WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.359 Good morning. 00:00:04.980 --> 00:00:09.599 My name's Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:09.599 --> 00:00:12.140 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:12.919 --> 00:00:15.660 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:15.720 --> 00:00:16.600 We're glad that you're here. 00:00:17.300 --> 00:00:20.140 And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:20.240 --> 00:00:23.699 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:28.600 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good. 00:00:28.600 --> 00:00:29.839 They don't need God's grace. 00:00:30.460 --> 00:00:32.340 And no one's so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:32.539 --> 00:00:37.679 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:38.519 --> 00:00:41.519 We're continuing our series in the book of Judges, 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:44.640 and you'll remember that the book of Judges is about a number of things. 00:00:45.159 --> 00:00:49.240 It's about the need for constant renewal and revival among God's people. 00:00:49.799 --> 00:00:52.859 It's about the need for a true and faithful king, 00:00:53.379 --> 00:00:55.700 a king who can do what no human can do, 00:00:56.000 --> 00:00:58.420 which is to change the hearts of men. 00:00:58.420 --> 00:01:01.800 It's about the power of spirit-filled leadership, 00:01:01.800 --> 00:01:05.799 and it's about God's mercy to hard-hearted people, 00:01:06.040 --> 00:01:08.079 people like you and me. 00:01:08.980 --> 00:01:13.200 Last time we were in Judges, we finished the story of Jethwa, 00:01:13.299 --> 00:01:15.540 and you'll remember that it did not end well. 00:01:16.099 --> 00:01:18.420 There was disunity among God's people, 00:01:18.540 --> 00:01:21.879 so much so that they were fighting and killing one another. 00:01:21.879 --> 00:01:27.439 This morning we move on to the story of the judge Samson. 00:01:27.560 --> 00:01:30.759 Samson's going to be the last judge we encounter in Judges, 00:01:30.819 --> 00:01:32.519 and so we've made it quite some time. 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:34.840 And you'll remember our principle, 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:38.479 the main principle I've been pressing home in interpreting Judges, 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:41.000 comes from chapter 2, verse 19, 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:45.699 which tells us each generation was more corrupt than the one before them. 00:01:45.700 --> 00:01:50.140 And so we see this constant downward trajectory or this spiral. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:53.060 So the very first judge, I told you, 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:54.980 Othniel was the best judge of all time. 00:01:56.280 --> 00:02:00.340 Samson, the last judge, the worst judge of all time. 00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:03.879 And so things are getting worse and worse in Israel, 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:04.939 if that can be believed, 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:07.740 that they're even worse than under the judge Jethwa. 00:02:07.739 --> 00:02:09.919 But in fact, that is the case. 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:12.060 And after we end the story of Samson, 00:02:12.299 --> 00:02:15.699 we will see Israel continue in decline. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:21.340 And so our question this morning as we come to Judges chapter 13 is very simple. 00:02:22.740 --> 00:02:27.659 What is our hope when it appears that the lights have gone out? 00:02:29.579 --> 00:02:34.539 What is our hope when it appears that people have forgotten God completely? 00:02:34.539 --> 00:02:44.959 What is our hope in our lives when we look and we see tragedy and devastation behind us? 00:02:44.959 --> 00:02:47.280 Not just because of what other people have done, 00:02:48.079 --> 00:02:51.319 but because of what we have done as well. 00:02:52.719 --> 00:02:56.039 So with that, I invite you to turn with me to Judges chapter 13. 00:02:56.659 --> 00:02:57.939 You can turn in your Bible. 00:02:58.319 --> 00:02:59.379 You can turn on your phone. 00:02:59.939 --> 00:03:01.579 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:03:01.580 --> 00:03:05.180 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:09.520 Proverbs chapter 30 tells us every word of God proves true. 00:03:10.420 --> 00:03:14.160 He's a shield to those who take refuge in him. 00:03:14.700 --> 00:03:18.740 And so that's why we read now Judges chapter 13, starting at verse 1. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:23.700 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 00:03:24.420 --> 00:03:28.500 So the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for 40 years. 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:34.080 There was a certain man of Zorah of the tribe of the Danites whose name was Manoah. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:37.759 And his wife was barren and had no children. 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:41.740 And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:48.379 Behold, you are barren and have not born children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:54.740 Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink and eat nothing unclean. 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:58.700 For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. 00:03:59.820 --> 00:04:05.060 No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb. 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:09.400 And he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines. 00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:12.820 Then the woman came and told her husband, 00:04:13.320 --> 00:04:14.740 A man of God came to me. 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:19.579 And his appearance was like the appearance of the angel of God, very awesome. 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:24.199 I did not ask him where he was from, and he did not tell me his name. 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:28.800 But he said to me, Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:34.180 So then drink no wine or strong drink and eat nothing unclean. 00:04:35.219 --> 00:04:40.099 For the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death. 00:04:40.799 --> 00:04:41.399 Verse 8. 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:44.319 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord and said, 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:49.000 O Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:52.859 and teach us what we are to do with the child who will be born. 00:04:54.419 --> 00:04:56.599 And God listened to the voice of Manoah, 00:04:56.699 --> 00:05:00.519 and the angel of the Lord came again to the woman as she sat in the field. 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:03.620 But Manoah, her husband, was not with her. 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:07.000 So the woman ran quickly and told her husband, 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:10.799 Behold, the man who came to me the other day has appeared to me. 00:05:11.399 --> 00:05:16.060 And Manoah arose and went after his wife and came to the man and said to him, 00:05:16.359 --> 00:05:19.239 Are you the man who spoke to this woman? 00:05:19.919 --> 00:05:21.819 And he said, I am. 00:05:22.979 --> 00:05:23.819 Verse 12. 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:27.579 And Manoah said, Now when your words come true, 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:31.519 what is to be the child's manner of life and what is his mission? 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:34.819 And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, 00:05:35.159 --> 00:05:37.819 Of all that I said to the woman, let her be careful. 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:41.439 She may not eat of anything that comes from the vine, 00:05:41.659 --> 00:05:43.939 neither let her drink wine or strong drink, 00:05:44.159 --> 00:05:46.620 or eat any unclean thing. 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:50.120 All that I commanded her, let her observe. 00:05:51.339 --> 00:05:52.139 Verse 15. 00:05:53.139 --> 00:05:54.939 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, 00:05:55.180 --> 00:05:58.620 Please let us detain you and prepare a young goat for you. 00:05:59.139 --> 00:06:01.219 And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, 00:06:01.459 --> 00:06:04.060 If you detain me, I will not eat of your food. 00:06:04.060 --> 00:06:08.100 But if you prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to the Lord. 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:12.100 For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the Lord. 00:06:12.980 --> 00:06:14.980 And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:16.060 What is your name? 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:19.800 So that when your words come true, we may honor you. 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:23.000 And the angel of the Lord said to him, 00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:26.579 Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful? 00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:30.620 So Manoah took the young goat with a grain offering 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:32.500 and offered it on the rock to the Lord, 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:34.180 to the one who works wonders. 