WEBVTT 00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:07.799 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:08.500 --> 00:00:11.400 And it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:12.120 --> 00:00:16.019 A special welcome if you are new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here. 00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:22.820 And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:27.699 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good. 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:31.599 They don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it. 00:00:31.739 --> 00:00:36.740 Which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:37.519 --> 00:00:43.100 We're continuing our series in the book of Judges, and you'll remember that the book of Judges is about a number of things. 00:00:43.619 --> 00:00:47.899 It's about the need for constant renewal and revival among God's people. 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:51.560 And it's about the need for a true and faithful king. 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:56.280 A king who can do what no human can do, which is to change the hearts of men. 00:00:56.280 --> 00:00:59.800 It's about the power of spirit-filled leadership. 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:05.980 And it's about God's mercy to hard-hearted people, people like you and me. 00:01:06.840 --> 00:01:10.740 Over the last several weeks, we've been looking at the story of Samson. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:13.040 And we are now coming near the end. 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:19.659 We just have chapter 16 left, which we'll break up into two parts, the first of which we'll tackle this morning. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:25.219 And we're going to see that Samson's behavior finally catches up with him. 00:01:26.840 --> 00:01:28.179 So our question is simple. 00:01:28.259 --> 00:01:33.620 Where is God's grace when our sin finally comes home to roost? 00:01:35.599 --> 00:01:37.819 With that, that we turn now. 00:01:37.900 --> 00:01:40.259 I'm going to invite you to turn with me to Judges chapter 16. 00:01:40.900 --> 00:01:42.539 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:44.140 You can turn in your phone. 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:45.979 You can turn in your Bible. 00:01:45.980 --> 00:01:49.240 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:01:50.040 --> 00:01:54.300 And God tells us that his word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. 00:01:54.800 --> 00:01:58.480 And it's sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:03.460 And so that's why we read now Judges chapter 16, starting at verse 1. 00:02:03.459 --> 00:02:09.379 Samson went to Gaza, and there he saw a prostitute, and he went into her. 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:12.780 The Gazites were told, Samson has come here. 00:02:13.780 --> 00:02:18.699 And they surrounded the place and set an ambush for him all night at the gate of the city. 00:02:19.459 --> 00:02:23.400 They kept quiet all night, saying, Let us wait till the light of the morning. 00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:25.500 Then we will kill him. 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:33.379 But Samson lay till midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two posts. 00:02:34.139 --> 00:02:40.860 And he pulled them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that is in front of Hebron. 00:02:41.580 --> 00:02:42.180 Verse 4. 00:02:42.180 --> 00:03:04.219 And we will each give you 1,100 pieces of silver. 00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:13.240 So Delilah said to Samson, Please tell me where your great strength lies and how you might be bound, that no one could subdue you. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:14.879 Verse 7. 00:03:16.139 --> 00:03:23.759 Samson said to her, If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, then I shall become weak and be like any other man. 00:03:24.900 --> 00:03:31.400 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:39.219 Now she had men lying in ambush in an inner chamber, and she said to him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson. 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:44.560 But he snapped the bowstrings as a thread of flax snaps when it touches the fire. 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:48.560 So the secret of his strength was not known. 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:54.340 Then Delilah said to Samson, Behold, you have mocked me and told me lies. 00:03:55.040 --> 00:03:56.939 Please tell me how you might be bound. 00:03:56.939 --> 00:04:04.579 And he said to her, If they bind me with new ropes that have not been used, then I shall become weak and be like any other man. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:11.099 So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them and said to him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson. 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:14.659 And the men lying in ambush were in an inner chamber. 00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:18.120 But he snapped the ropes off his arms like a thread. 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:20.639 Verse 13. 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:26.199 Then Delilah said to Samson, Until now you have mocked me and told me lies. 00:04:26.919 --> 00:04:28.519 Tell me how you might be bound. 00:04:29.539 --> 00:04:35.060 And he said to her, If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web and fasten it tight with the pen, 00:04:35.539 --> 00:04:38.860 then I shall become weak and be like any other man. 00:04:39.919 --> 00:04:45.019 So while he slept, Delilah took the seven locks of his head and wothed them into the web. 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:50.680 And she made them tight with the pen and said to him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson. 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:55.779 But he awoke from his sleep and pulled away the pen, the loom, and the web. 00:04:56.459 --> 00:04:57.379 Verse 15. 00:04:58.579 --> 00:05:03.699 And she said to him, How can you say I love you when your heart is not with me? 00:05:04.219 --> 00:05:09.219 You have mocked me these three times and you have not told me where your great strength lies. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:17.120 And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day and urged him, his soul was vexed to death. 