1. The Birth of Samson - Judge of Israel
On July 6, 1999, 27-year old Daniel Dukes went to Sea World in Orlando, Florida, At closing time, as other guests were leaving, he climbed over a fence and hid himself. He stayed put until the park was empty. During the night, he made his way into the pool where a 5-ton Killer whale named Tillicum was being kept. He stripped down to his swimming trunks, folded his clothes neatly and jumped into the pool. Nobody knows for sure what happened next. Some experts believe that the whale may have been startled by the man’s sudden appearance. In his fear, the whale may have suddenly dived, creating a vortex that pulled Daniel under and rendered him helpless and without strength. Others believe it’s more likely that the whale thought the man was just a toy and dragged him around the pool for fun, keeping him underwater until he drowned. Either way, Duke’s lifeless body was found the next morning. draped over Tillicum’s back.
We too sometimes climb over the fences that God has erected, not to wreak havoc and destruction, but just to have a little thrill, a little fun. The problem is that we underestimate the danger. We intend to stay, just a ”little while” and then return, but sin grabs us in it’s teeth and refuses to let go. We wind up going further than we ever intended. Sin it like that: it thrills until it kills, it fascinates until it assassinates us. Samson was just like that, a fun loving guy, just out looking for a good time.
Judges 13: 1-25

2. An Overview of Samson’s Judgeship
Samson was primarily a failure in his judgeship as he used the blessings and resources of God for his personal gain and fame, not for Israel’s deliverance.
Samson used his unique gifts for self indulgence and not for the glory of God.
Samson’s sin habits, led him from apathy to apostasy, such that he didn’t know that the Spirit of the Lord had left him. This led to his public humiliation.
Samson was a reluctant hero, yet despite his failures he was still used to accomplish heroic acts on behalf of God.
Yet, God still uses him, in spite of his failures and he is named in the Hebrews’ Faithful “Hall of Fame”. Heb.: 11

3. Map during Samson’s Lifetime.

4. Judges 13: 1-25 (ESV) The Birth of Samson
13 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.
Sorek Valley Photo – Samson’s romance was just down this valley towards the sea in Timnah.

5. 3 Lessons drawn for Judges 13: 1-25
Warning: The consequences of a lack of genuine repentance leads to spiritual Apathy and finally to Apostasy or departing from the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God is not to be trifled with, nor are his claims.
Miracles do not sustain or guarantee Spiritual Growth.
God is Faithful, even when we are not.

6. 1. Apathy to Apostasy
13  1 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

7. Typical cycle of Apathy to Apostasy to Deliverance

8. Spiritual Condition of Israel in Judges 13
God raises up a deliverer in Israel, but because of the people’s repentance but for the protection of His Name and of the Covenant with Israel.
Cycles of "apostasy – servitude – restoration" in 350 years says so much about the long-suffering nature of God, and also the inherent rebellion of humanity. Two problems plague the human race: Man’s first and greatest problem is his innate rebellion against God’s authority. And the second is his pride to humble himself in the sight of God so that God may “raise him up” for His own Glory.
Not this time! Israel didn’t seek the Lord

9. Apathy and Apostasy differentiated
Apostasy defined:
The English word “apostasy” is derived from two Greek words. The first word is the preposition apo, which means “away from.”
The second word is the verb histemi, which means “to stand.” Thus, apostasy means, “to stand away from.” Apostasy refers to a departure from known or previously embraced truth.

10. Steps from Apathy to Apostasy
1. Wrong Attitude about: Nature of God/Jesus, Nature of Man, and Authority.
2 THESS 2:10, PROVERBS 23:23, MATTHEW 5:6
2. False Teachers, condoned and eventually accepted.
IS. 30:10 JEREMIAH 5:31, TITUS 1:11, MATTHEW 7:15
3. Turning away from the Truth
JOHN 8:32, I PETER 1:21, HEBREWS 10:26
4. Turning to False Doctrines
2 THESS 2:11-12, GALATIONS 4:4, JOHN 12:48
That turning can be back towards the teachings of the world 1 John 2: 16-17
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever.

11. Steps from Apathy to Apostasy
There is no substitute for faithfulness!
God has said: “Obedience is better than sacrifice!”

12. Examples of Apathy to Apostasy in Church History
Catholic Church departure from the faith.
We are Protestants for sound theological reasons.
Differences: The Church, Scripture, The Lord’s Supper, Mary, Purgatory, Works
The Five Solas of the Reformation: (see next slide)
Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, Glory of God Alone.
Other Denominations (cults) departure from the faith:
Mormons: 3+1 extra biblical books:
Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, KJV only.
Anti Trinity: 3 Separate Gods, not one God in 3 manifestations (historical)
Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Jesus Christ was not eternally existing as God, but was created by God, born as human but not as Deity.
Jesus was resurrected “spiritually but not physically”.
The Catholic Church:
Mormons:
Jehovah’s Witnesses

13. The Five Sola’s – Each Standing Alone.

14. Apostasy in the “Last Days”.
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits, and doctrines of demons; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them who believe and know the truth. I Tim 4: 1-3.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they draw to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto myths. II Tim 4: 3-4.

15. Vance Havner quote on Apostasy
“The Scriptures teach that the age will end in anarchy, apostasy and apathy – anarchy in the world, apostasy in the professing church, and even apathy in the true church – because lawlessness shall abound, the love of most will wax cold. Men will turn from the truth to fables.”
Is this not a near perfect picture of the world today?

