WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.040 Well, good evening, folks. It is great to see you. Thank you so much for coming out today. 00:00:05.459 --> 00:00:10.720 What a joyous day. I've loved it. Thank you so much for your encouragement. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:15.000 And the fact that you're here this evening, I know today's been a long day as well. 00:00:16.460 --> 00:00:22.940 It's going to be really good. I have really enjoyed getting into the life of Samson this week. 00:00:23.080 --> 00:00:28.260 We're going to be looking at Samson this Sunday evening and next Sunday evening as we find him in Judges 13. 00:00:28.260 --> 00:00:32.780 You might want to turn there now and grab a Bible. This fascinating character. 00:00:33.960 --> 00:00:44.320 And it's been a real joy to walk with him this week and to think about Samson, the saviour, as we meet him in the book of Judges. 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:51.960 So what we're going to do, just to mix things up a little bit, is we are going to have a five-minute introduction to Samson. 00:00:52.780 --> 00:00:57.299 I'm just going to take us through some of the big things to look for, particularly as we come to the reading. 00:00:57.299 --> 00:01:01.059 We're going to read chapters 13, 14 and 15 together. 00:01:01.799 --> 00:01:07.299 And then we're going to have a song and then we're going to come back for the rest of the sermon. 00:01:07.579 --> 00:01:08.219 Does that sound okay? 00:01:09.319 --> 00:01:11.120 Okay, Judges 13, that's where we are. 00:01:11.179 --> 00:01:14.560 But why don't we pray just as we come to God's words together now. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:20.400 Forever you are faithful. 00:01:21.540 --> 00:01:22.900 Forever you are strong. 00:01:23.579 --> 00:01:25.840 Forever you are with us forever. 00:01:26.460 --> 00:01:29.659 Thank you, Father, that there is no shadow of change with you. 00:01:30.680 --> 00:01:32.920 And it's to you we look this evening. 00:01:33.740 --> 00:01:36.240 And Father, we ask by your Holy Spirit you would come. 00:01:37.219 --> 00:01:38.820 And Lord, you would work in our midst. 00:01:39.279 --> 00:01:41.619 Father, that as your word is preached this evening. 00:01:41.779 --> 00:01:43.279 Father, that your voice would be heard. 00:01:43.819 --> 00:01:49.099 And most of all, Lord, you would lift our eyes to the greatness of your Son, Jesus Christ. 00:01:49.419 --> 00:01:50.439 In whose name we pray. 00:01:51.079 --> 00:01:51.500 Amen. 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:57.259 So I wonder when was the last time you got really excited about a birth. 00:01:57.260 --> 00:02:04.380 So in our household at the minute, our one-year-old daughter, Grace, her favorite cuddly toy is her panda. 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:06.859 She absolutely loves her panda. 00:02:07.859 --> 00:02:12.759 So you can imagine when we heard news of a pregnancy. 00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:15.219 Does anyone know who this is out of interest? 00:02:16.200 --> 00:02:17.300 It's Chan Chan who looked up. 00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:21.259 So when you heard that she was pregnant, you can imagine the excitement in our family. 00:02:21.259 --> 00:02:26.199 Sadly, the rumors were going around that she was going to have some cubs later in the year. 00:02:27.259 --> 00:02:28.939 Fascinated were our girls. 00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:32.500 And this was a story, I don't know if you remember when it came out. 00:02:32.539 --> 00:02:35.419 It was a story that captured the hearts of our nation. 00:02:35.959 --> 00:02:39.739 Because it's something we'd been hoping for for a very long time. 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:41.319 I think I tweeted pandemonium. 00:02:41.959 --> 00:02:42.840 And it got a few likes. 00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:44.180 So the pandas. 00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:46.519 We were interested in the pandas. 00:02:46.620 --> 00:02:48.419 We were longing for this day to happen. 00:02:48.419 --> 00:02:51.619 We were longing for these births or births to happen. 00:02:52.979 --> 00:02:56.639 And then it was finally announced that it wasn't going to happen. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:00.079 And I had to break the news to our little girls. 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:01.659 It's not going to happen. 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:04.859 Well, here we are in Judges 13 this evening. 00:03:06.239 --> 00:03:14.439 And I want us to transition from a nation, from a people longing for a birth to happen that didn't happen. 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:25.460 So here we are in Judges 13. 00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:33.039 And as the readers of the book up until this point, we've been accustomed to this cycle that we've seen in Judges. 00:03:33.780 --> 00:03:36.479 This cycle that's been ongoing throughout the book. 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:40.340 Step 1 of the cycle, the people sin against God. 00:03:40.399 --> 00:03:44.000 The people turn away from their Creator and their Redeemer. 00:03:44.280 --> 00:03:45.399 They turn away from the Lord. 00:03:46.099 --> 00:03:47.359 Step 2, slavery. 00:03:47.579 --> 00:03:51.899 God judges the people and He delivers them into the hands of their enemies. 00:03:53.239 --> 00:03:54.819 Step 3, the people say sorry. 00:03:54.959 --> 00:03:55.899 They cry out to God. 00:03:55.979 --> 00:03:57.399 God, would you have mercy on us? 00:03:57.439 --> 00:03:58.539 God, deliver us. 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:05.039 And God in His grace, He hears the cry of a people who have absolutely no right to His ear. 00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:09.159 And God, step 4, saves them. 00:04:09.899 --> 00:04:10.579 People saved. 00:04:10.680 --> 00:04:15.019 God raises up a judge who acts to save the people. 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:18.279 Step 5, silence or rest. 00:04:18.779 --> 00:04:21.980 God gives His people rest through this judge. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:24.480 Well, Judges 13, we kind of have it again. 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:28.020 And I'm thinking as I'm reading this through this week, oh, here we go again. 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:29.379 Here we go again. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:31.700 We've seen this pattern before. 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:37.720 First one, the people of Israel, looking at the screen, people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:38.400 So they sin. 00:04:39.140 --> 00:04:39.939 We've seen it before. 00:04:40.640 --> 00:04:41.280 Seen it before. 00:04:41.740 --> 00:04:42.000 Sin. 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:44.400 God delivers them into the hands of the Philistines. 00:04:44.520 --> 00:04:46.439 For 40 years, do you notice that in the text? 00:04:47.220 --> 00:04:48.680 40 years, that's a long time. 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:51.640 Long time for these people to be in captivity. 00:04:52.819 --> 00:04:53.180 Slavery. 00:04:53.180 --> 00:04:56.780 And what are we expecting next as we read this narrative? 00:04:57.579 --> 00:04:59.980 This is where I'm looking for a bit of interaction here. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:01.340 What are we expecting next? 00:05:01.900 --> 00:05:02.600 Third step. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:07.000 Sorry. 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:10.879 We're expecting the people at this point to cry out to God, are we not? 00:05:11.399 --> 00:05:12.740 This is what we've seen in the cycle. 00:05:12.840 --> 00:05:13.899 People to cry out to God. 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:15.280 God, would you save us? 00:05:15.340 --> 00:05:16.720 God, would you have mercy on us? 00:05:16.780 --> 00:05:20.000 God, would you deliver us from the hands of our enemies? 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:20.819 But here's the question. 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:26.360 Do you see, do we see any crying as we come to chapter 13? 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:28.300 There's no cry. 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:30.439 Why? 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:35.060 Well, you see, it's not just a repeating cycle that we've noticed that we've journeyed through judges. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.120 It's a downward cycle. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:47.560 And I think the author is telling us here that things have got so bad in Israel that the people have actually grown accustomed to a life of slavery. 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:55.600 And they are blind to seeing the folly of their ways because if they saw the folly of their ways, they would turn back to God and cry out to him and he would save them. 00:05:56.040 --> 00:06:02.280 But these people aren't bothered about the situation as we step into chapter 13. 00:06:02.399 --> 00:06:03.480 They're not crying out to God. 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:07.920 And so it's in this context that Samson is born. 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:15.040 To people, to a nation, not longing for a birth to happen that did happen. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:17.280 So here's what we're going to do now. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:19.580 We're going to read chapters 13, 14, and 15. 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:23.160 And this is the story of Samson's birth and life. 00:06:23.280 --> 00:06:26.040 And here's what I want you to do as you read through these chapters. 00:06:26.900 --> 00:06:27.960 I want to get us thinking. 00:06:28.080 --> 00:06:30.160 I want to get us into the text this evening. 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:33.060 So Hazel is going to come and read chapter 13 for us. 00:06:33.620 --> 00:06:37.140 And Neil is going to come and read chapters 14 and 15 for us. 00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:38.140 They're the two sections. 00:06:38.520 --> 00:06:40.200 Chapter 13, Samson's birth. 00:06:40.740 --> 00:06:43.680 Chapters 14 and 15, Samson's life. 00:06:44.520 --> 00:06:47.420 And after each reading, we're going to pause for 30 seconds. 00:06:48.320 --> 00:06:49.879 And hopefully you've got a sermon outline. 00:06:49.960 --> 00:06:52.160 I saw Alistair handing them out on your way in. 00:06:52.260 --> 00:06:53.360 Hopefully you've got a sermon outline. 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:55.780 And here's what I want you to think about. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:57.500 The question I want you to ask yourself. 00:06:57.500 --> 00:07:01.939 How am I feeling after chapter 13? 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:06.259 And how as a reader am I left feeling after chapter 15? 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:10.399 If you could sum it up in one word, what would that one word be? 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:16.000 Now here's the big question of this sermon this evening. 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:18.000 Here's the big question that we're asked, 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:22.019 the writer asks us from this section of Judges. 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:30.479 Will the talk of Samson's birth be matched by the walk of Samson's life? 00:07:30.659 --> 00:07:32.519 So that's the big question for us this evening. 00:07:32.599 --> 00:07:34.000 The big question we're going to think about. 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:36.519 And hopefully the big question we're going to answer 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:40.219 as we journey through these chapters together. 00:07:40.220 --> 00:07:48.760 Thank you, Hazel and Neil. 00:07:50.380 --> 00:07:51.420 So here we go. 00:07:51.640 --> 00:07:58.500 Will the talk of Samson's birth be matched by the walk of Samson's life? 00:07:58.700 --> 00:08:03.160 So I wonder what words you scribbled down at the end of chapter 13. 00:08:03.940 --> 00:08:05.340 I wonder if it was something like this. 00:08:05.400 --> 00:08:06.200 Here's what I wrote down. 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:07.319 Optimistic. 00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:09.639 Optimistic. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:10.459 Intrigued. 00:08:10.860 --> 00:08:11.099 Anyone? 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:12.579 Excited. 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:14.959 Anticipating. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:20.560 All those kind of words come to mind when you read chapter 13. 00:08:20.699 --> 00:08:23.539 Now let me just help you see my thought process 00:08:23.539 --> 00:08:25.519 as I travelled through chapter 13. 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:29.480 There were four grounds for hope that I saw in chapter 13. 00:08:29.919 --> 00:08:31.980 Four signs that got me really excited 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:34.500 that we could be on to a winner here with Samson. 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.759 Here's the first ground for hope. 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:37.060 The numbers. 00:08:38.180 --> 00:08:41.020 So there's been 11 judges so far in the book of Numbers. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:43.300 Sorry, in the book of Numbers, in the book of Judges. 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:46.160 11 judges so far. 00:08:46.300 --> 00:08:48.040 Samson is the 12th judge. 00:08:48.640 --> 00:08:49.820 Now that gets me intrigued. 00:08:50.900 --> 00:08:52.000 Thinking to myself, 00:08:52.140 --> 00:08:52.920 will Samson, 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:55.400 will he be the judge who finally, 00:08:55.520 --> 00:08:57.940 not only saves Israel from their enemies, 00:08:58.280 --> 00:09:00.040 but will he be the saviour 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:05.339 who representatively leads Israel in worship and obedience to the Lord 00:09:05.339 --> 00:09:08.279 that Israel so far in this book have failed to do. 00:09:09.339 --> 00:09:11.620 He's the 12th judge. 