00:05:18.220 --> 00:05:23.440 And he told her all his heart and said to her, A razor has never come upon my head, 00:05:23.520 --> 00:05:26.420 for I have been a Nazarite to God from my mother's womb. 00:05:27.960 --> 00:05:33.820 If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me and I shall become weak and be like any other man. 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:40.980 When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, 00:05:41.800 --> 00:05:45.019 Come up again, for he has told me all his heart. 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:50.120 Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands. 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:57.159 She made him sleep on her knees, and she called a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. 00:05:58.159 --> 00:06:01.180 Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:04.680 And she said, The Philistines are upon you, Samson. 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:10.680 And he awoke from his sleep and said, I will go out as at other times and shake myself free. 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:15.680 But he did not know that the Lord had left him. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:23.759 And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:26.519 And he ground at the mill in the prison. 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:33.300 But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. 00:06:34.300 --> 00:06:37.920 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:42.920 Our Father in heaven, we do thank you for your word. 00:06:43.039 --> 00:06:45.339 We thank you again that you come and you speak to us. 00:06:45.339 --> 00:06:47.639 And we ask that you would do that this morning. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:50.399 That you would soften our hearts. 00:06:50.799 --> 00:06:51.739 You'd clear our minds. 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:53.199 You'd open our eyes. 00:06:53.299 --> 00:06:54.279 You'd unstop our ears. 00:06:54.419 --> 00:07:02.059 That we would be able to see and hear and understand and believe everything that's written about you in your word. 00:07:02.399 --> 00:07:05.079 And we ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:05.919 Amen. 00:07:05.919 --> 00:07:06.059 Amen. 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:07.060 Amen. 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:13.600 Many years ago, maybe five or six years ago, it was a Saturday. 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:20.319 And I was in my church office finishing things up for Sunday morning. 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:25.420 And a soldier in distress dropped by our church and rang our doorbell. 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:28.459 And so he came in and talked to me for a little bit. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:32.420 And he was in distress because he had gotten a DUI. 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:36.900 And so his military career was on the line. 00:07:37.160 --> 00:07:42.400 And his hope and his dream after his military career was that he would become a police officer. 00:07:42.640 --> 00:07:46.200 And he shared with me that that would likely be in question too. 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:48.480 And so we talked for a little bit. 00:07:48.520 --> 00:07:52.800 And I encouraged him to join us that next day in worship to come on Sunday morning. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:54.580 He said that he would. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:57.420 I didn't see him that Sunday. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:07:59.840 And I have never seen him since. 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:07.839 But one of the things that he shared with me during our time together was that driving under the influence was actually his regular practice. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:11.739 This was something that he did over and over again. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:19.379 It's something that he had become numb to until one day there were lights flashing behind him. 00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:30.100 Of course, that's consistent with what we know in general, that on average, someone drives drunk a total of 80 times before the first time that they're caught. 00:08:30.899 --> 00:08:37.580 I tell you this because it highlights a principle that's important for us as we come to Judges 16, which is this. 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:42.899 You can escape the consequences of foolishness for a time. 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:47.519 You cannot escape them forever. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:52.539 The rent really does come true. 00:08:53.579 --> 00:08:59.319 We collect the dividends on the choices that we make in life at some point. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:04.100 Sometimes they're positive and sometimes they're negative. 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:10.100 Consequences, in other words, are a lag indicator, not a lead indicator. 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:15.720 If you were with us back in the summer of 2020, you'll remember we were in the book of Proverbs. 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:21.320 And when we were in the book of Proverbs, we talked many times about what it means to be wise versus being foolish. 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:31.080 And fundamentally, the foolish person, the simple person, just does not know how to connect present actions with future consequences. 00:09:31.520 --> 00:09:33.680 They just cannot connect the dots on that one. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:38.260 The wise person, on the other hand, they know how those things are related. 00:09:38.400 --> 00:09:42.960 They know that what they do in the present will come due in the future. 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:51.379 And so there's this time delay when it comes to foolishness, that it takes a while for consequences to catch up with us. 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:56.000 And they will catch up with us. 00:09:57.700 --> 00:10:02.600 Samson has been foolish now for a number of chapters. 