Samson

1
Samson
2

• Dont Elevate The Carnal Over The Spiritual
  Judg 142-3

• Particularly in his choice for a wife
• Many make the same mistake Samson made marrying
  for the wrong reason
• Emphasis on carnal criteria

3

• Dont Elevate The Carnal Over The Spiritual
  Judg 142-3

• Samsons parents concern reflected their dreams
  for him
• Marriage will be better when built upon shared
  beliefs, core values, in-common aspirations

4

• Dont Use God-Given Talents Selfishly

• God had plans for Samson Judg 134-5
• Yet, it appears Samson always acted w/o regard
  for these intentions
• The dead carcass Judg 148 cp. Lev 1127
• The drinking feast Judg 1410

5

• Dont Use God-Given Talents Selfishly

• Yet, it appears Samson always acted w/o regard
  for these intentions

• Slaughtering men to pay a debt Judg 1419
• Revengeful behavior Judg 151-5
• Promiscuity Judg 161-3

6

• Dont Use God-Given Talents Selfishly

• Whatever abilities God gives His people, they
  should always be used in serving others, not self
  Rom 123ff 1 Cor 127
• Selfishness ruins the one consumed by it
• Selfishness never helped anyone else

7

• Dont Compromise Gods Truth For Worldly
  Enchantments Judg 164-21

• Samsons most disappointing moment
• He put himself in compromising situations
• Others did not share his beliefs, and used them
  against him vv. 5, 16 cp. Jn 1714

8

• Dont Compromise Gods Truth For Worldly
  Enchantments Judg 164-21

• The fact that he toyed with Delilah re the
  source of his strength indicates he didnt take
  his blessings from God as seriously as he should
  have vv. 7, 11, 13 cp. 1 Jn 313

9

• Dont Compromise Gods Truth For Worldly
  Enchantments Judg 164-21

• When we give up the truth of God, we have nothing
  left to protect us
• Can become destitute of the truth 1 Tim 63-5
• We must never sell the truth Prov 2323

10

• Conclusion

• Samson would tell us how tragic these
  dispositions were to him
• As proof, he would point to how his life ended
• It was only a shadow of Gods plans, his parents
  dreams Judg 1623-30
• In his own mind, he had given up Judg 1628, 30

11

• Conclusion

• Some may claim this portrayal of Samson is
  unfair, too harsh cp. Heb 1132
• However, just because God used Samson did not
  mean He approved of all he did cp. Heb 1131

12

• Conclusion

• Samson would counsel us to fulfill Gods dreams,
  plans for our lives
• Following our own way abuses others, only ends in
  disaster
• Gods way is always best