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:36.979 And Manoah and his wife were watching. 00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:40.639 And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, 00:06:40.860 --> 00:06:43.779 the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:46.560 Now Manoah and his wife were watching, 00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:49.219 and they fell on their faces to the ground. 00:06:50.039 --> 00:06:50.899 Verse 21. 00:06:50.899 --> 00:06:55.459 The angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. 00:06:56.199 --> 00:06:58.779 Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord. 00:06:59.599 --> 00:07:01.099 And Manoah said to his wife, 00:07:01.359 --> 00:07:04.699 We shall surely die, for we have seen God. 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:06.279 Verse 23. 00:07:07.539 --> 00:07:08.779 But his wife said to him, 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:10.659 If the Lord had meant to kill us, 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:12.939 he would not have accepted a burnt offering 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:14.959 and a grain offering at our hands, 00:07:15.299 --> 00:07:17.239 or shown us all these things, 00:07:17.299 --> 00:07:20.039 or now announced to us such things as these. 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:23.600 And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:27.080 And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him. 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:31.220 And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him 00:07:31.220 --> 00:07:35.820 in Mahanadan, between Zorah and Eshtel. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:38.820 I invite you to pray with me 00:07:38.820 --> 00:07:41.240 as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:43.640 Our Father in heaven, 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:46.400 we do thank you one more time 00:07:46.400 --> 00:07:48.620 that you have spoken to us. 00:07:48.620 --> 00:07:52.300 You haven't left us to figure things out on our own, 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:53.860 or to stumble around, 00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:55.899 but instead you've given us your Word 00:07:55.899 --> 00:07:58.100 to guide us and direct us. 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:00.240 We thank you that it does more than that. 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:01.420 It doesn't just guide and direct, 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:03.879 but it shows us your Son and our Savior, 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:04.899 our Lord Jesus, 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:08.480 who died for us even when we were still sinners. 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:11.139 It shows us your grace and your mercy, 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:12.920 which we have not earned, 00:08:13.139 --> 00:08:14.300 and we do not deserve. 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:16.620 And we ask that you would remind us 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:17.939 of those things this morning, 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:20.620 that we would see them in a fresh way. 00:08:21.100 --> 00:08:23.280 We'd believe them more than before. 00:08:23.639 --> 00:08:25.800 We'd live with greater hope. 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:28.800 We thank you that we don't have to worry 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:30.420 about whether we've earned these things 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:31.160 or deserve them. 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:33.039 We know that we don't, and we haven't. 00:08:33.560 --> 00:08:34.919 And so we simply ask for them 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:36.879 in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:37.680 Amen. 00:08:37.680 --> 00:08:37.820 Amen. 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:44.120 If you've been with us through the book of Judges, 00:08:44.180 --> 00:08:46.980 I hope that you recognize the very first phrase 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:48.260 that begins this chapter. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:48.920 It tells us, 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:50.420 and the people of Israel again 00:08:50.420 --> 00:08:53.180 did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 00:08:53.400 --> 00:08:54.900 And this is the phrase that begins 00:08:54.900 --> 00:08:56.260 basically every section. 00:08:56.420 --> 00:08:59.260 It's what we saw that began the story of Jethpah 00:08:59.260 --> 00:09:00.500 in Judges chapter 10. 00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:03.340 It's the same phrase that began the story of Gideon. 00:09:03.680 --> 00:09:05.880 It's the phrase that began the story of Deborah 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:08.500 in chapter four, and then Ehud and Othniel. 00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:10.240 We see the same thing, 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:12.720 that there is this pattern in the book of Judges. 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:15.320 And so hopefully you're getting used to it at this point, 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:18.980 that the same things occur over and over. 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:23.580 We find out also in verse one, what does the Lord do? 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:25.559 The same thing he does every time, right? 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:27.039 When they turn away from him, 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:29.679 he gives them into the hand of a foreign country. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:32.419 This time it's into the hand of the Philistines. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:34.000 We get a hint though, 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:36.179 that something is worse than before 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:38.360 because it is not like last time. 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:40.799 Remember when they're in the hands of the Ammonites, 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:42.179 it's for 18 years. 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:44.899 This time we get more than twice that. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:47.360 They are oppressed for 40 years. 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:50.399 And so we've seen this before. 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:53.820 It might be tempting for us to go into autopilot 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:55.639 as we read chapter 13. 00:09:55.779 --> 00:09:58.500 Okay, here's another judge and another cycle. 00:09:58.679 --> 00:10:00.539 We know what has happened before. 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:02.899 We know what's going to happen this time. 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:08.419 Except suddenly there's a disruption. 00:10:10.339 --> 00:10:15.299 There is a deafening silence that we should feel here. 00:10:16.099 --> 00:10:19.839 There is something that has happened every other time 00:10:19.839 --> 00:10:22.959 that does not happen this time. 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:28.360 There is something that God's people always do 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:30.620 that they don't do. 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:36.420 There is something missing between verse one and verse two. 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:42.519 The people of Israel do not cry out to God. 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:47.740 The people of Israel do not repent. 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:52.120 The author of Judges is telling us this. 00:10:52.440 --> 00:10:57.180 Israel is closer to death than ever before. 00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:01.659 Israel has become so bad 00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:04.960 that she doesn't even need no to cry out to God for mercy. 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:08.560 Israel has become so twisted in her view 00:11:08.560 --> 00:11:10.279 and understanding of the world 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:12.519 that it feels normal at this point 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:14.320 to have a foreign oppressor. 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:17.019 Of course the Philistines are over us. 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:18.539 That's just how life is. 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:21.600 Of course we live among a pagan nation. 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:23.139 That's just how things go. 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:26.720 Israel has finally come to the point 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:28.460 where she is inoculated 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:31.960 against the presence of foreign rulers and foreign gods. 