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:15.940 And here in chapter 16, his lust, his arrogance, his disregard for his Nazarite vow all finally comes home. 00:10:17.060 --> 00:10:22.960 In verse 1, the beginning of the chapter, he's able to escape one last time. 00:10:23.300 --> 00:10:27.000 We're told, verse 1, that he goes into a prostitute. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:34.679 And we're reminded, again, that as a Nazarite, Samson should have this special dedication and focus to God. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:40.879 He should call to this level of holiness that is even higher than the average Israelite. 00:10:41.340 --> 00:10:48.440 And once again, when he should be taking senior level classes, he fails 101. 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:56.240 Samson, again, entertains his lust, once again gives in to his urges. 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:58.919 We find out, verse 2, he is infamous. 00:10:59.139 --> 00:11:00.519 He's been building a reputation. 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:03.860 The people in Gaza know about Samson somehow. 00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:08.279 And so they immediately surround the place and set an ambush for him. 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:11.600 It's a little unclear what's happening here. 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:13.460 It's unclear what is being surrounded. 00:11:14.060 --> 00:11:20.460 It's unclear how it is that Samson is able to make it past these men who have set an ambush for him. 00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:24.960 How it is that he's able to just walk away carrying the gates of the city on his shoulders. 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:32.780 What is clear here, though, is that we see in this passage the first record in world history of a CrossFit workout. 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:38.240 Samson performs some sort of clean or deadlift. 00:11:38.920 --> 00:11:42.920 And then he does some sort of overhead carry or high carry. 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:44.879 He has this great feat of strength. 00:11:45.160 --> 00:11:47.340 And he doesn't just do this for a short amount of time. 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:52.680 Verse 3 tells us he carries it all the way to the top of the hill that is in front of Hebron. 00:11:52.679 --> 00:11:59.019 The top of the hill that is in front of Hebron happens to be 40 miles away from Gaza. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:04.959 In other words, Samson puts David Goggins to shame. 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:10.459 He has great power, but once again it is wasted. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:16.859 Samson uses his strength not to free Israel from the Philistines. 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:17.620 That's his calling. 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:22.560 He uses it to escape an ambush because of a prostitute. 00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:28.399 And this is the last time that Samson will escape. 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:33.600 Verse 4, we meet Delilah who is very different than a prostitute. 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:35.019 And she's different in this way. 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:38.399 We are told what we've never been told before about Samson. 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:39.740 He loved her. 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:47.860 Samson has a relationship with Delilah beyond perhaps what he's had with anyone ever before. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:54.840 A problem though is we find out that while he loves Delilah, Delilah does not love him. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:13:00.799 Samson has become such a threat to the Philistines that these leaders come to her. 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:02.759 Again, this is verses 5 and 6. 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:06.860 And they say, look, all we need you to do is deliver the secret. 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:11.519 If you can do that, you will have enormous wealth. 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:14.639 You'll be set up for the rest of your life. 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:18.360 All you need to do is deliver Samson. 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.679 So what does she do? 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:26.259 She realizes a once-in-a-lifetime offer when she sees it, and she immediately gets to work. 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:31.019 If you've been with us, you should recognize the pattern here. 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:37.179 This is not the first time that a woman has worked at Samson to find the truth. 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:40.240 Remember chapter 14. 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:43.699 Samson goes down to the Timnite woman. 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:44.980 He marries her. 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.120 She becomes his wife. 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:50.199 Then he sets out that riddle, the riddle about the honey coming out of the lion. 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:53.539 The Philistines are upset about it, and so what do they do? 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:55.399 They threaten his wife. 00:13:56.079 --> 00:13:57.259 She persists. 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.720 She gets the secret. 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:04.259 Samson should have learned his lesson last time. 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:13.600 Samson should know exactly how this story ends, and we see again how vulnerable Samson is. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:18.480 He's vulnerable to women. 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:21.920 He lacks self-discipline. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:26.740 And so Delilah in 16 does what his wife did in 14. 00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:29.800 She needles the truth out of him. 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:33.840 Now, she has to do it in four different cycles. 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:37.080 In verses 7 through 9, we see the seven fresh bow strings. