man up relating to the rule maker… · you just need to man up.” or, “you need to pull...

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Transcript May 27 and 28, 2017

Man Up | Relating to the Rule Maker Jake Barker | Judges 13:1-18

What’supTradersPoint?MynameisJakeandI’moneofthepastorshere.Iwanttowelcomeallofourcampusesandthoseofyouwhohavetunedinonline.Wearesogladtohaveyouhereonraceweekend.IfyouareneworifyouareaguestthisistheperfectweekendforyoutobeherebecausethisisthefirstsermoninafourweeksermonserieswearestartingtodaycalledManUp.Beforeyoujumptotoomanyconclusionsaboutwhatthatseriestitlemeans,letmeexplain.Weareundertheconvictionthatlifeishard,period,fullstop.Webelievelifeisdifficult.Ithinkmanyofyouwouldagree.Therearepeaks,therearevalleys,andverymanytimeswefindourselvesinthesevalleyswherelifeisjusthardandit’sfrustrating,andit’sexhausting.Maybeyouwalkedintoday,ormaybeyoutunedintodayandyou’reinoneofthosevalleys.You’rejusttired.You’retiredbecauseyourschoolworkseemspointless,oryourjobispurposeless.Maybeyourbestfriendisselfish,oryourbestfriendisdistant.Maybethatbillisunpaid,andthatschoolloanissuffocating.AndthePresidentisonTwitteragain,andyoudon’tknowwhatishappening.Everythingisexhausting.Andyouturntothepeopleyouloveandtrustandsay,“I’mgoingthroughathing.I’mgoingthroughahardtimeandhere’showIfeel.”Andyougetback,sometimes,theseemptyphraseslike,“Youknowwhatyouneedtodo?Youjustneedtomanup.”Or,“Youneedtopullyourselfupbyyourownbootstraps,”whichphysically,ifI’monthegroundI’mnotsurehowmyshoelacesaregoingtohelpbutit’sathingpeoplesay.Theyarelike,“Youneedtosnapoutofit,getoverit,stopbeingsodramaticbecausethere’snocryinginbaseball.”Youlookbackatthemlike,“Thatwastheleasthelpfulthingyoupossiblycouldhavesaid.AllIwaslookingforwassomeempathy,someunderstanding,andsomeencouragement.AndnowIfeelmorealone,frustrated,andexhaustedbecauselifeishard.”Andifit’struethatlifeisdifficult,thenwearegoingtoneedstrengthtogetthroughthislife.We’regoingtoneedsomethingtosustainusinthesevalleysthatallofusatsomepoint,ifnotrightnow,experience.Sothequestionwe’regoingtowrestleoutoverthenextfewweeksis:Whatisoursourceofstrength?Wheredoesthatstrengthcomefromthatwillgetusthroughtheday?NowIhaveaconfessiontomake.Ijustwanttobesuperrealwithyouguys.YoumaythinklessofmeafterIconfessthis.ButIthinkyouandIhavemoreincommonthatyou’dliketoadmit.Here’smyembarrassingconfession.Ithinkitishilariouswhenpeopleslipandfallonice,Ido.I

ManUp|RelatingtotheRuleMakerMay27and28,2017

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thinkit’sreally,reallyfunnyeverysingletime.Youcanjudgemeifyouwant,butinthewintertimeinIndianaitishighcomedytimeforsomebodylikeme.Iloveitwhenpeoplehitthatpatchandtheygodown,unlessyou’relikeover70andthenIfeelbad.Butunder70,I’mlaughingatyou.Ifyou’relikesilentlyjudgingmerightnow,Iwantyoutowatchthisandtrynottolaugh.Watchthisdude.[Showscomedyvideoofmanslippingonice.]Youcouldn’thelpit.Youcouldn’thelpitbecauseyouknowit’sfunny.Itisobjectivelyfunnywhenpeopleslipandfallonice.Ithinkit’shilarious.Now,its’onethingtowatchsomeoneelsefalls.Whenyou’retheonefalling,it’saverydifferentexperience.You’vebeenthere.Youfeelyourfeetslippingoutfromunderyouandallofthesuddeneverythinggoesintoslowmotion.You’reworriedaboutbreakingyourtailbone,andthatgirlyou’vebeencrushingoniswatchingyoufromadistance.You’rejustmadatwaterforfreezing.Youdon’tknowwhattothinkanymore,becauseyouareoutofcontrol.Nowwhenyoustartfeelingyourbodyslipping,whatisyourbody’snatural,self-preservationmove?Everysingleoneofusdoesit.Wedon’teventhinkaboutit,it’sjustwantwedo.Youputyourarmsout.Youtrytograbsomethingthatismorestablethanyouinthemoment.Itcouldbeacar.Itcouldbealightpole.Itcouldbesomeoneelseyouwilleventuallypulldownwithyou.Itdoesn’tmatter.You’rejusttryingtostayonyourfeetandgrabsomethingtogiveyoustability.Nowhere’stherealquestionwewanttowrestlewithtoday.Whenyoufeelyourselfslippinginlife,whenyoucanfeelthingsstartingtogetoutofcontrol,whenchaosisintroducedintotheequation,whatdoyoureachfortostabilizeyourself?Whatisityoutrytograbsoyoucanstayonyourfeet?Infactletmeaskitthisway,andIthinkitissomethingweallneedtowrestlewith.Whenyou’renotsure,whattellsyouthatyou’reokay?Likewhenyou’renotpositiveeverythingisgoingtobefine,andwhenyou’renotpositivethisisallgoingtoworkout,whenyou’renotsure,whattellsyouyou’reokay?Maybeforyouit’syourbankaccount.Andwhenyoulookitup,ifthatbalanceisbigenoughyoufeelfine,nomatterwhatelseisgoingoninlife.Itcanallbeoutofcontrol,butifyouhavethosefundsthenyoufeelokay.Maybeit’syourkids.Iftheyarehealthyandthey’rehappy,andthey’resuccessful,itdoesn’tmatterthestateofyourmarriage,yourcareer,oryourfriendships.Aslongasyourkidsareokay,you’reokay.Infact,ifyou’retakingnotesI’dloveforyoutowritethisdown.Iwantyoutoanswerthis



