One Big Story - Week 2 “Strength Beyond Strength” Judges 13-16 (selected verses) God Doesn’t Give Up On You, No Matter What Mistakes You’ve Made

THE BIBLE IS GOD’S ONE BIG STORY OF GOD’S LOVE FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T ALWAYS FEEL LIKE THEY DESERVE GOD’S LOVE? THIS SERIES IS GOING TO TEACH US ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING:

GOD LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT.

TODAY WE’RE GOING TO BE HEARING THE STORY OF SAMSON—A SUPER-STRONG, SUPER FLAWED SERVANT WHO LEARNED A VALUABLE LESSON…

GOD DOESN’T GIVE UP ON YOU, NO MATTER WHAT MISTAKES YOU’VE MADE.

JUDGES 13-16• PEOPLE DID “EVIL IN THE EYES OF THE LORD…” SEVEN YEARS OF MIDIANITES• THIS TIME THEY ARE PLAGUED BY THE PHILISTINES—COASTAL PEOPLE• IT’S ALL A CASE OF “MY GOD CAN BEAT UP YOUR GOD” - GOD HAD OTHER IDEAS.• SAMSON HAS A MIRACULOUS BIRTH AND IS SET ASIDE AS A NAZARITE• SAMSON = ISRAEL: SET APART, GIVEN GREATNESS, SQUANDERED IT ALL• GOD WAS TEACHING ISRAEL—YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON MY STRENGTH, NOT YOURS• SAMSON GETS HIMSELF INTO TERRIBLE SITUATIONS— THROUGH INTERMARRIAGE• LION CARCASSES, RIDDLES, GAMBLING DEBTS, FOXES, JAWBONE JU-JITSU• TEARS OFF THE CITY GATES OF GAZA—CONSTANTLY BEING SAVED BY STRENGTH• THEN HE MEETS DELILAH “FLIRTATIOUS” - AND SHE GETS HIM TO REVEAL A SECRET• SAMSON FINDS HIMSELF IMPRISONED, BLINDED, LEFT TO BE FORGOTTEN• ONLY HE ISN’T—GOD DOESN’T GIVE UP ON HIM (OR ISRAEL) - HEROIC ENDING

GOD DOESN’T GIVE UP ON YOU, NO MATTER WHAT MISTAKES YOU’VE MADE.

YOU HAVE ALL THE STRENGTH YOU NEED TO DO GOD’S WILL… BUT MOST OF US DON’T BELIEVE THIS. WE LIVE IN THE REAR-VIEW, GUILT, SHAME GOD DOESN’T WASTE ANYTHING—OUR MISTAKES, OUR BLUNDERS AND BROKENNESS GOD NEVER LOSES FAITH IN YOU, REGARDLESS OF HOW FAITHLESS YOU HAVE BEEN YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE—YOU ARE NOT DEFINED BY YOUR PAST. DON’T WAIT TOO LATE TO FIGURE THIS OUT….

GOD DOESN’T GIVE UP ON YOU, NO MATTER WHAT MISTAKES YOU’VE MADE.

sermon extras & further reading

FOR FURTHER READING:

Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward In Faith By Christine Caine

Plan B Pete Wilson

The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom Henri Nouwen

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