WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.120 Let's pray first before we begin. 00:00:05.839 --> 00:00:14.419 Father God, we want to see the way you work so amazingly, so out of our expectation. 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:24.900 And we want to know you in a deeper way through the reading of your word and understanding of your word this morning. 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:29.339 May you have mercy on us and change us through your Holy Spirit. 00:00:29.339 --> 00:00:32.060 We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:34.359 --> 00:00:41.780 Samson, while this is a well-known story, do you know that it is not actually read in the Jewish synagogue at all? 00:00:42.259 --> 00:00:52.579 They don't want to read this story because they consider such an immoral story that it's not a good thing to read publicly. 00:00:52.579 --> 00:01:05.679 And so that if our hope is in a religion, then the story of Samson is not a good story to read or to tell the children about. 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:19.920 But by God's grace, we know that none of us get to know God or become pleasing to God in the things that we do. 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:24.340 And that's exactly why the story of Samson is in the Bible. 00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:41.659 And we also read in the book of Hebrews that Samson was one of those Old Testament people who received commendation from God and who is also now part of the great cloud of witnesses who are cheering us on to finish the race. 00:01:41.659 --> 00:01:45.700 So should we see Samson as a villain or hero? 00:01:46.759 --> 00:01:48.259 I think neither. 00:01:48.599 --> 00:01:49.840 The answer would be neither. 00:01:49.979 --> 00:01:57.759 I think Samson is just an ordinary man, a fallen man whose life was made extraordinary by God's grace. 00:01:58.400 --> 00:02:01.719 He is more like a servant of faith than a hero of faith. 00:02:02.179 --> 00:02:09.500 His life was not there to tell us how great he was, but his life was there to reveal the glory of God. 00:02:09.500 --> 00:02:16.919 So to help us remember the story, I will divide it into four parts represented by four women. 00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:26.300 The promise to a mother, the pursuit of a wife, the pleasure from a prostitute, and the play acting with Delilah. 00:02:27.300 --> 00:02:29.580 So part one is the promise to a mother. 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:37.139 So we know that Samson's parents lived at a time when people did what was right in their own eyes. 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:41.399 And that is not something surprising or new. 00:02:41.399 --> 00:02:54.879 Even before they went to the promised land, Moses already told them that they were living to doing what was right in their own eyes instead of in God's eyes. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:03:02.079 So in Deuteronomy chapter 12, verse 8, Moses said, 00:03:02.500 --> 00:03:08.519 A day would be coming when God's people would not be doing whatever is right in their own eyes. 00:03:08.939 --> 00:03:16.000 So Moses is promising that there will be such a day, but a day hasn't come yet or has not come during the time of judges. 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:22.019 Because that day would come when God gave them rest from all their enemies. 00:03:22.020 --> 00:03:28.320 So in the time of judges, even though they were able to subdue some of their enemies, 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:32.560 but there are still some nations they could not overcome. 00:03:33.300 --> 00:03:42.560 And God did leave those nations there to test his people, to show them they could not save themselves by their own strength. 00:03:44.040 --> 00:03:50.920 So we were told that Samson's parents were infertile until God appeared and promised them that a son would be born to them. 00:03:50.919 --> 00:04:01.399 In the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, there are many people that we know of born from infertile parents, 00:04:01.639 --> 00:04:04.879 and that is a recurrent theme. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:09.659 So Sarah was infertile before she gave birth to Isaac. 00:04:10.459 --> 00:04:15.659 Rebecca was infertile before she gave birth to Esau and Jacob. 00:04:15.659 --> 00:04:21.019 And Rachel was infertile before she had Joseph and Benjamin. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:25.959 And Hannah was infertile before Samuel's birth. 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:35.159 So this desperate lay of children, in a way, show us that we need a promised son, 00:04:35.579 --> 00:04:40.439 someone that God has promised back in Genesis 3, 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:47.039 that there will be a son born to a woman who would crush the head of the serpent 00:04:47.039 --> 00:04:50.560 and deliver his people from the bondage of sin. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:54.540 And that is the son that we've been waiting for. 00:04:56.839 --> 00:05:00.939 Until then, we will not have the ultimate rest from the enemies. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:06.439 These great difficulties in having children imply our inability to produce a son. 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:11.819 When the promised son eventually came, he did not need any human effort to be conceived. 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:15.980 Mary did not even require a man to conceive Jesus. 00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:20.620 We read in Judges 13, 3-5, 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:25.360 The angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, 00:05:25.800 --> 00:05:28.780 Behold, you are barren and have not born children, 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:31.560 but you shall conceive and bear a son. 00:05:32.180 --> 00:05:36.240 Therefore, be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:38.300 and eat nothing unclean. 00:05:38.640 --> 00:05:41.759 For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:46.079 No razor shall come upon his head, 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:50.560 for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:55.139 and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines. 00:05:56.120 --> 00:06:00.719 So God told Samson's parents that they would be given a son, 00:06:01.039 --> 00:06:05.759 and this son was to be set apart to serve God, a Nazirite. 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:11.680 A sign of this being set apart is having his hair uncut, 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:16.360 and a Nazirite also should not be touching anything that is dead, 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:18.180 or having alcohol. 00:06:21.719 --> 00:06:26.939 So that is the sign given for Samson, 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:31.759 to be showing people that he set apart for God. 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:37.639 When a similar promise was given to Mary about her giving birth to a son 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:39.219 who would save his people, 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:42.920 there was no condition mentioned about how this son should live. 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:46.920 We know that Jesus did not need any rule applied to him 00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:48.800 for him to be different to the world. 00:06:49.219 --> 00:06:51.099 Jesus loved God with all his heart, 00:06:51.459 --> 00:06:53.279 so he would naturally be different to the world. 00:06:53.779 --> 00:06:56.800 But Samson, just like us, 00:06:56.959 --> 00:06:58.500 naturally loved the way of the world, 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:03.779 so his long hair and his other conditions is a reminder to him 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:06.779 and others that he was supposed to serve God 00:07:06.779 --> 00:07:08.379 and not his own pleasure. 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:10.220 So that's part one. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:12.660 Part two, the pursuit of a wife. 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:14.199 So Samson grew up, 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:16.319 and God was preparing him to be a judge. 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:21.920 And we read in Judges 13, 24 to 25, 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:23.680 and the young man grew, 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:25.620 and the Lord blessed him, 00:07:25.980 --> 00:07:30.040 and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahalidan. 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:36.020 So God was preparing him in that area near the Philistine. 00:07:37.300 --> 00:07:40.379 But we read that Samson went to Timna. 00:07:40.840 --> 00:07:44.000 So instead of staying there to prepare, 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:46.400 he went to the enemy territory. 00:07:46.960 --> 00:07:49.180 And he did not go to Timna to fight the Philistine. 00:07:49.400 --> 00:07:50.439 He went there for pleasure. 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:53.879 So he saw a Philistine woman and wanted to marry her. 00:07:54.779 --> 00:07:56.480 Despite his parents' strong objection, 00:07:56.939 --> 00:07:58.399 he went ahead with the wedding. 00:07:59.339 --> 00:08:00.600 Samson told his parents, 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:02.420 Get her for me, 00:08:02.899 --> 00:08:06.079 for she is right in my eyes. 00:08:07.259 --> 00:08:10.639 Samson thought his happiness was the most important thing to him 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:12.579 and also to his parents. 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:16.079 So he insisted to get what he wanted. 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:18.459 But God has set him apart. 00:08:18.459 --> 00:08:22.379 What was important to him was to be holy. 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:26.579 His parents might remember Joshua's warning, 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:28.500 but they could not act on it. 00:08:28.919 --> 00:08:29.239 Joshua, 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:34.639 after they went and entered into the promised land, 00:08:35.439 --> 00:08:36.679 Joshua gave them a warning. 00:08:37.059 --> 00:08:40.819 In Joshua chapter 23, verses 11 to 13, 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:43.480 Joshua said, 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:44.920 Be very careful, 00:08:44.920 --> 00:08:45.379 Be very careful, therefore, 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:46.980 to love the Lord your God, 00:08:47.300 --> 00:08:50.879 for if you turn back and cling to the remnants of these nations 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:52.259 remaining among you, 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:54.560 and make marriages with them, 00:08:55.060 --> 00:08:57.779 so that you associate with them and they with you, 00:08:58.139 --> 00:09:00.340 know for certain that the Lord your God 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:03.120 will no longer drive up these nations before you. 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:06.440 But they shall be a snare and a trap for you, 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:10.340 a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:13.419 until you perish of this good ground 00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:16.240 that the Lord your God has given you. 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:18.240 So Joshua's, 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:20.820 the warning in Joshua 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:23.960 was there, 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:25.620 but people just couldn't follow it. 00:09:25.940 --> 00:09:26.360 In particular, 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:28.600 it said that there will be the thorns in your eyes 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:30.900 and we would see the effects 00:09:30.900 --> 00:09:35.980 of what Samson was doing eventually. 