questioninourgroupsthisweek.I’dloveforustotalkthisout.Iwantyoutofillinthisblank.I’mokaybecauseIhave_________.I’mokay,likeIknowlifeisgoingtobefine,becauseIhavewhat?Whatdoyoufillinthatblankwith?InmylifeIhavefilledinthatblankwithallkindsofdifferentthings.Asastudent,asateenagerI’vefilledthatblankinbysaying,“I’mokaybecauseIhavepopularity.Ihaveacceptance.Ihavefriends.AndaslongasIcouldrunincertainsocialcircles,evenifmeansjeopardizingsomeofmyvalues.IknewIwasokayifIwasaccepted.”Or,IknowIamokayincollegebecauseI,eventually,willhaveacareer.AslongasIhaveajob,aslongasIhaveapathinfrontofme—thatwasthewholepointofthisanyway—aslongasIhaveajobI’mokay.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatelseisgoingon.Inmyfirstyearofmarriage,IknewIwasokaybecauseshewasn’tmadatme.Thatwaslikethebar.Thatwasthegoal.Ihadn’tevengraduatedtoshe’shappy.Itwaslikeshe’snotmad.ThatwaswhattoldmethatIwasokay.I’vefilledinthisblankwithsomanydifferentthings.Here’smypitchtoyoutoday.Godhassomethingtosayaboutthatblank.Godactuallyhassomethingforthatblank,butit’snotthethingthatyouandItrytograbfor.Ifwelearntograbforit,ifwelearntomakethatthefoundationonwhichwestand,wewillhavethelifeGodalwaysintended.Todaywe’regoingtoturntotheBibletounderstandwhatGodhastosayaboutthatblank.Nowweknowinaplacelikethis,withasmanypeoplewhoaretuningin,weknownoteverybodyisonthesamepageaboutJesus,aboutchurch,abouttheBible.Ifthatisyouandyou’renotsurewhereyoustand,wearesogladyou’rehere.AndIwouldnever,evenforasecond,guessyououghttobelievesomethingbecausesomeonelikemesaysit’strue.Yououghttothinkforyourself.AndI’mnotexpectingyoutoagreewithusjustbecauseyou’reinaplacelikethiswithabunchofpeoplelikethis.Ifyou’rewrestlingthisout,allI’maskingisyougoonthisjourneywithustoday.I’mjusthopingyouwillaskthisquestion.Ifthisistrue,ifit’struewhattheBiblesays,ifGodistrue,ifwhatthey’resayingistruewhatmightthatmeanformylife?Ifyoucouldgiveitsomeconsiderationandsay,“Ifthisistrue,howwillitchangethewayIlive?”Let’sjustcallatruceonthementalargumentsthataregoingoninyourheadandjustconsiderifthisistruehowitmightchangeyourlife.IfyouhaveaBibleoraBibleappI’dloveforyoutojoinmeintheBookofJudges.TheBookofJudgesisthesixthbookoftheBible.It’sintheOldTestament,thatfirstpartoftheBible.IntheOldTestamentyouheartworeallybigstoriesdeveloping.NumberoneisthehistoryofthenationofIsrael.It’showIsraeldeveloped,theirtrials,theirtribulations,theirdevelopmentasacountry,asanation.That’sIsrael.Thenit’salsopreparingthewayforJesus.It’sIsrael’sstory,



