Today we continue a 12 week series entitled, The ABC’s of faith. The larger idea is based on the idea that we learn over time through an exploration process of success and failure. Everything we come to know and understand is built over time on the foundation of trial and error.
We learned last week, the wooden blocks we have all played with were an idea in 1594, a practical concept 100 years after that, and only then it it would take another 175 years to be mass produced as the blocks we know and love from Brooklyn, New York.
Additionally, we learned the foundation of our faith are solid when we become aware that:
The pursuit of the tangible - people, places and things - will never satisfy.
The powers of this world are led by the evil one and his schemes to diminish the importance of living for the eternal.
The cure for the meaningless life is a life in a commitment to Jesus that offers a similar generosity to that of the Father who sent the Son, who sent the Holy Spirit, who sent you. It’s living a life of generosity towards God and others. We gain by giving. We find by losing. The good life according to Jesus is to say, “Yes, I may be broken, but I am being healed...not by stuff, but by the Spirit of God. Yes, I am grieving, but I trust God to supply my needs according to his glorious riches.”
As an aware Christian, we are equipped with the cure to a meaningless life.
So why, with 3 billion people on the planet, who claim to be aware of Jesus enough to claim to be his followers, do so many feel hopeless?
There must be a crack in the Christian foundation.
Did you know that every Center building has had water issues? It’s true.
When Diane and I moved into Itasca, the basement had two dehumidifiers running 24/7. I thought it might be because of the musty smell and all the stuff former renters left in the house - a couple of toilets, pipes, wood and assorted paints. We would soon come to find out it was because of the seepage in and around the foundation. It had been this way for some time according to a former trustee. She shared the constant aggravation of thinking they had solved the water problem only to discover new issues. The problem wasn’t just the rain, it was the age of the building, the neglect over years by the tenants along with the lack of planning by trustees to do regular maintenance. All the buildings had water issues.
In the same way, I’d like to make you aware of what leads to cracks in our personal faith foundations. Jesus' spoke a famous parable at the end of his sermon on the mount (Matt 7:25-27) about this. He talks about building a house on a rock foundation versus sand one. It provides us with an excellent reference for the words of Jesus. He said, “the rains came…” He didn’t say “if” it rains. It’s a life truth that hard times will come. If we do not prepare, water seeps into our basements, the foundations shift,the building will begin to crumble and over time, our spiritual houses can be compromised by the storms of life and our neglect.
The earlier reading from Judges highlights the problem with self sufficiency, self centeredness and misuse of God’s gifts. Samson was a warrior who subdued an entire army with a donkey’s jawbone as a weapon. He would become King and rule for twenty years. A period when his enemies would band together, to try and find a way to regain power. They would use portable power (money), a beautiful woman (sex) and Samson’s pride to get him to fall from grace.
While Samson succeeded in avoiding the devil’s scheme three times over 20 years, he ultimately gives in to his idol, the beautiful Delilah’s suggestion. Just like the words from the devil in the garden of Eden, Delilah convinced Samson that surely God wouldn’t turn his back on him if he violated his nazarite vow. A mistake he pays for with his strength and ironically, physically with his eyes. This is where we pick up the scripture, Judges 16:23
23 Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, “Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands.” 24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying, “Our god has delivered our enemy into our hands, the one who laid waste our land and multiplied our slain.” 25 While they were in high spirits, they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.
This is the point I believe Samson intellectually realizes his failure. He realizes the arrogance of self sufficiency, the laziness of complacency and the lack of honor a broken oath generates. It’s the moment He returns to God and looks to amend his error through self sacrifice and the furthering God's plan for God’s chosen people. Take a listen,
When they stood him among the pillars, 26 Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
Ultimately, Samson’s humiliation succeeds in humbling Samson enough to internalize the truth of God’s love, gifts and blessings in His life. Samson sees how he squandered them through his pride, his idol and even, believing in his own intelligence and strength.
Awareness of God’s presence brings humility, responsibility and accountability. Greater the blessing, the more the need for humility. Greater the power, greater the responsibility. Greater the impact on others, the greater the accountability. Power will always reflect one’s character. Many don’t learn this fact until it's too late.
Samson ends up paying the ultimate price to reclaim his purpose in God’s eyes by dying to protect God's chosen.
The story makes me aware of my initial commitment to God and how much more we need to be aware that our sins can be a block to God’s presence.
I can remember singing worship songs with the line “Yes Lord. Yes. Lord. Yes Yes Lord.” and “if you lead me, I will go” with all my heart. It’s been a lot of years now for me but time is irrelevant when we talk about obedience to a vow you make with God. The awareness of what God did for us on that cross is as important today as ever. The only question for us is: Am I willing?
Any unwillingness, complacency or lack of accountability to follow through on our vow to Jesus is a sin that can shake our foundation and when the rains come, many just give up. Just quit and go fishing. That’s what the boys did after Jesus died. They didn’t know what to do so they followed Peter back to the fishing boat only to discover the truth. Jesus wasn't leaving them, he was empowering them with the Holy Spirit to take their turn to live up to their vow. A vow that they would all, except John, end up being martyred for.
So when we take this bread and cup today, I’d like to ask you to be fully aware of your commitment to live your life for Christ. To be willing to die to self - selfish wants and desires - so that others would come to know Jesus because of your words and deeds.
Communion
Benediction:
Coram Deo ("core-um day-oh") is a Latin phrase meaning "in the presence of God." As a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching church—and as followers of Christ—we live our lives Coram Deo: in the presence of God, under the authority of God, for the glory of God.
God’s sovereign plan cannot be thwarted by our sin. Sin brings serious consequences and pain, so it is far better for us if God works through our obedience to accomplish His purposes. May our God and His Spirit give us the power and strength to obey Him so that we may please Him and not have to deal with the tragedy that sin can bring.
Go in peace in the Coram Deo ("core-um day-oh")
Creative: Blocks on Stage, Reading of Scripture prior to preaching
Reference: https://tedium.co/2017/05/16/alphabet-blocks-history/
https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/samson-breaks-his-vow
Wersbe Commentary Judges 16-17, p.152-155
