 and then coming back 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.899 to prepare food 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:36.680 for everyone. 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:39.219 Okay, we are being told 00:11:39.219 --> 00:11:39.599 this. 00:11:40.219 --> 00:11:42.120 Samson is nasty. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:43.579 Okay? 00:11:44.219 --> 00:11:45.979 Samson is gross. 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.819 He touches dead bodies. 00:11:49.239 --> 00:11:50.159 He then gives 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:51.120 dead body honey 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:51.919 to other people, 00:11:52.219 --> 00:11:53.299 doesn't tell them 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:54.139 what it is 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:54.699 they're touching 00:11:54.699 --> 00:11:55.819 and they're eating. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:58.159 Remember, 00:11:58.239 --> 00:11:58.899 he's a Nazarite. 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:00.339 No dead bodies, 00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:01.399 no cutting hair, 00:12:01.599 --> 00:12:02.319 no alcohol. 00:12:02.699 --> 00:12:03.599 What does he do next? 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.340 Well, he goes 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:04.840 and he throws 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:05.480 this party. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:06.259 Verses 10. 00:12:06.440 --> 00:12:07.279 Verse 10 and 11. 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:08.759 Samson prepared 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.480 a feast there 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:10.940 for so the young men 00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:11.779 used to do. 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.500 What do the young men 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.259 do when they 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:14.860 throw a party? 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:18.540 They're not drinking 00:12:18.540 --> 00:12:19.100 ginger ale. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:20.560 Okay? 00:12:21.820 --> 00:12:23.460 Samson continues 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:24.399 to disregard 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:25.680 God's call 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:27.100 on his life. 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:28.540 In fact, 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:29.540 he sums it up 00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:30.940 in both verse 3 00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:31.620 and verse 7 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.600 when we're told 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:33.340 about his feelings 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:34.200 toward this woman, 00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:35.740 we're given this phrase, 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.860 she was right 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.279 in his eyes. 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:39.799 Now, 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:40.700 for a long time, 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:41.399 I used to think 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:43.039 that this statement 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:43.759 was about 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:45.060 Samson's physical 00:12:45.060 --> 00:12:46.340 attraction to this woman 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:47.299 and at some level 00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:48.480 that's probably true, 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:49.799 but this phrase, 00:12:50.060 --> 00:12:50.919 right in their eyes, 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:51.779 is going to show up 00:12:51.779 --> 00:12:52.539 later in the book 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.080 of Judges, 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:54.440 not about romantic 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:55.200 relationships, 00:12:55.680 --> 00:12:56.480 but about people 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:57.560 doing whatever 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:58.460 they want. 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:00.340 In other words, 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:01.580 Samson likes her, 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:03.340 and nothing 00:13:03.340 --> 00:13:04.000 else matters. 00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:06.320 Samson is interested 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:07.100 in this woman. 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.120 He could not 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:09.200 care less 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:10.519 what his parents 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:11.220 think, 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:12.419 what God 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:13.279 thinks. 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.700 Samson does 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:18.080 what Samson wants. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:21.000 For whatever reason, 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:22.179 this woman 00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:22.759 melts 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.820 Samson's butter. 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:24.360 Okay? 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.799 Nothing else 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:26.180 matters. 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:28.460 And so we're 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:29.460 seeing a theme here. 00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:30.120 We have not 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:30.800 seen it once, 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:31.379 twice, 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:33.019 but three times. 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:34.379 Samson does 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:36.300 almost everything 00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:37.200 wrong. 00:13:39.060 --> 00:13:39.900 Samson is supposed 00:13:39.900 --> 00:13:40.639 to be set apart 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.759 to God as a Nazarite. 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.060 He's supposed 00:13:42.060 --> 00:13:42.700 to be called 00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:44.000 to this higher level 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.580 of obedience 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.280 and focus. 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:47.060 He can't even 00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:48.019 get the basics 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:48.420 right. 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.259 Not marrying 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:50.860 a Philistine, 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:51.560 that's not some 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:52.540 special rule 00:13:52.540 --> 00:13:53.480 for Nazarites. 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:54.000 No, 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:55.080 no Israelite 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:55.440 is supposed 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:56.080 to do that. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:57.820 Yes, 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:58.540 Nazarites are 00:13:58.540 --> 00:13:58.980 not supposed 00:13:58.980 --> 00:13:59.620 to touch 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:00.400 dead bodies. 00:14:01.380 --> 00:14:02.380 No Israelite 00:14:02.380 --> 00:14:02.880 is supposed 00:14:02.880 --> 00:14:03.480 to touch 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:05.120 a dead body. 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.080 Samson 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:07.740 should be 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.140 taking 00:14:08.140 --> 00:14:09.240 senior level 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:09.840 classes. 00:14:11.140 --> 00:14:11.440 Samson 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:12.060 can't even 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:12.580 make it 00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:13.580 through Israelite 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:14.240 101. 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:17.260 Samson 00:14:17.260 --> 00:14:18.000 is 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.220 the worst 00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:20.040 judge. 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:22.000 So the author 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:22.500 of Judges 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.320 is telling us 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:24.520 over and over 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.600 to make sure 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:26.139 we don't 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:26.559 miss it. 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:26.840 Look, 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:27.539 Samson 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:29.059 is a trash 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:29.419 fire. 00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:31.419 Samson's 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:32.039 life is 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:32.899 a complete 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:34.159 train wreck. 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:35.740 This 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:37.019 is the man 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:37.659 who God 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.039 is going 00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:38.799 to use 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:39.939 to save 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:40.559 his people 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:41.460 from the 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.059 Philistines. 