andthenpreparingthewayforJesus.ThesearetwoofthebigblocksoftheOldTestament.AtthispointinthehistoryofIsraelweareinbetweentwoprominentnationalleaders.ThefirstoneisaguynamedJoshua,whowasareallybigdeal.YoucanreadabouthimintheOldTestament.AndthenthereisKingSaul,theveryfirstkinginIsrael’shistory.Butwe’reintheinbetweentime.SowhatwehaveisthiscastofcharacterswhoserveasjudgesforIsrael.That’swhyit’scalledJudges.Theyrulethenationthroughtheirpositionasjudge.Thesecharacterswereallovertheplace.Theseguysandgalswereallovertheplaceasfarastheircharacter,theirability,theirintelligence,theircourage.Somewerereallygood,somewerereallyterrible.Overthenextfewweekswe’regoingtolockinonthecraziestofthemall,andhisnameisSamson.Ifyoudon’tknowmuchaboutSamsonyouneedtoknowheistheleastbiblelikepersonintheBible.Heisarrogant,heischauvinistic,heisimpulsive,heisawomanizer,heisangry,andheismurderous.Thisisthedefinitionofmostofhislife.Andyoumightbewondering,“Whychoosehim?Whyspendfourweeksonaguylikethat?”Here’sthecrazything.EventhoughthevastmajorityofSamson’slifeisanabsolutetrainwreck,heshowsuplaterintheBibleintheNewTestamentinthebookcalledHebrews.Andthere’sthislistofpeopleinwhatamountstoahalloffameoffaith.It’speoplewholivedtheirlivesforGodandmadeabigimpact.Andguesswhomakesthelist?It’sSamson.Samsonisinthehalloffameoffaitheventhoughthevastmajorityofhislifeisacompletemess.Sothatleavesuswithsomequestionstoanswer.HowcanGoduseamessofamanlikeSamson?Andthatwillgetustoanevenbetterquestionforyouandme.HowcanGoduseamessofapersonlikeme?We’regoingtoallowSamson’sstorytounfoldinfrontofusandsay,“WhatdoesthatteachusaboutGod?Howshouldthatchangethewaywelive?”SoSamson’sstorybeginsinJudges13.Ifyoudon’thaveaBibletheverseswillbeonthescreennexttome.It’stotallyfine.Youcanreadrightalongwithus.Here’showitbegins:“AgaintheIsraelitesdidevilintheLord’ssight,sotheLordhandedthemovertothePhilistines,whooppressedthemforfortyyears.”Nowwe’regoingtopresspauserightthere.Iknowitwasonlyoneverse,butwe’vegottotalkaboutit.We’resettingupthestory.WhatitsaysistheIsraelites,thenationofIsrael,they’relivingtheirlives.They’remakingdecisions,theyareinrelationships,andthey’rejustdoinglife.AndthewaytheyaredoingitisevilintheeyesofGod.It’swrong—bad.Soasaconsequenceoftheirbehavior,GodisgoingtogivethemovertothePhilistinesandhaveanothercountryruleoverthem.Sonowthey’reincaptivityfor40years.ThisisthesettingofthesceneSamsonisgoingtoenter.We’regoingtoseethekindofcultureheisgoingtoenterinto.Itsays,“PeopleweredoingwhatisevilinthesightofGod.”That’showthestorybegins.



