A Spring of water that revives

Intro

Judges. The book in question has much to teach Christians today. This book not only describes the corruption of the society in which we live, but also highlights the division that existed in the people of Israel.

The people of God, in facing his enemies, were disunited, divided into tribes, broken up, shattered.

This division weakened the people of Israel and limited their successes.The Church of Jesus is also experiencing this condition of division.

The tendency is that we are more concerned with raising the name of a Church as a brand, rather than proclaiming the Name of Jesus all together.

Samson. Judge of Israel, Samson is the main character of this story. Born in a miraculous way, although endowed with great strength, due to his character, Samson will not be able to complete the liberation of Israel: For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:5 - NKJV).

Even today the church of Jesus is tempted to focus everything on the abilities of individuals.If we want to see the work done, then we must evaluate a person's character. The work, the mission, is finished by the one who has character.

The need to be revived. The biblical passage we just read speaks of an individual who needs to be revived.

Before you enter St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, there is the large square surrounded by 140 statues: the height of each statue is 3 meters.

I went to visit them many times: in summer and winter, when there was sun and when there was rain.

I assure you that none of them have ever complained of being tired, too hot or too cold. The reason? They are not alive... But people get tired because they are alive. 

There is nothing wrong if this morning, just like Samson, we ask God to revive and strengthen us.

There is no harm in crying out to the Lord that God's Holy Spirit may revive our hearts. 

Like Samson, perhaps this Church, your family, your life, after so many battles, needs to be revived!

Sermon's outline. So let's consider what happens around this spring of water. In this passage we will consider:

The man at the spring of water;

The Author of the spring of water;

The benefits of the spring of water.

N. 1 - The man at the spring of water

Samson. Of this man I would like to consider:

1 - The critical condition of Samson. Samson makes no secret of it: his situation is critical (15:18), as he is close to death. 

Samson is weak and his weakness will certainly lead to his death.

He needs water, he needs a spring of water to be able to quench his thirst and live again.

In Luke 10:30 we read: In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead (Luke 10:30 - NIV). Jesus tells us that this man was in a critical condition, he was between life and death and needed help. 

Maybe this is your condition too.

Like Samson, despite being a servant of God, your condition is critical. You need help, rescue, living water, that Holy Spirit that revives hearts and minds.

2 - Samson's past. The man who quenches his thirst at this spring of water has a past. 

Samson had fought a long and tiring battle, a dirty battle: betrayed by his own brothers, alone against the Philistines, Samson defeating 1000 soldiers with just a jawbone.

A past made of rejection and loneliness, betrayal and pain: this is the painful past of man at the source of water.

A woman one day went to the well in her village and met a man who healed her of her painful past: Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:28-29 - NIV).

Like Samson, like the Samaritan woman, your past is also full of pain and rejection, but despite this we can approach this source of water to find new power.

N. 2 - The Author of the spring of water

God. The one who listens and works a miracle for Samson is God. I would like to consider two aspects of this Author:

1 - His mercy. Samson had never addressed his prayer directly to God before this episode. On his curriculum vitae Samson certainly couldn't claim to be a man of prayer, yet God answers him.

Even if today is the first time you are addressing your prayer to God, know that He is ready to help you.

Maybe you don't know how to pray, but you can only cry... know that God sees you and hears you and will answer your cry.

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there (Genesis 21:17 - NIV). Our God is a merciful God!

2 - His competence. God provided a source of water from the rock.

Even though there were no favorable conditions, even though he had no help, God gave water to his servant.

This highlights the fact that our God is capable, competent.

Maybe you look around and see only difficulties, hostility and you wonder how God will be able to work. Our God needs no help: water will come out of the rock deliverance and power will reach you at due time.

One of Job's friend, Elihu, said: How much less, then, will he listen when you say that you do not see him, that your case is before him and you must wait for him, (Job 35:14 - NIV).

N. 3 - The benefits of the spring of water

En-hakkore (Caller's spring). I would like to consider 2 benefits of this spring of water:

1 - The salvation of a man. The term "revived" carries with it various meanings such as: heal, resurrect, give life.

In this case, Samson received new energy, new life, immediately.

Just one sip of the power of the Holy Spirit and you will immediately feel new energies flowing within you.

Your life, your marriage, your home will immediately feel the beneficial effects of the Holy Spirit.

2 - The salvation of a ministry. In v. 20 we discover that Samson served the Lord as judge of Israel for 20 years.

It is as if the author wants to emphasize the impact this water source had on Samson's ministry.

Samson was saved from death and was able to continue serving the Lord for many years.

The power of the Holy Spirit not only serves to bless and reanimate a believer, but above all it serves to strengthen his service to God.

The power of the Holy Spirit will solidify your service to God, you will be a blessing to others, your family will enjoy this concrete blessing for many and many years.

Conclusion

This spring of water still exists today. At this spring of water we learned more about Samson, his desperate condition and his painful past.

Through this source God revealed himself showing mercy and competence.

Finally, we have considered its effects of this source of water, in the salvation of a man and the preservation of a ministry. 

In conclusion, the author tells us that this source was still there, available (Judges 15:19).

We too, years later, can testify that this spring of water is still accessible, that the power of Pentecost can still revive the hearts of believers, give them new energy, new life and perseverance for service.