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:44.139 A man 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:44.960 who disregards 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:45.579 his parents. 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:46.840 A man 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:47.840 who disregards 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:48.399 God 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:49.240 himself. 00:14:52.079 --> 00:14:52.840 So what 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.220 do we do? 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:55.200 with this 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:55.980 terrible 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:57.300 no-good 00:14:57.300 --> 00:14:57.680 judge. 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:00.340 Now the 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:00.759 key 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:02.040 to chapter 00:15:02.040 --> 00:15:02.560 14 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:03.379 is 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.440 in verse 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:04.840 4. 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.000 Samson's 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.480 parents 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.080 are 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:08.899 beside 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:09.440 themselves 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:10.060 that Samson's 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:10.560 making these 00:15:10.560 --> 00:15:11.139 choices that 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:11.540 he's marrying 00:15:11.540 --> 00:15:11.960 the wrong 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:12.440 person. 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:13.620 But what 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:13.960 they don't 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:14.500 know is 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:14.779 what we're 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.420 told here. 00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:15.899 It was 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.480 from 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:17.759 the Lord. 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:19.659 for he 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.259 was seeking 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:21.139 an opportunity 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:22.960 against the 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.580 Philistines. 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:25.340 In other 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:25.759 words, 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.200 Samson 00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:28.039 is a 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:28.399 mess. 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:30.580 God 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.740 is still 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.840 at work. 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.980 In the 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.740 midst of 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.500 Samson's 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.080 flaws 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:39.159 and failure, 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:40.919 God is 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:41.580 still 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:42.500 bringing 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.620 deliverance. 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:47.000 God is 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.879 working out 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.740 his purposes 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:50.919 no matter 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:51.759 what. 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.460 In fact, 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:54.919 this is a 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:55.440 theme we've 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:55.879 seen in 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.399 other parts 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:56.820 of Scripture. 00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:57.340 You may 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:57.960 remember at 00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:58.320 the very 00:15:58.320 --> 00:15:59.480 end of 00:15:59.480 --> 00:15:59.759 the book 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.240 of Genesis 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:00.720 in the 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.659 Joseph story, 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:03.080 Joseph is 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:03.980 sold by his 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.600 brothers because 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.120 of their 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.639 jealousy, 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:07.879 cast him 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.580 into a pit, 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:10.340 then they sell 00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:10.620 him into 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.000 slavery. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.720 God uses 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.580 their jealousy 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:15.600 to save 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.059 his people 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:16.639 from famine. 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.360 And you'll 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:18.639 remember, 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.340 Joseph gives 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:20.279 this memorable 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:20.879 line at the 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.379 very end of 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:21.659 the book. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.059 He tells 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.639 his brothers, 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:23.960 as for 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.340 you, 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:24.879 you meant 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.639 evil against 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.019 me, 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:27.039 but God 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:27.419 meant it 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:28.039 for good 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.059 to bring 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:29.460 it about 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:30.019 that many 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.659 people should 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.080 be kept 00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:32.360 alive as 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:32.899 they are 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.580 today. 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:38.840 The point 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:39.320 is this. 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.820 God is 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:41.240 gracious, 00:16:41.760 --> 00:16:42.740 and in 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:42.980 his 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.760 graciousness, 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.740 he works 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:45.900 through sinful, 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.220 flawed, 00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:48.360 foolish, 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.340 arrogant, 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:50.480 imperfect 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:50.920 people. 00:16:54.040 --> 00:16:55.500 God uses 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:56.220 foolish, 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.200 selfish, 00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:58.780 sinful men 00:16:58.780 --> 00:16:59.680 and women 00:16:59.680 --> 00:17:01.080 to accomplish 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:02.240 his will. 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:04.740 God 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.740 will 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.819 accomplish 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.900 his 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:08.240 purposes. 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:08.660 God 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.740 will 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:12.279 accomplish 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.599 his purposes. 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:16.019 The will 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.700 of the 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.099 Lord 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:18.079 will 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.039 prevail. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.700 God 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.299 uses 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:24.539 parents who 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:24.980 are still 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.839 wrestling with 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:26.380 their own 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:26.779 demons 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:29.039 to teach 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:29.399 their 00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:29.859 children 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:30.559 and their 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.079 grandchildren 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:32.440 about God's 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:32.660 love. 