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:32.939 This is normal, right? 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:34.240 This is just the way it should be. 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:36.799 It's been this way for years in the past. 00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:39.720 It'll be this way for years in the future. 00:11:40.579 --> 00:11:43.139 This is the pattern that I've told you about all along. 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:45.620 Judges chapter two, verse 19 tells us 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:47.799 every generation is getting worse. 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.220 Every generation, the phrase is, 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:52.980 is more corrupt than the generation before. 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:57.560 They refuse to give up the ways of their fathers. 00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:02.159 Things in Israel are very bad. 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:08.899 Israel doesn't just need help. 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:12.120 Israel really needs help. 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:15.480 Israel is not just wicked. 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:18.600 Israel is really wicked. 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:21.819 Israel is not just gone. 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:25.059 She is real far gone. 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:28.699 And it's not because of the Philistines. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:30.019 That's not the ultimate problem. 00:12:30.579 --> 00:12:34.799 The ultimate problem is that Israel has forgotten her God. 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:41.099 The ultimate problem is that they are removed from reality 00:12:41.099 --> 00:12:43.819 more than ever before. 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:49.319 It's with that missing section there 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:50.779 that we come to verse two 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:53.779 and we find out there is not just a problem 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:55.579 for the people and nation of Israel. 00:12:55.719 --> 00:12:57.699 There's also a problem being faced 00:12:57.699 --> 00:12:59.259 by this particular couple. 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:02.779 Manoah and his wife have a challenge. 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:05.279 And the challenge is that they are not able 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:06.439 to have children. 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:09.379 And we might think this is somehow a coincidence, 00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:12.459 but in fact, these two things are meant to go together. 00:13:12.699 --> 00:13:14.539 The problem of Israel 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:17.720 and the problem of Manoah and his wife 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:19.819 are intertwined with one another. 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:22.579 You'll see this on page nine of your worship guide. 00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:26.299 Just as Israel was helpless and hopeless, 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:29.740 so were Manoah and his wife. 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:35.419 Hopeless nation, hopeless couple. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.980 Not a coincidence. 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:44.000 And so that returns us to our question, 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:45.600 what does God do? 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:48.820 What is our hope when it appears 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:51.539 that the lights have been turned off? 00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:55.039 What is our hope when things are so bad 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.860 that Israel does not even know 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:59.839 that she needs to cry out to God? 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:03.419 Well, again, we see these two things 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:05.819 going side by side, hand in hand. 00:14:05.959 --> 00:14:06.519 Verse three, 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:09.179 the angel of the Lord appears to Manoah's wife 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:09.659 and says, 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:10.980 behold, you are barren 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:12.500 and have not born children, 00:14:12.939 --> 00:14:15.319 but you shall conceive and bear a son. 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:17.159 Okay, great. 00:14:17.439 --> 00:14:19.099 That's a solution to the problem 00:14:19.099 --> 00:14:20.480 of Manoah and his wife. 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:22.399 What's the solution to the problem 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.459 of the people of Israel? 00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:26.120 Well, it turns out they are one and the same. 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.220 Verse five, 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.399 this son's going to be a Nazarite 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:32.199 and he shall begin to save Israel 00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:35.059 from the hand of the Philistines. 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:41.139 What God does for Manoah and his wife 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:45.860 is the same thing he's going to do for Israel. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:49.899 He is going to bring hope 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:51.279 where there is no hope. 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:55.340 He is going to bring new life 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:57.240 where there is despair. 00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:00.200 He's going to bring literal life 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:02.120 to literal barrenness. 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:05.000 He's going to bring spiritual life 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:07.639 to spiritual barrenness. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:12.200 Now you'll note here in verses five and seven, 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:14.060 we're told that this son 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.879 who's going to come as the solution 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:17.059 to both problems 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:18.799 is going to be a Nazarite. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:20.599 We're not going to talk a lot this morning 00:15:20.599 --> 00:15:22.159 about what it means to be a Nazarite 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.919 because we have a lot of other things to discuss, 00:15:24.239 --> 00:15:25.419 but it is going to become 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:27.439 incredibly important next week. 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:29.739 So just remember a couple things. 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:31.099 If someone is a Nazarite, 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:33.079 they are set apart to God 00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:34.039 in a special way 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:36.359 for a time of focus and dedication. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.519 And there are three rules 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:39.459 that they need to keep. 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.659 Those are laid out here. 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.419 They should not touch alcohol, 00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:44.399 can't cut their hair, 00:15:44.839 --> 00:15:45.839 can't touch dead bodies. 00:15:47.479 --> 00:15:48.579 Okay, just remember that. 00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:50.620 That's going to become incredibly important 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:52.079 in chapter 14 00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:55.319 and chapter 15 and 16 as well. 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.679 So we have this situation of barrenness. 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:00.919 There's despair for Manoah and his wife 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:02.279 and also for the people of Israel. 00:16:02.719 --> 00:16:04.799 God comes in in the midst of that. 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:05.799 He intervenes. 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:08.039 He brings life into those situations. 