God’s Truth For Those Facing Failure

Text: Judges 16:22-31

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (06/02/02)

Introduction:   

ILLUS: - A number of years ago, the British navy was involved in some peacetime manoeuvres at sea -- involving a column of cruisers.

They were steaming along in formation, when a signal was given to execute a 90 degree turn.

The manoeuvre went off flawlessly, except for one cruiser, who's captain missed the signal.  The ship almost collided with the one on front, and when it swerved to avoid a collision, the whole convoy was thrown into confusion.

Only some very skilful seamanship by the other captains prevented a serious accident.

When some order had been regained, the admiral sent a message to the captain who had caused all the trouble; "Captain, what are your intentions?"

Immediately the captain replied, "Sir, I intend to buy a farm!"

He knew without being told that that failure had cost him his naval career.  Failure meant dry-dock.

Is the Christian life like serving in the British navy?

Is it "one failure and you're out?" - if so, most of us are in trouble.

On the other extreme, could living for God be described as, "Fail all you want without consequence?"

Or does the truth lie somewhere in between -- and if so, where is the balance?

We left Samson in a Philistine prison house in Gaza...

Because his heart was filled with lust, he told Delilah the secret to his strength.

Because her heart was filled with lust, she immediately told the Lords of the Philistines and collected her 150 pounds of silver.

She put Samson to sleep, had someone shave his head, and called the Philistine men who took hold of Samson and put out his eyes.

If we had never studied this story before, we would probably assume that would have been the end.

But then we read these incredible words in Judges 16:22 - "Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again...."

I'd like to take a minute and define what we mean by failure tonight.

We're not talking about failure as in "failing a test at school", or "failing to win a basketball game" or "failing to reach my sales quota."

When I say, "God's truth for those facing failure"---I'm talking about moral failure…

We're talking about sinning, about choosing to give in when you are at the crossroads of temptation, about failing to be the kind of person God wants us to be.

Before us is a very challenging passage.

We have to be careful to keep twwo prominent truths or aspects of this passage balanced.

1). These verses are surely about forgiveness---but not only forgiveness.

2). These verses are also about judgement -- but not only judgement.

The bottom line is -- this passage should affect different people here tonight in different ways... depending on "what side of failure are you currently on?"

For example...

1) if you're currently being tempted to fail in a particular area right now, and you're asking, "Should I give in?"  - this passage has some real help for you.

2) if you're here tonight and you have failed in a particular area, and God is disciplining you for that and you're tempted to ask, "Should I get bitter?"  - this passage has some real help for you.

3) If you're here tonight, and you've failed in a particular area, but you've repented and made it right, but you're asking, "Could God ever use me again in any way?" - this passage has help for you.

Now, I realize you might be here tonight and would say, "well, I fit in more than one category."

That’s very possible, and that makes it all the more important to be sure that we're applying the appropriate biblical principle from these verses to the appropriate life situation.

So let's begin with:

I. If You're being Tempted to Fail and Asking - Should I Give In?

The Answer From These Verses Is a resounding "NO!!"

Samson's sin exacted a heavy cost in these verses – That is true in several ways.

A. Samson had to live with the fact that he had given unbelievers reason to boast in their idols. Vs.23-24

These people not only didn't know God...  but now they had reason to be confirmed in their unbelief.

What a sad commentary on how Samson's life had affected these people.

Israel's primary purpose was that they were to be a light to the other nations that there was only one true God.

That’s why the 10 commandments began with "Thou shalt have no other gods before me.   Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:   Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God."  Exodus 20:3-5

That’s why in Deut. 6 -- every Jewish child was to be taught the "Shema" – “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:   And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”  Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Israel was to be a light to the nations so that men and women everywhere would place their faith in the true God of heaven.

When an unbeliever failed to acknowledge that true -- it was one of the worst sins that could be committed.

Several OT passages reinforce what we're saying:

LOOK UP & READ Daniel 5:1-4

LOOK UP & READ Isaiah. 42:3, 5, & 8

If that is one of the worst travesties of justice when an unbeliever refuses to believe in the true God of heaven, and instead boasts in his/her idols.

Then imagine the WOE to one of God's children that lives in such a way that unbelievers have greater cause to blaspheme.

LOOK UP & READ II Samuel. 12:14

If you're being tempted tonight to fail in a particular area...I'd like to ask you tonight -- "Is it worth the price of potentially giving those who don't know the Lord the opportunity to blaspheme, and to be more confirmed in their unbelief?"