00:09:36.400 --> 00:09:37.759 So he went to Timna, 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:40.600 and there is a place that he shouldn't have gone to. 00:09:42.180 --> 00:09:45.060 But God sent a lion on the way, 00:09:45.680 --> 00:09:47.639 or the second time when he was going there, 00:09:48.800 --> 00:09:50.360 perhaps to tell Samson 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:53.680 not to expect a good time in Timna. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:56.980 He might overcome opposition with his strength, 00:09:57.420 --> 00:09:58.680 but he may not be happy 00:09:58.680 --> 00:10:01.019 without how the event would unfold. 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.160 God's purpose for Samson 00:10:04.160 --> 00:10:06.240 to be a saviour would be fulfilled, 00:10:06.780 --> 00:10:09.400 whether Samson lived by God's way 00:10:09.400 --> 00:10:12.139 or his own way. 00:10:13.180 --> 00:10:14.639 Samson killed the lion easily, 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:16.540 and some days later, 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:17.639 he obtained some honey 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:19.820 from the carcass of the lion. 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:21.780 So remember, as a Nazi, right, 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:24.399 he was not supposed to touch anything dead, 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:25.240 but he just didn't care. 00:10:25.699 --> 00:10:27.879 Samson just did whatever 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:29.559 that was piercing to him. 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:30.799 Because in his days, 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:32.679 sugar is very hard to get by, 00:10:32.839 --> 00:10:33.899 and getting something sweet 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:37.419 is a special treat. 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:40.019 But from the honey, 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:41.659 he came up with a riddle 00:10:41.659 --> 00:10:43.019 to tease the Philistines 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:44.819 in the wedding day. 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:47.640 So in Judges 14, 14, 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:49.120 Samson said to them, 00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:50.540 out of the eater 00:10:50.540 --> 00:10:52.379 came something sweet to eat. 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.620 Out of the strong 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.879 came something sweet. 00:10:55.820 --> 00:10:56.940 And in three days, 00:10:57.260 --> 00:10:58.480 they could not solve the riddle. 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:00.500 So the riddle 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.800 might just be a joke 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:02.800 for Samson, 00:11:03.160 --> 00:11:05.060 but there is an important truth in it. 00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:06.800 Samson was saying that 00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:07.960 a strong lion, 00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:10.040 instead of eating others for food, 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:12.000 became a source of sweet food 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:12.679 for others. 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:14.539 Samson would certainly 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:16.440 not give up his own pursuits 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:17.580 to sweeten the life 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:18.399 of other people. 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:20.299 From the strength of Samson, 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:22.480 there was only death 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:23.419 to his opponents. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:25.820 But this riddle was a prophecy 00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:27.240 about a strong person 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:29.279 who would give his body 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:30.779 to be food for his enemies. 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:32.659 Not only for food, 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:33.659 but sweet food. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.500 Food that restores our soul. 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:38.139 Sometimes we might dream 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.519 that God would give us power 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.600 so that we could maintain 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:41.840 justice in the world, 00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:43.820 God is showing us that 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:45.379 when we have power 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.659 like Samson had, 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:47.820 we are more likely 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.000 to live like Samson, 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:51.220 using power to gratify 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:52.580 the desires of our hearts. 00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:53.940 It is only in Jesus 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:54.799 that we see 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:55.860 how something sweet 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:58.159 came out with his strength. 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:01.240 Because of Samson's strength, 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:02.539 he could kill the lion. 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:04.139 From the dead lion, 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.080 he found some honey. 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:07.279 From the honey, 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:09.799 he thought of a riddle. 00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:11.479 And through this riddle, 00:12:11.939 --> 00:12:12.939 a war broke up 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:15.120 between Samson and the Philistines. 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.719 So without knowing it, 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:17.859 or meaning it, 00:12:18.079 --> 00:12:19.479 Samson began his role 00:12:19.479 --> 00:12:20.359 as a judge 00:12:20.359 --> 00:12:22.219 to subdue the Philistines. 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:23.579 So start with, 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:25.199 Samson killed 00:12:25.199 --> 00:12:26.259 the Philistine man 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:27.240 and destroyed the crop. 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:29.779 So by the end of part two, 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:32.060 Samson lost his wife. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.820 His fun time in Timnah 00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:34.460 turned sour. 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:36.419 He was not interested 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:37.779 in fighting the Philistines 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:39.139 to deliver his people. 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.399 He just wanted to revenge. 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.019 And he said, 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:42.980 after another fight, 00:12:43.060 --> 00:12:43.600 he would quit. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:46.060 It was no fun anymore. 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:48.239 So in Judges 15, 00:12:48.439 --> 00:12:49.479 verses 7 to 8, 00:12:49.599 --> 00:12:49.939 we read, 00:12:50.339 --> 00:12:51.519 Samson said to them, 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:53.479 if this is what you do, 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:56.359 I swear I will be avenged on you, 00:12:56.579 --> 00:12:57.859 and after that I will quit. 00:12:58.699 --> 00:13:00.599 And he struck them hip and thigh 00:13:00.599 --> 00:13:01.979 with a great blow, 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.199 and he went down 00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:03.799 and stayed 00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:04.679 in the cleft 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:06.299 of the rock of Etem. 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:08.379 However, 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:09.799 the Lord did not let him quit. 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:11.259 The Philistines used 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:12.339 Samson's own people 00:13:12.339 --> 00:13:13.099 to struck him down. 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:16.200 So another fight broke out. 00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:17.180 This time, 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:19.740 we hear Samson pray to the Lord 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:21.379 as he was dying of thirst 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:23.440 after killing a thousand enemies. 00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:25.779 This prayer revealed to us 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:27.820 that Samson had some knowledge of God, 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:30.820 and he stayed on as a judge 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:32.120 for 20 years after that. 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.540 So his role as a judge 00:13:33.540 --> 00:13:35.540 seemed to have started 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:36.220 with a prayer, 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:37.779 and then we will see 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:38.720 that it will end 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:40.000 with another prayer. 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:42.740 So we go to part three, 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:44.360 the pleasure from a prostitute. 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.419 So what was life like 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:47.580 for the Israelites 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:49.659 during Samson's time 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:50.340 as a judge? 00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:52.340 We are not told the details, 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:53.899 but in chapter 16, 00:13:54.060 --> 00:13:55.340 only the first few verses, 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:57.139 we see that Samson 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:59.019 could just walk 00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:01.100 into one of the five capitals 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:03.139 of the Philistines 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.399 without any care. 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.120 The Philistines 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:06.600 were at least 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.639 no match with Samson. 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.000 We also see that Samson 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:10.960 remained the same 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:11.900 as far as living 00:14:11.900 --> 00:14:13.240 for the pleasure 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:14.500 of his eyes is concerned. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:16.019 He saw a prostitute 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:16.600 in Gaza, 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:18.400 and he slept with her. 