The Great Strength of Samson

03-18-06

1. Judges 13-16 – Samson was a man of strength & weakness.

A. Samson accomplished amazing feats.

· He killed a lion with his bare hands.

· He killed 1,000 soldiers with the jawbone of a donkey.

· He lifted city gates and posts right out of the ground.

B. Judges 14:1; 16:1,4 – Samson’s weakness overcame him.

· Judges 16:19-20 – The power of God left him.

· Judges 16:21 – He felt the tyranny of bondage.

C. Judges 16:22, 28-30 – Samson returned to his commitment.

2. Isa. 41:10 – God has promised to give us strength.

A. Phil. 4:13 – We can do all things through Christ.

· Phil. 2:13-15 – We may be strong in character.

B. Step 1: Surrender to Jesus (John 8:36).

· Eph. 2:1 – He will resurrect us from sin’s death.

· John 11:25 – He is the resurrection

· The small boy and the large stone.

C. Step 2: Minimize the negative.

· Matt. 5:29-30 -- Remove things that lead to sin.

· Pro. 23:7 – As we think so we will be.

· Pro. 4:23 – Guard your thoughts

· 2 Cor. 6:16-18 – touch; Psalm 101:3-4 – sight; Isa. 33:15 – hearing; Dan. 1:8 – smell & taste.

“To repeat the same procedures and expect different results is folly.” Einstein

“If duty calls him where circumstances are not favorable, he will have special help from God, and thus go fully girded for a conflict with the enemy.” 2T517

D. Step 3: Maximize the positive.

· Rom. 12:21 – Overcome evil with good.

· 1 Pet. 1:13 – Be alert and think straight.

· Eph. 5:18-20 – praise; Ps. 119:11 – memorize scripture; Heb. 10:24-25 – friends; Isa. 30:15 – simplify; 1 Cor. 6:19-20 – healthful living.

· Isa. 41-10 – God will help us.