This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Before You Die Get Right", Judges 16:20-31", 7/5/2020

BEFORE YOU DIE GET RIGHT

Judge 16:20-31

INTRODUCTION

Samson was chosen at birth to lead Israel and to defeat the Philistines.

He lived a life out of fellowship with Lord.

He married a Philistine woman in direct violation of God's command.

She and her father were killed by the Philistines. The second woman in

His life was a prostitute from Garza, The third woman, Delilah

He loved but didn't marry. Delilah deceived him that she was in love

only to gain information about the key to his strength, She was paid

By the Philistines to deceive Samson.

It was what Samson saw with eyes that were his downfall.

Samson lacked the wisdom to see Delilah deception even though she

gave him many signs.

PRAY BEFORE YOU BATTLE SATAN

V:20 Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!"

He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the Lord had left him.

A. The Lord gave Samson over to the sin he craved.

    

      Rom 1:28

      Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the

      knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what   

      ought not to be done.

   1. Samson thought it was business as usual.

   2. For 20 years he had taken his commission from God for granted.

   3. We find no indication that Samson mounted an army against

       the Philistines.

   4. Any fight he had with the Philistines was by himself to avenge a

       wrong done to him.

B. We find no history of Samson calling on God for help for Israel.

    1. The times he talked to God was for his own self-interest.

    2. When the Philistines finally captured him and his strength was

         gone, there was no recorded call to God.

    3. The lesson we gain from this is that we must use the gifts God

        has given us for His Glory or He will remove the gifts from us.

    4. The next thing we see in the lesson is that God tolerated Samson

         selfish behavior for 20 years.

GOD IS READY TO USE YOU

V:21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison. 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

A. God can use our sinful behavior to put us in a place to do what he

     called us to do.

    1. Notice, the consequence of Samson's sin was losing his eyes which

        was what he continued to use to sin against God.

B. God chastises us, but He does not stay mad long.

    1. While in prison, God blessed Samson by allowing his hair to grow.

    2. This indicates that Samson still didn’t realize that his strength was

         not in his hair but the grace of God.

C. God has a way of positioning us at the right place at the right time

     to do His will regardless of our behavior.

   1. God has a way of foreign us to our knees.

   2. God can arrange our circumstances where we have a desire

       to call on Him.

FOOLISH MEN PRAISE THE god MADE BY THEIR HANDS

V:23 Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, "Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands."

24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying,

"Our god has delivered our enemy

into our hands,

the one who laid waste our land

and multiplied our slain."

25 While they were in high spirits, they shouted, "Bring out Samson to entertain us." So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

A. Contrary to the Philistines belief, it was God who delivered Samson into

        Their hands

    1. God positioned Samson in the Philistine celebration to

         accomplish His will.

     2. God used the depraved minds of the Philistines worshipping

         their idol god to position Samson in the midst of their party.

     3. While the Philistines were celebrating and worshipping their

         idol god, the true and living God had planned their destruction.

B. It was God who encouraged the Philistines to bring Samson out of

     jail to humiliate him.

    1. God used the proud hearts of the Philistines to prompt Samson to

        call on Him in prayer.

    2. God has a way of getting our attention.

    3. God stripped away Samson pride, freedom, and ability to

        see to open his eyes to Him.

    4. I can imagine Samson saying, I was once blind, but now I see.

       

WHEN YOU ARE READY SERVE GOD WILL USE YOU

V:25. When they stood him among the pillars, 26 Samson said to the servant    

  who held his hand, "Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the

  temple, so that I may lean against them." 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, "O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes."

A. Notice, Samson's prayer to God was still a selfish prayer for his

     personal revenge.

    1. There is no mention in Samson’s prayer for the revenge of Israel.

    2. God can use our selfish prayers to carry out His will.

    3. Samson had the wisdom to ask to be placed next to the supporting

        pillars of the banquet hall.

B. Samson’s prayer was a prayer of redemption, O Lord

     Remember me.

    1. Samson’s prayer was similar to the prayer of the thief on the cross with   

        Jesus remember me when you get to your kingdom.

GOD ANSWERS YOUR PRAYERS FOR HIS GLORY

 V:29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

31 Then his brothers and his father's whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led Israel twenty years.

A. Samson second prayer “let me die with Philistines,

     is similar to one of Jesus last prayers, Not my will, but Thine be done

   1. In his final hour, Samson relied on the wisdom of God.

   2. God blessed Samson with the strength to push down the pillars

       supporting the upper floor so that many Philistines were killed.

Summary from Sue Ramsey

 1. Samson was finally overcome with a prayer to change his life and to walk     

    uprightly in the Lord. (16:28) 'Most powerful Lord, remember me. God,

    please give me strength one more time.'

  2.  When we realize our mistake, we should pray immediately. God has

       promised that He will help us.

   3. Even though Samson in life failed, he did not fail in his death. Samson's

       prayer ended with 'Let me die' (16:30). By his own death, he overcame

       his enemies.

   4. There is something similar for the Christian. It is probably the only way

        to escape from being worldly. Jesus spoke to anyone who wanted to go

        with him.

   5. He said: 'That person must accept his cross, and he must follow me.   

      Whoever gives his life for me and the Gospel will save it.' (Read

      Mark 8:34-37.)

    6. One final note, There are many "Delilah's" out there looking for a secret

        that will topple you spiritually. Learn from Samson to fight the

        temptation of spiritual compromise.

       Otherwise, before you know it, you'll be blinded. God is a restorer and  

       will help you when you fall, but it might cost you something precious.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041