ButattheendofSamson’sstory,inchapter17,theauthorkindofbookendshisstorywithaverysimilar,butimportantlydifferentstatementanditsaysthis:“InthosedaysIsraelhadnoking;allthepeopledidwhateverseemedrightintheirowneyes.”Soitstartsoutbysayingthesepeoplewerelivingtheirlivesanditwas“evilintheeyesofGod,”butitwas“rightintheirowneyes.”Thesamedecisions,thesamerelationships,andthesameconvictions,fromtheirperspectiveitwastotallycool.FromGod’sperspective,itwasabsolutelyevil.Sothequestionwehaveonourhandsis,“Who’sright?”WhenwhatwethinkconflictswithwhatGodthinks,whowins?Yousee,thesepeoplewerenotlivingthislifeofguilt.Theyweren’twalkingaroundsaying,“I’mamess.”Theythoughttheywerecool.Theywerenotbetrayingtheirconscience.Manyofusthinkourconsciencewillguideustosomekindofbetterliving.Sowhenyoubetrayyourconscience,whichissomethingallofushavedone,itusuallysoundslike,“IknowIshouldn’t,butI’mgoingtoanyway.”Like,“IknowIshouldn’thavethatlastpieceofcake,butI’mgonnabecauseit’sdelicious.”Or,“IknowIshouldn’tgossip,butdidyouhearwhatshedid?”Or,“Iknewbetter,butI’mgoingtolivethisoutanyway.”Theyweren’tdoingthat.Theyweren’tbetrayingtheirconscience.Theyweren’tbetrayinganypersonalstandardstheyhad.Itwasn’tlike,“Hey,IknowI’mbetterthanthis,butI’mgoingtolivethisway.”Like,“Iknowheisnotgoodforme,andIknowIambetterthanhim,buthonestlyhe’sniceandI’mkindoflonelysowe’regoingtodateanyway.”Orlike,“IknowIwanttobeagooddadandIdon’twanttosnaponmykids,butI’mtiredandthey’reannoying,soI’mgoingtoletitrip.”That’snotwhattheyweredoing.Theyweren’tbetrayingtheirpersonalstandards.Theyweren’tevenbetrayingcommunityvalues,likethingsallofusagreetosowecanliveincivilsociety.Likeweallagreekeepingkidssafeisagoodidea,sowe’regoingtodrasticallyreducethespeedlimitinaschoolzonesokidsdon’tgethitbycars.Weallagreethatisagoodidea.Wedon’twanttoliveinalandfill,sowe’renotgoingtothrowourtrashoutofourcarsandlitter.Weallagreetothat,andthat’sacommunityvalue.Buttheyweren’tbetrayingthoseeither.Theyweren’tbetrayingtheirconscience,personalstandards,orcommunityvalues.Theythoughttheyweregood.ButGodstilllookedattheirlivesandsaidtheywereevil.Again,wehavethisproblem.Whoseeyesmatter?WhenwhatwethinkisrightisdifferentthanwhatGodthinksisright,whowins?Soourculture’sanswertothisquestionisyougettodefinewhatistrueforyou,Igettodefinewhat’strueforme,andyoucan’ttellmeeitherway.



What’srightforyoumaynotberightforme.What’swrongforyoumaynotbewrongforme.Ihavemyownpersonalsetofconvictionsandtruth.Youhaveyourownset.Andaslongasourmessdoesn’tgetoneachother,we’recool.That’sthewaytheworldwantstowork.Theproblemisthatthatworldviewbreaksdownalmostimmediately.Oneoftheprimaryproblemsisthis:Whentruthisrelative,youcan’tconfrontevil.Youjustcan’tbecausethereisnobasisforyoutocallanythingevil.IfyouandIgettodecideforourselves,what’strueandnottrue,what’sgoodandwhat’sevil,wecanneverconfronttheevilwenaturallydoonadailybasis.TakeforinstanceanextremenewsstoryyouwouldseeonsocialmediaoronTV.Sayforinstanceaschoolshooting.Everysingleoneofus,withoutasecondhesitation,wouldlookatthatandsay,“That’sevil.Thatiswrong,andthereisnowayanyonecouldpossiblydefendthat.”Theproblemisitdidn’tbetraytheconscienceofthatshooter.Hewastotallyfinewalkingintothatschoolandtakingthelivesofinnocentpeople.Sohegetstodefinetruthforhimself.Who’srightandwho’swrong.Sayforinstancechildabuse.Again,noneofushaveanyproblemlookingatthatandcallingitevil,exceptitdoesn’tbetraythepersonalstandardsofthatperson.Sodotheygettodefinegoodandevilforthemselves?OrevenwhathappenedlastweekendinManchester,Englandwiththebombingattheconcert.Allofus,there’snotasingleoneofyouwhoheardthatstoryandthought,“Idon’tknow.”No,youknewitwasevilfromtheminuteyousawit.Exceptforthegroupofterrorists,itdidnotbetraytheirconscience,personalstandards,orcommunityvalues.Fromtheireyes,itwasabsolutelyright.FromoureyesandwhatwebelieveareGod’seyes,itwasabsolutelyevil.Sothisbreaksdown.Weneedsomeobjectivesourceoftruth.Weneedsomeoneelsebesideourselvescallingtheshots.That’sincrediblyphilosophical.Let’sgetdowntopractical,thewayyouandIliveourlivesandthedecisionswemakeonadailybasis.IfIgettodecidewhatisrightandwrongformyselfIamhosedfromthebeginning,becausesinwillcreepintomylifeandconvincemeitisactuallyagoodthing.Here’showitworks.Youwillstartworking70,80,90hoursaweekandyouwillbecomeaworkaholicandyouwilltellyourself,“I’mactuallyservingthepeopleIprovideforbecauseIamgivingthemtheresourcestheyneedtolivelife.”Meanwhile,theyarefalteringbecausetheydon’thavearelationshipwithyou.You’veconvincedyourselfit’sgood,andGodlooksatitandsays,“That’sactuallyevil.”