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:09.699 And then we're presented 00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:11.120 with the rest of this narrative, 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.439 which appears to be 00:16:12.439 --> 00:16:15.059 simply a comedy of errors. 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.240 Verses 8 through 14, 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:20.500 Manoah is not happy, 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.019 it appears, 00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:22.779 that the angel appeared to the wife, 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.639 but not to him. 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:25.419 And so he starts praying to God like, 00:16:25.579 --> 00:16:29.360 hey, I want the angel to come back to us. 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:31.919 So Manoah wants his own word. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:35.379 He wants to speak directly with the angel. 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.679 And the angel, 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:38.059 it says God answers his prayer, 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.860 but either God or the angel or both 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:41.679 seem to troll Manoah a little bit here. 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:44.439 He says, I want the angel to come to us. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.820 God says, fine. 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:48.039 He sends the angel to his wife again. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.360 Manoah is cut out. 00:16:50.419 --> 00:16:52.220 And so then she has to run to Manoah 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:52.960 and get him. 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:54.480 And he comes and he says, 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:57.320 look, I want all this new information. 00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:59.220 Tell me about the mission. 00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:01.179 Tell me how we're supposed to raise the kid. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.080 And what does the angel do? 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:06.920 He just repeats the exact same information over again. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:10.120 Manoah wants new things. 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:12.799 He gets the same things all over again. 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:15.660 He seems to maybe have missed something 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.920 in his wife's communication. 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.460 The only time that's happened 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.940 in the history of the world. 00:17:20.860 --> 00:17:22.380 He's asked in verse 12, 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:25.079 what is this kid's mission supposed to be? 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:28.000 Well, we've already been told in verse five, 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:31.539 his mission is to begin to save Israel. 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:34.799 And so at the very best, 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:37.299 Manoah seems to be very confused. 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:40.399 He goes on to be afraid at the very end 00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:41.619 that they're actually going to die, 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.579 that God's going to kill them 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.819 because they've seen his presence. 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:46.299 And his wife has to step in and remind him, 00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:47.319 this is verse 23, 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:49.440 actually, honey, that doesn't make sense. 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:51.779 If God killed us, we couldn't have the kid. 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:54.720 Okay, so these things are not adding up here. 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.899 In the midst of that, 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:58.559 Manoah decides it's time for him 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:01.440 to offer this young goat as an offering. 00:18:01.919 --> 00:18:03.539 And there's all kinds of debate 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:05.740 about what is Manoah trying to do here? 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:08.419 Is he simply offering hospitality 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:10.099 because he's in the ancient Near East? 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:12.179 Is he trying to exercise 00:18:12.179 --> 00:18:14.319 some sort of power play over the angels 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:16.980 so he can get the upper hand in the situation? 00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:21.200 Whatever he is trying to do, 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:24.039 we know this. 00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:26.580 Manoah is very confused. 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:31.100 Manoah is unclear on what's happening. 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:33.680 He doesn't even realize who this figure is 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:34.840 that he's speaking to. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:37.460 He doesn't know that it's a representative 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:39.279 of God himself. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:43.039 And so everything really that's happening 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:44.779 in this section can be summarized. 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:46.080 Verse 18, 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:49.000 Manoah asks the angel for his name 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.000 and the angel says, 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:52.180 why do you ask my name 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:54.519 seeing it is wonderful? 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:57.500 In other words, 00:18:57.819 --> 00:19:00.539 not only do you not know what's going on, 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:03.539 but even if I were to explain it, 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:04.819 you would be confused. 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:08.779 This is way out of your league, Manoah. 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:13.160 What is happening is above your pay grade. 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:13.720 Okay? 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:16.299 You can ask my name, 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:18.099 but there's no point. 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.159 This is wonderful. 00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:24.000 This is more than you can wrap your head around. 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:27.419 This is more than you are set up 00:19:27.419 --> 00:19:29.719 to comprehend and understand. 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:34.480 And so in the midst of all of this confusion 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:36.179 and running around and drama 00:19:36.179 --> 00:19:39.799 and comedy of errors between Manoah and his wife, 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:42.799 underlying all of the details is this. 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:48.359 Israel, Manoah, Manoah's wife, 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:52.259 can thank no one but God. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:58.299 They are clearly not smart enough, 00:19:58.619 --> 00:20:00.440 competent enough, or good enough 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.839 to deserve any of this. 00:20:03.139 --> 00:20:05.720 No, in the midst of Israel's rebellion, 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:08.180 in the midst of her inoculation 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:10.559 against foreign-occupied, 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:15.579 God comes in and saves them. 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:19.279 And so as we look at all these details 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:21.079 and these stories, we see this. 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:23.819 They are not smart enough or clever enough 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:25.620 to figure things out on their own. 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:29.400 The point of the story is not Samson. 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:32.700 The point of the story is not Manoah. 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:35.680 The point of the story is not the angel 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:37.160 or Manoah's wife. 