Restoration Through Grace: The Story of Samson

Samson was a man with undeniable prophetic call from God but he was constantly compromising what God had called him to do and today we're going to see how compromise finally caught up with him as he reached rock bottom. [01:00:42] (17 seconds)

Samson was called way before he was born. God's calling always comes with a command. And those commands are meant to protect us. And an angel declared, Samson was to take a Nazarite vow. Vow, don't drink alcohol. Don't touch dead things. Don't cut your hair. And his hair was a visible symbol of a sacred covenant with God. And in fact, I believe that his hair was a picture of God's grace. [01:08:52] (32 seconds)

The truth is God will use our lives as an example either as a testimony of what to do or as a warning of what not to do and too often we think our failures and our compromise will only affect us what you don't realize is that your compromise have a ripple effect. [01:18:15] (23 seconds)

You cannot out sin God's grace there is no sin too big for God's grace your failure is not final what sin caught off grace can grow back you may be down but you are not out though the righteous fall seven times they will get up tell your neighbor get up get up though you fall you will get up. [01:27:19] (29 seconds)

Failure is an event it's not your identity the enemy says you did it so you are it he is the accuser he wants to come and tell you you are what you do you are your failure but God says you did it but you are still mine. [01:28:06] (17 seconds)

It's interesting to me for all my biblical scholars in here you could check me on this as you study Samson's life he only prayed twice and what's amazing in those two times when he prayed God answered imagine what would have happened if he had prayed more. [01:36:49] (20 seconds)

Samson's final prayer was a prayer of repentance remember me God give me strength give me strength He wasn't asking for a million chances. He was saying, just one. God, I know I messed up. Some of you here today, that should be your prayer. God, I messed up. I know my compromise has consequences, but meet me here. I'm ready to finish what you call me to do. [01:38:51] (27 seconds)

There's hope in this verse because it reminds you today that even if you squandered your potential, that doesn't cancel out God's plan. He's not done with you yet. Tell your neighbor, he's not done with you yet. Even if you haven't lived up to all our potential, we can still fulfill God's purpose. [01:45:29] (25 seconds)

Both Samson and Jesus had births that were prophesied. Both had supernatural strength. Both were called to be deliverers. Both were betrayed for silver. Both died as the man in the middle. Samson in between two pillars and Jesus in between two thieves on the cross. Both Samson and Jesus died a sacrificial death. But there's some big differences. Samson was sinful and Jesus was the perfect lamb of God. And when Samson died, they buried him near Israel. But when Jesus died, they put him in a tomb. And three days later, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, he got up out of that grave. And his resurrection is what leads to my resurrection. I am never down. You are never out. Because he got up. Today you, church, can get up. [01:47:35] (60 seconds)