Enduring Faith: Lessons from Samson's Life

 

Summary

In our final reflection on Samson, we turn to the New Testament to uncover the deeper spiritual significance of his life. The book of Hebrews offers a profound perspective, using Samson as an example to encourage Christians to endure in their faith. The context of Hebrews is crucial, as it addresses Jewish Christians who were tempted to abandon Christianity for Judaism, a religion with visible glory and legal privileges in the Roman world. Hebrews, however, calls believers to look beyond the visible and trust in the promises of Christ, who is the better temple, priest, and sacrifice.

Faith, as described in Hebrews, is about trusting in promises not yet seen. This is exemplified in the story of a family from our congregation, whose father, part of the Dutch resistance, held onto the promise of a Sabbath rest even as he faced death. This illustrates the Christian call to look beyond the visible and trust in the unseen promises of God. Hebrews 11 emphasizes that faith is the conviction of things not seen, urging us to focus on the Word and promises of God rather than the visible world.

Samson's life, with its struggles and failures, teaches us about the seductive nature of sin and the importance of perseverance. Hebrews highlights that strength comes from weakness, a theme echoed by Paul in 2 Corinthians. In our current cultural context, where Christian influence seems to be waning, we are reminded that true strength lies in our weakness and reliance on Christ. Instead of reacting with anger to cultural changes, we are called to demonstrate the love of Christ and live out Christian values, becoming lights in the world.

The New Testament reminds us that, despite our weaknesses, we are consecrated to serve the Lord. Samson, despite his flaws, was a sinner saved by grace, and his life speaks to us about the importance of faith and consecration. We are called to live by faith, not by sight, and to pursue holiness through the strength of the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches a balanced view of justification and sanctification, urging us to never become indifferent to sin. Samson's story challenges and encourages us to live by faith, trusting in Christ for all we need.

Key Takeaways:

- The book of Hebrews encourages us to endure in faith by looking beyond the visible and trusting in the promises of Christ. This call to faith is about focusing on the unseen and holding onto the promises of God, even when they are not yet fulfilled. [00:51]

- Faith involves trusting in promises not yet seen, as illustrated by the story of a family who held onto the promise of a Sabbath rest during the Nazi occupation. This teaches us to look beyond the visible and trust in God's promises. [04:49]

- Samson's life warns us about the seductive nature of sin and the importance of perseverance. His story reminds us that strength comes from weakness, a theme echoed by Paul, urging us to rely on Christ's strength rather than our own. [08:35]

- In a changing cultural context, where Christian influence seems to be waning, we are called to demonstrate the love of Christ and live out Christian values. Instead of reacting with anger, we should become lights in the world, showing the importance of Christian values through our lives. [12:32]

- The New Testament calls us to live by faith, not by sight, and to pursue holiness through the strength of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded to never become indifferent to sin, as the Bible teaches a balanced view of justification and sanctification. [20:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:17] - Introduction to Samson's Spiritual Significance
- [00:51] - Encouragement to Endure in Faith
- [01:27] - Context of Hebrews and Jewish Christians
- [02:26] - The Right Use of the Eyes
- [03:39] - Christ as the Better Temple and Priest
- [04:22] - Trusting in Unseen Promises
- [04:49] - Story of Faith During Nazi Occupation
- [05:51] - Faith as Conviction of Things Not Seen
- [06:17] - Seeking a Better Homeland
- [07:21] - Moses' Faith in the Unseen God
- [07:53] - Samson's Struggle with Sin
- [08:35] - Strength from Weakness
- [09:55] - Paul's Perspective on Weakness
- [12:32] - Responding to Cultural Changes
- [14:12] - Living as Lights in the World
- [15:42] - Samson as a Sinner Saved by Grace
- [17:20] - Privilege of Seeing Jesus
- [19:38] - Call to Holiness and Consecration

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:32-34
2. Hebrews 11:1
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does Hebrews 11:32-34 say about the strength that comes from weakness, and how does this relate to the life of Samson? [08:35]

2. How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith, and why is this definition significant in the context of the sermon? [05:51]

3. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul talks about boasting in weaknesses. How does this concept connect to the sermon’s message about Christian strength? [09:55]