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:40.440 Verses 10 through 12, the new ropes show up. 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:47.740 And then, perhaps the silliest, the most ridiculous of all, in verses 13 and 14, she actually weaves his hair into a loom. 00:14:49.180 --> 00:14:53.440 And the question in all of this is, what in the world is Samson thinking? 00:14:53.440 --> 00:15:02.440 I mean, in the very first episode, right, the fresh bow strings, there are these Philistines waiting to come out and grab him. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.780 This wasn't the case in chapter 14. 00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:11.380 He didn't have this reoccurring pattern where he could catch on to what the intention of the woman was. 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:17.620 He should know after the bow strings that this is not the game for him to be playing. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:19.659 And yet he continues. 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:23.259 He goes on for cycle after cycle. 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:26.399 Does Samson realize what is happening? 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:32.600 Of course, there's multiple theories here about what exactly is going through his mind. 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:36.539 Maybe some people think Samson thinks this is a game that they're playing. 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:39.659 This is just, you know, ha-ha, funny-funny, right? 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:43.379 Maybe Samson does know that this is for real. 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:44.600 Maybe he doesn't care. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:51.060 Maybe he knows it's for real, and he assumes that it's going to be okay regardless of what happens. 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:59.960 No matter what is in Samson's mind, we find the key to this passage in verse 20. 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:03.480 He awoke from his sleep and said, 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:08.620 I will go out as at other times and shake myself free. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:20.000 If Samson knows what's happening, it doesn't matter because Samson is convinced that he is invincible. 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:24.899 Samson may have the body of a man. 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:30.519 Samson has the mind of a child or an adolescent. 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:34.600 Samson may be a strong man. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:38.159 He is not a smart man. 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:45.060 Samson loves the gift that God has given him, 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:49.779 and he ignores all the instructions that come with it. 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.419 Samson loves the gift. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.840 He forgets the giver. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:17:02.560 Samson begins to believe that it's all in his own strength. 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.559 Samson is a smart man. 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.559 Samson is a smart man. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.559 He is Samson. 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:10.899 Samson, of course, nothing bad will happen. 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:20.840 That helps us understand the final cycle here, verses 15 through 17, where he reveals the secret of his hair. 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:25.700 Delilah comes to him with what is actually quite a compelling argument. 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.960 In verses 15 and 16, she says, 00:17:28.060 --> 00:17:32.380 How can you say I love you when your heart is not with me? 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:37.580 And what she's appealing to here is the same principle that's actually set in law. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:43.800 There's a reason why legally a husband and a wife cannot testify against each other in court. 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:50.820 Because there's supposed to be this intimacy and trust and connection, right, that nothing can get at. 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:54.500 That there's not just a union physically. 00:17:54.679 --> 00:17:58.319 There's this union mentally, spiritually, emotionally. 00:17:58.599 --> 00:18:02.779 That we don't want anything interfering with free exchange. 00:18:02.919 --> 00:18:06.759 That's why we wouldn't want someone to testify against their spouse. 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.939 And so Delilah here is saying this. 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:11.819 Hey, I don't want just our bodies to be one. 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:17.539 I want our minds and our hearts to be one as well. 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:21.240 And so that's why she tells him, verse 15, 00:18:21.379 --> 00:18:23.759 Your heart is not with me. 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:26.700 He gives in, verse 17, 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:29.859 He told her all his heart. 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:34.839 Now there's a lot more than this going on in chapter 16, 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:39.099 but I don't want us to miss the warning that's here, which is this. 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:46.619 Our sexual relationships cause us to lower our guard 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:48.939 and to trust the person we're with. 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:51.479 That's part of God's design. 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:54.419 It's meant to do that, right? 00:18:54.479 --> 00:19:00.719 It's meant to build this trust and intimacy and community between a husband and a wife. 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:05.319 And it can be used against us. 00:19:06.699 --> 00:19:12.199 There's a reason why spy agencies know that the honeypot is an effective strategy. 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:19.580 Even more than that, this is the reason the Bible warns us over and over again 00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:21.960 about marrying someone who's not a Christian. 