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How many of you have heard the advice that you should never try to meet your heroes? The reason is because we tend to idolize our heroes, and in our minds it seems that they can do no wrong. Their public accomplishments, their public persona, all the things they they have going for them that cause us…

To be in but not of Judges (Reflections: Samson and Culture Wars, Then and Now) The people of God have always been tempted to reflect culture instead of transforming it, but perhaps the temptation is greater in North America today than at any other time or place in the history of God’s people Jerry McCann…

I don’t know about you, but I love a good ballad. According to oxford, a ballad is a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas. Traditional ballads are typically of unknown authorship, having been passed on orally from one generation to the next as part of the folk culture. Many ballads were written…

Judges: A Few Good Men…And Women Introduction: What is the first word that comes to your mind when you hear the word “judge”? Turn to the person next to you and share what came into your mind first. Remember, no swearing in church. Some people think of something like this: (Flip Wilson of “Here Comes…

God is faithful. Both are rooted in Scripture. Take a look at these words from Deuteronomy Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. But those who hate him he will repay…

We had a small error the begining 5 minutes did not record. You can see my notes via our website at laughlinchurch.com under past sermons. The Hazor video can be seen at https://tv.faithlife.com/860d9be0-7319-4bb0-8d94-7ff91e21ec92

The music band Skillet is a Christian Rock band, I used to listen to them a lot during my teen and college days. The lead singer of the band’s name is John Cooper, and he once said “I'm amazed that so many Christians want the benefits of the kingdom of God, but with the caveat that they themselves be…

Intro Most of you know that I grew up in the Chicago area. You might be aware that Chicago has a nickname. It is often referred to as the Windy City. Some people assume that this is because Chicago is particularity windy. While there is certainly no shortage of wind, Chicago is far from the most blusterous…

Leader Guide ESV, Unit 9, Session 2 © 2018 LifeWay Christian Resources, Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser. Edited by Rev. Lex DeLong, M.A., June 2022. Summary and Goal The era of the judges began with God providing Othniel to deliver Israel and…

Pastor Mike looks at the beginnings of the life of Samson, reading verse-by-verse through Chapter 13

We all love stories about heroes. This is part of who we are I think. The epic battle between good and evil, hero/heroine vs villain. Sometimes we want to think about what superhero power we would have if we could be one. In fact, there is much to learn from movies and stories like this. But, while reflecting…

Mother’s Day is the hardest sermon in the year for me to prepare. It is my one chance to give a shot in the arm for mom’s everywhere that they get can get through another year. It is my one shot to urge them specifically to be godly. It is my one change to put my foot in my mouth and alienate over 50%…

A shaved Head V 21 the long hair represented the power of God he being separated unto God But now the head is shaved no power, no eyes, shackled, grinding wheat A great powerful man of God, disgraced, reduced to a comic diversion led around by a small boy, like a puppy The Ungodly Rejoice V 23 the Philistines…

Set Apart Unto God And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing : For, lo, thou shalt conceive,…

Gods Plan For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. For Samson to be separated unto God a deliverer he was to begin to defeat the…

Leader Guide ESV, Unit 9, Session 4 © 2018 LifeWay Christian Resources, Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser. Edited by Rev. Lex DeLong, M.A. June, 2022. Summary and Goal In the previous sessions, we saw how God uses unexpected people and circumstances…

Leader Guide ESV, Unit 9, Session 4 © 2018 LifeWay Christian Resources, Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser. Edited by Rev. Lex DeLong, M.A. June, 2022. Summary and Goal In the previous sessions, we saw how God uses unexpected people and circumstances…

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live presentation…

While our attention is often on the details, God ultimately works in the bigger picture.

Samson seems like a super-hero. With his super-strength he is almost invulnerable, and single-handedly kills thousands. And yet his story is one of constant frustration and failure. Samson's strength is not his own, for he was called to a purpose: ridding Israel of the Philistines. So even when he ignores this purpose, God works through him to achieve this end. How can we avoid being like Samson--striving for (and failing at) our own purposes serving greater ends despite ourselves? Are we, too, doomed to Samson's restless misery, or is there a better way?

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live presentation…

We are wrapping up our series this morning Season of Thanks. Being grateful everyday. During the time of Thanksgiving, a lot of people will do a gratitude challenge. This three-week series examines Scripture to see what gratitude might look like if it was practiced every day, and if we found reasons…

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live presentation…

Introduction Deer hunting…the struggle. Picture from this year. Not as big as I’d normally take... Saw several bucks that morning. Then this guy starts walking slowly by my deer stand. Check him out through my scope... The longer I look, the bigger he gets. What if I don’t make it out again, what if…