4. What was the cultural and religious context for Jewish Christians that the book of Hebrews addresses, and how does this context help us understand the encouragement to endure in faith? [00:51]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of the Dutch resistance family illustrate the concept of faith as trusting in unseen promises, and what does this teach about enduring in faith? [04:49]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the seductive nature of sin can be deceptive, and how does Samson's life serve as a warning for believers today? [07:53]

3. How does the sermon interpret the idea of being "lights in the world" in response to cultural changes, and what does this mean for Christians today? [12:32]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the balance between justification and sanctification, and why is it important for Christians to avoid becoming indifferent to sin? [20:19]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or inadequate. How can you apply the idea that strength comes from weakness in your current situation? [09:55]

2. Consider the cultural changes around you. How can you demonstrate the love of Christ and live out Christian values in a way that shines as a light in the world? [12:32]

3. Think about a promise from God that you are currently waiting to see fulfilled. How can you strengthen your faith in the unseen promises of God this week? [05:51]

4. In what ways can you actively pursue holiness and consecration in your daily life, relying on the strength of the Holy Spirit? [20:19]

5. Identify an area in your life where sin might be subtly seductive. What steps can you take to guard against it and persevere in faith like Samson eventually did? [07:53]

6. How can you retool your approach to living out your faith in a society where Christian influence seems to be waning? What practical steps can you take to be a positive influence in your community? [14:12]

7. Reflect on the privilege of knowing Christ more clearly than the Old Testament faithful. How can this privilege inspire you to live a life of faith and service? [17:47]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in Unseen Promises
Faith is a journey of trusting in promises not yet seen. The book of Hebrews encourages believers to look beyond the visible and trust in the promises of Christ, who is the better temple, priest, and sacrifice. This call to faith is about focusing on the unseen and holding onto the promises of God, even when they are not yet fulfilled. The story of a family who held onto the promise of a Sabbath rest during the Nazi occupation exemplifies this kind of faith. They looked beyond their dire circumstances and trusted in God's promises, teaching us to do the same in our own lives. [00:51]

Hebrews 11:1-2 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you find difficult to trust in right now? How can you actively choose to trust in this promise today, despite not seeing its fulfillment yet?


Day 2: Perseverance in the Face of Sin
Samson's life warns us about the seductive nature of sin and the importance of perseverance. Despite his struggles and failures, Samson's story reminds us that strength comes from weakness. This theme is echoed by Paul, urging us to rely on Christ's strength rather than our own. In our current cultural context, where Christian influence seems to be waning, we are reminded that true strength lies in our weakness and reliance on Christ. Instead of reacting with anger to cultural changes, we are called to demonstrate the love of Christ and live out Christian values, becoming lights in the world. [08:35]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel weakest? How can you invite Christ's strength into this area and rely on Him more fully today?


Day 3: Living as Lights in a Changing World
In a changing cultural context, where Christian influence seems to be waning, we are called to demonstrate the love of Christ and live out Christian values. Instead of reacting with anger, we should become lights in the world, showing the importance of Christian values through our lives. This involves living by faith, not by sight, and pursuing holiness through the strength of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded to never become indifferent to sin, as the Bible teaches a balanced view of justification and sanctification. [12:32]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: How can you be a light in your community today? What specific action can you take to demonstrate the love of Christ to those around you?


Day 4: Consecration and Holiness
The New Testament calls us to live by faith, not by sight, and to pursue holiness through the strength of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded to never become indifferent to sin, as the Bible teaches a balanced view of justification and sanctification. Samson, despite his flaws, was a sinner saved by grace, and his life speaks to us about the importance of faith and consecration. We are called to live by faith, trusting in Christ for all we need. [20:19]

1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to greater holiness? What steps can you take today to pursue this call?


Day 5: Strength in Weakness
Samson's life, with its struggles and failures, teaches us about the seductive nature of sin and the importance of perseverance. Hebrews highlights that strength comes from weakness, a theme echoed by Paul in 2 Corinthians. In our current cultural context, where Christian influence seems to be waning, we are reminded that true strength lies in our weakness and reliance on Christ. Instead of reacting with anger to cultural changes, we are called to demonstrate the love of Christ and live out Christian values, becoming lights in the world. [08:35]

Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: How can you embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for God's strength to be displayed? What practical steps can you take to rely more on Christ's strength in your daily life?