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:29.400 Because if anyone has power to draw us away from the Lord, it is them. 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:35.640 If anyone has power to build us up in our spiritual life and draw us closer to Christ, 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:36.960 it is them. 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:43.340 It is hard to remain faithful to God 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:47.920 if your sexual partner is pushing you away from Him. 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:56.319 Of course, we can go many places in the Scriptures to find that type of warning. 00:19:57.160 --> 00:20:01.880 We could focus this morning as we look at Samson on his sexual sin, and that's here. 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:05.480 But then we would miss Samson's great arrogance, right? 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:08.660 Of course, we could focus on his arrogance, 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.940 but there's even more in this passage than that. 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:16.000 If we focused on just sex and arrogance, we would miss Samson's foolishness. 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:19.820 And if we focus just on his foolishness, 00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:23.660 we would miss what's at the heart of Samson's betrayal here. 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:27.000 There is more than just foolishness. 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:31.360 There is something even deeper in why Samson does this. 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:34.540 The root is this. 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:42.120 Samson wants God's blessing without God's holiness. 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:49.700 Samson wants God's gifts without obedience. 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:54.380 Samson wants what's right in his eyes, 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:56.920 not what's right in God's eyes. 00:20:56.920 --> 00:21:04.060 Samson believes his strength comes from the inside and not the outside. 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:10.140 He has forgotten that it is not by power nor by might, 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:14.000 but by the Spirit of the living God. 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:17.960 Samson wants God's gifts. 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:22.519 He does not want to walk in God's ways. 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:29.379 And finally, God tells him enough. 00:21:31.139 --> 00:21:35.400 You cannot have my blessing without me. 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:41.640 This helps us understand the punishment that we find in verse 21. 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:45.680 Why is it that Samson has his eyes gouged out? 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:48.200 There's many things the Philistines could have done. 00:21:48.300 --> 00:21:49.660 Maybe they could have cut out his tongue. 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.140 I don't know. 00:21:50.540 --> 00:21:52.000 Maybe they could have chopped off his ears. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:57.900 Well, thankfully, the author of Judges is a talented storyteller, 00:21:57.900 --> 00:22:02.759 and so we can track back little by little to understand why it is that this happens. 00:22:03.340 --> 00:22:06.660 He told us in verse 1 of chapter 16, what did Samson do? 00:22:06.780 --> 00:22:09.360 He saw a prostitute. 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:13.700 Think back to chapter 14. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:18.180 Samson is drawn to the Timnite woman, the Philistine woman, 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.400 and his parents say, 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:21.920 Son, what are you doing? 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:25.860 Cannot you find an Israelite that you like? 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:29.059 Do you remember what Samson says to his parents? 00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:38.019 Get her for me because she is right in my eyes. 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:42.539 Why are Samson's eyes gouged out? 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:52.559 The man who did what was right in his own eyes now has no eyes. 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:57.819 The punishment fits the crime. 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:04.200 God will not be mocked. 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:08.720 A man will reap what he sows. 00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:17.579 You cannot ignore God or use God without consequence. 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:22.859 Samson, unfortunately, does not learn the easy way. 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.639 He learns the hard way. 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:32.539 Samson, of course, here is meant to be an image of what the problem is with Israel in the book of Judges. 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:36.240 They want to be God's people with God's blessing, 00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:41.159 and they want to be just like the nations around them. 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:44.120 They want God's great gifts, 00:23:44.540 --> 00:23:47.340 and they like being ruled by the Philistines. 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:51.900 They love being set apart, 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:55.320 and as we'll be told more and more as we get to the end of the book, 00:23:55.320 --> 00:23:58.700 they want to do what's right in their own eyes. 00:24:00.300 --> 00:24:02.720 So Samson is a warning to God's people 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:10.559 as we face the temptation to long for God's blessings without obedience. 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:17.420 We see this if we exercise the gifts and abilities that God has given us, 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:22.160 and we don't cultivate a deep or rich relationship with Him. 