Orwhenyouallowyourkidstobecomeyouridentityandyou’reallobsessedaboutthewaytheyareachievingandthefuturetheyhaveforthemselves.Andtheydefinewhetheryou’reokay.Andyouthinkyou’rebeingselflessandyou’retryingtogivethemthelifeyouneverhad.InrealityGodsays,“IfyouridentityisinanythingelsebutMe,that’sevil.”YouthoughtitwasrightandGodsaiditwasevil.Whowins?Here’showithasplayedoutinmylife.Acoupleofweeksagowewerehereatchurchandannouncedourfamily,myfamily,isrelocatingtothewestcoastinDecembertoplantabrandnewchurch.We’reexcitedaboutit,andwecan’twait.Idon’tknowifyou’veeverstartedsomethinglikeanorganizationorabusiness,butthereisalotofworktodo.There’sjustalottofigureout.Sowearegrindingaway,tryingtogetthisthingofftheground.AndonTuesdaynightmylovingwifehadtogentlypullmeasideandsay,“Hey,youareworkingafull-timejob.Thenyouarecominghomeandtakingphonecalls,answeringemails,andworkingontheproject,andwe’renotconnecting,you’renotconnectingwithyourkids.Itwouldbegreatifyoucouldpayattention.”Soifyouthinkyourlifeiscomplicated,Ihavesinnedbytryingtostartachurch.Justprocessthat.Whodoesthat?That’slikenext-levelstupid.Idon’tevenknowhowsomeonedoesthat.Ididit.IdidthethingwhereIwastryingtodosomethingforGodsoofcourseit’stotallyfine,butinrealityI’mignoringmyprimaryministrywhichismywifeandmykids.Thisisthedeceptionofsin.Thisishowitgetsinourlifeandconvincesusitisagoodthing.Andifit’suptome,ifit’suptometodefinewhat’srightandwhat’swrong,IwillalwaysthinkI’mright.Soit’snotjustagoodideaforGodtobethesourceoftruth,itisessentialbecausewewillfallforthedeceptionofsineverysingletime.Theremaybeagroupofyouwhoarehearingthisandarelike,“Yeah,gogetthoserelativistsandletthemknowweknowthetruth,wehavethetruth.Tellthemwe’vegotthetruth.”You’relike,“YeahJake,yougogetthem.”Here’stheflipsideofthisproblem.Whenwehavethetruth,whenwehavethetruthandweknowwhatGodhassaidandthatbecomesourtruth,whenwelookatpeoplewhosaythereisnotruthorthereisnosource,whatcanhappen?Andletmejustsaythis,ifGod’struthmakesyouverycomfortablewithwhoyoualreadyare,it’sprobablynotGod’struth.IfyoucanacceptGod’struthandnothinghastochange.OrifyoucanacceptGod’struthandallofthesuddeneverybodyelseiswrong,andyoujusthappentoberight,it’sprobablynotGod’struth.God’struthshouldneverproducearroganceinourhearts.God’struthshouldneverproducejudgmentalisminourhearts,becauseallGod’struthsaysisthatwewerefarworsethanweeverimagined,andGodisfarmoregraciousthanwecouldeverhavedreamed.That’sGod’struth.