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:17.519 And the arrival of Samson also marks the beginning of the sixth cycle in this book. 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:21.580 Each judge thus far has delivered Israel from their enemies, 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:23.200 brings in, 00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:25.860 ushers in a period of rest for the people. 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:29.019 But that only lasts as long as the judge has lived. 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:29.519 And as a reader, 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:30.600 I'm thinking to myself, 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:35.680 will Samson be the judge who finally brings the nation of Israel, 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:36.220 as it were, 00:09:36.300 --> 00:09:37.120 into the seven 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:41.500 and bring God's people lasting 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:43.300 and complete rest 00:09:43.300 --> 00:09:45.320 from their enemies. 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:47.000 He's the 12th 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:49.019 and he's the 6th. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:50.000 And as a reader, 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:53.500 I'm optimistic for Samson at this point. 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:55.919 Here's the second ground for hope, 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:56.600 the announcement. 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:00.360 We're introduced to this couple. 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:01.460 Do you see them opening verses? 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:02.500 Chapter 13. 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:04.940 Manoah and his wife. 00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:06.379 Who appears to them? 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:07.620 An angel of the Lord. 00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:10.279 An awesome messenger of God 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:12.320 appears to this woman. 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.139 And he delivers a message 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:17.199 that God once again is acting by his grace 00:10:17.199 --> 00:10:19.379 to save his people, 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:20.500 his captive people, 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:21.340 his wavered people. 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:23.439 God is going to act in his grace towards them. 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:26.159 And the angel announces to the woman 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:27.500 that although she is barren, 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.539 that she will conceive 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:30.879 and she will bear a son. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.659 Now this barren woman pattern 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:35.860 is something that is frequent in Scripture. 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:37.539 Sarah, 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:39.080 Rebecca, 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:40.500 Rachel, 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:43.259 after the book of Judges, 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:43.879 we've got Hannah, 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:44.639 we've got Elizabeth 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:46.559 and here again is God by his grace 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:48.220 looking upon the humble estate 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:49.120 of this barren woman. 00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:50.659 And we're left as readers 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:52.019 wondering in anticipation, 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:54.100 what exactly is this child 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:55.220 going to turn out to be? 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:58.539 Third ground for hope is the calling. 00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:00.340 This woman, 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:00.919 do you notice it? 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:02.320 She's given clear instructions. 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:03.059 Verse 4. 00:11:04.059 --> 00:11:05.000 What is she to do? 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:05.399 Or rather, 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:06.399 what is she not to do? 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:07.940 Drink no wine. 00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:10.320 Touch no unclean thing. 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:12.940 Presumably because if she does, 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:13.960 and she will vicariously 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:15.540 taint the child within her. 00:11:16.520 --> 00:11:17.600 And what of this boy? 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:19.420 Two things. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.480 Do you notice in the passage? 00:11:20.660 --> 00:11:21.020 Firstly, 00:11:21.140 --> 00:11:22.340 he will be a Nazarite. 00:11:23.540 --> 00:11:24.540 Now a Nazarite was someone 00:11:24.540 --> 00:11:26.240 who would yield their life 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.280 completely to God. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:27.600 God, 00:11:27.680 --> 00:11:28.580 you are wholly mine. 00:11:29.560 --> 00:11:30.260 Wholly apart, 00:11:30.420 --> 00:11:31.360 dedicated to him. 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:32.040 Wholly apart, 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:33.500 to be focused on him. 00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:35.720 You find that vow 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:37.080 to be a Nazarite 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:38.399 laid out in number 6. 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:39.600 If you want to maybe 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:40.460 check it out later. 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:41.620 Three expressed things 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:42.980 that a Nazarite had to do. 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:43.860 Or rather, 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:44.800 three expressed things 00:11:44.800 --> 00:11:46.180 that a Nazarite had not to do. 00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:47.379 No wine, 00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:49.060 no razors, 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:51.259 no contact with dead bodies. 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:53.500 And we're excited 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.120 because normally 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:55.279 this is a voluntary vow 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:56.180 that people make. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.120 But here, 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:57.940 this child 00:11:57.940 --> 00:11:59.759 is being called apart, 00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:00.960 set apart by God 00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:02.660 to be wholly devoted by him. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:03.399 To see it, 00:12:03.459 --> 00:12:05.459 this boy will be a Nazarite. 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:07.100 That's exciting. 00:12:08.339 --> 00:12:08.839 Secondly, 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:09.759 he will be a saviour. 00:12:09.839 --> 00:12:10.539 Verse 5. 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:14.879 He'll begin to save Israel 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.779 from the hands 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:16.860 of the Philistines. 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:19.299 This is what this child 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:20.500 in this woman's womb 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:22.259 is being called to be. 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.980 And this is what this child 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:24.839 in this woman's womb 00:12:24.839 --> 00:12:26.439 is being called to do. 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:27.419 Oh, 00:12:27.459 --> 00:12:28.740 that's greatly exciting. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:30.259 And the fourth ground 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:30.779 for hope 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.759 is the stirring. 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.299 Verse 24. 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:35.759 Feel the anticipation 00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:37.100 that the writer 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.199 is creating here. 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:39.439 Verse 24. 00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:41.299 This woman bore a son. 00:12:42.279 --> 00:12:43.500 And verse 25. 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:45.059 The spirit of the Lord 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:46.559 began to stir him. 00:12:48.839 --> 00:12:50.120 And if we were to roll credits 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:50.860 at this point, 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:52.100 I'm sure it would say 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:52.899 Samson, 00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:53.939 the saviour, 00:12:54.319 --> 00:12:55.139 is here. 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:58.100 We have four massive grounds 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:58.600 for hope 00:12:58.600 --> 00:12:59.659 in this passage. 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.480 So how, 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:01.179 as readers, 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:02.360 are we left feeling 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:04.120 as we finish chapter 13, 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:06.460 we are feeling wildly optimistic 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.200 for Samson. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:10.060 So back to our question. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:13.039 Will the talk of Samson's birth, 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:13.659 and you've got to say 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.460 it's a big talk, 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:17.320 will the talk of Samson's birth 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:19.240 be matched 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.580 by the walk 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:22.220 of Samson's life? 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:24.620 And we move 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.659 from four grounds 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:26.399 for hope 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:28.759 to four reasons 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.580 to sigh. 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:30.460 Now I wonder 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:31.019 what words 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:31.860 you scribbled down 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:32.740 that summarized 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.340 how you felt 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:34.720 at the end of chapter 15. 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:36.600 Do I wrote 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:38.340 deflated? 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.419 Gutted? 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.319 Disappointed? 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.519 Oh, Samson, 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.480 you had it all! 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.340 You'll notice 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:46.919 as we journey 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:48.019 through chapter 14, 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:48.580 maybe you want to 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:49.179 scan your eyes 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:49.799 over it just now, 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:50.700 chapter 14. 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:53.000 The deliberate repetition 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.100 of the word down. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.460 Now it's used 00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:56.200 five times 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:57.300 in chapter 14, 00:13:57.560 --> 00:13:58.360 five times. 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.020 Verse 1, 00:13:59.280 --> 00:13:59.540 down. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.200 Verse 5, 00:14:01.540 --> 00:14:01.840 down. 