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:36.019 God uses 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:37.160 narcissists 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:38.799 with strong 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.480 personalities 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:41.319 to get 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.019 organizations 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:42.920 off the 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:43.139 ground. 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:45.759 God uses 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.859 self-centered 00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.559 friends 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:49.119 who often 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:49.680 lose the 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.059 plot 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:52.059 to care 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:52.619 for us, 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.279 to comfort 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:53.660 us, 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:54.720 to serve 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:54.960 us. 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:57.740 God 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.100 uses 00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:58.559 leaders 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:00.319 with 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.180 overwhelming 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:01.900 pride 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:02.680 and ego 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:05.319 to take 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:05.759 courageous 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.319 stands 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.039 for 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.600 unpopular 00:18:07.600 --> 00:18:08.039 truths. 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:10.360 God 00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:10.620 uses 00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:10.940 people 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.200 who are 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:11.539 anxious 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.160 and 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:12.559 fearful 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:15.019 to speak 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.720 words of 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.420 comfort and 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:16.799 healing 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.759 to his 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.059 people. 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:21.700 God 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:22.180 uses the 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:22.559 persecution 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.120 of the 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:23.400 church 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.660 to 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:24.960 scatter 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.180 his 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:25.500 people 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.320 and 00:18:26.320 --> 00:18:26.600 spread 00:18:26.600 --> 00:18:26.779 the 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.100 gospel. 00:18:28.820 --> 00:18:29.420 Now, 00:18:30.060 --> 00:18:31.080 don't hear 00:18:31.080 --> 00:18:31.320 what I'm 00:18:31.320 --> 00:18:31.840 not saying. 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:33.960 I am 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.860 not saying 00:18:34.860 --> 00:18:35.840 sin does 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:36.360 not matter. 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.480 And I 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:38.920 am not 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.420 saying 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:40.000 that our 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.440 sin 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.440 does not 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:41.640 have 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.279 consequences. 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.320 Gideon's 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:44.940 sin is 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.340 going to 00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:46.140 catch up 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:46.660 with him 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.140 in a 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:47.700 big way. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.500 In two 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.040 chapters, 00:18:50.800 --> 00:18:51.700 chapter 16, 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:53.100 the rant 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:53.740 is going 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.039 to come 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:54.199 to. 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:56.719 Samson 00:18:56.719 --> 00:18:57.399 is going 00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:57.779 to have 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.139 to pay 00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:58.699 the price 00:18:58.699 --> 00:18:59.099 for his 00:18:59.099 --> 00:18:59.659 foolishness. 00:19:00.219 --> 00:19:00.459 So I'm 00:19:00.459 --> 00:19:01.079 not saying 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:01.579 sin doesn't 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:01.779 matter. 00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:02.119 I'm not 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:02.459 saying we 00:19:02.459 --> 00:19:03.519 brush away 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.799 those 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:05.279 things. 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.619 What I 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:08.119 am saying 00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:08.599 is this. 00:19:09.679 --> 00:19:10.259 God 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:11.159 is gracious. 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:13.959 God 00:19:13.959 --> 00:19:14.339 in his 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:14.799 grace 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.779 chooses 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.559 to work 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.079 through 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:18.199 imperfect 00:19:18.199 --> 00:19:18.619 people. 00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:20.219 In fact, 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:22.159 that's the 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:22.599 only kind 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:22.919 of people 00:19:22.919 --> 00:19:23.399 there are. 00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:26.299 God 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.619 in his 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:27.039 grace 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.219 accomplishes 00:19:28.219 --> 00:19:28.779 his work 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.000 through 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.479 Samson. 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:31.859 God 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:32.199 in his 00:19:32.199 --> 00:19:32.579 grace 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:33.379 accomplishes 00:19:33.379 --> 00:19:34.000 his work 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.579 through 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:34.979 you 00:19:34.979 --> 00:19:36.000 and me. 00:19:38.699 --> 00:19:39.279 You'll 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:39.579 see this 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:39.919 on page 00:19:39.919 --> 00:19:40.439 seven of 00:19:40.439 --> 00:19:40.839 your worship 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.259 guide, 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:41.839 a quote 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.279 from Martin 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:42.619 Luther. 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:43.919 God 00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:44.479 uses 00:19:44.479 --> 00:19:44.879 crooked 00:19:44.879 --> 00:19:45.399 sticks 00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:46.399 to draw 00:19:46.399 --> 00:19:47.359 straight 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.179 lines. 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:54.179 Christian, 00:19:54.959 --> 00:19:56.519 you are, 00:19:56.639 --> 00:19:57.099 I am, 00:19:57.199 --> 00:19:57.759 we are 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.599 crooked 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.059 sticks. 00:20:00.739 --> 00:20:02.219 And God's 00:20:02.219 --> 00:20:03.359 line will 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.699 always be 00:20:04.699 --> 00:20:05.399 straight. 00:20:07.159 --> 00:20:07.979 God 00:20:07.979 --> 00:20:08.659 uses you 00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:10.000 and me 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:11.179 and us 00:20:11.179 --> 00:20:13.019 in the 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.339 midst of 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:14.159 our stupidity, 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:15.259 our mistakes, 00:20:15.699 --> 00:20:16.419 our failure, 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.379 our sin. 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.939 none of 00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:20.259 them 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.179 stop 00:20:21.179 --> 00:20:21.659 the 00:20:21.659 --> 00:20:22.359 advance 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:23.059 of his 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.359 kingdom. 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:26.019 They don't 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.739 stop Samson 00:20:26.739 --> 00:20:29.259 from being 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.819 used by 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:30.159 God. 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.219 They don't 00:20:31.219 --> 00:20:31.979 stop us 00:20:31.979 --> 00:20:32.819 either. 