16. 2. Miracles do not sustain Spiritual Growth.
The personal appearance of Christ doing miracles in Samson’s family did not secure the faithfulness of Samson to his vows or to his mission.
Manoah sought to manipulate God in his supplications to the Angel of the Lord. Samson will repeat this behavior in his adulthood.
What are some of the ways we try to manipulate God?
Name it and claim it “Prosperity Gospel for personal health and wealth”. Testing God with pledges of personal faithfulness based on his deliverance or provision.
Samson did not keep his vows of separation! His self confidence in his strength, swelled his pride and caused him to forget God and His provision and the “claim” on his own life.
He used God’s blessings for his own conquests, fame and lusts.
Spiritual Apathy from Samson delayed the purpose of God in delivering Israel until the time of King David.

17. 2. Miracles do not sustain Spiritual Growth.
A cynical and unbelieving attitude results in desire for personal verification by God at every turn. Unbelief can be linked to a need for “miracles”. “God show me and I’ll obey”.
Manoah’s request for the Angle of the Lord to return.
Manoah’s request to know His Name conferring some special knowledge or relationship.
Manoah’s offer to make a sacrifice to the Angel wasn’t accepted but was offered by him to God.
For the last two, the Angel of the Lord, refused to be manipulated.
False repentance does not restore the blessing or deliverance of God; however, God is always faithful to his word.
God’s purposes can be delayed due to our unbelief, but in the end, they can not be thwarted. God always honors ”the Word”.

18. 2. Miracles do not sustain Spiritual Growth.
Spiritual Blessings can be squandered.
The two Theophanies of Christ prior to Samson’s birth. First to Manoah’s wife and then to Manoah himself.
The consecration, sanctification of the Nazarite’s vow.
The anointing of God on Samson’s life. God chose him before he was born!
His incredible strength and feats of strength.
Samson was one of the most promising judges of Israel and yet may have accomplished the least for Israel.

19. 3. God is Faithful, even when We are Not!
Generational lessons and blessings are easily forgotten and they need to be diligently passed down. Key: Remember!
God shows up in His miraculous working in Samson’s life.
The first is the miraculous birth from a barren woman.
God moved on Samson’s mother just as he moved on Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth and to a higher degree, Mary mother of Jesus.
God appeared not once but twice to Samson’s parents with a promise.
God “stirs” Samson to fulfill his purpose and potential in delivering the nation from the Philistines.
Spiritual Apathy zaps us of our spiritual desires and robs us of intimacy with God, but God will not despise a broken and contrite heart.
There is an amazing possibility of reclaiming God’s promises and provisions.
Samson is the imperfect, unfaithful, conflicted Deliverer. Jesus is everything Samson is not!

20. Conclusion
No other deliverer in the book of Judges matches Samson’s potential. What is your potential for the kingdom and for the deliverance of those God entrusts to you?
Yet, in spite of all these advantages and special attention given by God, Samson will accomplish less on behalf of his people than any of the preceding Judges. What has God enabled you to accomplish for the Kingdom?
The potential for Christians today, with so many resources at their disposal, is immense. What resources has he gifted you with? For what purpose?
Tragically, most of our resources: health, talent, finances, spiritual, technology and others, are squandered in self-interested waste and indulgence. Are you being faithful to your potential in Christ? If not, why not?
Will we (you and I) measure up to the potential that God has given us? Have you surrendered all things at your disposal to the cause of Christ? Have you placed it on the altar of sacrifice?
Let’s face it friends, with God’s help, we’re capable of truly great things! But were never more than one bad choice away from our downfall and humiliation. By this time tomorrow any one of us could be broken, humiliated, and devastated by sin. But it doesn’t have to happen. By understanding who we are, and the subtle tendencies we face to compromise our morality, our faith, By committing ourselves wholly to God who called us to serve him, we can fulfill our calling and be faithful even unto death.
God has commanded and demands of us that we should surrender our all to him and live holy lives, fit for His use and for His purpose, for His kingdom and not our own!!!

22. Judges 13: 1-25 (ESV)
2 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. 3 And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. 4 Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, 5 for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” 6 Then the woman came and told her husband, “A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like the appearance of the angel of God, very awesome. I did not ask him where he was from, and he did not tell me his name, 7 but he said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. So then drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.’” 

23. Judges 13: 1-25 (ESV)
8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us and teach us what we are to do with the child who will be born.” 9 And God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field. But Manoah her husband was not with her. 10 So the woman ran quickly and told her husband, “Behold, the man who came to me the other day has appeared to me.” 11 And Manoah arose and went after his wife and came to the man and said to him, “Are you the man who spoke to this woman?” And he said, “I am.” 12 And Manoah said, “Now when your words come true, what is to be the child's manner of life, and what is his mission?” 13 And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Of all that I said to the woman let her be careful. 14 She may not eat of anything that comes from the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, or eat any unclean thing. All that I commanded her let her observe.”

24. Judges 13: 1-25 (ESV)
15 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “Please let us detain you and prepare a young goat for you.” 16 And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “If you detain me, I will not eat of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to the Lord.” (For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the Lord.) 17 And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?” 18 And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” 19 So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it on the rock to the Lord, to the one who works wonders, and Manoah and his wife were watching. 20 And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. Now Manoah and his wife were watching, and they fell on their faces to the ground.

25. Judges 13: 1-25 (ESV)
21 The angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord. 22 And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.” 23 But his wife said to him, “If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these.” 24 And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him. 25 And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.