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:26.920 And so we become surprised when we participate in compromises, 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:28.039 big and small, 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:30.860 and suddenly it all comes crashing down. 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:37.779 We experience this when we set our hopes on the consumption that our culture models to us, 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.779 and then we're surprised 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:44.179 when we don't have the peace and joy and freedom 00:24:44.179 --> 00:24:46.879 that comes from putting our hope in Christ. 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:53.359 This happens when we believe that if we just have the political power 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:54.939 that earthly men worship, 00:24:55.959 --> 00:24:58.279 everything will be okay. 00:24:58.279 --> 00:25:01.259 And then we're surprised 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:04.160 when we find ourselves disappointed, 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:06.139 filled with anger, 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:08.700 we lose our character. 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:12.420 We face Samson's temptation 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:14.500 when we use worldly strategies 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:17.420 of control and efficiency 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:19.319 and pragmatism. 00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:22.240 And then we're surprised. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.679 And then we're surprised. 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:27.240 And we find ourselves surrounded by strained relationships. 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:30.599 We experience victory, 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:33.679 but at what cost? 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:40.400 If we play with sin long enough, 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:45.980 if we disregard God for long enough, 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:50.779 one day we will find ourselves like Samson. 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:54.980 Slaves to sin 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:59.039 and our strength gone. 00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:08.259 We can escape the consequences of sin for a time. 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:12.279 We cannot escape them forever. 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:18.599 And Samson's rent finally comes due. 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:26.759 Of course, I could give you a warning like this 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:28.980 if we were in a mosque, 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:31.699 and I could give you a warning like this in a synagogue. 00:26:32.919 --> 00:26:33.319 Right? 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:35.279 This is a principle of life 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:38.899 that you can't outrun your actions forever. 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:42.419 And so what is it for us that's different as Christians? 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:47.500 What is the hope and the future that we have? 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:50.100 What is it that we bring to this conversation 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:52.920 because of our faith in God? 00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:56.400 Well, I told you that verse 20 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:58.019 was one of the keys to this passage. 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:03.680 The other key is verse 22. 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:08.480 But the hair of his head began to grow again 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:11.620 after it had been shaved. 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:17.560 Samson is at the bottom. 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:21.380 His consequences have caught up with him. 00:27:22.560 --> 00:27:27.560 And God's grace is still at work. 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:33.019 Samson is doing maybe the most humiliating thing he could do. 00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:35.980 He's grinding mill in the prison. 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.860 And God has not forgotten him. 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:47.320 Samson is facing the end of his career. 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:53.180 And Samson's story isn't over. 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:58.700 The hair of his head began to grow again. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:28:05.140 What is powerful enough to bring us back 00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:06.500 when we've gone off the map? 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:11.420 What is powerful enough to draw Samson back 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:14.920 from the many mistakes and failures of his life? 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:18.480 Well, we're told this in Romans chapter 2. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:22.299 The apostle Paul reminds us it's God's kindness 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:24.380 that leads us to repentance. 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:29.840 I shared with you the story of that soldier 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:33.160 who most likely was over in the army. 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:38.340 His possibility of serving as a police officer 00:28:38.340 --> 00:28:41.140 potentially off the table as well. 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:46.200 The good news, Christian, is this. 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:50.059 God's grace is still at work. 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:51.000 No matter how deep you have fallen. 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:56.319 No matter how great of a failure you face, 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:59.620 if you are in Christ, 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:03.400 the future is not gone. 