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:21.000 Then Samson left the city 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.300 by simply taking down 00:14:22.300 --> 00:14:23.040 the city gates 00:14:23.040 --> 00:14:23.759 with his hands 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.940 and carried them 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:26.780 back to Israel's territory. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:28.740 However, 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:29.660 the Philistines 00:14:29.660 --> 00:14:30.960 were not destroyed 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:32.180 or chased out of the area. 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:33.879 The Philistines 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:34.540 and the Israelites 00:14:34.540 --> 00:14:35.500 were in a state 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:38.160 of hostile coexistence. 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:40.100 power seemed to have 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:40.719 made Samson 00:14:40.719 --> 00:14:41.620 a lone ranger. 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:42.579 He did not seem 00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:43.279 to consult 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:44.799 either his parents 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:45.539 or his peers 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.699 for any of his actions. 00:14:47.959 --> 00:14:48.579 So last week 00:14:48.579 --> 00:14:49.179 from the story 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:49.879 of Jephthah, 00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:51.360 Rob was telling us 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.079 the futility 00:14:52.079 --> 00:14:53.059 and foolishness 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:54.419 to use religion 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.559 to get what we want. 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.179 So Jephthah, 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.679 to ensure his success 00:14:58.679 --> 00:15:00.179 in fighting the Amalekites, 00:15:00.939 --> 00:15:02.100 he make a stupid vow 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:03.319 as if God 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:04.299 would only help him 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:06.019 if God was impressed 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.519 with his sacrifice 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:08.419 or his bargain. 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:11.240 Samson did not need 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:11.979 to make any vow. 00:15:12.079 --> 00:15:12.740 He knew that he would 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.319 be successful 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:15.479 fighting with any enemy. 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:17.199 So Jephthah 00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:20.120 was using religion 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:22.419 to try to bargain 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:22.839 with God. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:23.979 Samson 00:15:23.979 --> 00:15:25.339 think that he was God. 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:25.799 Basically, 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.579 he could do anything. 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:29.959 And so he thought 00:15:29.959 --> 00:15:30.939 that he was a superman. 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:32.319 He was the army of one. 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:33.960 So when we are gifted 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:34.700 in some ways, 00:15:35.020 --> 00:15:36.180 we find it a lot easier 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:37.420 to do things on our own. 00:15:38.280 --> 00:15:38.600 However, 00:15:39.180 --> 00:15:39.960 the kingdom of God 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:40.640 is more about 00:15:40.640 --> 00:15:41.240 relationship 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:41.940 than achievement. 00:15:43.040 --> 00:15:44.020 So last week, 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:45.500 Rob was urging us 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:47.120 not to use religion 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:48.480 to try to reach God. 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:50.320 This week, 00:15:50.420 --> 00:15:50.700 I think, 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:51.400 I would urge 00:15:51.400 --> 00:15:52.060 brothers and sisters 00:15:52.060 --> 00:15:52.840 to serve God 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.560 with one another. 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.460 So we learn from those 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:56.220 who are more mature 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:56.900 and help those 00:15:56.900 --> 00:15:57.900 who are struggling a bit. 00:15:58.600 --> 00:15:59.520 It's not so much 00:15:59.520 --> 00:16:01.540 about what we achieve, 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:03.519 but how we work together 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:05.399 to live for God's glory. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:06.620 And that is 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:08.759 the way 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:10.719 of God's way 00:16:10.719 --> 00:16:11.399 for us 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.699 to live 00:16:12.699 --> 00:16:13.799 as his people. 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:16.199 So part four, 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.319 the play acting 00:16:17.319 --> 00:16:18.519 with Delilah. 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.519 So sometime later, 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.559 Samson was attracted 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:22.240 by Delilah. 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:24.500 Delilah was the only woman 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.319 given a name 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:25.919 in the story 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:26.699 of Samson. 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:28.980 But the meaning 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.600 of Delilah 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:32.020 is flirtatious. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:32.840 Flirtatious? 00:16:33.140 --> 00:16:33.280 Yeah. 00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:34.620 So it is 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.620 not likely 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.920 to be a real name. 00:16:37.040 --> 00:16:37.360 Most likely 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:37.720 it will be 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.600 a nickname. 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.320 But Samson 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:41.400 paid no attention 00:16:41.400 --> 00:16:42.080 to the warning 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:43.259 associated with her name. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:44.960 Delilah even 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.620 told Samson 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:47.040 that he was 00:16:47.040 --> 00:16:48.060 attempting to find out 00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:49.220 how to subdue him. 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:51.060 We can see 00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:51.600 that sometimes 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.680 the most gifted people 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:54.080 are the most foolish ones 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:55.440 because Samson 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.379 was acting alone. 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.280 He thought 00:16:57.280 --> 00:16:58.340 he was invincible. 00:16:59.040 --> 00:17:00.180 He did not seek advice 00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:01.280 from other people 00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:02.580 and he fell 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.400 into the trap. 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:05.759 So in Judges 16, 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.319 chapter 16, 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.559 verses 15 to 17, 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.140 we read, 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:11.340 and she said to him, 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.559 how can you say 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.259 I love you 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.600 when your heart 00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:15.980 is not with me? 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.759 You have mocked me 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.759 three times 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.840 and you have not 00:17:19.840 --> 00:17:20.380 told me 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:21.100 where your great 00:17:21.100 --> 00:17:22.660 strength lies. 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:24.240 and when she 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:26.640 pressed him hard 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:27.460 with her words 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:29.000 day after day 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:30.100 and urged him, 00:17:31.560 --> 00:17:32.820 his soul was waxed 00:17:32.820 --> 00:17:33.300 to death 00:17:33.300 --> 00:17:34.720 and he told her 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:36.460 all his heart 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.840 and said to her, 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:38.820 a razor 00:17:38.820 --> 00:17:40.140 has never come 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:41.860 upon my head 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:42.960 for I have been 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.560 a Nazirite 00:17:44.560 --> 00:17:45.040 to God 00:17:45.040 --> 00:17:46.540 from my mother's womb. 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:47.519 If my head 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:48.200 is shaved, 00:17:48.580 --> 00:17:49.340 then my strength 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:50.240 will leave me 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.560 and I shall become weak 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:53.099 and be like any other man. 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:55.399 So it was fun 00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:56.339 toying with Delilah 00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:57.579 until one day 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:59.099 Samson gave his heart 00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.720 to Delilah. 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.440 Delilah had fully 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.279 replaced God 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:04.119 as Samson's idol. 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:06.000 Samson knew God 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.659 was not there 00:18:06.659 --> 00:18:07.839 to love Samson. 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.359 She was there 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:10.480 to gain some profit 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.539 from Samson. 