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.819 God 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:35.059 will 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.659 be 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:35.939 God 00:20:35.939 --> 00:20:36.179 to be 00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:36.220 God. 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.779 God 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.939 is 00:20:37.939 --> 00:20:39.720 using us 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:45.220 when God 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.079 uses us, 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.119 it does 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:47.859 not mean 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:49.059 that he 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.799 approves 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.759 of everything 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.439 in our 00:20:51.439 --> 00:20:51.759 lives. 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.939 It does 00:20:54.939 --> 00:20:55.460 not mean 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.740 that we 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.019 have it 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.419 all figured 00:20:57.419 --> 00:20:57.720 out. 00:20:57.720 --> 00:21:00.039 it does 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.579 not mean 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.059 when we 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.980 see great 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.799 fruit and 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.319 success 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.279 in our 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:04.779 efforts 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.799 that we 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.380 pat ourselves 00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:06.640 on the 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:06.880 back. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:09.380 It does 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:10.440 mean that 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:10.980 God is a 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.339 God of 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:11.640 mercy. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.360 It does 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:14.920 mean that 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.720 God is a 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.339 God who 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.460 keeps his 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:17.980 promises. 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.299 It does 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:21.039 mean that 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.259 God is a 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:23.100 God who 00:21:23.100 --> 00:21:23.620 is faithful. 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:25.639 So there's 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:26.219 a sobering 00:21:26.219 --> 00:21:26.500 truth. 00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:27.319 It gives 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:27.799 us great 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.799 humility as 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.219 we follow 00:21:29.219 --> 00:21:29.519 Jesus 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:29.959 together. 00:21:30.639 --> 00:21:31.159 There's 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.799 also an 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.259 encouraging 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:32.759 truth. 00:21:34.739 --> 00:21:35.099 God 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:36.819 can and 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.439 God will 00:21:37.439 --> 00:21:39.459 use us 00:21:39.459 --> 00:21:40.859 for his 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:42.879 glory despite 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:44.179 our sin 00:21:44.179 --> 00:21:45.339 and rebellion 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:46.879 and confusion. 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.479 Not 00:21:49.479 --> 00:21:49.979 because we 00:21:49.979 --> 00:21:50.459 are great, 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.500 but because 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:51.899 God is 00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:52.159 great. 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:54.979 God will 00:21:54.979 --> 00:21:55.839 always 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.679 accomplish 00:21:56.679 --> 00:21:57.379 his 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:57.819 purposes. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.359 I told 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:05.019 you a 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.579 minute ago 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:07.259 that verse 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.000 4 was our 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.719 key to this 00:22:08.719 --> 00:22:09.079 chapter. 00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:10.219 And verse 00:22:10.219 --> 00:22:11.039 4 tells us 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.019 it was from 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.979 the Lord. 00:22:13.679 --> 00:22:14.399 What is it 00:22:14.399 --> 00:22:14.839 that's from 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.259 the Lord? 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:17.099 Also tells us 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.539 he's seeking 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.259 an opportunity 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.699 against the 00:22:19.699 --> 00:22:20.299 Philistines. 00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:20.759 Remember, 00:22:21.459 --> 00:22:22.099 when the 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:22.799 angel of the 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.259 Lord comes 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.859 to Manoah's 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.259 wife, 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.059 the angel 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.379 says, 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:25.579 look, 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.099 Samson is 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.480 going to 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.259 begin to 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.539 save Israel. 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:29.980 And what 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.400 is it that 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:30.920 happens in 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:31.420 this chapter? 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.619 Samson begins 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.500 to save 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:34.839 Israel. 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.019 And he 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.539 begins to 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.140 save Israel 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:38.420 by taking 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:39.640 some Philistines 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.240 to task. 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.539 In verses 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.339 12-8, 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.000 he sets out 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:44.000 this impossible 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.440 riddle. 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.460 This riddle 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:45.920 that makes 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.359 sense to 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.059 him because 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.079 he's experienced 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:48.519 it, right? 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:48.839 He knows 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.140 about the 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.460 lion. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.500 Not a 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:50.900 riddle that 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.579 makes sense 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.440 to anyone 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:52.799 else. 00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:53.740 So Samson, 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.299 he's not 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.900 fair to 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:55.680 the Philistines. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.900 The Philistines 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:58.860 decide all is 00:22:58.860 --> 00:22:59.480 fair in love 00:22:59.480 --> 00:22:59.920 and war. 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.720 They're not 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.100 fair to 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:01.440 Samson. 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:02.799 And so we 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.259 see in 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.900 verse 15, 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.819 they go and 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.519 threaten his 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:05.940 wife. 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:06.880 Clearly his 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:07.440 wife is not 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.039 aware of 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.519 Samson's 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:08.920 powers. 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:09.400 If she 00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:09.840 were, she 00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:10.059 would have 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.480 just filled 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:10.819 him in. 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.259 Hey, there's 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:11.920 some Philistines 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:12.180 they've 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.559 threatened to 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:12.940 burn down 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:13.480 my parents' 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:13.799 house. 