Judges “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom.15:4

Father - Manoah Samson was a Nazarite - Could not cut hair He had great strength Judges 14:6 - killed lion with his hands Judges 15:15 - killed 1,000 with jawbone Judge of Israel for 20 years Met a woman named Delilah

“And it came to pass afterward he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.” Judges 16:4 3 Women - all Philistines - off limits to a man of God Problem with illicit sexual relationships Samson Loved a woman

Heb. 13:4 “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” 1 Cor.6:18 “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” Matt. 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

Young People - Wait until you are married Single Adults - Keep your bodies pure Married couples - be faithful to your spouse

She was offered 5,500 pieces of silver - ¾ million $ Judges 16:5 “entice” = “to deceive, allure, flatter” Philistines were very superstitious - find his secret Satan works in this way 1 Cor. 10:13-14 “… but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” Delilah Loved Wealth

Samson’s Lies 1 st “bind me with seven green withs” [bowstrings] 2 nd “bind me fast with new ropes” 3 rd “weave the seven locks of my head with the web”

Playing with Delilah - Getting closer to truth People get as close as they can to sin Matt. 12: it is in our heart When we sin it controls us - Rom.6:12 James 1: drawn away by lust - enticed = sin

Delilah’s Lies  Lied to Samson because she was smarter  Played the “If you loved me you would” card  She did not love him, she loved the money Sin works like this --- Tempted - yield - commit the sin Put distance between you and the temptation

Delilah’s Lies Playing with sin is like playing with fire Prov. 6:27 “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?”

 A man built a prison in New York.  Later he was found guilty of forgery.  Sentenced to several years in the prison he built. “I never dreamed when I built this prison that I would be an inmate one day.” Num. 32:23 “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” Tombs Prison, New York City

Delilah’s Losses In one sense she really lost nothing - was a sinner Enjoyed the fruits of her deception Financially she was set for life. In the end she lost everything. - Her soul ! Mark 8:36-37 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Samson’s Losses 1.He lost much physically  His Freedom  His Vision  His Dignity  His Life Sin has the power to control our lives It can bind, blind and grind Enslaved to the habits of sin

Samson’s Losses 2. He lost More Spiritually Most expensive haircut in history  Lost His Fellowship with God  Lost His Spiritual Discernment  Lost His Ministry  Lost His Influence

Samson was humiliated in the eyes of the enemy God was humiliated along with Samson When they laughed at Samson they were mocking his God as well. When we fail and sin it brings reproach on God. 2 Sam. 12:14 “by this deed thou has given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme” 1 Tim. 6:1 “that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.”

Sad and Tragic  Sin takes you farther than you want to go.  Sin will hold you longer than you want to stay.  Sin will cost you more than you are willing to pay. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Samson

Noted for his great strength We can do something Samson did not do. We can Obey God. 1 Cor. 10:11 “Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come”

Was Samson forgiven ? God will forgive anyone who truly repents Samson Prayed God heard his prayer God answered his prayer God listed him in Hebrews 11 as a man of faith

You can be forgiven Obey the Gospel Believe Repent Confess Baptized Repent and Confess your sins

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning April 22, 2012