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:39.740 The point is this. 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:43.880 Israel may have forgotten God. 00:20:45.320 --> 00:20:48.640 God has not forgotten Israel. 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:55.340 In the midst of rebellion and dysfunction 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:57.959 and sin and confusion, 00:20:59.099 --> 00:21:02.059 God is still at work. 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:08.279 Doesn't mean that there aren't consequences 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.599 for what Israel's done. 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:12.959 It doesn't mean they're not going to suffer 00:21:12.959 --> 00:21:15.579 for their rebellion and mistakes. 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:19.399 Doesn't mean that their disobedience 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:20.259 doesn't hurt them, right? 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:20.879 We've seen it. 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:23.480 We've seen the sobering effects of sin. 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:25.480 We saw it in the story of Jethro. 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:29.140 As we've gone through the book of Judges, 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:31.500 we have seen the warnings are many 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:33.779 and the consequences are real. 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:37.599 And so I'm not saying this morning 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.720 that sin doesn't matter. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:42.160 What I am saying is this. 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:45.420 There is still hope. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:52.700 God never gives up on his people. 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:56.380 In fact, we already sang it this morning. 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:59.259 Because of his great love, 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:02.200 we are not overcome. 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:09.019 That brings us back to our question. 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:11.779 What is our hope when it appears 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:14.019 that the light has gone out? 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:17.620 What is Israel's hope when she has forgotten 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:21.440 even to cry out to God for hope and help? 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:25.860 And our hope is simply this. 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:30.000 God does not give up on his people. 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:35.600 God does not give up on us. 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:40.240 Even if it means life support, 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:43.360 God is still there. 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:44.359 God does not give up on us. 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.359 God does not give up on us. 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:49.059 What is our hope when it appears 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:50.459 that the light has gone out? 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:54.740 Our hope is that it only appears. 00:22:56.939 --> 00:23:02.319 In the midst of sin and apostasy 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:04.859 and rebellion and confusion, 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:08.859 the sun still rises. 00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:09.679 The sun still rises. 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:17.259 Brothers and sisters, 00:23:18.459 --> 00:23:22.719 the same is true for us and our sin 00:23:22.719 --> 00:23:25.859 if we love and follow and trust Jesus. 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:30.379 God still brings hope 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:33.279 to hopeless situations. 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:37.159 God still brings life 00:23:37.159 --> 00:23:39.639 to barren places. 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:44.700 You might look at your own life 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:48.080 and think about your ongoing battle against sin, 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:49.400 things that you have said 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:51.440 and you can't take back. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.340 People you've hurt, 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:59.880 addictions that you've entertained 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.980 and coddled. 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:04.480 And the Bible says this, 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:07.140 if you are still alive, 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.660 the story is not over. 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.799 If you are still alive, 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:14.099 God is at work. 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:17.259 If you're still alive, 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:19.599 there is still hope. 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:23.579 You might be a parent 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.579 and look back 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:27.720 at your numerous failures. 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:32.640 And this passage reminds us 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:35.420 that God is more powerful 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.880 than your mistakes. 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:44.099 His arm is not too short to save. 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:51.839 Those things do not have the last word. 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:57.680 You might look at the disappointments, 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.240 perhaps betrayal, 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.920 that you've experienced 00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:03.740 in your marriage 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:09.599 and wonder if it's all over. 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.400 And the truth is this, 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:17.759 God has not abandoned you. 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:22.380 We might look at the church broadly 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:23.380 and around the world 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:24.900 filled with confusion 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.880 and division 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:26.900 and disagreement 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.700 and error. 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:32.340 God is still at work 00:25:32.340 --> 00:25:34.319 redeeming a people 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.380 for himself. 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.580 You might look, 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:39.759 not at the church around the world, 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.640 you might look at this particular church, 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.519 Cheyenne Mountain, 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:45.120 in the midst of our preferences 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:46.440 and disagreements 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.100 and failures 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:48.039 and mistakes. 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:54.460 God is still using this church 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:56.420 to bring his kingdom 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.440 on earth 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:59.000 as it is in heaven. 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:03.259 God's grace 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.599 is greater 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:06.000 than our sin. 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:09.160 And so we're reminded 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:10.279 of the promise 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.839 from 1 Corinthians 2, 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.660 verse 9. 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:14.400 But as it is written, 00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:16.359 what no eye has seen, 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.980 nor ear heard, 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:20.259 nor the heart of man imagined, 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:22.319 what God has prepared 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.680 for those 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.819 who love him. 