Sin also cost Samson heavily in that…

B. He had to endure Philistine ridicule. Vs.25 & 27

“….that he may make us sport”

Can you imagine what that must have been like for Samson?

The Bible doesn't tell us all that that involved, but can you imagine what must have been going on in Samson's heart?

Another part of his price was…

C. He had to function without his eyes. Vs.21 & 26

What a pitiful picture, of God's mighty judge...

The one that hundreds of Philistine men wouldn't even come near to when he had his sight....now being led around on a chain by one Philistine lad.

He also…

D. Brought shame and heartache to his family. Vs.31

Some of the saddest words in all the text are right at the very end.

“Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him….”

This story has come full circle, hasn't it?

Godly Manoah...the one the angel appeared to, along with his wife.  The one who was so concerned about learning how to raise Samson correctly.

Now,  Samson broke his father's heart, and his mother's heart... and brought incredible shame and heartache to his family.

You may say, but pastor, aren't there some positive things in this passage?

Yes, there sure are, but you and I would be wise to keep those things in balance.

Because if you're facing a situation of temptation right now, and asking; "Should I give in?" - the answer from Judges 16 is a resounding "NO!!!"

Let's now  study that second category:

II. If You're Being Chastised for failing, and are asking - "Should I be bitter?"

The answer from these verses is another resounding "NO!!"

Let me ask you to turn over to Hebrews 12 to see why that kind of thinking is wrong.

LOOK UP & READ Hebrews 12:6-15.

Most of us know what its like to fail, and to as a result experience the chastening hand of God.

Samson did, - and most of us have.

I might be talking to someone tonight who is on that side of failure.  You sinned -- and you're paying a price.

Can I encourage you tonight, from the life of Samson and these related passages, to tenaciously avoid the sin of bitterness?

“Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” – vs.6

I know sometimes that goes against every bit of our grain.  But the Word of God is true!!

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."  - Vs.11

Wouldn't it have be better just to not sin in the first place?

The answer to that is – absolutely!!!

It would also be better if when we did sin -- we would quickly judge ourselves.

That’s an important part of the Lord's table.

Paul tells us in I Cor. 11 " if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged "

But in those times when we don't do that, -- If you're being chastened for failing and asking, "Should I be bitter?" the answer is "NO."

III. If You Have Failed, but you've made it right, and are now asking, "Could God ever use me again in any way?"

The answer to that question is -- "Absolutely YES!!!"

No, Samson's eyesight was not restored, No, Samson was never able to serve as a judge the way the Lord wanted him to.

But living for Jesus Christ is not like serving in the British Navy.  it's not -- "one failure, and drydock." - one failure -- and you're through.

Samson failed, and he failed miserably.

Many believe that while down in that prison house, Samson repented.

One of the main reasons for that belief is because the NT lists Samson in the Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11.

While there's a lot more we'd like to know about that…..

We do know this -- Samson failed...

" Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again "

That means this -- no one could ever say they are beyond God's help, or beyond God's hope.

I'm surely not saying that because we're not as bad as we think we are---I'm saying that because the cross-work of Christ is absolutely sufficient.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I wonder if there might be someone here tonight who needs to be saved, but has thought, "after all I've done, there's no hope for me." - I'm beyond God's saving power.

My friend, I'm here to tell you that’s not true.

Could God ever do anything with you?  -- Surely the answer from Judges 16 is -- Absolutely "Yes."

I wonder if I may be talking to a believer here tonight, who has failed, and failed miserably... perhaps you've concluded, "there's no place for me."

THAT”S NOT TRUE!!! - if God could use Samson, he could use anyone. - if God could bless Samson, He could bless anyone.

If you've been sitting on the sidelines with the attitude, "there's no place for me", my friend---it's time to get back in the game.

Whatever step of obedience you need to take, I want to encourage you to do that tonight.

Yes, this story is filled with judgement---but it's also filled with hope.

Samson didn't receive his eyesight back  - no, he wasn't ever allowed to function in the position of judge again

But, there's always a place in God's family, and there's always a place in God's service.

1) If that wasn't true, King David would have never been called in the NT, a man after God's own heart.

2) If that wasn't true, Jonah would have never had opportunity to preach the greatest revival in OT history.

3) If that wasn't true, the prodigal son would have never been welcomed by his father.

4) If that wasn't true, Peter would have never been a leader in the early church.

We need to remember our message is not that we are a perfect people -- but instead that we serve a perfect Savior.

Conclusion:     (Review)

Let’s conclude tonight by singing the first verse of Amazing Grace?