KEEPING YOUR VOWS OR THE SAMSON VOWS

Text: Judges 16:18–22

Judges 16:18–22 KJV (WS)

And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.

KEEPING YOUR VOWS OR THE SAMSON VOWS

INTRODUCTION:

Samson felt God’s power, rejoiced in it, and knew God had endued him with power from on high for the deliverance of his people! People felt secure when Samson was around.

Samson stands as an example of what a child of God can become.

The name “Samson” means “Sunshine” but this sunshine later became a cloud!

I. HOW SAMSON LOST HIS STRENGTH

“Became as man”

He flirted with the world too much!

A. He overcame a Lion: Delilah’s whisper was stronger than the Lion’s roar.

B. He overcame the gates of Gaza: A weak woman’s arms were stronger.

C. He overcame a thousand Philistines: Delilah’s scissors were more powerful than the Philistines!

When you flirt with the world you lose your power with God!

II. THE HIGH COST OF TURNING OUR BACKS ON GOD

Then the haughty became Samson the humble!

What he lost:

A. Liberty: “. .. they bound him . . .”

B. Strength: God’s power left him!

C. Vision: Where there is no vision the people perish.

He couldn’t see the needs of his people!

D. Joy: His life was one of riddle and jokes, but sin caused him to become bitter!

III. WHY HE WANTED HIS HAIR TO GROW BACK

“...Howbeit the hair of head began to grow again . .”

A. For His Own Sake: He remembered the sweet fellowship he once had with God!

B. For His People’s Sake: Somebody needs you

C. He wanted to Demonstrate His Power among His Enemies

IV. HOW HE KNEW HIS HAIR WAS GROWING BACK

A. He admitted he was to blame.

B. He felt out of place.

C. He was willing to die for another demonstration of the power of God.

The two pillars became Samson’s tombstone. A fitting memorial to a broken life!

You can come back to God