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:32.259 someone about a month ago 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:34.220 who is not a Christian 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:36.220 asked me this question. 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.460 He said, 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.059 what do you think 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.079 is going to happen 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.839 to our world 00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:39.619 in 10 years? 00:26:40.919 --> 00:26:41.679 And he was asking me 00:26:41.679 --> 00:26:42.279 in light of 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.519 all the wild things 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.119 that are happening 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.899 in politics 00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:46.259 and finance, 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.339 what's happening 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:49.220 with artificial intelligence, 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:49.960 what's happening 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:51.159 with people being changed 00:26:51.159 --> 00:26:51.899 by their phones 00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:52.639 and technology 00:26:52.639 --> 00:26:53.460 and media. 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:55.039 And part of his question 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.360 was like, 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.019 are we even going 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.559 to be here 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.160 in 10 years? 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.840 And what I told him 00:26:59.840 --> 00:27:00.160 was this. 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:00.440 I said, 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:02.059 as a Christian, 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:04.240 I believe 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.880 that God 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:06.299 holds our world 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:06.920 together. 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.779 And so I have 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.220 sort of this 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:11.480 inherent optimism 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:13.180 that in the midst 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:14.500 of all of these things, 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:16.360 God has not given up 00:27:16.360 --> 00:27:17.519 on his world. 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.640 And then I told him 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.180 the other side 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:20.539 of the coin, 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:20.779 I said, 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.440 it's not just 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:21.960 that I have 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.779 this great optimism, 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.960 it's also this. 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:25.240 I'm confident 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.059 that if God 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.980 was not holding 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.579 us together, 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.339 you and I 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:28.759 would not be 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.740 having this conversation 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.660 because we would 00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:31.379 have already 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:31.980 crumbled. 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.980 Left to ourselves, 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.420 we would have 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.660 already destroyed 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:39.279 this world. 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.119 So the hope 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.519 of Christians 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.299 is the same hope 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.019 we're reminded of 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:44.099 in Hebrews chapter 1. 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:45.319 God holds 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:46.240 the world together 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.079 by the word 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.619 of his power. 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:50.319 That we are not 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.859 victims of chance 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:52.759 and circumstance. 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:54.679 Yes, 00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:56.079 things are bad 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.720 in judges. 00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.779 Things are bad 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.460 in this world. 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.179 Hope 00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:02.099 never 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:03.000 disappears. 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.319 God 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.179 never 00:28:06.179 --> 00:28:07.259 gives up 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.099 on his 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.599 world. 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.799 God's people 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.439 may forget 00:28:11.439 --> 00:28:11.740 him. 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.179 God 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:13.960 never 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.960 forgets 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.700 his people. 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:18.200 Christian, 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:20.319 God 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.460 has not 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.680 given up 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:24.120 on you. 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.240 That's what 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.759 we're told 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:32.000 in verse 19. 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:34.600 Manoah 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:35.420 offers this 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.220 offering to the 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.640 Lord 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:38.799 to the one 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.960 who works 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.960 wonders. 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.420 The one 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.080 who holds 00:28:44.080 --> 00:28:44.539 the world 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.000 together. 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:46.480 the one 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:46.900 who has 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.380 not 00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:48.039 forgotten 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.720 his people. 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.440 The one 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:51.279 whose eyes 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.140 are still 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:52.940 on you 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:54.640 when you're 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.140 distracted. 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.599 The one 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.279 whose love 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.240 is for you 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.359 when you're 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:00.680 worried. 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:03.140 The one 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.859 who works 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.920 wonders. 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.420 Now 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:07.900 this great 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:08.380 hope is 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:08.859 coming to 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:09.200 Israel. 