00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:14.579 Can you go 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:14.920 rip them 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:15.279 apart? 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:17.579 Instead, she 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.200 spends days 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.859 crying, right? 00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:19.519 Not knowing 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.099 how it is 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.359 that she 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:21.160 can convince 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.000 Samson. 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:22.500 And finally, 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:23.339 verses 17 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:23.819 and 18, 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.359 he tells 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:24.559 her. 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:26.240 She tells 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:28.559 them, and 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:28.920 there's some 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.599 foreshadowing 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.339 here, wait 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:30.960 for chapter 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:32.579 16, the 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.559 same play 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:33.940 is going to 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.599 get run on 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.240 Samson again. 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.259 Samson has 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:37.940 a weakness, 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.619 that weakness 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.319 is women. 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.119 And what 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.460 does God 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:43.720 do? 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.900 He 00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:45.799 accomplishes 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.700 his purposes. 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.740 Verse 19, 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.480 And the 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.000 spirit of the 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.480 Lord rushed 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:51.980 upon him, 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.160 and he 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.579 went down 00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:53.460 to Ashkelon, 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.519 and struck 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.160 down thirty 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:55.620 men of the 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.059 town, and 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.400 took their 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.579 spoil, and 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.100 gave the 00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:58.600 garments to 00:23:58.600 --> 00:23:59.000 those who 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.319 had told 00:23:59.319 --> 00:23:59.740 the riddle. 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.059 In hot 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:01.660 anger, he 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.120 went back 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.480 to his 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:02.920 father's 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.220 house. 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.200 Samson 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:06.380 wrecks 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:06.759 some 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.299 Philistines. 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:09.799 God 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:11.140 creates 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.660 tension 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.180 between 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.819 his people 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.100 and the 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:13.640 Philistines 00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:14.040 when his 00:24:14.040 --> 00:24:14.480 people are 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.240 complacent 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.720 under 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.160 oppression. 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.880 God 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:20.080 accomplishes 00:24:20.080 --> 00:24:20.920 his purposes. 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.060 God 00:24:23.060 --> 00:24:23.580 uses 00:24:23.580 --> 00:24:24.200 Samson 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.480 to reach 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.460 end state. 00:24:28.780 --> 00:24:29.520 Samson's 00:24:29.520 --> 00:24:30.980 sin 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.800 and lust 00:24:31.800 --> 00:24:33.320 and selfishness 00:24:33.320 --> 00:24:36.320 are not 00:24:36.320 --> 00:24:37.020 great enough 00:24:37.020 --> 00:24:38.060 to stand 00:24:38.060 --> 00:24:38.500 in God's 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:38.720 way. 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:40.980 Christian, 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.680 your lust 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.880 and sin 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.039 and selfishness 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:45.180 are not 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.920 great enough 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.019 to stand 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:48.100 in God's 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:48.640 way. 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:51.000 That is 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.759 how great 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.880 our God 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:53.560 is. 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:56.820 It's not 00:24:56.820 --> 00:24:57.420 just that God 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.160 uses sinful 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:58.940 men and 00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.220 women, 00:24:59.320 --> 00:24:59.460 though. 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.340 We also see 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:01.080 here God 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:01.759 beats the 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.820 devil at 00:25:02.820 --> 00:25:03.140 his own 00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:03.380 game. 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.620 Satan loves 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:07.240 to promote 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.560 sin. 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:09.200 Satan is 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:09.799 thrilled 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:11.200 that Samson 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.980 has all 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.359 of these 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:12.819 character 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:13.319 flaws. 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.220 Satan is 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:15.700 delighted 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.659 that Samson 00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.019 has an 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.220 anger 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:17.619 problem. 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.279 He loves 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.419 that Samson 00:25:20.419 --> 00:25:21.179 is weak 00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:22.059 around women. 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:25.799 God says 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.539 whatever evil 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.419 you promote, 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:28.899 I will 00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:29.440 use it 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.039 for my 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.480 purposes. 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.779 I will 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.339 turn 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.700 evil 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.700 to good. 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:36.220 Remember 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.619 again, 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.440 Genesis 50, 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.359 as for you, 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:38.839 you meant 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.480 evil against 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:39.799 me, 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.899 but God 00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:41.519 meant it 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.500 for good. 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.019 You'll see 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.619 this on page 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.480 nine of your 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.079 worship guide. 00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:46.759 William Gurnall 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.519 tells us, 00:25:48.919 --> 00:25:49.779 God lays 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.559 as it were 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.220 his own 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.140 plans under 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:52.779 Satan's 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.779 wings and 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.519 makes him 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.500 hatch them. 