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.159 The cutting of 00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:14.319 his hair 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.019 is a sign 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.919 that Samson's heart 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.599 was no longer 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.179 with God. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:18.960 The Philistines 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:19.740 eventually 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.899 subdue Samson. 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:22.759 They did not 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.600 want to kill him. 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.500 They gouged out 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.060 his eyes. 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.040 They wanted to 00:18:26.040 --> 00:18:27.019 humiliate him 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.860 and display him 00:18:27.860 --> 00:18:28.420 as a sign 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.100 of their victory. 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.240 Sitting in the 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:32.320 dark dungeon, 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:34.259 Samson finally 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:34.940 lost all 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.600 that he enjoyed 00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:36.019 doing. 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:37.860 At the same time, 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.100 he was finally 00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:40.000 forced to examine 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.200 himself and his life. 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.460 Now that he did 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.160 not have eyes 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:43.580 to see, 00:18:44.060 --> 00:18:44.759 he could see 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.460 a lot more 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:46.320 than before. 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:47.620 God was 00:18:47.620 --> 00:18:48.700 merciful to him. 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:49.900 Samson began 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.440 to mature 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:50.980 and draw 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.080 closer to God. 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:52.880 His hair 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:53.640 began to grow 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:54.100 again, 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:55.140 signifying 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:56.360 he was having 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:57.120 a new beginning 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:57.620 with God. 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.039 While the 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.700 Philistines 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.620 wanted to 00:19:00.620 --> 00:19:01.140 shame him 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.740 and his God, 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:03.480 Samson asked 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.019 God to grant 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.740 him one last 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.519 request that 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.259 he could die 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.680 with the 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.299 Philistines. 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.640 He died 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.279 killing more 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:09.799 enemies 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.559 than what he 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.000 did in his 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.460 lifetime. 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:12.860 The Philistine 00:19:12.860 --> 00:19:13.600 leaders thought 00:19:13.600 --> 00:19:14.519 that they had 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.340 defeated Samson 00:19:15.340 --> 00:19:16.019 and his God. 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:17.099 they did not 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:17.819 realize that 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.420 they were 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.259 bringing death 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:19.900 into their 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:20.559 own camp 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.200 when they 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.180 captured Samson. 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.400 And Samson 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:23.879 thought that 00:19:23.879 --> 00:19:24.319 his life 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:24.839 had ended 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:25.379 when he 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:25.900 became weak 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.440 and blind. 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:27.660 He later 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.240 realized that 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:28.619 his life 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:28.980 with God 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.400 was just 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:29.920 beginning 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.539 in his 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:30.960 weakness 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:32.920 and blindness. 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.720 We had 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:38.119 a friend 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:38.920 in Tamworth 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.900 called Barrow. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.539 She passed 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.400 away last year, 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.660 a dear friend 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.019 of us. 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:47.379 she became 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:48.139 blind from 00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:48.460 macular 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.160 degeneration 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.779 for about 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.319 10 years 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.839 before her 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.099 death. 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.119 When we 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:53.940 first went 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.920 to Tamworth, 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:56.980 I didn't 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.579 have much 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.359 to do with 00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:58.799 Barrow, 00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.279 but my 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.599 wife, 00:19:59.720 --> 00:19:59.819 Lei, 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:00.460 did because 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.480 she worked 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:01.720 in the 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:01.980 kitchen. 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:03.759 And Lei 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:06.079 was quite 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.660 fearful of 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:06.920 Barrow 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:08.059 before she 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:08.599 turned blind 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.619 because Barrow 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:10.160 is a 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:10.839 professionalist 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:11.440 in terms of 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.820 when she 00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:13.299 sees things 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:13.740 not right, 00:20:13.820 --> 00:20:14.100 she would 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:15.180 say it 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:16.100 and so 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:17.100 she could 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:17.460 be quite 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.539 critical and 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.140 difficult to 00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:20.059 work with. 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.460 But after 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.039 she became 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:24.480 blind, 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:25.420 Barrow 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:26.559 just becomes 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.559 such a 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.680 nice person 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.220 to be with. 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:31.039 You just 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.039 sense of 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:32.620 her joy 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:34.660 and her 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:35.440 calmness 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:36.660 and so 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.799 it's just a 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.660 joy to be 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.100 with her. 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:39.900 I think 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:41.120 I think 00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:41.880 when she 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:42.360 could see 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:42.880 all those 00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:43.240 things that 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.700 people did 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.240 wrong, 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.680 all the 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.160 mistakes that 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:46.820 people did, 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.259 she just 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.800 couldn't 00:20:48.800 --> 00:20:50.640 resist to 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.580 try to 00:20:51.580 --> 00:20:51.900 correct 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.420 everything. 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:53.780 And that 00:20:53.780 --> 00:20:54.480 made her 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.240 quite a 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:55.540 difficult 00:20:55.540 --> 00:20:57.080 person to 00:20:57.080 --> 00:20:57.640 work or 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.100 live with. 00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.120 But when 00:20:59.120 --> 00:20:59.560 she couldn't 00:20:59.560 --> 00:21:00.320 see anymore, 00:21:02.360 --> 00:21:03.000 she just 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.560 got to 00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:04.140 change her. 