The story of Samson, the strongman of ancient Israel, begins with his discouraged, oppressed parents. When an angel brought to them a prophetic declaration about the coming birth of a son, hope began to return to their hearts. Eventually that hope would move from their hearts into all of Israel because the prophecy of Samson’s life was that he would set God’s people free from the oppressive Philistines. This message reveals the origin of Samson’s story: an angel, two desperate parents, and a nation in need of rescue.
Initiating A Shift
Judges 13:1-12
June 6, 2018 • Jeff Lyle
More from
Samson
One Last Grace For Samson
August 15, 2018 • Jeff Lyle
We have wondered throughout the entire story of Samson how in the world he ended up in the New Testament’s Hebrews “Hall of Faith”. How did a man who struggled so immensely with his flesh get mentioned in one of the only places in scripture where human beings are exalted as examples of what it means to trust God? This message reveals the answer to this question. From the ashes of his humiliation, Samson commits one final act to the glory of God and, in so doing, fulfills the prophetic destiny assigned to his life. God never gave up on His servant. Well done, Samson. Well done.
A Woman at Her Worst
August 8, 2018 • Jeff Lyle
Up to this point in his story, Samson has managed to avoid complete catastrophe in his dealings with women. That streak comes to an abrupt halt in this message. Women can be incredibly persuasive. God’s daughters use that persuasion for Kingdom good. Women who act independently of the Holy Spirit will use that influence for selfish purposes. This message reveals the demonic heart of Delilah in her intentional betrayal of Samson, the man who loved her.
The Pitfalls of Passion
August 1, 2018 • Jeff Lyle
After a short moment when Samson leaned in to surrender fully to the work of God and experienced a measure of breakthrough, here he goes again back to his old ways. Inexplicably, Samson goes and finds a prostitute down in the Philistine territory of Gaza. After narrowly escaping with his life from that sordid scene, he eventually links up with the infamous Delilah - a sensual relationship that would soon signal the end of Samson’s life. The Scriptures take sexual purity very seriously and in our modern culture the Church must remain as committed as ever to preserving our bodies in honor. This message shows how young people become easily seduced by the enemy’s proven weapon of sexual temptation. May we respond to the grace of God and avoid the pitfalls that are attached to our passions.