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:03.680 Verse 7, 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:04.520 down. 00:14:05.020 --> 00:14:05.620 Verse 10, 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.160 down. 00:14:06.440 --> 00:14:07.160 Verse 19, 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:07.600 down. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.600 The writer's 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.140 trying to tell us 00:14:09.140 --> 00:14:09.500 something, 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:11.800 that the trajectory 00:14:11.800 --> 00:14:13.400 of Samson's life 00:14:13.400 --> 00:14:14.140 ain't going up, 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:16.000 it's going down. 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:17.700 Again, 00:14:18.160 --> 00:14:18.720 really quickly, 00:14:18.900 --> 00:14:19.580 four reasons 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.340 to sigh 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:21.220 from this chapter. 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:21.879 The first one, 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:22.080 right? 00:14:22.540 --> 00:14:23.240 The first one 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.320 is the woman. 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:26.879 verse 1 of chapter 14, 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.100 Samson goes down 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:29.540 to Timnah. 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:31.600 And what does he see? 00:14:32.140 --> 00:14:32.460 It's going to be 00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:33.460 a key word 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:34.540 in Samson's life, 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:35.000 his eyes. 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.040 What is he seeing? 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.360 He sees 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.720 a daughter 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.840 of one of the Philistines. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:41.700 And immediately 00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:42.320 at this point, 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.480 in our eyes, 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:45.400 there should be 00:14:45.400 --> 00:14:46.440 a warning light flashing. 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:47.920 Sometimes you get them 00:14:47.920 --> 00:14:48.440 in your car, 00:14:48.520 --> 00:14:48.820 don't you, 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.440 when you need to 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:50.440 check your oil. 00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:51.900 There's a warning sign 00:14:51.900 --> 00:14:52.480 in your dashboard. 00:14:52.640 --> 00:14:53.140 Well, this is what's 00:14:53.140 --> 00:14:53.700 going on here. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:54.940 The writer's just 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:55.600 dropping in 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:57.080 a little flashing 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:57.820 warning sign. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:00.259 God has expressly 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:01.080 prohibited that his 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:01.720 people marry 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.560 one of their enemies. 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.360 And his parents, 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:06.379 Samson's parents, 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.040 they know that. 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:09.040 They know that. 00:15:10.560 --> 00:15:11.280 Our little girl, 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:11.640 Chloe, 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:12.379 her favorite word 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:12.720 at the minute 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.460 is the word need. 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:15.300 Daddy, 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.640 I need a drink. 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.020 Daddy, 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:18.220 I need to watch 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:19.940 Bing on CBBs. 00:15:20.020 --> 00:15:20.240 Daddy, 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.460 I need to wear a dress. 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.560 And we have to educate her. 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:23.060 You'd think she would 00:15:23.060 --> 00:15:23.600 get it by now. 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.220 She's not. 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:25.200 Chloe, 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.080 that's not how you ask. 00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:27.040 It's not how you ask. 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:27.740 What are you saying? 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:28.580 You see it a little 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.259 two-year-old mind 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:30.100 just thinking about it. 00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:31.379 Daddy, 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.399 can I please have a drink? 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:32.879 Yes, 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.519 you can have a drink. 00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:35.340 But there's none of that 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.060 here with Samson. 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:37.980 None of that here 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.500 with Samson. 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.279 Verse 2, 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.820 you can slightly 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:42.879 understand what 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.420 his mom and dad 00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:44.060 are trying to do. 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:45.960 Samson is not one of 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:47.159 our daughters 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:47.740 you can marry. 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.340 He's not one of 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:49.220 our people 00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:49.879 you can marry. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.840 Surely there must have been. 00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:53.500 But no, 00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:55.860 and feel the force 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.580 of the passage here, 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.759 get her for me dad. 00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.700 I want her. 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:01.679 I want her. 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:02.759 I've seen her 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:04.000 and I want her. 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.600 Now not only 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.820 is Samson not honoring 00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:07.740 his father and mother 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.419 at this point, 00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:10.279 but he's acting 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.220 like a spoiled brat. 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:11.759 Is he not? 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:12.919 It's a bit like 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.360 if you remember 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.580 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:16.160 when we were growing up. 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.860 Veruca saw, 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.460 Daddy I want, 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:19.280 Daddy I want, 00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:20.000 Daddy I need. 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.820 This is Samson. 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.700 What Samson sees, 00:16:23.160 --> 00:16:24.020 Samson wants 00:16:24.020 --> 00:16:25.920 and Samson normally gets. 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:28.980 First reason to sigh 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.920 for Samson 00:16:29.920 --> 00:16:30.920 is the woman. 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:33.040 Second reason to sigh 00:16:33.040 --> 00:16:34.680 is the lion. 00:16:35.400 --> 00:16:36.020 Verse 5, 00:16:37.280 --> 00:16:37.759 it's Samson 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.640 and both his parents 00:16:38.640 --> 00:16:39.280 are on their way 00:16:39.280 --> 00:16:40.000 down to Temna. 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:41.360 This young lion 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:43.060 comes hurtling towards him, 00:16:43.140 --> 00:16:43.620 quite literally 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.620 leaps out the pages 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:46.279 like a 3D book here 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:47.039 for us readers, 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.000 roaring. 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:49.440 And Samson, 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:50.759 as the spirit 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.980 rushes on him 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:53.080 with no weapon 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:53.740 in his hands 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.879 but his bare hands, 00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:56.799 rips this lion in two. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.539 I love how 00:16:58.539 --> 00:17:00.220 the writer drops in there 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:00.980 as one would 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:02.179 rip a young goat 00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:02.919 as if to say, 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.859 you should know 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:05.619 what that's like. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.359 But he rips 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.119 this young lion 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:08.859 in two. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.920 Spirit rushes on him 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.279 and here for the first time 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.859 in the narrative 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:14.119 we're given a taste, 00:17:14.959 --> 00:17:16.279 a taste of what 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.539 Samson can accomplish 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:19.039 when the spirit 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.539 of God 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.579 rushes on him 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.559 and empowers him 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.359 for service. 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.399 Samson continues 00:17:25.399 --> 00:17:25.599 to, 00:17:26.899 --> 00:17:27.539 verse 7, 00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:28.299 continues on 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:28.979 with Manoah. 00:17:30.159 --> 00:17:31.319 He talks with this woman 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:32.159 that he sees 00:17:32.159 --> 00:17:33.679 quite literally 00:17:33.679 --> 00:17:34.179 flirting 00:17:34.179 --> 00:17:35.279 with danger 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.039 and we get that little 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:37.079 phrase from the writer 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:38.019 which I think 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.039 summarizes 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.719 Samson's life 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.940 in a nutshell. 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.600 That he did 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:44.299 what was right 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:46.200 in the Lord's eyes? 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:47.559 No. 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.440 He did what was right 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:51.059 in his eyes. 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.740 And it's no great 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.460 surprise then 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.120 that as we read 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:55.720 of Samson 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.519 seeing the same 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.079 dead lion 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:57.740 on his return 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.500 journey home 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:00.400 that as he sees 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:00.920 the honey 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:03.000 that Samson 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.720 does what he does. 