Sowhatitdoesisitproducesaheartofhumilityandaheardofgratitude.Sotherearetwodifferentgroupsofpeople.Numberone,ifyou’vebeendecidingrightandwrong,goodandevil,youneedtoactuallyprocesswhenthatworksorwhenitbreaksdown.Andifyou’vebeenleveragingGod’struthtohurtotherpeople,orsitinjudgmentofthem,mayIjustsuggestmaybethat’syourtruthandnotGod’s.SoweneedGod’struthastheobjectivesourceofdefininggoodandevil,rightandwrong,trueandfalseinourlivesbecausewecannotdependonourselves.BecauseifIammyownfoundation,whenIstarttofallthereisnothingformetograb.IneedGodtokeepmeonmyfeet.Sothequestionwehavehere…Andmaybethisiswherewedepart.Maybeyou’renotreadytogowithmeonthis,andmaybeyou’renotreadytoacceptGodastherulemaker.Butifyouarewillingtocomewithme,thisisthequestionweneedtoask.Howdowerelatetotherulemaker?IfGodistheonewhomakestherules,howdowerelatetoHim?Thenaturalconclusionis,“IfHemadetherules,ifyoufollowtherulesHeisprobablyhappywithyou.”That’showyourelatetotherulemaker.ButifweallowSamson’sbirthstorytoplayoutinfrontofus,we’regoingtoseeadifferentpicturebeingpainted.Let’sfollowalong,inverse2we’regoingtopickuphisstory.Here’showitplaysout.“InthosedaysamannamedManoahfromthetribeofDanlivedinthetownofZorah.Hiswifewasunabletobecomepregnant,andtheyhadnochildren.TheangeloftheLordappearedtoManoah’swifeandsaid,‘Eventhoughyouhavebeenunabletohavechildren,youwillsoonbecomepregnantandgivebirthtoason.Sobecareful;youmustnotdrinkwineoranyotheralcoholicdrinknoreatanyforbiddenfood.Youwillbecomepregnantandgivebirthtoason,andhishairmustneverbecut.ForhewillbededicatedtoGodasaNaziritefrombirth.HewillbegintorescueIsraelfromthePhilistines.’”Sohereiswhatwehave.WehaveamannamedManoahandhiswife.Theyhavebeenunabletohaveachild.ThenanangeloftheLordshowsupandsays,“Youaregoingtobeabletohavethesonyou’velongawaitedfor.Heisgoingtobedifferent.Heisgoingtobesetapart.HeisgoingtobeusedbyGodtobeginfreeingHispeoplefromcaptivity.”I’mjusthopingoneofmykidsgetsascholarshipsomeday.Hersonisgoingtofreepeoplefromslavery.That’swaycooler.Andsoshe’sgotthisvisionforherson,butit’sgoingtorequirethathebesetapartforGod’spurpose.WhatSamson’sgoingtoenterintoissomethingcalledaNazaritevow.Whatitwasisnormallypeoplewouldvoluntarily,foratemporarymomentintime,gointothisvowoftheirownaccordsotheycouldbeusedbyGod,hearfromGod,andbesetapartbyGod.Andwhatitwouldamounttoistheywouldn’tcuttheirhair,theywouldn’tdrink,andtheywouldn’ttouchdead



things.ThosewerethethingsthatwouldkeepthemceremoniallycleansotheycouldhearfromGodandbeusedbyGod.Nowagain,normallyitwasvoluntaryandforalimitedperiodoftime.ButwithSamsonitwasn’tevenhischoice.Thiswashisdestinyfromdayoneanditwasforhisentirelife.Hewasgoingtobedifferent.Hewasgoingtobesetapart.Butifyounoticethereattheenditsays,“Samsonisgoingtobeginfreeinghispeople,”buthe’snotgoingtofinishit.Yousee,thisisourfirstglimpseintoSamson’sunfulfilledpotential,thisunfinishedlife,thisvisionGodhadforhislifethathewasneverabletoaccomplish.Samsonwasnotperfect.Watchwhathappensnext.Manoah’swifegoesandtellsManoah,“Hey,bytheway,we’regoingtohavethesonwe’vewaitedfor.He’sgoingtofreehispeoplefromslavery.It’sgoingtobesuper-cool.”Manoahispumpedaboutthat,obviously,andlookatwhathedoesnextinverse8.Itsays,“ThenManoahprayedtotheLord,saying,‘Lord,pleaseletthemanofGodcomebacktousagainandgiveusmoreinstructionsaboutthissonwhoistobeborn.’GodansweredManoah’sprayer,andtheangelofGodappearedonceagaintohiswifeasshewassittinginthefield.Butherhusband,Manoah,wasnotwithher.Soshequicklyranandtoldherhusband,‘Themanwhoappearedtometheotherdayishereagain!“Manoahranbackwithhiswifeandasked,‘Areyouthemanwhospoketomywifetheotherday?’‘Yes,’hereplied,‘Iam.’SoManoahaskedhim,‘Whenyourwordscometrue,whatkindsofrulesshouldgoverntheboy’slifeandwork?’TheangeloftheLordreplied,‘BesureyourwifefollowstheinstructionsIgaveher.Shemustnoteatgrapesorraisins,drinkwineoranyotheralcoholicdrink,oreatanyforbiddenfood.’”SoManoahgetsthisideaandpraystoGod,“WillyousendtheangelagainsoIcangetgreaterclarityonhowweoughttoraisethissonyouhavegivenus?”Iwantmoreinstructions.Iwantmorerules.IwantmoreboundariessoIknowIamdoingthisright.SoGodanswershisprayerandtheangelshowsupagain.Butdidyounoticetheangelactuallydoesn’tgivehimanymorerules,anymoreinstructions,oranymoreclarity.Allhedoesislike,“Ialreadytoldyourwife.Listenbetter,Manoah.Butherearetheinstructions.Here’swhatItoldher.Thisisbeyondgoodprenatalcare,thisisaNazaritevowandhe’sgoingtobeusedbyGodinabig,bigway.”ButManoah’snotdoneyet.Lookwhathedoesinverses15-18,“ThenManoahsaidtotheangeloftheLord,‘Pleasestayhereuntilwecanprepareayounggoatforyoutoeat.’‘Iwillstay,’theangeloftheLordreplied,‘butIwillnoteatanything.However,youmayprepareaburntofferingasasacrificetotheLord.’(Manoahdidn’trealizeitwastheangeloftheLord.)ThenManoahaskedtheangeloftheLord,‘Whatisyourname?Forwhenallthiscomestrue,wewanttohonoryou.’‘Whydoyouaskmyname?’theangeloftheLordreplied.‘Itistoo