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.460 And then 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:06.860 there's a 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:07.280 time when 00:21:07.280 --> 00:21:07.700 she becomes 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.700 joyful in 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.759 things. 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.240 It's not 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.960 so much 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.400 of one 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:11.580 thing, 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.140 this thing 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:12.539 must be 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:12.920 done this 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.500 way and 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.000 that way. 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.720 But she 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.480 just enjoy 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.340 people's 00:21:18.340 --> 00:21:19.860 presence and 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:20.640 enjoy God's 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:21.460 presence. 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.080 And sometimes 00:21:23.080 --> 00:21:24.059 that's how 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.480 we miss so 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.200 much by 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.180 being able to 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:28.140 see and 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:28.640 letting so 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:29.279 many things 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.620 distract us, 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.740 influence our 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:33.279 emotions, 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.039 our thoughts. 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.019 And missing 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.860 out so much 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:37.759 great things, 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.179 wonderful things 00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:39.659 that God 00:21:39.659 --> 00:21:40.159 brought into 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:40.699 our life 00:21:40.699 --> 00:21:41.839 because we 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.299 are so 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.059 insisting on 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.559 things to 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.199 be done in 00:21:44.199 --> 00:21:45.519 our ways and 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.000 not knowing 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.500 that God 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.659 has done 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:48.479 beautiful things 00:21:48.479 --> 00:21:49.000 in our life 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.279 and other 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:49.799 people's lives 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.339 that appreciate 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.779 that. 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:51.679 And this 00:21:51.679 --> 00:21:53.179 barrel's change 00:21:53.179 --> 00:21:54.399 always is a 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:55.859 lesson to 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.139 me. 00:21:57.699 --> 00:21:58.559 So was 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.179 Samson 00:21:59.179 --> 00:21:59.619 safe? 00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:00.919 So I think 00:22:00.919 --> 00:22:01.359 so because 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:01.899 it's them in 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.599 Hebrews 11. 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.939 and also 00:22:03.939 --> 00:22:04.539 the Bible 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.039 tells us 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.319 that his 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:05.919 family took 00:22:05.919 --> 00:22:06.500 his body 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.199 back to 00:22:07.199 --> 00:22:07.659 the promised 00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:08.459 land and 00:22:08.459 --> 00:22:08.980 buried him 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.259 there. 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.099 So when 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.399 the Old 00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:10.719 Testament 00:22:10.719 --> 00:22:11.939 tells us 00:22:11.939 --> 00:22:12.339 that someone 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:12.980 is buried, 00:22:13.679 --> 00:22:13.899 that is 00:22:13.899 --> 00:22:14.240 meaning. 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:14.599 It's not 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:16.879 just tell us 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.119 that it's 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:17.399 buried. 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.339 But it 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:18.779 tells us 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.240 that this 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.759 person is 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.199 buried in 00:22:20.199 --> 00:22:20.859 that land 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.279 when God 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.759 has promised 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.959 that they 00:22:22.959 --> 00:22:23.559 have this 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:23.939 hope of 00:22:23.939 --> 00:22:24.519 resurrection. 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:25.539 That's 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.099 special. 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:26.740 And that's 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.379 why we see 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:29.059 when Jacob 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.539 went down 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.099 to Egypt, 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:31.359 before he 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:31.740 died, 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.779 he asked 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:34.839 Joseph to 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.500 promise that 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.180 he must 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:36.640 bring his 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.400 body back 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.740 to the 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.079 promised 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.420 land to 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:40.859 be buried 00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:41.120 there. 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.480 It's so 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.599 important for 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.059 him because 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.380 he's got 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:43.940 this hope 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:45.220 of glory 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.799 and that's 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.660 what God's 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.220 people are 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.120 looking for. 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.380 So when 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.819 we read 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:54.799 Hebrews, 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:55.700 we admire 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.220 the faith 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:56.660 of people 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:57.240 like Abraham, 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:57.880 Moses, 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.579 and Gideon, 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.700 but we 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.000 find it 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.559 difficult to 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:01.299 see how 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.960 Samson could 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.539 be included 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:03.119 in this 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:03.500 list. 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:04.940 So the 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:05.359 fact that 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:05.980 Samson is 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.919 included in 00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:07.359 the list 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.859 tells us 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.279 that their 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:08.819 faith was 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.200 not their 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:09.500 own, 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.099 but it 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.460 came from 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:10.799 God. 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:11.879 And if 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.279 you meet 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.079 people like 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.740 Moses or 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.659 Abraham in 00:23:14.659 --> 00:23:15.159 heaven and 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:15.700 praise them 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.039 for their 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.339 faith, 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.000 they will 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.419 tell you 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:18.019 that it 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.720 was all 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:18.980 God's 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.299 grace. 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.579 They will 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.099 not boast 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:22.399 in their 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:22.700 faith, 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.279 but they 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.700 will tell 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.039 you that 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.619 the founder 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:25.259 and perfecter 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.519 of their 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.139 faith is 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:26.440 the Lord 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:26.680 Jesus 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.180 Christ. 