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.140 Now remember 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:05.160 his Nazarite vow. 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.420 What wasn't he to touch? 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:08.100 No unclean thing. 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:10.079 No dead bodies. 00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:11.579 And here's Samson 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:12.379 proving that he's 00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:13.839 more interested 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:14.899 in a little honey 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:16.679 to sweeten his tongue 00:18:16.679 --> 00:18:17.939 than he is 00:18:17.939 --> 00:18:19.139 to obeying 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:20.099 God's word. 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:21.740 Scraping it 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.379 onto his hands. 00:18:22.459 --> 00:18:23.159 You see how the writer 00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:23.819 lets us know 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.639 that he touched this. 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:26.159 Scraping it onto his hands. 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.699 Eating it as he went. 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:29.059 Without a care in the world. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.059 Remember when we were 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:31.459 growing up 00:18:31.459 --> 00:18:31.939 me and my brother 00:18:31.939 --> 00:18:32.619 one of the highlights 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.159 of our holiday 00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:34.240 was going to the sweet shop. 00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:35.639 We'd get those 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.500 little flora tubs 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.420 and he would fill it up 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.240 with 20p mix 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.920 Haribos. 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.140 And we would just 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:41.319 walk on back to the house 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:42.420 without a care in the world 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.319 eating as we went. 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:44.960 Without a care in the world. 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.680 This is Samson 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:47.460 eating as he goes. 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:48.339 Not a care 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:49.400 in the world. 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.720 Not a second thought 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.839 as to what he's done here. 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:54.400 Second reason to sigh 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:54.880 is the animal. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.940 Third reason to sigh 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:56.599 is the party. 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.559 You see the party? 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.819 Verse 10. 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:01.319 Samson throws a feast 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:02.619 to celebrate his marriage. 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:04.680 Now the Hebrew word there 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.799 suggests a party 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.500 but one with the highest 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.519 probability 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.380 that alcohol 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.080 is involved 00:19:10.080 --> 00:19:11.019 in this celebration. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.799 Again you see 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:14.380 Samson totally blasé 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:16.100 about his Nazarite vow 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:17.620 happy to blend in 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:18.560 with the Philistines 00:19:18.560 --> 00:19:19.380 round about him. 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:21.660 And he gives his 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:22.620 Philistine companions 00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:23.640 who come to be with him 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:24.100 at his party 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:25.240 gives him this little riddle. 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.900 And this riddle 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:29.259 may seem innocent enough 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:29.980 but do you see 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:31.240 that it puts his wife 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.880 in danger? 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:34.540 Now she's probably 00:19:34.540 --> 00:19:35.060 thinking about 00:19:35.060 --> 00:19:35.720 I'm on my honeymoon 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.420 I've just got married 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:36.940 I'm thinking about 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.960 a cruiser in the med 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.940 but instead 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.740 she's put in this 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.580 horrible position 00:19:40.580 --> 00:19:41.480 because of Samson's 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.120 pride and arrogance. 00:19:42.260 --> 00:19:42.800 Verse 15. 00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:45.680 The Philistines say to her 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.620 tell us the answer 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:47.500 to that guy's riddle 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.340 tell us the answer 00:19:48.340 --> 00:19:49.000 to his riddle 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.040 or else 00:19:50.040 --> 00:19:51.620 we will kill you 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:52.600 and we will burn 00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.520 your father's house 00:19:53.520 --> 00:19:54.160 with fire. 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.800 They pressure her 00:19:57.800 --> 00:19:59.900 she pressures him 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:01.220 and we see arguably 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.259 Samson's weakness 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.340 here exploited 00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:04.540 because he tells her 00:20:04.540 --> 00:20:05.660 the answer to this riddle. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.940 And she to save 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:08.560 her own skin 00:20:08.560 --> 00:20:09.820 tells the Philistines. 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:11.759 It's worth noting 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:13.560 the detail the author 00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:14.100 gives us there 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:15.080 at verse 17. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:16.000 Who does she tell? 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:18.120 She tells her people. 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.700 As if to tell us 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.420 readers again 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.960 where her loyalties lie. 00:20:23.280 --> 00:20:24.220 These are her people. 00:20:24.840 --> 00:20:25.580 And what does Samson 00:20:25.580 --> 00:20:26.440 call his wife? 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.120 Do you see that 00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:27.860 in verse 18? 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:30.679 You only know 00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:31.459 because you ploughed 00:20:31.459 --> 00:20:32.039 my heifer. 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:33.139 Now there are some phrases 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:33.979 that will never ever 00:20:33.979 --> 00:20:34.899 stop being insulting 00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:36.899 and that's one of them. 00:20:38.199 --> 00:20:39.119 We see that Samson 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:40.779 is not one 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.359 he's not like 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.039 Mr. Darcy. 00:20:43.719 --> 00:20:44.719 I'm not going home 00:20:44.719 --> 00:20:45.419 tonight and using 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:46.399 that one with Alex. 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.979 That is not a 00:20:47.979 --> 00:20:48.740 complimentary thing 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.899 to say about your wife. 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.959 Here is Samson here 00:20:50.959 --> 00:20:51.819 just totally 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:53.539 in love of himself. 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:55.599 And they win 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:55.919 don't they? 00:20:55.959 --> 00:20:56.539 They get the riddle 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:56.859 right. 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:57.299 Right. 00:20:57.479 --> 00:20:57.919 They win. 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.179 Samson owes these men 00:20:59.179 --> 00:20:59.919 these Philistines 00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:00.359 30. 00:21:00.939 --> 00:21:01.799 I think we can assume 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:02.639 that they're suits 00:21:02.639 --> 00:21:05.099 30 sets of clothes. 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.879 Third reason to sigh 00:21:07.879 --> 00:21:08.519 is the party 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.199 and that leads us 00:21:09.199 --> 00:21:10.019 to the fourth reason 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.479 to sigh 00:21:10.479 --> 00:21:11.319 and that is Samson's 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:11.839 attitude. 00:21:13.719 --> 00:21:14.139 Where are these 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.759 Armani suits 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.419 going to come from? 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.099 Where are these suits 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:16.659 going to come from? 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.439 Verse 19. 00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:18.299 Well in a rage 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:18.959 he goes 00:21:18.959 --> 00:21:20.099 and he gets that spoil. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.939 Where does he go? 00:21:21.199 --> 00:21:22.339 He goes and he kills 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:24.219 30 Philistine men. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:26.059 And in a rage 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:27.500 he rages back 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.620 to his father's house 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:30.100 and after he realizes 00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:31.200 his wife has been 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:32.299 given to his best man 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.519 he rages against 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.740 the Philistines. 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.400 Now this guy 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.380 has got some serious 00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:37.339 anger problems. 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.500 Serious anger issues. 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.640 And he ties 00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:43.000 300 foxes together 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.460 which 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:45.240 is no easy thing 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.279 I might add. 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.900 He ties them together 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.539 with torches 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.920 and he sets them loose 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:51.119 and Philistine feels 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:52.019 to cause havoc 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.539 and devastation. 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.639 It's maybe worth 00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:57.200 slowing down 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.099 just a little bit here 00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:59.159 and asking Samson 00:21:59.159 --> 00:22:00.099 what are you doing? 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.180 What are you doing? 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:03.980 We get the impression 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.599 here to be not 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:05.720 that he's toying 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:07.039 with the Philistines. 