Luke 12:48 CSB – From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected

Ezekiel 22:30 CSB – I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it,

Samson’s Privilege:  Born At An Opportune Time

Samson means “sunshine”

Judges 13:1 CSB – The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord’s sight

1 John 2:15 CSB – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Israel’s Cycle of Rebellion

Galatians 4:4 CSB – When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,

2000 years ago, people lived in dark times, too!

Isaiah 8:21-22 CSB – They will wander through the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged, and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness.

Matthew 5:14, 16 CSB – “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 10:7-8 NKJV – And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Ephesians 2:1 CSB – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Proverbs 29:18 CSB – Without revelation people run wild,
but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.

Samson’s Privilege: Growing Up In a Godly Home

Judges 13:2-3 CSB – There was a certain man from Zorah…, 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, “Although you are unable to conceive and have no children, you will conceive and give birth to a son.

Judges 13:8 CSB – Manoah prayed to the Lord and said, “Please, Lord, let the man of God you sent come again to us and teach us what we should do for the boy who will be born.”

Judges 13:11-12 CSB – So Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he asked, “Are you the man who spoke to my wife?”

“I am,” he said.

12 Then Manoah asked, “When your words come true, what will be the boy’s responsibilities and work?”

Judges 13:4-5 CSB – 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.”

Nazirite Vow (Numbers 6)

  • Do not cut hair
  • Do not touch any dead bodies
  • Do not drink wine, or eat any grapes or raisins

The Blessings & Dangers of Growing up with Godly Parents

Ephesians 2:10 CSB – we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

2 Timothy 3:15 CSB – Paul told Timothy, from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:11 CSB – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Samson’s Privilege: Unusual Strength

Judges 13:24-25 CSB – 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

Luke 12:48 CSB – From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected

  • Chair 1

Joshua 24:14-15 CSB – ….fear the Lord and worship him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped …., and worship the Lord.

15 ….choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship…. As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”

  • Chair 2

Judges 2:7 CSB – The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua. They had seen all the Lord’s great works he had done for Israel.

  • Chair 3

Joshua 2:10,11 CSB – After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel.

The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.

1 Kings 11:4,6 CSB – When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods. He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God, as his father David had been. … 6 Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, and unlike his father David, he did not remain loyal to the Lord.

Joshua 24:14-15 CSB – ….fear the Lord and worship him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped …., and worship the Lord.

15 ….choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship…. As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 CSB – Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Luke 18:8 CSB – I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

Revelation 3:15 CSB – I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:19-20 CSB – As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent. 20 See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.