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:00.920 The Philistines 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.460 are going to 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.000 be defeated 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:03.000 no matter 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.339 what. 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.400 Some of you 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:06.720 may be 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.319 familiar with 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:07.700 the card 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.740 game Uno. 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:10.600 In that game, 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.019 you know you 00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.420 can move 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:12.120 either clockwise 00:26:12.120 --> 00:26:13.400 or counterclockwise, 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.539 and it's 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.120 become a 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:15.860 popular meme 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:16.400 in recent 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:16.720 years, 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.360 the power 00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:18.079 of the 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:18.799 reverse Uno 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.200 card. 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.600 Someone's 00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:21.019 coming up 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.459 against you 00:26:21.459 --> 00:26:21.719 with an 00:26:21.719 --> 00:26:22.159 attack. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.359 All you 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:23.579 need to 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:23.919 do is 00:26:23.919 --> 00:26:24.379 have the 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:24.980 most special 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.480 card in 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:25.959 the entire 00:26:25.959 --> 00:26:26.240 deck, 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:26.779 the reverse 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.119 card, 00:26:27.199 --> 00:26:27.439 and you 00:26:27.439 --> 00:26:27.859 throw it 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.240 down, 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:28.939 and suddenly 00:26:28.939 --> 00:26:29.500 the direction 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:29.899 of play 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.359 changes. 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:31.539 So if 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.119 moves were 00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:32.399 moving 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:32.819 clockwise, 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:33.980 you throw 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.319 down your 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.899 reverse Uno 00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:35.319 card, 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:36.019 things go 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.699 counterclockwise. 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.459 Going 00:26:37.459 --> 00:26:38.000 counterclockwise, 00:26:38.219 --> 00:26:38.500 you throw 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:38.939 your reverse 00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:39.480 card down, 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.139 they go 00:26:40.139 --> 00:26:40.579 clockwise. 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.219 It's become 00:26:41.219 --> 00:26:41.919 this meme 00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:43.359 of reversing 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:43.939 the direction, 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.699 using someone's 00:26:44.699 --> 00:26:45.119 momentum 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:46.019 against them. 00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:46.399 There's a 00:26:46.399 --> 00:26:47.219 picture you 00:26:47.219 --> 00:26:47.659 can find on 00:26:47.659 --> 00:26:48.019 the internet 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.500 of a 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:48.839 referee 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.599 calling out 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:49.960 a soccer 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.779 player with 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.379 his card, 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.000 and the 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.480 soccer player 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:52.799 has the 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.440 reverse Uno 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:53.920 card in 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:54.460 his hand. 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.000 And so 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.379 he's saying, 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:56.839 no, 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:57.599 ref, 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.240 the call 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:58.700 is on 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.180 you, 00:26:59.359 --> 00:26:59.960 not me. 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.720 God 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:05.000 constantly 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.099 plays reverse 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:06.900 Uno on 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.259 the devil. 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:10.180 God uses 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.839 Satan's 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.220 momentum 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.460 against him. 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:14.819 God takes 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.500 the evil 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.319 and sin 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:16.840 in this 00:27:16.840 --> 00:27:17.299 world, 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:18.880 and he 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.440 takes the 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.079 evil and 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.680 the sin 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.140 of his 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.500 people. 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.120 He uses 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:24.240 it to 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.000 accomplish 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:26.039 his will. 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.680 No matter 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.440 how tricky 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.799 and strategic 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:32.079 and tactical 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.079 Satan is, 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.740 he always 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.340 ends up 00:27:35.340 --> 00:27:36.600 flat on 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.059 his face. 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:42.079 It's 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.720 ironic as 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.179 we move 00:27:43.179 --> 00:27:43.919 through the 00:27:43.919 --> 00:27:44.279 book of 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.740 Judges, 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.119 as things 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:47.099 get worse 00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:47.919 in Israel, 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:49.240 the encouragement 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.220 actually increases. 00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:51.519 You may 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.019 remember as 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:52.419 we were in 00:27:52.419 --> 00:27:52.859 the early 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.279 Judges, 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:53.599 we would 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.019 talk about, 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:54.200 hey, 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:54.779 this is the 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.319 sin that 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.379 Israel is 00:27:56.379 --> 00:27:57.319 falling into. 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:57.819 We want 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.500 to avoid 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.079 that sin 00:27:59.079 --> 00:27:59.539 and move 00:27:59.539 --> 00:27:59.859 towards 00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:00.299 righteousness, 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:00.679 right? 00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:01.960 This chapter 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.319 we've kind 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:02.579 of given 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:02.940 up on 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.159 that. 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:04.500 There's 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.139 too many 00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:05.599 sins 00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:06.179 going on 00:28:06.179 --> 00:28:06.559 here for 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.000 Samson. 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.220 He's 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.480 doing 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.179 everything 00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:09.700 wrong. 