Samson: 10 Tests for Real Men (part 1)
Today he’d be a meathead at the gym pounding protein shakes, dating the worst women, and spending his weekends at bar fights instead of the library.
Test #1. Salvation
Judges 13:25 the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him [Samson]…
- Salvation is a gift of grace
Hebrews 11:32-34 For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Test #2. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
Judges 16:20 “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”
Test #3. Personal Holiness
Judges 13:7 “…the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death…”
- Nazirite Vow (Num. 6) – no 1. Alcohol 2. Unclean foods 3. Hair cuts 4. Corpses
Judges 14:1, 14:5, 14:7, 14:10, 14:19 “went down”
Test #4. Women
Mother (Judges 13)
Philistine wife (Judges 14:1-1, 15:1)
Prostitute at Gaza (Judges 16:1)
Philistine agent Delilah (Judges 16:4-5)
Test #5. Courage
Judges 14:6 Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him…
Judges 14:19 the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him…
Judges 15:14 the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him…
- Killed 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of donkey (Judges 15)
- Killed 3000 Philistines in temple of Dagon(Judges 16)
CLOSE
- Life ends – blind, suicide, alone, no wife/kids/friends
- Life was hell. Went to Heaven.
NEVER course corrects, repents,
=Jesus is your 1. Greater Samson 2. Savior 3. Lord
Discussion Questions
- What did the Holy Spirit highlight in the talk for you?
- What test are you taking in life right now?
- How can we pray for you?
