Lessons from Samson, Part 1: Trusting in God’s Love

Pre-Sermon

Opening: Ch Ellis

He is Risen!

Note online post of sermon notes

Read Psalm 77:7–15

Prayer: Nina

Worship: Brian

You're Worthy of My Praise

All Who Are Thirsty

Your Grace is Enough

SLIDE-Transition to Sermon

Introduction

Attention:

Chaos, uncertainty, & fear

Those three words can define a lot of the last few months, can’t they?

And if we’re honest about the hidden anxieties of our heart—

These three words may actually define much more of our life than we would publicly let on

Chaos can reign when things spiral our of our control

Uncertainly persists despite how much knowledge we gain

Fear pervades, while we struggle to truly trust the love of our God in a very broken world

Big Picture:

Today we return to the book of Judges where we see these words take a preeminent role in the life of Israel—

And specifically in the heart of one largely unknown man—Manoah

I welcome you today to our penultimate sermon in our current Judges series:

SLIDE-Title: Lessons from Samson, Part 1: Trusting in God’s Love

Today we will look at God’s calling of Samson,

A demonstration of His grace even at the conception of Samson

SLIDE-Thesis: As we go through this today, I hope that we will each see…

In the midst of chaos, uncertainty, & fear, you can trust in God’s gracious love.

We’ll see this demonstrated today...

Through first looking at “The Condition of Israel & Manoah”

And then secondly looking at “The Gracious Love of God”

In this, I invite you to see our own hearts, lives, families, & communities—

But also to have your eyes lifted to see our amazing God

Passage:

Context:

Now, honestly I would love to spend even more time in Judges—

You have a beautiful demonstration of God’s grace & true repentance in Judges 10:6–18

You have five lesser-known Judges mentioned in Judges 10:1-5 (Tola, Jair) & 12:8–15 (Ibzan, Elon, Abdon)

Judges 11:1 – 12:7 reveals the heartbreaking story of Jephthah’s ascension, victory, & shameful decline

I encourage you to study these stories on your own! (See the notes Digging Deeper section)

Today we’re brought to Judges 13—of which we will read the selection you see on the screen now

Verses-6 Slides: So, I invite you to open your Bibles & stand with me as we read Judges 13:1-5, 19-25

Judges 13:1–5 CSB

1 The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, so the Lord handed them over to the Philistines forty years. 2 There was a certain man from Zorah, from the family of Dan, whose name was Manoah; his wife was unable to conceive and had no children. 3 The angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are unable to conceive and have no children, but you will conceive and give birth to a son. 4 Now please be careful not to drink wine or beer, or to eat anything unclean; 5 for indeed, you will conceive and give birth to a son. You must never cut his hair, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from birth, and he will begin to save Israel from the power of the Philistines.”

After this…

Manoah’s wife then goes to her husband to share this awe-inspiring encounter.

Manoah, seeking confirmation of the message & messenger,

Prays to God that the messenger will return & share more.

God shows humble kindness to Manoah, re-dispatching the Angel of the Lord to his wife (v9)

His wife kindly goes to tell Manoah

Manoah quickly followed his wife, demonstrating his own uncertainties…

He double-checks his wife, verifying this is the same who spoke to her

He double-checks the message his wife shared, verifying what was spoken

Then he tries to control the conversation and encounter—

He unsuccessfully tries to get this messenger to stay for an entire meal

He then unsuccessfully tries to learn the messenger’s incomprehensible, wonderful name

When it is clear that he can’t control this, he follows the Angel’s direction to offer a burnt offering to YHWH—which brings us to our next verses…

Judges 13:19–25 CSB

19 Manoah took a young goat and a grain offering and offered them on a rock to the Lord, who did something miraculous while Manoah and his wife were watching. 20 When the flame went up from the altar to the sky, the angel of the Lord went up in its flame. When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell facedown on the ground. 21 The angel of the Lord did not appear again to Manoah and his wife. Then Manoah realized that it was the angel of the Lord. 22 “We’re certainly going to die,” he said to his wife, “because we have seen God!” 23 But his wife said to him, “If the Lord had intended to kill us, he wouldn’t have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from us, and he would not have shown us all these things or spoken to us like this.” 24 So the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the Lord blessed him. 25 Then the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him in the Camp of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

May the Lord bless the reading & hearing of His word!

