The Failures And Faith Of Samson -Part 1 Series

Topic: Sunday Sermon Series – Living By Faith

Title: The Failures and Faith of Samson (Part 1)

Text: Hebrews 11:32-34; Judges 13.

Proposition: Samson is listed as a man of faith in Hebrews 11. The bible records both his incredible feats and failures. We can learn many valuable lessons from studying the biblical record of his life!

Introduction: In Hebrews 11 the names of “people of faith” are listed for our learning.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. -KJV

Samson is one of several individuals listed in the chapter:

Hebrews 11:32 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, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. -NIV

He was enabled by God to accomplish some of the mighty exploits that verses 33 and 34 refer to. He shut the mouth of a lion, and was endowed by God with a physical strength unparalleled in human history, yet THE UNFORTUNATE TRUTH ABOUT SAMSON WAS THAT HE LOST THE BATTLE WITHIN!

That is why, I’ve entitled today’s message:

The Flaw’s and Faith of Samson! (Part 1)

Though he could conquer 1.000 Philistine’s he could not win the war wagging within his own soul!

1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; -KJV

This is a battle that we must win!

Proverbs 25:28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. – NJKV

Well anyway, my proposition to you from the life of Samson is this:

A study of the “Flaws and Faith of Samson” will remind us of the importance of that!

Let’s consider first of all…

I. The Age of Samson.

A) Age – the distinct period of history in which he lived -it might explain somethings!

1. Time of the Judges. - The Book of Judges is known as “the Dark Ages” of the nation of Israel.

a) A time defined this way:

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Charles Spurgeon –“Which means that every man did what evil he liked.”

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Albert Barnes –“It is the way of the fool, the way of self-indulgence and self-will.”

B) Application?

1. Unfortunately, it sounds like the age we are living in today!

2. Who defines what is right?

Hosea 14:9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them._NIV

Ezekiel 18:29 "But the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? -NASB

Psalms 25:8 The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.- NLT

C) “Age” of the Judges?

1. Cyclical:

a) Departure – From the Lord

Judges 13:1a Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord,

b). Discipline – Given over to enemies

Judges 13:1b so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.

c). Despair – They cry out to the Lord?

i. Not in this case, perhaps they had become accustomed to their bondage?

d) Deliverance – God raises up a judge or deliverer!

Enter the…

II. The Annunciation of Samson!

There are ninety-six verses in the Book of Judges concerning the life of Samson, twenty-four of those verses deal with his birth.

A) Reason?

1. To show that his life had a divine plan and purpose!

a) By the way, so does yours!

B) Resemblance?

1. Striking similarities with the annunciation of other notable births

a) Abraham and Sarai - Isaac

b) Zachariah and Elizabeth - John

c) Joseph and Mary - Jesus

Judges 13:2 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth.

2. Sound familiar?