When I don't see God's purpose
for my life, I am in danger of settling for an earthly counterfeit.
(Hebrews 12:1) Therefore, since
we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run
with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Remember that all heaven can
see what we do upon the earth.
For when you think you see
everything clearly all on your own…
“You don’t have to lose your
eyes to be blind.”
We can be…
· Blind to God’s purpose for our life.
(Judges 13:5) “You will become
pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because
the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the
lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”
(Proverbs 29:18) Where there is
no revelation, people cast off restraint.
· Blind to the power of relationships.
(Judges 14:2-3) When he
returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in
Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”
His father and mother replied, “Isn’t
there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people?
Must
you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson said to his
father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.”
Show me your friends.
I'll show you your future. We can't see our relationships clearly on our
own. Samson made his biggest mistakes through his
relationships.
(1 Corinthians 15:33) Do not be
misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
1. Nurture important
relationships.
2. Restore broken
relationships.
3. Sever harmful
relationships.
4. Cultivate intimate
relationships.
(Ephesians 6:2-3) “Honor your
father and mother”--which is the first commandment with a promise—“that it may
go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
· Blind to the nature of God.
(Judges 16:19-21) After putting
him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids
of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him.
Then she called, “Samson, the
Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as
before and shake myself free.”
But he did not know that the
LORD had left him. Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and
took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to
grinding grain in the prison.
Don't take the presence of God
for granted. We must not trample upon God's goodness.
Hebrews 12:29 (ESV)
29 for our God is a consuming fire.
(Genesis 6:3 KJV) And the LORD
said, My spirit shall not always strive with man…
Psalm 91:1 (ESV)
He who dwells in the
shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Don't step out of the umbrella
of God's covering. We must have a healthy fear of God.
(Romans 6:1-2 ESV) What shall we
say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can
we who died to sin still live in it?
Samson’s Words of
Encouragement
1. “Protect the presence of
God.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Do not
put out the Spirit's fire.
The priority of the
relationship cultivates the presence of God. We must put God
first.
(Ephesians 4:30) And do not
grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption.
2. “Choose your relationships
carefully.”
(Proverbs 13:20) He who walks
with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
(Hebrews 10:25) Let us not give
up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage
one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
3. “Failure is never final.”
(Judges 16:28) Then Samson
prayed to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me
just once more...”
God honors the one who messed
up the most. Who cries out to God at His worse.
(1 Timothy 1:15-16) Here is a
trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was
shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his
immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive
eternal life.
Proverbs 24:16 (ESV)
16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises
again,
but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
All scripture is from the New
International Version unless otherwise noted.
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