Please be seated.

Transition:

Join me in prayer…

Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Open our eyes that we may see the wonders of your Word.

Give us grace that we may

clearly understand

and freely choose

To live in Your wisdom & truth.

Through Christ our Lord we pray,

Amen.

And now, I invite you to join me in considering…

Main Point 1:

Israel’s & Manoah’s Condition

Explain:

Israel’s continued spiritual decay in this period is a heartbreaking tragedy

While Judges 13:1 shares that God handed them over to the Philistines for 40 years—

We are never told that they cry out to YHWH for help.

MP1: It seems that Israel saw no need for a savior.

As a matter of fact, when Samson starts shaking things up by attacking the Philistines and the Philistines camp against Judah, we are told…

Judges 15:11–12, “Then three thousand men of Judah went to the cave at the rock of Etam, and they asked Samson, “Don’t you realize that the Philistines rule us? What have you done to us?” … “We’ve come to tie you up and hand you over to the Philistines.”…”

Instead of crying out to God for help,

They choose to deliver to the Philistines the man God set aside to deliver them!

Another interesting note,

When the angel tells Manoah’s wife about the Nazirite vow,

he has to add an additional qualifier, “eat nothing unclean.”

This was not a Nazirite issue—every Israelites was to follow that rule

The fact that the angel has to highlight this seems to show how common-place a blatant disregard for the law of God had become for God’s people.

And of course Judges 13:1 makes obvious their rebellion when it shares,

“The sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD.”

A pattern that Israel so shamefully repeated (Judges 2:11; 3:7; 4:1; 6:1)

MP1: They grew comfortable both in their rebellion & their oppression.

Perhaps the person of Manoah represents the position of Israel as a whole at this time…

There is a bit of sad irony in Manoah’s name—

In Hebrew it means ‘rest’ (‘resting place’)

MP1: But in this story Manoah is seen to be a restlessly insecure man

MP1: Who consistently wrestles his own uncertainties

Consider how he was afraid that God would kill them after this divine revelation & calling!

Furthermore, Manoah

MP1: Kept trying to control what is not his to control!

Wanting to confirm everything his wife said

Trying to delay this angel and get his name

Some of how he responded to this all makes us wonder if he even struggled with resentment or jealousy that he was not chosen for this special message. (consider God’s freewill, Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:6-29)

I don’t know about you, but I see at “least” a little of Manoah in me…

Illustrate:

Have you ever wondered what led Israel & Manoah to come to this state?

It wasn’t an overnight decision, but rather a slow fade…

It was a slight rearrangement of priorities, values, & theology…

A slight turning away from God here, and then there…

Consider how prone to this we are in our own hearts.

In their song, "Slow Fade," Casting Crowns reflects,

“It's a slow fade when you give yourself away It's a slow fade when black and white are turned to gray And thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid When you give yourself away People never crumble in a day It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade”

And so it is with each of us.

Expand:

Sin has made our world one of chaos, uncertainty, & fearful things—

But we don’t have to let those things rule our hearts.

Manoah’s wife demonstrates a sort of positive contrast to Manoah at this time…

While he is uncertain, she is certain

While he needs things repeated, she takes things at first hearing

While he seems frantic & grasps for more, she seems calm & content with what was given

While he fears death, she trusts in God’s faithfulness

Transition:

Which actually brings us to our next focus…

Main Point 2:

God’s Gracious Love

Explain:

Knowing the amazing grace & love of God,

MP2: We do not need to be ruled by the world's chaos, uncertainty, & fear!

Illustrate:

Consider the ongoing pandemic…

Has this thrown some new & inescapable chaos into our world as a whole?

Has it thrown the same into your life?

Is there newly known uncertainty that we have to struggle with?

Do fears abound for us & our loved ones?

Brothers & Sisters—

God does not want us to live in this zone!

This is not our inheritance;

And it is not the abundant life He promised to us!

We can honestly face our sin-fallen…

But not be consumed by such things

How? By clinging to God’s gracious love!