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:09.420 They're 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.880 oppressed 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.220 by the 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:10.539 Philan. 00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:11.680 Samson 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.259 is the 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.579 worst 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.059 judge 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:13.440 of all 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:13.579 the 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:13.880 judges. 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.599 Samson 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:16.019 is going 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.640 to prove 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.180 to be 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:18.019 incredibly 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.779 disappointing. 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.019 Samson 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.960 is ruled 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.500 by his 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.160 lusts 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.460 and his 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.000 desires. 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:23.660 Samson 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:23.920 is a 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.579 misogynist 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.039 who's also 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.700 incredibly 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.180 violent. 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.019 He has 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.440 no 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.319 self-control. 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:28.900 He seems 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:30.160 to disregard 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:31.180 God's call 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.460 on his 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:31.900 life and 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:32.420 the importance 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:32.799 of being 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.539 a Nazarite. 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:34.359 And so 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:34.660 as we 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.259 go on 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.539 here, 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.299 our hope 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.000 is not 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.440 going to 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.940 be lifted 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.400 up by 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:38.819 Samson. 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:40.160 Yes, 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.640 he's going 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:40.960 to be 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.539 used by 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:41.920 God. 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:42.880 he is 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.100 going 00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:43.680 to kill 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.380 a lot 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:44.519 of 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.100 Philistines. 00:29:46.320 --> 00:29:47.060 But we're 00:29:47.060 --> 00:29:47.759 also given 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.200 a hint 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:49.100 here that 00:29:49.100 --> 00:29:49.600 Samson 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.460 is not 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:50.880 enough. 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.220 Note on 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:52.880 verse 5 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:53.340 what we're 00:29:53.340 --> 00:29:53.740 told, 00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:55.259 he shall 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.039 begin 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.519 to save 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:57.940 Israel 00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:58.600 from the 00:29:58.600 --> 00:29:59.400 hand of 00:29:59.400 --> 00:30:00.120 the Philistines. 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:02.220 In other 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:02.539 words, 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.279 as God 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:03.980 intervenes 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.860 to save 00:30:04.860 --> 00:30:05.640 and rescue 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.560 his people, 00:30:07.120 --> 00:30:08.400 this fallen 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.180 and sinful 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:10.180 man will 00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:11.259 not be 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.640 enough. 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:14.240 Yes, 00:30:14.360 --> 00:30:14.820 God has 00:30:14.820 --> 00:30:15.420 remembered 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.580 Israel and 00:30:16.580 --> 00:30:17.160 they will 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:18.080 need something 00:30:18.080 --> 00:30:19.220 and someone 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.800 much greater 00:30:20.800 --> 00:30:22.000 than Samson. 00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:24.600 And so 00:30:24.600 --> 00:30:25.460 Samson reminds 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.360 us once again 00:30:26.360 --> 00:30:27.200 of our need 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:28.140 for a true 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.340 and faithful 00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:30.100 king. 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.680 A king who 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.259 can do what 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.880 no human 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.420 can do, 00:30:33.560 --> 00:30:33.960 which is to 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.900 change the 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.740 hearts of 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:35.960 men. 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.380 Samson's 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.100 birth and 00:30:39.100 --> 00:30:40.080 the angel's 00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:40.700 visit to 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.240 his mother 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.259 points us 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.299 forward to 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:44.339 another visit 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:44.799 by an 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.380 angel to 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:45.839 another 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:46.460 mother. 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:47.620 You may 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.039 be wondering 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:48.680 why we 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.160 read the 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:49.920 Christmas story 00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.539 this morning 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.859 from Matthew 00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:52.660 chapter 1 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.099 and that's 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:53.519 the reason 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.500 because Samson 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.720 tells us 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.120 there is 00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:57.000 something more 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.400 that we 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:57.799 need. 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.099 We're told 00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.819 in verse 5 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:00.220 here he's 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.680 going to 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.579 begin to 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.400 save Israel. 