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:28.680 their 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.220 lives were 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.560 just a 00:23:29.560 --> 00:23:29.980 shadow of 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.299 the coming 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:30.980 king and 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.500 serve as 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.039 encouragement 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.539 to us. 00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:33.500 If God 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.080 can save 00:23:34.080 --> 00:23:34.980 Samson and 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.620 use him for 00:23:35.620 --> 00:23:36.420 his purpose, 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.180 he can do 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:37.740 the same for 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.360 any of us. 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.580 So in 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.320 Hebrews 12 00:23:40.320 --> 00:23:42.000 verses 1 to 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.640 2 we read, 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.299 Therefore, 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.080 since we are 00:23:44.080 --> 00:23:44.759 surrounded by 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.860 so great a 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.240 cloud of 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.660 weaknesses, 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.779 let us also 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.360 lay aside 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:49.960 every weight 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.660 and sin 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.440 which clings 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.400 so closely 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:53.360 and let us 00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:54.720 run with 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.759 endurance the 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.279 race that is 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.039 set before us. 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.860 looking to 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.200 Jesus, 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:58.900 the founder 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.700 and perfecter 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.820 of our 00:24:00.820 --> 00:24:01.160 faith, 00:24:01.580 --> 00:24:01.960 who for 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.400 the joy 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:02.740 that was 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.340 set before 00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:03.740 him, 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:04.480 endured 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:04.980 the cross 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.759 despising 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.560 the shame 00:24:06.560 --> 00:24:07.240 and is 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.680 seated at 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.039 the right 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.380 hand of 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:08.720 the front 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.279 of God. 00:24:10.060 --> 00:24:10.539 So even 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.500 Samson is 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.380 among the 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:12.759 cloud of 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.140 weaknesses 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:14.360 and we 00:24:14.360 --> 00:24:15.060 see him 00:24:15.060 --> 00:24:15.480 and we 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:15.960 want to 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.460 lay aside 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.039 every weight 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.700 and sin 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.640 that clings 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.320 so closely. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.160 We don't 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:20.400 want to 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:20.920 live like 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:21.700 Samson. 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:22.940 And let us 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.539 run with 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.380 endurance the 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:24.820 race that is 00:24:24.820 --> 00:24:25.539 set before us 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.000 looking to 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:26.380 Jesus. 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.560 Does it 00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.060 seem unfair 00:24:29.060 --> 00:24:29.539 that Samson 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.039 still had 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.340 the hope 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:30.779 of glory 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.740 despite his 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.440 disobedient 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:32.779 living? 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.200 In a way 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:34.860 it is unfair. 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.080 It was the 00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:36.420 obedient 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:36.860 living of 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.460 Jesus Christ 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:37.860 that gave 00:24:37.860 --> 00:24:38.279 us and 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.779 Samson the 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.120 hope of 00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:39.480 glory. 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.120 In another 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.600 way though, 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.420 the one 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.580 who lost out 00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:45.180 the most of 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.900 Samson himself 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.279 when he 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.880 lived in 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.560 disobedience, 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.600 he missed 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.840 out so much 00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.680 joy of the 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:52.180 Lord when he 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.880 was blinded by 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:53.340 the pleasure 00:24:53.340 --> 00:24:53.860 of the world. 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:55.099 Samson 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.719 refused to 00:24:55.719 --> 00:24:56.059 die to 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.439 himself. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:56.799 He wanted 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.539 to gratify 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.059 all his 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:59.019 desires. 00:24:59.719 --> 00:25:00.099 I think 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.559 if you 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.179 ask Samson 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:02.799 if he had 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.079 a good 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.459 life, 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:04.299 he would 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:04.939 tell you 00:25:04.939 --> 00:25:05.879 that he 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.579 was the 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.019 prodigal 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.659 son who 00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:08.159 squandered 00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:08.599 all his 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.059 father's 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:09.959 gifts on 00:25:09.959 --> 00:25:10.299 worthless 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.819 things. 00:25:11.699 --> 00:25:11.959 And if 00:25:11.959 --> 00:25:12.279 you ask 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.859 Samson what 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.459 the most 00:25:13.459 --> 00:25:14.599 painful 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.299 experience in 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:15.699 his life 00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:15.959 was, 00:25:16.179 --> 00:25:16.500 he would 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:16.919 no doubt 00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:17.419 say having 00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:17.899 his eyes 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:18.599 gouged up. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:19.699 However, 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.599 he would be 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:21.459 most thankful 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.460 to having 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:22.940 his eyes 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.500 gouged up. 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.240 It was 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:24.900 only when 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.319 he became 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.660 blind that 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.160 he became 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:28.059 free from 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.660 his own 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.600 sinful desires. 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.039 Despite 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.779 his flaws, 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:32.620 Samson was 00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.079 a shadow 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.519 of Jesus 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.019 in three 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.340 ways. 00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:35.120 One, 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.579 he was 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:36.079 a promised 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.620 saviour. 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:37.420 So the 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:37.940 real saviour 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.500 would come 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.360 from God 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:40.240 and be a 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.759 promise from 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.059 God. 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:41.840 Two, 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.440 he was a 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.059 strong man 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.960 and we do 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.240 need a 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.779 strong man, 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.420 a strong 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.059 saviour to 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.600 deliver us 00:25:46.600 --> 00:25:46.960 from our 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.299 enemies. