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#7divine Possibilities: Scars Are Testimonies Series
Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: God could heal all wounds and leave no scars, but scars are a testimony of survival and a witness tool!
I. I think every step of the way the enemy threw up the scars of the past.
I think the young boy thought --- How will Dad and my brother receive me?
J. THE YOUNG MAN HAS A PARADIGM SHIFT IN HIS HEART AND LIFE...
Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: MAKE ME as one of the hired servants.
Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and HAD COMPASSION, and ran and fell on his neck,
and KISSED HIM.
K. SO WHAT, YOU HAVE FAILED AND YOU SMELL LIKE THE PIG PEN?
COME AND RECEIVE THE KISS OF RESTORATION!
L. THE FATHER GAVE THE SON:
The best robe. (A symbol of a Father’s care.)
Put a ring on his finger. (A symbol of authority)
Put shoes on his feet. ( Slaves in this day did not wear shoes, the Father is acknowledging his son is home, not a slave!)
Kill the fatted calf --- eat --- and be merry!
VI. PETER THOUGHT HE WAS SO STRONG?
PETER FAILED, BUT HE WAS NOT A FAILURE!
Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the WORD OF THE LORD, and how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt
deny me thrice.
62. AND PETER WENT OUT, AND WEPT BITTERLY.
A. If at first you don’t succeed --- try, try again.
PETER WILL STEP TO THE CENTER STAGE AND DECLARE THE FIRST PENTECOSTAL MESSAGE: "WHAT MEANETH THIS!"
B. WE MUST NOT ALLOW OUR SCARS AND FAILURES TO STOP GOD’S DELIVERANCE!
Psalms 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and DELIVERS them out of their troubles.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord DELIVERS them OUT OF THEM ALL.
VII. SAMSON LET HIS SCARS DICTATE A LIMIT ON DIVINE POTENTIALS.
A. Samson was blind before he was blind!
B. Samson was scarred by a pretty young Philistine girl, but the scar never taught him very much.
Judges 14:1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman --- daughter of the Philistine ---
Judges 14:17 And she wept before him ...
C. IN ANGER SAMSON PAYS HIS DEBT AND CATCHES 300 FOXES AND SETS THEIR TAILS ON FIRE TO RUN THROUGH THE DRY FIELDS.
SAMSON LOOSES HIS WIFE? Another man marries her?
But the scar did not work to warn him!
D. SAMSON WILL BE SCARRED AGAIN...
SAMSON STILL THOUGHT HE WAS STRONG? The wound would be very deep.
Judges 16:1 Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw a harlot, and went in to her ...
3. And Samson lay till midnight, and took the doors of the gates of the city, and the two post and carried them up the hill.
E. THE OTHER SCARS WERE NOT ENOUGH, ALONG COMES DELILAH.
Delilah never loved Samson, she used Samson to become a wealthy woman.
F. SAMSON’S SCARS WILL HINDER THE DIVINE POSSIBILITIES IN HIS LIFE.
SAMSON’S SCARS WILL HINDER HIS PRAYER ABILITY.
Judges 16:28 And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God remember me, strengthen me, I pray thee ONLY THIS ONCE ...
G. LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION?
WHAT MIGHT SAMSON HAVE DONE IF HE HAD NOT LET HIS SCARS DICTATE HIS PRAYERS?
Samson could have been a great judge of God’s people for many years.
Samson --- Samson --- WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?
VIII. GREAT PEOPLE FAIL AND THEY GET UP AND TRY AGAIN!A. Did you know Albert Einstein was one of the greatest Mathematicians of all times?