Consider how these verses reveal God’s amazing grace & how it can transform your life today…

Expand:

MP2: Consider how our God…

MP2: Displays mighty wonders!

Think about it… God didn’t need to do any miracles

He didn’t need to open the womb of a barren woman;

He didn’t need to have His angel ascend in the fire of an offering;

He didn’t need to bless Samson with inhuman strength!

But in His grace, He displays wonders to us!

Wonders that flow into these other manifestations of His grace!

Wonders such as those that Judges 13:19b recognize when it shares that it was the Lord “who did something miraculous while Manoah & his wife were watching.”

Consider His many wonders throughout the Scriptures:

He saved Israel from Egypt with a mighty hand through the plagues & the parting of the sea!

He delivered them from hunger & thirst in the wilderness!

He gave victory in the Promised land as they faced down nations mightier than they!

He led Judah to success against Assyria when it seemed to have a sure victory!

He gave life to Esther & all the Jews despite Haman’s sinister plot!

He resurrected Jesus from the dead, conquering the grave once for all!

Great is our Lord & worthy of praise!

He works great wonders & reveals His strength among the people! (Ps 77:13-14)

And consider such a mighty wonder He demonstrated in that He…

MP2: Takes initiative to save us!

Even when we don’t ask!

Even when we don’t see our need to be saved!

Consider even the Garden of Eden how He took the initiative to come to Adam & Eve

And when they hid—He took the initiative to call out to Him

And so it is for many of us,

We would not recognize our need for God’s salvation

But in His amazing grace, He made our need known to us!

As Romans 5:8 shares,

Romans 5:8 CSB

8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

And as Eph 2:3-6 shares,

Ephesians 2:3–6 CSB

3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,

Behold the amazing grace & love of our God!

Through repentance from sins & faith in Christ

You, too, can enter into this!

And there are even more ways that His gracious love are seen…

MP2: Shows kindness to the hurting & outcasts!

God does not show partiality in providing His great salvation only for the rich & powerful, the strong & well-to-do.

On the contrary, it is often the hurting & the outcasts who receive it!

Remember how the ancient world viewed barren women—

They were seen as being punished by God

They clearly deserved this, they were unworthy of children…

But as a biblical Christian will know—that is not true!

A truth that God demonstrated many times throughout the Scriptures (e.g. Sarai in Genesis 11:30, 17:19; Rebekah in Genesis 25:21; Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:19-20; Elizabeth in Luke 1:13)

And as an worthwhile rabbit to chase—

In this we also see how God values the unborn child, even at conception, as a person worthy of distinct dignity & respect.

Notice that Manoah’s wife was to start following the vow of the child within her immediately.

There is clear sense in which God endows the unalienable right of life upon the newly conceived Samson.

Something very important for us to consider in this world of sin.

In our world where the unborn are outcasts,

Not considered worthy of life

Let Christians be the first to give them the same dignity that our God gives them

And show them the kindness due to them.

Now, consider the others who are hurt & outcasts in the Scriptures that shows God’s great kindness to…

Have you seen His great heart of love for the slaves, the foreigners, the sick, the children, the elderly, the poor, the sinners of all sorts…

God offers kindness to us all!

And along with this, God is so kind that He…

MP2: Meets us in our weaknesses

Back in Judges 6 we saw God do this with Gideon

And today we see Him do it again with Manoah

Meeting him in his insecurities, uncertainties, & fear

Just as He willingly meets us in our weaknesses!

Lastly, I encourage you to see God’s gracious love in how He…

MP2: Reveals Himself in ways we can understand!

This passage reveals a growing understanding of who God is for Manoah & his wife.

He moves from being “a man of God” (vv6 & 8), to “wonderful” (v18), to a “messenger of God” (v21), to “God,” Himself (v22)!

What about your own life?

How has God revealed Himself to you?

Consider how He has helped you to better understand...

When it is Him that is meeting you

What truths He wants you to know

Brothers & Sisters, THIS is our God!

Have you know Him as such?

I pray that you do!

Come to Him—RUN to Him—

And find His gracious love!

Transition:

Now, let’s begin to close this off…

Conclusion:

Conclusion

Reiterate:

In the midst of chaos, uncertainty, & fear, you can trust in God’s gracious love.