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.319 And so 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:10.899 more and 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:11.159 more, 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:11.980 the sounding 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:12.539 note is 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:12.919 this, 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:13.960 as bad 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.500 as things 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.079 get for 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.480 God's 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:15.899 people, 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:16.819 God's 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.419 mercy is 00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:17.720 greater. 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.700 As much 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.359 as God's 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:21.279 people mess 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:21.980 it up, 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:22.659 God's 00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:23.240 power is 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:23.500 more. 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.679 No matter 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:26.879 how much 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.599 you believe 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:27.960 that you 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.500 have messed 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.019 it up, 00:28:29.679 --> 00:28:30.839 God is 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.839 still in 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:32.240 control. 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.259 Even if 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:34.899 you think 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:35.720 the future 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.740 is gone, 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.980 God is 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.500 still 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.679 writing it. 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.460 God's 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.279 grace 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.599 is more 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.500 and more. 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.359 The more 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:47.799 Israel 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.399 fails, 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.279 the more 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.720 gracious 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.859 God 00:28:50.859 --> 00:28:51.799 is. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:52.759 It is 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.539 one thing 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:55.000 in the 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.319 beginning 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:56.039 and middle 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.579 of Judges 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:56.940 to see 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.519 God's grace 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.039 to sinful 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.480 people. 00:28:59.220 --> 00:29:00.179 It is 00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:01.019 another 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:01.639 thing 00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.639 to see 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:03.440 God's grace 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.580 to really 00:29:04.580 --> 00:29:05.380 sinful 00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:05.799 people. 00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:09.120 God's 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:09.559 grace 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.559 in the 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.059 life of 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:11.519 Samson 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.259 is 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.740 shocking. 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.460 Christian, 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:17.900 God's 00:29:17.900 --> 00:29:18.320 grace in 00:29:18.320 --> 00:29:18.960 your life 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:20.180 is shocking 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:21.420 as well. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.000 And it's 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.340 shocking 00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:24.960 because of 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.620 his mercy 00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:26.440 and his 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:27.019 love 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.820 and his 00:29:27.820 --> 00:29:28.180 forgiveness. 00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:28.320 forgiveness. 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.539 It's pretty 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.160 clear what I 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:32.860 hinted at last 00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:33.420 week, which is 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.320 that Samson is 00:29:34.320 --> 00:29:34.900 not going to 00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:35.200 cut it. 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:37.400 Israel 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.279 ultimately is 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.060 going to need 00:29:39.060 --> 00:29:39.680 a better 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.720 and greater 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.480 king. 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.680 We've already 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.440 seen some of 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:43.980 Samson's 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:44.380 failures. 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.740 Things are 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.500 going to get 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.519 worse next 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.420 week and 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.039 even worse 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:49.580 the week 00:29:49.580 --> 00:29:49.880 after. 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:51.700 Samson is 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.400 going to, 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.200 at the end, 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:53.700 because of 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.340 God's mercy, 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.759 pull a 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.399 success 00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:57.720 from the 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.539 jaws of 00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:58.919 defeat. 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.619 Which brings 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.699 us back to 00:30:01.699 --> 00:30:02.439 the beginning, 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:03.099 the middle of 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:03.699 this chapter. 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.419 You may 00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:05.839 have found 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.679 it strange 00:30:06.679 --> 00:30:07.980 that a 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.619 beehive 00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:09.359 shows up 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.799 in a 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.299 lion's 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.759 carcass. 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.539 At least 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:12.980 I hope you 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.299 found it 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:13.619 strange. 00:30:15.459 --> 00:30:16.099 When I 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:16.299 go to 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.639 Costco, 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.519 there is 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.339 no lion's 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:18.659 carcass 00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:18.919 honey. 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:20.939 Right? 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.480 Because those 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.279 things don't 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:23.699 happen. 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:26.379 Honey does 00:30:26.379 --> 00:30:27.159 not come out 00:30:27.159 --> 00:30:28.019 of dead 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.779 corpses. 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.599 One commentator 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.159 puts it this 00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:30.439 way, 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:32.139 Bees do 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:32.879 not normally 00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:33.359 inhabit 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.000 cadavers, 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.319 flies and 00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:36.339 maggots do. 00:30:39.459 --> 00:30:42.519 God is 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.019 bringing 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:44.399 something sweet 00:30:44.399 --> 00:30:45.459 and gracious 00:30:45.459 --> 00:30:47.720 out of the 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.619 corpse of 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:49.079 his people. 00:30:51.399 --> 00:30:52.500 God is 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:54.279 taking what 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.799 should be 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.779 rotting and 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.460 decaying 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:58.259 and turning 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:58.660 it into 00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.019 something 00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.639 life-giving. 