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:08.019 He's playing 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.079 with God's enemies. 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:10.779 Almost 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.339 having a bit of fun. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.460 He's always showing off 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.119 look how 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:15.379 great I am. 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:17.319 That God has 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.460 greatly equipped him 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:20.059 and God has 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.139 highly called him 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:22.119 and what is he doing? 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.299 He's playing around 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:25.500 having a laugh 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:27.179 without any regard 00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:28.139 for the consequences 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:30.179 because there are 00:22:30.179 --> 00:22:30.879 consequences 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:32.759 because he's playing 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.099 around 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:34.319 notice at verse 6 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.059 it costs 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.240 his wife 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.659 and her father 00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:38.879 their lives. 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.700 Just playing around. 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.359 Understandably 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.159 Samson is a 00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:45.859 wanted man 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.500 in the Philistine 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.019 camp. 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.680 The Philistines 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.299 come looking 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:48.900 for him 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:50.339 and the men 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:50.759 of Judah 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.319 after a bit 00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:51.859 of negotiation 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.500 with him 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.079 they present 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:53.619 him to the 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:54.379 Philistines 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:56.359 but God 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:56.920 as the spirit 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.819 rushes on 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:58.700 Samson again 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.579 defeats them 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.420 quite emphatically 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.299 you have to say 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.559 verse 15 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.339 of chapter 15 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.359 a thousand men 00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:05.160 with a jawbone 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:06.819 why? 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.339 Why was he able 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:08.720 to do it? 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.599 Because the spirit 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.059 of God 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.859 rushed on him. 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:13.059 God 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:13.759 through 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.639 Samson 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:16.160 won this 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.700 victory 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.920 against 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:19.300 his people's 00:23:19.300 --> 00:23:19.980 enemies 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:22.140 and Samson 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:22.860 calls out 00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:23.340 to God 00:23:23.340 --> 00:23:24.220 verse 18 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:26.040 he calls out 00:23:26.040 --> 00:23:26.380 to God 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:26.940 verse 18 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.920 give me a drink 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:29.460 give me a drink 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.600 a little irreverently 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.200 perhaps 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:32.220 but nonetheless 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.200 here is Samson 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.280 praying to the Lord 00:23:34.280 --> 00:23:35.040 what does he describe 00:23:35.040 --> 00:23:35.759 himself as? 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.880 Your servant. 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:40.280 A little interesting 00:23:40.280 --> 00:23:41.060 though that he calls 00:23:41.060 --> 00:23:41.820 the Philistines 00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:42.780 uncircumcised 00:23:42.780 --> 00:23:43.620 at verse 18 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:45.060 all of a sudden 00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:46.240 now he's concerned 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.740 as to who 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.460 these people 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.040 represent 00:23:48.040 --> 00:23:49.360 he wasn't all 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:50.480 that concerned 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:50.940 about it 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.360 when he went 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:51.720 to marry 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.160 one of their 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.720 daughters 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:55.100 here is Samson 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.680 the first 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:56.780 the fourth reason 00:23:56.780 --> 00:23:57.540 rather to sigh 00:23:57.540 --> 00:23:58.340 is his attitude 00:23:58.340 --> 00:24:00.720 so how as readers 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.300 are we left 00:24:01.300 --> 00:24:01.900 feeling as we 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:03.140 finish chapter 15 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.600 well if the talk 00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:05.600 of Samson's life 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:07.119 left us feeling 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:08.519 greatly optimistic 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:10.240 then the walk 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.240 of Samson's life 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.059 leaves us feeling 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:13.379 greatly deflated 00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:16.139 will the talk 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:17.359 of Samson's birth 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.000 be matched 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.679 by the walk 00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:19.740 of Samson's life 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.279 on the whole 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.079 we have to say 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:22.579 it wasn't 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:24.379 four grounds 00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:24.980 for hope 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.259 four reasons 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.939 to sigh 00:24:26.939 --> 00:24:28.219 and as we work 00:24:28.219 --> 00:24:28.879 towards a close 00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:29.319 this evening 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.219 and as we reflect 00:24:30.219 --> 00:24:30.879 on his birth 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.439 and his life 00:24:31.439 --> 00:24:32.119 let me give you 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:32.799 two truths 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.339 to ponder 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:36.199 one truth 00:24:36.199 --> 00:24:36.699 to challenge 00:24:36.699 --> 00:24:37.099 us 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:38.619 and one truth 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.039 to comfort 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.639 us from these 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.000 verses 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:42.000 firstly 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.659 here's the truth 00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:43.199 to challenge 00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:43.819 us 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:46.039 now here is 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.539 Samson 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:48.519 tragically 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.659 failing to live 00:24:49.659 --> 00:24:50.359 up to the calling 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:50.799 that God 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.339 had placed 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.119 on his life 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:53.759 but it's 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.459 what we need 00:24:54.459 --> 00:24:55.019 to understand 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.639 that it's not 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.419 just Samson 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:56.980 who is failing 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.419 to live up 00:24:57.419 --> 00:24:58.019 to his call 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.419 because standing 00:24:59.419 --> 00:25:00.279 behind him 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:00.980 is a whole 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.519 nation 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.579 who are failing 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:03.079 to live up 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.539 to the call 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:03.859 that God 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.240 has placed 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:05.000 on their lives 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.759 so here are 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.559 God's people 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:10.240 in the place 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:10.699 that God 00:25:10.699 --> 00:25:11.179 had promised 00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:11.639 he was going 00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.379 to redeem 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:12.659 them 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.299 and bring 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.839 them to 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:15.279 here are 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:15.699 Israel 00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:16.000 here are 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.460 God's people 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:17.740 his treasured 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.159 possession 00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:19.720 here are 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.480 God's people 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.059 the people 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:21.559 who God 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.839 had covenanted 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.379 with and said 00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:24.099 you will be 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.659 my people 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.859 you will be 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.319 my people 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.039 and I will 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.339 be your God 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:29.460 what an 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:29.819 enormous 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.539 privilege 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:32.799 incredible 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.240 honour 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.799 that these 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.119 people 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:35.339 are God's 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:35.619 