Despite Israels comfort in their rebellion & oppression—

Despite Manoah’s restless insecurity, uncertainties, & attempts to control what was not his to control…

God demonstrated gracious love to them

Such gracious love we have celebrated this morning! That He…

Displays mighty wonders!

Takes initiative to save us!

Shows kindness to the hurting & outcasts!

Meets us in our weaknesses!

Reveals Himself in ways we understand!

Apply:

Con: So, how should we respond? I suggest four points for your prayerful consideration…

Con: Clarify your condition & position before God!

We saw where Israel & Manoah were… Where are you?

Comfortable rebellion, Insecurity, uncertainty, attempts to control what God has not entrusted to you… do these things resonate with you?

Let the prayer of Psalm 139:23–24 guide your meditations here… (also see Job 31; Psalm 26:2)

Psalm 139:23–24 CSB

23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.

Con: Embrace God’s gracious love!

Which was most powerfully demonstrated on the cross.

Let it define you.

If you have not done so for the first time—accept this love!

Through repentance from sin & faith in Jesus Christ

Receive His free gift of salvation &

Come to know what it means to become a child of God!

For those of us who have done this—

Let us guard our hearts!

Distress, persecution, worries of this age, & even the deceitfulness of wealth so powerfully tempt us to take our eyes off Christ (Matthew 13:18-23).

We lose sight of His heart of gracious love

We doubt His motives & intent

We try to take control where it isn’t our business taking control.

Let us grow to rightly trust in & embrace His grace & love

As it Manoah’s wife seems to have done

And with this, to also…

Con: Trust in & obey God’s revelation!

It seems that Manoah’s wife demonstrates this well—

While her husband struggle a bit more.

And this revelation involves two things:

Con: His Word

Con: His personal direction to you

How do you do here?

When you read God’s Word…

Do you take the time needed to actually understand it?

Do you trust what He has shared with You?

Do you let it educate you?

So that you are not as blind as Manoah to God’s gracious interventions into your life

Do you let it direct you?

So that you are not walking in such blatant disobedience as Manoah & his wife seemed to do regarding the OT dietary laws of unclean foods

When God reveals something personal to you, a clear direction for you to follow—

Do you follow it?

Sometimes when our prayers seem unanswered, I wonder if it is not because we actually ignored what God said to us earlier!

Do you trust that He has told you enough for the time being?

Did you see how Manoah struggled with this?

He kept trying to get more details from the angel of God,

But God simply restated what Manoah & his wife needed to know at that time.

Sometimes we want God to tell us more than He wants us to know…

“What college should I go to? What degree should I pursue?”

“Who should I marry?”

“Should I take this job opportunity?”

God may...

Tell us these answers in time. Or…

Expect us to exercise our godly wisdom,

as it is shaped by His Word, previous experiences with Him, & godly council.

Are you okay with either of those?

Waiting for His next instruction,

Or stepping forward with the godly wisdom He has entrusted to you?

Finally…

Con: Share God’s love & word with others!

Manoah’s wife’s set a good example here.

She immediately brought God’s word of grace & love back to her husband

Is God calling you to share His Word with someone this week? Perhaps…

Encouragement to someone who is discouraged…

The message of God’s faithfulness to one who is insecure & uncertain…

Contentment to one trying to gain control that is not their’s to have…

… Share His word with those He has brought you to!

Is God calling on you to share His gracious love with someone this week? Perhaps…

A phone call to a friend/family member, perhaps even one who was estranged…

Deliver a meal to a mother whose hands are full trying to care for children while her husband is deployed…

A kind note dropped off at the doorway…

A message of hope written on the sidewalk…

…Share God’s amazing grace & love with our needy world!

Appeal:

The story of Manoah & his wife is ultimately the story of our gracious & loving God.

Have you seen that this morning?

Do you trust in this love?

Do you let it shape you & define you?

I pray that you do.

Conclude:

Pray with me now…

Heavenly Father, thank You…

…for Your amazing grace & love

…that you do not abandon us in our sin & rebellion—

Even when we are comfortable in it & see no need for a Savior

…that You humble Yourself to meet us in our weakness

To reveal Your self to us—

Your Word, grace, love, & so much more…

…for who You are & all the mighty works that You do.