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.299 Three, 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.539 he saved 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.079 his people 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.759 by dying. 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.039 So we 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.460 can only 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:52.920 be free 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.340 from the 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:53.759 curse of 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.640 law by 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.079 having a 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.620 saviour who 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.019 would die 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.559 for us. 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.579 Samson was 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.120 indeed a 00:25:59.120 --> 00:25:59.720 very flawed 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.420 example of 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:00.980 a saviour, 00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:01.519 but he did 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.000 become a 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.400 judge for 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:02.980 20 years. 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.059 Even his 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.640 prayers were 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.380 quite immature, 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.420 but at 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:06.720 least he 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.120 prayed. 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.059 And we 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.440 can see 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:08.819 this is 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.120 God's 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.380 grace. 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:09.840 God is 00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:10.259 not looking 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.900 for us 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.759 to be 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.259 perfect, 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.220 but at 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.600 least there 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:15.860 should be 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:16.500 some sign 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:16.940 of us 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.759 being changed, 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:18.680 wanting to 00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:19.640 be like 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.019 Jesus, 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.120 and wanting 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:22.819 to be 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.479 gracious to 00:26:23.479 --> 00:26:24.000 other people 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.559 as well. 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:26.579 Some people 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:26.959 may ask, 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.259 can we 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:27.639 live like 00:26:27.639 --> 00:26:28.179 Samson and 00:26:28.179 --> 00:26:28.819 expect to 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.259 be safe 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:29.539 at the 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:29.779 end? 00:26:30.739 --> 00:26:31.059 I think 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.559 we can 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.839 answer this 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.319 question with 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:34.279 two questions. 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.199 So why 00:26:35.199 --> 00:26:35.459 would you 00:26:35.459 --> 00:26:35.779 want to 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.059 look to 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.639 Samson as 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.159 an example 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:37.659 to live 00:26:37.659 --> 00:26:38.559 by when 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:38.879 we have 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:39.339 the perfect 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:39.779 saviour, 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:40.599 Jesus Christ, 00:26:40.919 --> 00:26:41.379 to look up 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:41.599 to? 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.859 Number two 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.099 is, 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:43.659 and why 00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:43.959 would you 00:26:43.959 --> 00:26:44.279 want to 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.779 drink from 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.139 the well 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.439 of this 00:26:45.439 --> 00:26:45.899 world to 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.219 quench 00:26:46.219 --> 00:26:46.819 your thirst 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.679 while there 00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:48.039 is living 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.639 water from 00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:49.000 the Lord 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.839 Jesus Christ? 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.539 Hebrews 12, 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.579 14 tells us 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.460 to strive 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.019 for peace 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.700 with everyone 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.319 and for the 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:56.720 holiness 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.599 without which 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.140 no one 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:58.740 will see 00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.099 God. 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.400 The power 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:00.880 given to 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.460 Samson was 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:01.940 an external 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.380 power. 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:02.819 There was 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.700 little internal 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.380 change in 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:05.039 Samson until 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.539 we became 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.220 blind. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.339 We do not 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:07.660 need to 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.460 become blind 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.259 or invalid 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:09.900 to change 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:10.519 from pleasure 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.079 seeking to 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.420 holiness 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:11.839 seeking, 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.740 because we 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.059 are given 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.819 power inside 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.160 us. 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:14.799 That was 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.660 why in 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:16.980 Ephesians 3, 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:18.779 the Apostle 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.160 Paul was 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:19.600 praying for 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.220 the Ephesians 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.800 that they 00:27:20.800 --> 00:27:21.200 would be 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.600 strengthened 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.060 by the 00:27:22.060 --> 00:27:22.680 Holy Spirit 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.100 in their 00:27:23.100 --> 00:27:24.240 inner being. 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:25.620 Judges is 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:25.980 a book 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.600 about our 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:27.279 fallen nature. 00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:28.700 We would 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.100 naturally 00:27:29.100 --> 00:27:29.840 reject God. 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:30.740 Even the 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.600 judges whom 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.140 got raised 00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:32.460 up to 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:32.820 save his 00:27:32.820 --> 00:27:33.519 people were 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.620 seeking their 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.140 own glory 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.779 and pleasure. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:36.640 God 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.640 himself has 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:38.120 to come 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.620 as a human 00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:39.060 to save 00:27:39.060 --> 00:27:39.300 us. 00:27:40.300 --> 00:27:40.680 It is 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.259 not a book 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.400 about external 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:42.960 behavior, 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:43.860 what we 00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:44.400 should do 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:45.220 or what we 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.860 should not 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:46.079 do. 00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:47.140 It is a 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.660 book about 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.200 our hearts. 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.799 Samson gave 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.319 all his 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:50.660 heart to 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.680 Delilah and 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.299 he became a 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:52.839 slave to 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.380 his enemy. 