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:10.360 No matter what a mess of your life you have made, 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:15.140 God's grace is still at work. 00:29:16.300 --> 00:29:19.480 No matter where you have traveled, 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:22.400 no matter who you've hurt, 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:26.160 no matter how many mistakes that you have made, 00:29:26.280 --> 00:29:30.440 your future is not taken away. 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:38.080 God's children always have a future and a hope. 00:29:39.320 --> 00:29:42.340 I'm not telling you that sin doesn't have consequences. 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:46.600 I'm telling you that God's promise in Psalm 27, 00:29:46.820 --> 00:29:48.360 verse 13 is true. 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:52.640 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:54.960 in the land of the living. 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:59.820 I'm not telling you that there won't be hard days ahead. 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:02.039 I am telling you this, 00:30:02.620 --> 00:30:06.240 that God's promise in Psalm 23 is true. 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:10.360 Surely goodness and mercy will follow you 00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:13.120 all the days of your life. 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:20.799 I don't know what your story is for all of you. 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:25.799 I don't know what your past contains. 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:29.279 And I do know this, 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:31.199 that if you're a Christian, 00:30:31.719 --> 00:30:35.000 what's true of Samson is true of you. 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:38.619 God is not finished. 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.619 Christian, 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:52.279 that's the nature of our God. 00:30:54.219 --> 00:30:57.159 That's what it means that we have a God who redeems, 00:30:58.159 --> 00:31:03.059 that he co-walks into the greatest failures, 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:09.139 and he brings out of it even greater redemption. 00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:13.399 God hasn't given up on Samson. 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:16.579 If you're his child, 00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:21.700 God has not given up on you. 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:27.220 Why? 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:33.519 God has not given up on you because of Christ. 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:39.480 God has not given up on you because he gave his one and only son 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:44.720 so that those who believe in him would not perish but have eternal life. 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:48.039 God has not given up on Samson, 00:31:48.100 --> 00:31:50.620 not because Samson deserves a second chance. 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:51.819 He doesn't. 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:56.100 But because Jesus earned for Samson, 00:31:56.680 --> 00:32:01.039 and he earned for you his great mercy and grace. 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:11.099 What is it that enables us to come back to God? 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:16.099 What is it that draws us and Samson's back? 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:21.399 It's that God's story is not over. 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:24.180 And that is true, Christian, 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:30.359 and it is only true because of Christ. 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:36.399 And so that's why we sing together, 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:39.740 Hallelujah, all I have is Christ. 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:44.359 Hallelujah, Jesus is my life. 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.599 Let's pray. 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:50.599 Our Father in heaven, we praise you and thank you 00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:53.539 that our past does not define us, 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:58.059 that your grace and mercy are real, 00:32:58.059 --> 00:33:01.419 that you didn't give up on Samson. 00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:03.299 You haven't given up on us. 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:05.460 We ask that you would remind us of this truth, 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:07.480 that you drive it deep into our hearts, 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:10.419 that it would lead us to great praise and joy and honor of you. 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:12.619 We ask these things in Jesus' name. 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:13.279 Amen. 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:13.440 Amen. 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:13.559 Amen. 00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:13.720 Amen. 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.440 Amen. 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:14.980 Amen. 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.519 Amen. 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:15.579 Amen. 00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:15.619 Amen. 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.659 Amen. 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.599 Amen. 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:17.720 Amen. 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:19.700 Amen. 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:19.720 Amen. 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.679 Amen. 00:33:20.679 --> 00:33:21.700 Amen. 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.720 Amen. 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.720 Amen. 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:24.740 Amen. 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.720 Amen. 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.799 Amen. 00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:27.759 Amen.