1. Superman? Supergod! Judges 13:1-5, 16:23-31

2. Samson The story With (almost) all the ugly details Superman? Samsons potential and how he squandered it Supergod! God uses flawed people to keep his promise

3. The Story Israel hadnt fully driven out all the foreign nations – they became a problem for them. God sent judges to free them again If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself 2.Tim. 2:13

4. The Story Philistines were ruling in Israel Nazirite vow: – Dont cut hair – Dont eat/drink anything from grapevine – Dont touch any dead body

5. The Story – Episode 1 Samson wants to marry a Philistine girl His parents oppose but eventually give in At the wedding he gives his companions a riddle His wife-to-be betrays him Samson kills 30 Philistines His wife is given to someone else

6. The Story – Episode 1 Burns wheat crop Kills many Philistines Is delivered to the Philistines Kills 1000 Philistines with a donkeys jawbone Burn Samsons wife Besiege cities Want to kill Samson

7. The Story – Episode 2 Samson spends the night with a Philistine prostitute in Gaza The Philistines plan an ambush Samson tears out the city gates and carries them away

8. The Story – Episode 3 Delilah is offered much money for finding Samsons secret Samson doesnt tell her the full truth at first She keeps pestering him He finally tells her The Philistines capture and blind him He is thrown in prison

9. The Story – Episode 3 Samson brings down the temple and kills more than 3000 Philistines including many of their leaders

10. Superman? Samson had great potential – Miraculous birth like Isaac (Sarah), Esau & Jacob (Rebecca), Josef & Benjamin (Rachel), Samuel (Hannah), John the Baptist (Elizabeth), Jesus (Mary) – Blessed from birth – Godly parents – Special calling - Nazirite vow – Special gifts - physical strength)

11. Snowballfight!

12. Superman? Samsons Kryptonite: – Indifference to sin – Indifference to what had been given to him Plays with sin instead of avoiding it Doesnt care much about his vow Has questionable motives when using his special gift He squandered his potential

13. Superman? Im NOT like Samson… or… am I? Our talents are Gods gifts to us and what we make of them is our gift to God

14. Supergod! God does not tempt us (James 1.13) The Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised

15. Supergod! God makes promises and keeps them He sometimes uses strange people or circumstances to carry out his plan Dont judge too quickly God uses who he wants how he wants, in past, present and future

16. A Twofold Message: Take sin serious and use your potential God is sovereign and faithful – he will keep his promise