people 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:36.220 but instead 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.659 of being 00:25:36.659 --> 00:25:37.259 a shining 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.680 light 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.000 to the 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.319 nations 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:38.879 round about 00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:39.059 them 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.740 instead of 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.059 being a 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.659 megaphone 00:25:40.659 --> 00:25:40.980 to the 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.259 nations 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.740 round about 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:41.899 them 00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:42.159 that's 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:42.759 belted 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:42.940 out 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.579 how great 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:43.920 is our 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.259 God 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.099 sing with 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:45.379 me 00:25:45.379 --> 00:25:45.920 how great 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:46.240 is our 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.619 God 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:48.359 here they 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:48.740 are living 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.700 in disobedience 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:51.379 and here 00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:51.819 they are 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.559 revelling 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.960 in rebellion 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:55.039 and here 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.379 they are 00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:55.920 flat out 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:56.720 and conforming 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.059 not to 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.480 God's 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:57.920 image 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:59.180 but here 00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.580 they are 00:25:59.580 --> 00:26:00.300 flat out 00:26:00.300 --> 00:26:00.960 and conforming 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.440 to be more 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:01.759 like the 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.240 likeness of 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:02.620 the people 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.160 round about 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:03.480 them 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:05.720 and undoing 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.279 not what is 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:06.720 right in 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.580 God's eyes 00:26:07.580 --> 00:26:08.880 but undoing 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:09.240 what is 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.300 right in 00:26:10.300 --> 00:26:11.100 their eyes 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:13.180 here are 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:13.720 God's people 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.560 failing to 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:14.980 live up to 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.580 their calling 00:26:15.580 --> 00:26:17.039 and presumably 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.680 that is the 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.320 challenge that 00:26:18.320 --> 00:26:19.019 the first readers 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.640 of this book 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.180 would have felt 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:20.700 as they read 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.100 this 00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:23.120 and that is 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:23.500 the challenge 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.060 that comes to 00:26:24.060 --> 00:26:24.539 us this 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.160 evening as 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.779 God's people 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.860 as we look 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.080 at the 00:26:27.080 --> 00:26:27.600 failures of 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.000 a previous 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.639 generation 00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:29.059 we've got to 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.480 examine our 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.199 own hearts 00:26:30.199 --> 00:26:32.279 live up to 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:32.819 your calling 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:34.879 are we living 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.359 up to our 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:35.759 calling 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:37.459 of course 00:26:37.459 --> 00:26:37.719 where we 00:26:37.719 --> 00:26:38.299 stand 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:39.719 in history 00:26:39.719 --> 00:26:40.219 we stand 00:26:40.219 --> 00:26:40.679 the other 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.059 side of 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.659 the cross 00:26:41.659 --> 00:26:43.679 God too 00:26:43.679 --> 00:26:44.359 has redeemed 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:44.980 us in 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:45.459 Christ 00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:45.959 in Jesus 00:26:45.959 --> 00:26:46.319 Christ 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:46.740 God has 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.659 saved us 00:26:47.659 --> 00:26:48.959 and as 00:26:48.959 --> 00:26:49.339 Christians 00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:49.699 that we 00:26:49.699 --> 00:26:50.519 are in 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.199 Christ 00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:53.539 and he 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:53.899 has set 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:54.519 us apart 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.119 to live 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:55.559 for him 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.199 in relationship 00:26:56.199 --> 00:26:56.679 with him 00:26:56.679 --> 00:26:56.959 and to 00:26:56.959 --> 00:26:57.359 live for 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:57.899 his glory 00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:58.399 alone 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.159 is the 00:26:59.159 --> 00:26:59.699 constant 00:26:59.699 --> 00:27:00.139 refrain 00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:00.399 in the 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:00.579 New 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.039 Testament 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:02.019 dear 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.439 Christian 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:02.699 dear 00:27:02.699 --> 00:27:03.039 Christian 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.879 see your 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:04.319 calling 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.359 see your 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:05.779 calling 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.799 and seize 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:06.979 your 00:27:06.979 --> 00:27:07.399 calling 00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:10.439 1 Peter 2 00:27:10.439 --> 00:27:10.839 let me just 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.419 read one 00:27:11.419 --> 00:27:12.519 verse 1 Peter 2 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.299 verse 9 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.939 Peter writing 00:27:14.939 --> 00:27:15.359 to his 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:15.919 generation 00:27:15.919 --> 00:27:17.039 of God's 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.359 people 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:18.500 but you 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:18.779 are a 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.079 chosen 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.539 people 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:21.079 a royal 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.779 priesthood 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.839 a holy 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.279 nation 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.740 a holy 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.319 nation 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.859 God's 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.079 special 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.819 possession 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:28.119 that you 00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:28.700 may declare 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.359 the praises 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:29.680 out of 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.279 darkness 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.740 and into 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.319 his wonderful 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.819 light 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:34.660 so the 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.279 first challenge 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.619 of these 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.019 verses 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.839 is live up 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.059 to your 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.480 calling 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:40.019 live up 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.259 to your 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.619 calling 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:42.240 are we 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.660 living up 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:42.899 to our 00:27:42.899 --> 00:27:43.220 calling 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.660 as God's 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.000 people 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:46.900 and secondly 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.460 the comfort 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:47.880 of these 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.259 verses 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:50.180 the 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:50.579 initiative 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.359 all the 00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:51.759 way through 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.079 these 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.539 chapters 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.559 is the 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.240 Lord's 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:57.259 this God 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.240 who never 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.960 changes 00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.779 who is the 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.640 same yesterday 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.259 today and 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.779 forever and 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.700 is full of 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.579 steadfast love 00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:04.059 towards his 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.700 people is 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.039 why we 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.039 opened with 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.359 the song 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:06.599 that we 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.319 opened with 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:09.420 the Lord 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.160 the Lord 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:10.839 the Lord 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:11.359 the Lord 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:11.940 the Spirit 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.500 of the Lord 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.160 all the way 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:13.599 through this 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.039 chapter 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.919 the great 00:28:14.919 --> 00:28:15.480 and gracious 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:15.980 and loving 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.599 initiator 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.419 