wonderfulforyoutounderstand.’”SoManoah,heisangling.Heistryingtogetsomething.Like,“Willyoupleasegivememoreinstructions?Willyoupleasegivemesomemorerules?WillyoupleasetellmehowI’msupposedtowin?”AndtheangeloftheLordnevergiveshimanymorerules,buthedoespointhimtoGod.Yousee,hewastryingtopreparehimamealandhesays,“Actually,makethatasacrifice.”Hewastryingtogettoknowtheangelandhewaslike,“Actually,youneedtoknowGod.”Yousee,whattheangeloftheLordwasdoingwassaying,“Youhaveenoughrules,Manoah.YouneedtoknowtheheartofGod.”Hereiswhy.Andhereistheproblemwithrules,andmanyofyouhavewalkeddownthispath:Rulesdon’tchangeourhearts.I’veneverhadarulechangemyheart.Justbecausesomethingisillegalorsomethingisnotallowed,itdoesn’tmeanIdon’twantit.Infact,itkindofmakesmewantitmore.Rulesdon’tchangeourhearts.Andmaybethisisthepathyou’vebeendownwithGod.Someone,somewheretoldyouaboutGodtherule-maker,andtheytoldyouthatthewayyoumaketherule-makerhappyisobeytherules.Infact,thisisthebasicfoundationforalmosteveryworldreligionontheentireglobe.ObeytherulesandGodwillbehappy.Theproblemisrulesdon’tchangeyourheart.Maybeyoutriedforawhile,youtriedtoobeyandyoutriedtobegoodenoughtomakeGodloveyoubutyouknewyoucouldn’t.ThemomentyoulostanysenseofobligationyoubaledonGodbecauseyoucouldn’tmakeHimhappy.Becausethewayyoumaketherule-makerhappyisyoufollowtherules,andyoujustcouldn’tdoit.Theproblemisthat’snotwhatGodwasaskingatall.Infact,GodwantstogetintoourheartsandHewantstochangethem,butHeknowsrulesaren’tenough.Thinkofitlikethis.Thinkofitthroughthelensofparenting.Whenaparenthasayoungchild,theprimarysourceoftheirinstructionisdoanddon’t.Docleanupyourtoys,don’ttouchthehotstove.Dothis,don’tdothatbecausekidsneedthatbasiclevelofinstruction.Ourfamily,wehaveatwo-and-a-halfyearoldathome.Heisapsycho.Acoupleofmonthsagoheclimbsuponthearmofachairandhejumpstowardawall.Idon’tknowwhattheendgamewas.Idon’tknowwhathisvisionforthisleapwas,butpredictably,heface-plantedonthewall,felldown,knockedaframeloseanditfellonhisheadandbustedhisheadopen.Idon’tknowifhe’sgoingtosurvive,Ijustdon’tknow.SowithhimIhavetosaydosanddon’tsjusttokeephimalive.That’sthegoalrightnow.Butifinanother10yearsIhavetofollowaroundthatsameyoungmanandgivehimthedosanddon’tsjusttokeephimalive,Ihavenotdonemyjobasadad.TherewillbeadaywhenIamno