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.079 If you go 00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.440 back on 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:03.900 verse 3 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:04.240 of your 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:04.980 worship guide, 00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:06.120 what are we 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:07.180 told about 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.640 our Lord 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:08.019 Jesus? 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.839 verse 21, 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:09.980 he is not 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:10.400 going to 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:10.900 begin. 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.180 She will 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.579 bear a 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.160 son and 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.680 you shall 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.180 call his 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.759 name Jesus 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.500 for he 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.740 will save 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.759 his people 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.559 from their 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:19.900 sins. 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.619 Israel 00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:23.319 needs 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.200 something and 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:25.500 someone greater 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.579 than Samson. 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.259 They will 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.319 not have it 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.400 until this 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.480 son is 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:31.740 born. 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:34.079 Jesus will 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.960 not begin 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:36.019 to save 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.259 them. 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.680 He will 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.559 save them. 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.759 He will 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.779 not just 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.420 start. 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.160 He will 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:42.680 also 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.579 finish. 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:46.160 That's our 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:47.019 hope as 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.420 Christians. 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.680 Our hope is 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.120 not in 00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:50.480 Samson. 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:51.120 Our hope is 00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:51.660 in the one 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:52.380 who truly 00:31:52.380 --> 00:31:52.900 and really 00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:54.019 does hold 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.859 the world 00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:55.539 together. 00:31:58.079 --> 00:31:58.859 What is 00:31:58.859 --> 00:31:59.259 our hope 00:31:59.259 --> 00:32:00.920 when it 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.660 appears that 00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:02.160 the lights 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.839 have gone 00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:03.059 out? 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.559 Our hope 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.039 is what the 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.480 children's 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:06.940 storybook 00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.859 Bible reminds 00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.240 us of, 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.660 of God's 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.359 never stopping, 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.440 never giving 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:10.740 up, 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:11.579 unbreaking, 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:12.640 always and 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.259 forever love. 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:14.900 Our hope 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.279 is what we're 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.099 reminded of 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:16.700 in 2 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.759 Timothy 2 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.579 verse 15. 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:20.140 If we 00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:21.400 are faithless, 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:23.059 he remains 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.559 faithful, 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:24.799 for he 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:26.440 cannot deny 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:27.379 himself. 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:29.260 Let's 00:32:29.260 --> 00:32:29.440 pray. 00:32:31.140 --> 00:32:31.640 Our 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.080 Father in 00:32:32.080 --> 00:32:32.280 heaven, 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:32.840 we do 00:32:32.840 --> 00:32:33.940 praise you 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.320 and thank 00:32:34.320 --> 00:32:34.620 you that 00:32:34.620 --> 00:32:35.160 we don't 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:36.220 rely on 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:36.980 earthly leaders 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.580 and rulers. 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.280 That as 00:32:39.280 --> 00:32:39.880 they always 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:41.160 disappoint and 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.720 fall short, 00:32:41.800 --> 00:32:42.080 as they 00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:42.840 always only 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:43.540 begin to 00:32:43.540 --> 00:32:43.940 save, 00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:44.940 we have 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:45.600 great hope 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:46.100 in your 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:46.460 son and 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:46.920 our savior, 00:32:47.080 --> 00:32:47.380 our Lord 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:47.700 Jesus, 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.460 who doesn't 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:49.000 just begin, 00:32:49.600 --> 00:32:49.940 he also 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.300 finishes. 00:32:50.840 --> 00:32:51.340 We ask 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:51.640 that you 00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:52.480 would remind 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:52.960 us of that, 00:32:53.040 --> 00:32:53.200 that it 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:53.680 would grow 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.280 our hope 00:32:54.280 --> 00:32:54.580 and our 00:32:54.580 --> 00:32:55.000 faith and 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:55.520 our confidence 00:32:55.520 --> 00:32:56.040 in you, 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:57.559 that we 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.240 would follow 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.599 you with 00:32:58.599 --> 00:32:59.059 joy no 00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.639 matter how 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.799 dark our 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.379 world seems. 00:33:01.759 --> 00:33:02.200 We ask 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:02.680 these things 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.079 in the mighty 00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:03.500 name of 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.159 Jesus Christ. 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:04.899 Amen.