in these 00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:18.119 chapters 00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:19.980 is the 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.359 same who 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:20.619 is the 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:20.959 gracious 00:28:20.959 --> 00:28:21.419 loving 00:28:21.419 --> 00:28:22.119 initiator 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:23.000 in the 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.379 whole of 00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:23.759 history 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:25.000 is this 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.839 great 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:26.719 God 00:28:26.719 --> 00:28:27.439 the Lord 00:28:27.439 --> 00:28:28.919 the Lord 00:28:28.919 --> 00:28:29.339 the one 00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:30.419 who raised 00:28:30.419 --> 00:28:30.799 up a 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.219 saviour 00:28:31.219 --> 00:28:32.000 for a 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.399 people who 00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:32.879 were not 00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:33.500 interested 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.059 who were 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.599 not calling 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:34.980 out to 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.379 him who 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:35.879 raised up 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.319 a saviour 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:36.619 for his 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:36.980 people 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:38.480 it's another 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:38.980 wonderful 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.839 gospel truth 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.279 for us to 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.679 grasp 00:28:40.679 --> 00:28:42.099 it's exactly 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.619 what we see 00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:42.819 in the 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.240 Lord Jesus 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.640 Christ 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:43.880 and we'll 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.240 come back 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.539 to that 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:44.740 in a 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:44.920 minute 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.740 that when 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.019 we were 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.400 not looking 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:46.960 for God 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.720 God came 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.299 looking for 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:48.900 us and 00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:49.740 saved us 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:51.079 it's another 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:52.160 wonderful thought 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:53.019 to think about 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.539 this evening 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.319 that God 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.539 did not wait 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:55.980 for us to 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.259 make the 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.880 first move 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:58.259 because we 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.579 wouldn't have 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:58.880 made the 00:28:58.880 --> 00:28:59.279 first move 00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.900 towards him 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:01.200 but he 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.519 stepped down 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.480 and acted 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.559 to save 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:04.960 us 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:07.180 the Lord 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.859 who heard 00:29:07.859 --> 00:29:08.460 Manoah's 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:08.920 prayer 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:10.380 the Lord 00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:10.800 who sent 00:29:10.800 --> 00:29:11.440 his spirit 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:11.759 upon 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.340 Samson 00:29:12.340 --> 00:29:12.940 time and 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.560 time again 00:29:13.560 --> 00:29:14.300 to accomplish 00:29:14.300 --> 00:29:14.960 his people's 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:15.660 deliverance 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.420 and look at 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.080 the very last 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:17.500 verse of 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.340 chapter 15 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:48.339 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:48.740 lives 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:50.299 that our God 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.819 is big 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.220 enough 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:52.619 he is 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.419 sovereign over 00:29:53.419 --> 00:29:54.319 not just 00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:55.299 the things 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.619 of this 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:55.899 chapter 00:29:55.899 --> 00:29:56.259 he is 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:56.539 sovereign 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.059 over all 00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:57.619 of life 00:29:57.619 --> 00:30:00.559 all of 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:00.859 life 00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:01.359 he is 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:01.659 sovereign 00:30:01.659 --> 00:30:02.139 over our 00:30:02.139 --> 00:30:02.839 problems 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:06.079 but the 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.579 other truth 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:06.899 is that 00:30:06.899 --> 00:30:07.179 he is 00:30:07.179 --> 00:30:07.480 near 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:09.319 he is 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:09.619 near 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:11.099 he is 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:11.519 near to 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:11.679 us 00:30:11.679 --> 00:30:11.899 in our 00:30:11.899 --> 00:30:12.500 problems 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.879 I think 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.000 it's 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.259 J.I. 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:14.639 Packer 00:30:14.639 --> 00:30:15.199 who famously 00:30:15.199 --> 00:30:15.919 called God 00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:16.220 the one 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:16.500 who is 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.039 majestic 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.939 and the 00:30:17.939 --> 00:30:18.220 one who 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.339 is 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:18.779 personal 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.399 that is 00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:19.720 the God 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:19.939 that we 00:30:19.939 --> 00:30:20.099 meet 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:20.379 here 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:20.959 that is 00:30:20.959 --> 00:30:21.119 our 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:21.480 God 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.819 as the 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.199 old hymn 00:30:23.199 --> 00:30:23.939 puts it 00:30:23.939 --> 00:30:25.339 grace 00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:26.339 grace 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.359 God's 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:27.799 grace 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:29.240 grace 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.559 that will 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:30.000 pardon 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.599 and cleanse 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:30.980 within 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.659 grace 00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:32.259 grace 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.779 God's 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.279 grace 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.319 grace 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:34.720 that is 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.140 greater 00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:36.019 than all 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.559 our sin 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:38.119 what loving 00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:38.680 grace 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.319 the Lord 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:39.960 shows his 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.660 people here 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.019 what a 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.379 wonderful 00:30:41.379 --> 00:30:41.839 God we 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:42.160 have 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:43.819 and the 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.579 lesson here 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.859 the big 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.859 thrust of 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:47.519 this passage 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:47.900 to the 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.180 readers 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.640 is come 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.079 to this 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:49.460 God 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:51.019 don't trust 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:51.640 in people 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.879 don't trust 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:53.579 in yourselves 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.700 don't trust 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.000 in the 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.420 nations 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:55.960 round about 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.140 you 00:30:56.140 --> 00:30:56.819 don't 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:58.339 trust in 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:58.799 anything 00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.700 but this 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.059 God 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:01.579 this gracious 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.160 God 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:03.580 come to 00:31:03.580 --> 00:31:03.759 him 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:03.960 this 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.259 evening 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.860 come 00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:05.060 to 00:31:05.060 --> 00:31:05.380 him 00:31:05.380 --> 00:31:07.180 foregrounds 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.320 for 00:31:07.320 --> 00:31:07.840 optimism 00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:08.820 four 00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:09.180 reasons 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.420 to 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:09.759 sigh 00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.460 two 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:10.820 truths 00:31:10.820 --> 00:31:11.000 to 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.320 ponder 00:31:11.320 --> 00:31:12.040 but as 00:31:12.040 --> 00:31:12.420 we leave 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:12.920 this chapter 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.480 this evening 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:13.920 let me 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:14.279 leave you 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:14.759 with one 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.100 longing 00:31:15.100 --> 00:31:15.720 to have 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:17.640 here's our 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:18.320 question again 00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:19.019 will the talk 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.580 of Samson's 