longeraroundtotellhimdoanddon’t,yesandno,rightandwrong.I’mgoingtohavetotransition,muchlikeanyparenthasto,awayfromthedosanddon’tsrulesintothemotivationoftheheartandintoprinciplesandvaluessohecanleaveourhouserepresentingthevaluesofourfamily.Dosanddon’tsjustdon’tdoitbecauserulesdon’tchangewhoyouareontheinside.AndifyoulookatGod’spathwithHispeople,itstartedintheverysameway.IfyoureadmuchoftheOldTestament,it’salotofdosanddon’ts.Doeatthis,don’teatthat.Dosacrificethisway,don’tsacrificethatway.ButwhenJesuscame,theconversationchanged,andGodstartedgoingatitfromtheinside.AndHestartedrewiringourhearts,desires,andmotivationssowewouldactuallywantwhatHewants,becausenorulehaseverchangedwhatIwanted,butarelationshipcan.YouseethechallengemanyofusfacewithGodiswe’vespentthemajorityofourlivestryingtobegoodversustryingtoconnect.We’vejustspentsomuchtimetryingtobegood,tryingtoberightsothatsomedayGodwillbehappywithus.AndifIcanjuststackupenoughofthis,finallyI’llgetadmissionintothatgoldenplaceandeverythingwillbefine.Ijustwanttotrytobegood.AndGod’soverheresaying,“Listen,Ijustknowthat’snotenough.Iknowtherulesaren’tgoingtochangeyou.IwantyoutoconnectandIwantyoutoknowme.”Here’sthetruthinmylife.I’lljustspeakforme,andyoumayagreeordisagree.Theonlygoodthat’severcomeinmylifehasnotbeenbecauseIwastoldtobegood.Itdoesn’twork.TheonlytimesI’veeverbeenselflessisnotbecausesomeonelookedmeintheeyesandsaid,“Jake,youneedtobeselfless.”No,insteaditwasbecauseIgottoknowGod,andIgottoknowwhoHeis,andIgottoknowthatHegaveupHisonlySontopaythedebtthatIowed.Hewenttoacrossforme,sothatIcouldhavefreedomandIcouldhavelife.AndsobecauseHeisselfless,Icouldbeselfless.AndtheonlyreasonI’veeverbeengenerousisnotbecausesomeonelookedatmeandsaid,“Youknow,youreallyshouldbegenerous.”It’sbecauseIgottoknowaGodwhowasgenerous.AndHegavemeeverythingIeverhad.SobecauseofmyrelationshipwithHim,Icanbegeneroustoo.Theruleshaveneverdoneitforme.Maybetheywillforyou,goodluck,butIdon’tthinkitisworthitIthinkitwouldbebetterforyoutoconnectwithGodandthroughthatrelationshipwillbethefoundationonwhichyoucanstand.Thechallengeforusis:Ifruleswereenough,wewouldn’tneedJesus.



Like,iftheruleshaddonetheirjob,Jesuswouldhaveneverbeennecessary.WehadthisthingcalledthelawandifyoureadtheOldTestament,itwasallovertheplace.Itwastherules.Andpeopletried,theyreallydid.Becauseallofusfallshort,theyweren’tenough,andJesusneededtocomesaveus.AndnowthatHehas,ourfoundationisnolongertherules.It’sourrelationship.Here’showPaulputsitinRomans7.It’ssobeautiful:“Butnowwehavebeenreleasedfromthelaw,forwediedtoitandarenolongercaptivetoitspower.NowwecanserveGod,notintheoldwayofobeyingtheletterofthelaw,butinthenewwayoflivingintheSpirit.”He’ssaying:Youhaveenoughrules.YouneedtoknowGod.Thatchangeseverything.Soifyou’relookingforastrongerfoundationonwhichtobuildyourlife,andifyoufeellikeyouarefallingrightnowandyou’retryingtograbontosomethingtostayonyourfeet,I’mtellingyouitisGod’struthandGod’srelationshipwithyouthatwillkeepyouupright.Inmystory,itwasGod’srelationshipwithmethatwasstrongenoughtohandleallmymess.ItwasonlythroughGod’srelationshipwithmethatIhavehopeforthemanIcouldbecome.Andit’sbecauseofGod’srelationshipwithmethatIhavehopeformymarriage,becauseHeteachesmeselflessness,notbecauseI’mnaturallyselfless.Andit’sonlybecauseofmyrelationshipwithGodthatIhavehopetobeanykindofdadsoIcanraisemykidsuptobemoreandmorelikeHim.Therulesarenotenough,IneedarelationshipandIknowyoudotoo.Andmaybeyoudon’tevenknowwheretostart,sowe’regoingtokeepitreallysimple.We’rejustgoingtoprayasimpleonelineprayer,andmyencouragementtoyouthisweekistopraythiseverysingledayandseewhatGoddoesinyourheart.It’ssimplelikethis:God,helpmewanttoknowyoumore.Juststartthere,everysingleday,oneline,“God,helpmetowanttoknowyoumore.”Noticeit’snot,“God,helpmeknowyoumore,”andnoticeit’snot,“Godhelpmehavemoreinstructions,givememorerules.”It’s,“God,helpmewanttoknowyoumore.Getontheinside,changemydesires,changewhatIwantsoIcanlookmoreandmorelikeyou.”Andifyou’rereadytopraythat,I’dlovetopraythatoveryourightnow.Willyoujoinme?God,wearecomingtoYouandwearerecognizingourneedforsomethingmoresolidthanourselves,ourneedforsomeonelikeYoutonotonlysetwhat’srightandwrong,buttopickusupwhenwefall,forgiveoursins,andtoloveuswhenweareunlovable.God,IjustprayYouwouldgetontheinsideofusandchangeourmotivations,changeourdesires,andundosomethingsandrecreatesomeofthethingsthathavebeenlackinginourlives.God,wearegivingYouaccesstothat.It’sinYournameIpray.Amen.

man up relating to the rule maker… · you just need to man up.” or, “you need to pull...

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