Quotes

"We know that the apostle Paul, in Romans 15, said that all of Scripture was written so that we might be encouraged and that we might endure. And, in a real sense, Hebrews is a book about being encouraged to endure. That's probably the occasion for the writing of the letter to the Hebrews -- the occasion being that there were some Jewish Christians who seemed to be abandoning Christianity to go back to Judaism." [00:42:06]

"And, in the context of the 1st century, that's maybe not so surprising, because the numbers of Christians were tiny compared to the number of Jews. So you had left a big, significant, influential religion in the Roman world to be part of a little insignificant religion. And Judaism had special privileges in Roman law to practice their religion, whereas Christianity, in the 1st century, was illegal in the Roman world; which meant, sometimes, Christians were persecuted, but all the time they had to worry about how the government was going to relate to them." [00:73:51]

"And so the whole book of Hebrews is, in a sense, a book about the right use of the eyes. And so it shouldn't surprise us that, eventually, the book of Hebrews comes to Samson as one of those who need to be an example to us of the right and the wrong uses of the eyes. And so Hebrews is, is almost a long sermon, calling on the people of God to persevere in the faith; not to drift away; to keep looking to Christ, who, as we'll read in Hebrews 12, is the 'author and finisher of our faith.'" [00:171:70]

"And, and what Hebrews is saying, in many, many ways, is, is the Christian life is a matter of trust. We have a family in our congregation in Escondido whose father was part of the Dutch resistance during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. And, on the last day of the German occupation of that part of the Netherlands, he sat his family down to dinner, and they read from Hebrews chapter 4 -- a call to perseverance in faith, and a declaration: 'There yet remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.'" [00:264:22]

"And that father went out and died on the last day of the German occupation. But what resonated in the ears of his family was that promise: 'There yet remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.' There is a life beyond this life for the people of God. It's a life we can't see. It's a life that's only promised. And so we have to hold on to those promises. We have to trust in those promises. And we have to look beyond what we can see." [00:313:26]

"Samson did not always avoid the fleeting pleasures of sin, and his life is representative that the people of God have to be on guard about that. The fleeting pleasure of sin can be seductive and deceptive, and we have to learn that. Samson learned it very slowly; learned it, finally, only at the end of his life. And so Hebrews is, is creating a whole spiritual picture here for us that is so critical." [00:473:55]

"And in particular, then, it says that we need to learn, as Christians, that strength comes out of weakness. Strength comes out of weakness. Hebrews 11, verse 34, where there's this whole -- better start reading up a little further than that. Let's start at Hebrews 11:32: 'And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of' -- here we are, in the book of Judges -- '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,' -- and what does all that mean? -- who 'were made strong out of weakness.'" [00:508:12]

"And Paul eloquently summarizes that in 2 Corinthians 12:9 and 10: ''My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'" [00:605:30]

"And I think that word of Paul, illustrated in the life of Samson -- that he's really at his strongest when he's at his weakest and most humiliated -- is a really important lesson for us in America today, because American Christianity has had a long run of strength in our culture, but, about two weeks ago, I was in a bookstore (my wife always says, when we travel, we go from bookstore to cemetery, cemetery to bookstore), and I found a book there, just published, entitled The End Of White Christian America." [00:642:72]

"And I think we, as Christians, need to say at this moment, 'Alright. If we're going to be weaker, then let's pray to the Lord that that will actually be an occasion for us to be strong.' And let's act in love. Let's show the love of Christ, so that we'll win people to us. Let's not depend on having law enforce what we think is right. It'd be nice if that happened. But let's show how important Christian values are in living life, so that, in a world where the family is under attack, let's show families that're full of love, and stability and, and blessedness." [00:741:57]

"And I think that's what the New Testament is reminding us about -- that we need to, despite our weakness, to be consecrated to the Lord, to serve the Lord, to give our lives over to the Lord. And that's why, at the end of this list in Hebrews 11:38 -- a list that includes Samson -- we are told the world was not worthy of them. Now, you read the life of Samson in Judges, and you think, 'Well, maybe Samson wasn't worthy of the Lord,' but the Lord sees things differently. And Samson, for all of his faults, was a sinner saved by grace." [00:888:12]

"We are justified and made right with God by the work of Christ alone, which we receive as an act of grace alone, through faith alone. We contribute nothing to being justified and made right with God. But, at the same time, we are called to be a sanctified people, and to be growing in grace, to be growing in holiness by the strength of the Holy Spirit, to be more and more conformed to the image of the Son." [00:1212:19]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Nov 12, 2022. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?