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.559 God shows 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.059 up to his 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.680 people who 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:05.420 have forgotten 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.379 and abandoned 00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:07.899 him and he 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.539 brings them 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.500 deliverance. 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:12.339 Which points 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.500 us forward to 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.099 an even 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:15.160 greater and 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:15.579 sweeter 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.299 deliverance. 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:18.899 God comes 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:19.359 to his 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:20.180 people who 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:21.399 rebel against 00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:23.740 him and 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.339 he sends 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.000 his one 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.440 and only 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.039 son to 00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.259 bring 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:26.619 something 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:26.960 sweet. 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.619 God shows 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:30.259 up to a 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:31.079 world that 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.940 hates him 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:34.000 and he 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.819 sacrifices 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:36.159 his one 00:31:36.159 --> 00:31:36.519 and only 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.139 son so 00:31:37.139 --> 00:31:37.319 that he 00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:37.700 can love 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.919 them. 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.079 Samson 00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:42.240 begins to 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:43.519 save Israel 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:43.960 from the 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:44.599 Philistines. 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.599 God saves 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.339 his people 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:50.079 once and 00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:50.599 for all. 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.420 And so 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:53.680 as we 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:55.200 reach past 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:55.680 the halfway 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.379 point in 00:31:56.379 --> 00:31:57.039 Judges, we 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:58.119 see God's 00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:59.359 grace dripping 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:00.920 more and 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.160 more. 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:03.259 We see 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:04.079 God's grace 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:05.779 growing larger 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.960 and larger 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.980 because sweetness 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:09.359 comes from 00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:11.019 death, not 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:11.619 only in this 00:32:11.619 --> 00:32:12.919 lion, but 00:32:12.919 --> 00:32:13.139 in our 00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:13.679 Lord Jesus. 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.079 That Jesus 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:16.659 comes and 00:32:16.659 --> 00:32:17.359 he lives the 00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:17.959 perfect life 00:32:17.959 --> 00:32:18.219 that we 00:32:18.219 --> 00:32:18.519 should have 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:18.839 lived. 00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.779 He dies the 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:21.259 death that 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:21.779 we deserve 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.359 to die. 00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.639 He brings 00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:26.000 life where 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.559 there should 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.679 be death. 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.139 As one 00:32:30.139 --> 00:32:30.439 man has 00:32:30.439 --> 00:32:30.859 put it, he 00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:31.339 uses an 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:32.259 instrument of 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:33.619 torture as 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.239 an instrument 00:32:34.239 --> 00:32:35.479 of salvation. 00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:37.679 He takes 00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:38.239 people who 00:32:38.239 --> 00:32:38.679 hate him. 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.919 He sends 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:42.300 his son to 00:32:42.300 --> 00:32:42.779 love them. 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.200 Christian, 00:32:46.300 --> 00:32:46.660 that's the 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.240 good news 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:47.720 for this 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.100 world. 00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:49.640 That's the 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.039 good news 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:50.440 for you. 00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:53.160 God uses 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:54.000 imperfect, 00:32:54.360 --> 00:32:54.759 sinful, 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:55.660 failing, 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:56.580 stupid people 00:32:56.580 --> 00:32:58.019 to accomplish 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.680 his purposes. 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.019 Those are 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.539 the only 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.800 people there 00:33:02.800 --> 00:33:03.080 are. 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.120 Grace, 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:05.480 grace, 00:33:05.600 --> 00:33:06.259 God's grace, 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:07.700 grace that 00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.279 is greater 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.400 than all 00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:10.320 our sin. 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.680 Let's pray. 00:33:13.320 --> 00:33:14.120 Our Father 00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:14.480 in heaven, 00:33:14.580 --> 00:33:15.039 we do 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:16.160 praise you 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:16.600 and thank 00:33:16.600 --> 00:33:17.000 you that 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.779 your grace 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.740 is so 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.140 great it 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:19.640 is shocking. 00:33:20.840 --> 00:33:21.360 We thank 00:33:21.360 --> 00:33:21.560 you for 00:33:21.560 --> 00:33:22.100 your grace 00:33:22.100 --> 00:33:23.080 in Samson's 00:33:23.080 --> 00:33:23.320 life, 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.080 your faithfulness 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:24.360 to your 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:24.640 people. 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.060 We thank 00:33:25.060 --> 00:33:25.360 you for 00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:26.080 your faithfulness 00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:26.480 to us 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:26.759 in our 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.060 lives. 00:33:27.600 --> 00:33:28.180 We ask 00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:28.440 that you 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.000 would remind 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.480 us of it, 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:29.840 that we 00:33:29.840 --> 00:33:30.480 would know 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.980 that the 00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:32.600 future isn't 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:33.560 gone because 00:33:33.560 --> 00:33:33.960 you're still 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:34.600 writing it for 00:33:34.600 --> 00:33:34.840 us. 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.360 That would 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:35.860 lead us to 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:36.480 greater hope 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:37.420 and confidence 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:38.220 and trust 00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:38.840 and faith 00:33:38.839 --> 00:33:39.579 in you. 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.019 And we 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.480 ask these 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:40.899 things in 00:33:40.899 --> 00:33:41.220 the mighty 00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:41.659 name of 00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:42.379 Jesus Christ. 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.079 Amen.