Transform us by them even today we pray

Give us the strength, courage, & contentment that we need for this week.

Use us to strengthen one another.

We pray all these things in Jesus name,

Amen.

At this time we are going to transition to taking part in the Lord’s Supper…

Slide, Lord’s Supper:

Post-Sermon

The Lord’s Supper:

Introduction

Opening & Logistics

Hope you were tracking our FB posts this week & were able to pick up your set of elements for the Lord’s Supper

This morning each family has it’s own ushers

I invite you to take out you brown bags & now prepare to take part in this special event together

CONNECTION TO SERMON:

Reminded us of a God who is…

In control, reliable, & overflowing with love

In this midst of a world that seems so dominated by

Chaos, Uncertainty, Fear

He is a God we can trust

Preparing Our Hearts

As we prepare for this, hear Paul’s words in 1 Cor 11:27-28

1 Corinthians 11:27–28 CSB

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup.

And so, I encourage you each to invite the Spirit to test you & reveal to you where there are sins that you need to repent of.

If it is something against your family during this time together, I encourage you to even apologize and grant forgiveness right now in your homes.

Consider the prayer of Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139:23–24 CSB

23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.

Join me for a moment of prayer…

Father we acknowledge and confess our sins to You (Ps 32:5)

Be gracious to us according to Your faithful love & abundant compassion (Ps 51:1)

Completely wash away our guilt & cleanse us from our sins (Ps 51:2)

Forgive us, Lord, as we forgive those who sin against us (Mt 6:12)

Almighty God, we know that You desire integrity in our inner selves,

Teach us wisdom deep within (Ps 51:6)

Purify us completely

Make us whiter than snow (Ps 51:7)

Let us rejoice & be glad in Your gracious salvation, merciful forgiveness, & powerful restoration (Ps 51:8, 12),

As You create a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit of faithfulness to You within us (Ps 51:10)

Guide us now as we worship and remember You in this Lord’s Supper.

Jesus, thank You for bearing our sins upon the cross, for taking the wrath of God that we deserve upon Yourself

In this time now, somberly & joyfully...

We remember the amazing love You demonstration—

We remember the justice of God, satisfied by Your great sacrifice for us—

We remember the New Covenant that we now rest within,

And how we have such amazing grace to approach the throne of God with confidence! —

We remember the victory of our Risen Savior on Easter Morning, Resurrection Sunday;

And we joyfully walk in Your “resurrection power” & the “fellowship of Your sufferings;”

Conform us to Your death that we might receive the resurrection from the dead. (Eph 3:10)

And with this, we look forward to the Day that we will enjoy this feast in Your very presence, Jesus (Luke 22:16; 1 Cor. 11:26)

You are coming again!

Fill us with Your hope that directs us in our daily life.

Maranatha. Come quickly Lord.

And until then, may You find us faithfully alert, sober-minded, & about the good works You have given us.

In Jesus Name we pray,

Amen.

Receiving the Elements

The Bread:

And with that, I now invite you to take the bread

As Paul shares in 1 Corinthians 11:23-24

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 CSB

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

In remembrance of Him—

Take & eat!

The Cup:

As Paul shares in 1 Corinthians 11:25

1 Corinthians 11:25 CSB

25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

In remembrance of Him—

Take & drink!

Closing

Final Words:

May God richly bless each of you as you receive this bread & cup…

Remembering His sacrifice,

Reflecting upon your present standing before Him,

Confidently looking forward to His imminent return

Offering:

At this time, I invite you to consider how God is leading you to support His church through the giving of your finances.

As you know,

You can support the Protestant community through giving online

Find the link for this in the description of this Live-Stream

I also encourage you to consider what other communities of faith or mission organizations God may be encouraging you to give to in this season.

There is much need in our world right now

Give joyfully to the Lord’s Work as He so directs you.

And with that, I invite Juanita to come up and share today’s…

Announcements:

Thursday Care for Deployed Spouses

Online gatherings (PWOC, PMOC, Youth, Kids)

Benediction:

“Now may

the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit

be with you all.” (2 Cor 13:14)

Amen.