00:31:19.580 --> 00:31:19.980 birth be 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.519 matched by the 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:20.860 walk of 00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:21.320 Samson's 00:31:21.320 --> 00:31:21.580 life 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:21.940 here's the 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.420 one longing 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:23.019 to have 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:25.700 what are we 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:26.180 left longing 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:26.660 for at the 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.040 end of these 00:31:27.040 --> 00:31:27.540 chapters 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:29.500 we're left 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:29.960 longing for 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.559 a saviour 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:32.700 a saviour 00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:33.240 where the 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.960 talk of 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:34.779 his birth 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:36.659 matches up 00:31:36.659 --> 00:31:37.039 to the 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:37.480 walk of 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.099 his life 00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:39.299 that's the 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:39.740 saviour that 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.220 God's people 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.599 need 00:31:40.599 --> 00:31:42.339 and that's 00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:42.839 the saviour 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.279 that this 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:44.240 gracious God 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.700 one day 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.420 provided 00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:46.559 now I don't 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:46.940 know how you 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.599 felt as you 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.079 read chapter 00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:48.819 13 but I 00:31:48.819 --> 00:31:49.480 felt very 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.059 Christmassy 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:51.619 felt like I 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:51.879 should be 00:31:51.879 --> 00:31:52.180 putting on 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.579 my Christmas 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:52.980 jumper 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.519 getting the 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.319 crackers on 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.460 anyone else 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.119 feel Christmassy 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:57.139 chapter 13 00:31:57.140 --> 00:32:00.100 striking 00:32:00.100 --> 00:32:00.860 similarities 00:32:00.860 --> 00:32:01.440 striking 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.080 similarities 00:32:02.080 --> 00:32:02.640 between the 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.680 two births 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.440 an angelic 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:04.980 appearance to 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.680 the parents 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:07.220 the announcement 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:08.180 of a saviour 00:32:08.180 --> 00:32:09.860 Jesus the 00:32:09.860 --> 00:32:10.740 name meaning 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.420 that God 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.259 saves 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:14.180 that's what 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:14.680 that boy 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.620 was called 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.120 to do 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:17.460 striking 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.160 similarities 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.560 but one 00:32:19.560 --> 00:32:20.080 striking 00:32:20.080 --> 00:32:20.880 difference 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:22.680 Samson's 00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.100 mindset 00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:25.560 not your 00:32:25.560 --> 00:32:25.900 will be 00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:26.460 done God 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:27.960 but my 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.279 will be 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:28.840 done God 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:30.440 Jesus 00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:30.779 throughout 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.600 the entirety 00:32:31.600 --> 00:32:32.039 of his 00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:32.480 life 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.779 tempted in 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.140 the wilderness 00:32:34.140 --> 00:32:34.660 by the 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:34.980 devil 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:36.000 tempted in 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.400 the garden 00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:37.120 of Gethsemane 00:32:37.120 --> 00:32:37.519 and yet 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:37.940 what was 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.519 his cry 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:40.460 not my 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:40.819 will be 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.200 done Lord 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:41.640 not my 00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:41.940 will 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.840 but your 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:43.720 will be 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.019 done 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:46.160 and so 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:46.759 obedient was 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.259 he that it 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.720 took him to 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.319 the cross 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.779 where he died 00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.460 for our sin 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:52.420 three days 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:52.880 later he 00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:53.420 rose again 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:53.920 and he rules 00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.440 and he reigns 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.180 this is the 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:55.620 saviour that 00:32:55.620 --> 00:32:56.100 God's people 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.460 need 00:32:56.460 --> 00:33:00.360 the model 00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:01.039 Israelite 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.700 the king 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.080 who lives 00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:03.440 forever 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.480 and the 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:05.299 saviour who 00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:05.759 has won 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.759 lasting 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.559 rest 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:08.299 for his 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:08.660 people 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:10.140 will 00:33:10.140 --> 00:33:11.380 the talk 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:12.000 of Samson's 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.340 birth 00:33:12.340 --> 00:33:13.500 live up 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.279 to the walk 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:14.840 of Samson's 00:33:14.840 --> 00:33:15.100 life 00:33:15.100 --> 00:33:15.380 no 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:17.019 but will 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:17.720 the talk 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.299 of Jesus' 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:18.900 birth 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:19.799 live up 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.559 to the walk 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:20.960 of Jesus' 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.500 life 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.420 gloriously 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:22.920 yes 00:33:22.920 --> 00:33:25.220 so we 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:25.519 sing 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:26.100 oh come 00:33:26.100 --> 00:33:26.580 all ye 00:33:26.580 --> 00:33:27.100 faithful 00:33:27.100 --> 00:33:28.340 joyful 00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:29.300 and triumphant 00:33:29.300 --> 00:33:30.340 come ye 00:33:30.340 --> 00:33:30.880 oh come 00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:31.259 ye to 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.820 Bethlehem 00:33:31.820 --> 00:33:32.259 come and 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:32.960 behold him 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:34.400 born the 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:34.860 king of 00:33:34.860 --> 00:33:35.440 angels 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.600 oh come 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:36.960 let us 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.560 adore him 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:38.820 oh come 00:33:38.820 --> 00:33:39.320 let us 00:33:39.320 --> 00:33:39.880 adore him 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.740 oh come 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.200 let us 00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:41.820 adore him 00:33:41.820 --> 00:33:42.900 Christ 00:33:42.900 --> 00:33:44.000 the Lord 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:45.259 let's pray 00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:45.660 together 00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:50.400 and so 00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:50.820 father we 00:33:50.820 --> 00:33:51.140 thank you 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:51.540 so much 00:33:51.540 --> 00:33:51.940 lord for 00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:52.160 this 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.500 evening 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:54.420 and lord 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:54.860 we pray 00:33:54.860 --> 00:33:56.140 for the 00:33:56.140 --> 00:33:56.740 truths that 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:56.980 we have 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.340 seen in 00:33:57.340 --> 00:33:57.680 your word 00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:57.900 this 00:33:57.900 --> 00:33:58.200 evening 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:59.540 father that 00:33:59.540 --> 00:33:59.820 they would 00:33:59.820 --> 00:34:00.500 resonate in 00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:01.000 our hearts 00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:02.019 way beyond 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:02.720 when we 00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.240 leave this 00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:03.759 building 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.320 this evening 00:34:04.320 --> 00:34:05.759 father may 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:06.360 we be drawn 00:34:06.360 --> 00:34:06.920 to put our 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:08.000 trust in 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.320 the god 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:08.579 who is 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.119 above all 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:09.639 things 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.480 and know 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.200 the peace 00:34:11.200 --> 00:34:12.340 of the god 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:12.940 who is right 00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.659 beside us 00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:14.659 so father 00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.299 thank you 00:34:15.299 --> 00:34:16.139 for your 00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:16.539 words 00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:17.579 father thank 00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:17.839 you for 00:34:17.839 --> 00:34:18.460 your truth 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:20.379 go with us 00:34:20.379 --> 00:34:20.980 now we ask 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:21.460 because we 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:21.839 ask in 00:34:21.839 --> 00:34:22.440 jesus name 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:23.319 amen