Sermon Central
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When Light Is Conquerred By Darkness - Part 3 Of 4 Series
Contributed by Joel Santos on Oct 12, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: In the Book of Judges, there were two most prominent Judges, namely Gideon and Samson, 3 chapters were devoted to Gideon but 4 chapters to Samson. Samson was a very INTRIGUING CHARACTER to study, he was physically strong but he was morally weak.
Good Morning!
We will continue again our series in the life of Samson. Today, we will tackle about the results when light is conquerred by darkness.
III. THE RESULTS WHEN LIGHT IS OVERTAKEN BY DARKNESS
A. THE LORD WILL DEPART FROM US.
Judge 16:20 “But Samson did not know that the Lord had departed from him!” (cf. Num 14:41-45; Josh 7:12; 1Sam 11:5; vs. 16:14; 18:12; 28:15).
The Source of Samson’s protection and strength was the Lord, apart from Him, Samson could do nothing.
But pastor in the NT, the Lord does not leave us nor forsake us. That is true. But when we are sinning, He is grieved (Eph 4:30). What happens when the Spirit is grieved, yes He does not depart but He serves another role. What role?
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them! (Isaiah 63:10).
Is the Lord your friend or enemy these days?
B. THE LORD WILL LET OUR ENEMIES TO OVERCOME US
“The Philistines seized him and GOUGED OUT HIS EYES, and they brought him to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison” (16:21).
I want us to take note of the following observations –
The flaw or opening in Samson’s life for the enemy was his EYES. They were taken out of him. According to the Bible, there are three possible openings where the enemy will his us, namely – “lust of the eyes,” "lust of the flesh” and the "pride of life" (1John 2:15-17).
We need to examine ourselves whether or not our enemy has a foothold in any of those area.
1. Samson ceased being a servant of the Lord; he became servant of the Philistines, grinding for them in prison. Samson ceased from being a deliverer, He could not even deliver himself.
2. Samson in vv. 23-25, ceased from being a threat to God’s enemies, he has become a treat or an entertainment to about 3,000. Philistines who were amused because of him. Worse, DAGON, and not the Lord, was given praise and honor in what happened (16:23-25).
APPLICATION – Samson paid the pleasures of his sins with painful and shameful defeat in the hands of his enemies.
Of course, when you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit resides in you permanently, but when you PERMIT TEMPTATION, PLAY WITH IT, and later are PRESSED BY IT, God’s Spirit will be grieved and quenched, even if He is there, you will feel as if He’s no longer there! REMEMBER David when He sinned? (Psalm 51:8-9,11).