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:55.420 On our 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.539 Friday Bible 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:56.960 study, 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:58.180 two nights 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.380 ago, 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.720 a young 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.279 man asked 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.220 if it 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.819 was okay 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.240 to buy 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.740 shares. 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.440 Where is 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:02.779 the limit? 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.240 Is it 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:03.920 gambling or 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.160 is it 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:04.640 investment? 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.160 Is it 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:05.480 wise? 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:06.920 So there's 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.519 lots of 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.000 factors we 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.559 can consider. 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:09.920 But I 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.140 think the 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:10.720 most important 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.200 thing is 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:11.799 whatever we 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.720 do is 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.200 where is 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.759 our heart? 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.740 Whose 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.460 glory are 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:16.900 we living 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.380 for? 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.539 Otherwise 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:19.860 there will 00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:20.140 be too 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:20.680 much rules 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.220 and regulation 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:21.579 of what 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:21.920 you can 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.160 do or 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.380 what you 00:28:22.380 --> 00:28:22.720 can't 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:22.920 do. 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:23.880 We 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:25.079 look at 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:25.279 our 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:25.640 hearts. 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:27.860 God 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.839 brought 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.279 Samson 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.980 our life 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.539 of pleasure 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:33.240 seeking and 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.740 bloodshed to 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.360 a life of 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:35.900 God seeking 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.400 and shedding 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:36.759 his own 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.100 blood. 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:38.400 When the 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:38.799 Lord Jesus 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:40.140 was on the 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:40.480 cross, 00:28:40.860 --> 00:28:41.279 giving his 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.779 body and 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.240 blood to 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.799 fulfill the 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.159 righteousness 00:28:43.159 --> 00:28:43.799 of God, 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.159 that was 00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:45.619 his hour 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:46.180 of glory. 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.579 And the 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.079 Lord wants 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:48.419 to bring 00:28:48.419 --> 00:28:48.859 us there 00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:49.339 to share 00:28:49.339 --> 00:28:50.019 this glory. 00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:51.839 When we 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:52.440 have the 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:52.799 joy of 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.639 suffering for 00:28:53.639 --> 00:28:54.059 righteousness 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.559 sake, 00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:55.319 when we 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:55.740 are willing 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.279 to live 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.759 and die 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.339 for something 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:57.960 and someone 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.680 greater than 00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:58.940 us, 00:28:59.519 --> 00:28:59.859 that would 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.359 be glory. 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:01.799 Hebrews 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.379 chapter 2 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:03.000 verse 10, 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.220 for it was 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.879 fitting that 00:29:04.879 --> 00:29:05.700 he, for 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.099 home and 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.720 by home all 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.539 things exist, 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.460 in bringing 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.079 many sons 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:09.659 to glory, 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:10.859 should make 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.339 the founder 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:11.720 of their 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.240 salvation, 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.879 perfect through 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:14.399 suffering. 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.119 Let us 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.379 pray. 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.500 Father, we 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:27.419 tremble before 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:28.819 you, thinking 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:30.039 that you 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.599 would bring 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.399 people like 00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:31.859 Samson, 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.399 people like 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.960 us, to 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.379 glory, 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.079 not only 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:40.019 to bring 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.559 us there, 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:42.940 but by 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.740 giving us 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.299 your son, 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.599 so that 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:47.139 we can 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:47.579 be there, 00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:48.519 and not 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:48.940 only giving 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.319 us your 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.659 son, 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:50.720 but by 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.720 letting 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.399 your son 00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:52.879 suffer, 00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:56.440 so that 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:57.000 our sins 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.619 can be 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.000 forgiven. 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.119 Amen. 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.500 Father, we 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.879 look at 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.279 Samson, 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.079 and look at 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.539 us, and 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:09.199 see how 00:30:09.199 --> 00:30:09.799 far we 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.099 are 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:14.199 away from 00:30:14.199 --> 00:30:14.740 your glory, 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.500 how little 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.539 we see 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.199 and know 00:30:18.199 --> 00:30:18.720 about this 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.059 glory. 00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:21.480 Father, we 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.480 thank you for 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.240 your mercy upon 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.139 us, and 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:24.500 that we 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.939 would have 00:30:25.939 --> 00:30:27.139 a desire for 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:27.699 this glory, 00:30:28.639 --> 00:30:30.079 and looking 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:31.879 for the 00:30:31.879 --> 00:30:32.399 city that 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:32.619 is to 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:32.939 come. 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.279 Father, we 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:36.159 ask that 00:30:36.159 --> 00:30:36.619 you will 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:37.539 help us 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.819 to live 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.279 our life 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.699 worthy of 00:30:39.699 --> 00:30:40.099 calling, 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.239 that we 00:30:41.239 --> 00:30:41.899 might strive 00:30:41.899 --> 00:30:42.919 for holiness 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:45.079 in the way 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.539 we live. 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.399 Thank you, 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:46.679 Father. 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.139 We pray in 00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:48.759 Jesus' name. 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:49.899 Amen.