Capitol City Church
Samson: Desire, Destruction & Destiny - One Step at a Time
Thank you for joining us today as we continue our series on the life of Samson.
Locations & Times
Capitol City Church
5990 NE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA
Sunday 8:15 AM
Sunday 10:45 AM
Welcome to Capitol City
We know there are a lot of places you could be today, so we appreciate you joining us at Capitol City Church. If you are a guest, please take a minute to fill out the card in the seat back in front of you and turn it in to the Information Center for a free gift. We are so glad you joined us today.
We know there are a lot of places you could be today, so we appreciate you joining us at Capitol City Church. If you are a guest, please take a minute to fill out the card in the seat back in front of you and turn it in to the Information Center for a free gift. We are so glad you joined us today.
Samson's Story
Samson had superhuman strength and a sharp mind. He enjoyed riddles, and was passionate! However, he struggled with his temper, was motivated by lust and violated his Nazarite vows.
He was an enemy of the Philistines and proved to be an effective warrior, killing many enemies of the Jews.
Delilah captured Samson’s heart and her attempts to destroy Samson were ultimately effective. Samson never appeared to “catch on” or to care about her efforts. He followed his heart, was controlled by his passion and ignored his commitment to God
Ultimately he found himself weak, imprisoned and asking God for one more chance – literally dying to kill his enemies.
Samson had superhuman strength and a sharp mind. He enjoyed riddles, and was passionate! However, he struggled with his temper, was motivated by lust and violated his Nazarite vows.
He was an enemy of the Philistines and proved to be an effective warrior, killing many enemies of the Jews.
Delilah captured Samson’s heart and her attempts to destroy Samson were ultimately effective. Samson never appeared to “catch on” or to care about her efforts. He followed his heart, was controlled by his passion and ignored his commitment to God
Ultimately he found himself weak, imprisoned and asking God for one more chance – literally dying to kill his enemies.
Background on Samson
The story of Samson begins in Judges 13. His father, Manoah (from the southern tribe of Dan), is married to an unnamed woman who is unable to
have children. Through a visit from an angel, Samson’s mom learned she would become pregnant. She immediately told her husband, but Maniah did not believe her. He asked God for the angel to return and tell him personally. God grants his request and the angel returned with the same message (this time to both of them) and some additional prenatal instructions.
Samson was dedicated to God before he was born. He was going to be a Nazarite – a person with a high commitment to God. The vow of a Nazarite involved these three things: (1) abstinence from wine and strong drink, (2)
refraining from cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of the
continuance of the vow, and (3) the avoidance of contact with the dead.
Since Samson was assigned the vow of Nazarite, his mother had to abide by the vow while she was pregnant.
Judges 13:5 communicates Samson’s purpose. He was intended to “begin” to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines. The wording in the passage foreshadows Samson’s failure later in his life.
The Bible says that as Samson grew he was stirred by the Spirit of God. He showed all the signs of a faithful biblical leader but he had a fatal flaw. He was attracted to foreign (non-Christian) women.
The story of Samson begins in Judges 13. His father, Manoah (from the southern tribe of Dan), is married to an unnamed woman who is unable to
have children. Through a visit from an angel, Samson’s mom learned she would become pregnant. She immediately told her husband, but Maniah did not believe her. He asked God for the angel to return and tell him personally. God grants his request and the angel returned with the same message (this time to both of them) and some additional prenatal instructions.
Samson was dedicated to God before he was born. He was going to be a Nazarite – a person with a high commitment to God. The vow of a Nazarite involved these three things: (1) abstinence from wine and strong drink, (2)
refraining from cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of the
continuance of the vow, and (3) the avoidance of contact with the dead.
Since Samson was assigned the vow of Nazarite, his mother had to abide by the vow while she was pregnant.
Judges 13:5 communicates Samson’s purpose. He was intended to “begin” to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines. The wording in the passage foreshadows Samson’s failure later in his life.
The Bible says that as Samson grew he was stirred by the Spirit of God. He showed all the signs of a faithful biblical leader but he had a fatal flaw. He was attracted to foreign (non-Christian) women.
How could a man with so much potential and so much to lose choose to mess up his life?
They do all the time!
How does this happen?
One step at a time...
How many steps – 56,250 steps to Gaza?
He walked 25 miles to risk 20 years of faithfulness!
They do all the time!
How does this happen?
One step at a time...
How many steps – 56,250 steps to Gaza?
He walked 25 miles to risk 20 years of faithfulness!
Samson Taunted His Enemies
And Samson lay low till midnight; then he arose at midnight, took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two gateposts, pulled them up, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.
Judges 16:2
And Samson lay low till midnight; then he arose at midnight, took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two gateposts, pulled them up, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.
Judges 16:2
Samson Rationalized His Sin
I need it!
I deserve it!
I want it!
I can get away with it!
Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her.
Judges 16:1
I need it!
I deserve it!
I want it!
I can get away with it!
Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her.
Judges 16:1
Samson Pushed His Luck
Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
Judges 16:4
But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
Psalm 86:15
Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
Judges 16:4
But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
Psalm 86:15
Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. Judges 16:4
It's not too late!
God does not give a second chance.
God gives another chance.
God does not give a second chance.
God gives another chance.
Give Online
We believe that giving is an expression of worship and thankfulness. It's our privilege to return to God a portion of what He's asked us to manage. Use the link below to visit the secure online giving page on our website.
http://capitolcitychurch.com/giveSonquest Rainforest Vacation Bible School
VBS starts tomorrow! It runs July 17th - 21st from 6:00 - 8:30 pm. If you haven't registered your child/children yet, take a moment to visit the VBS web page to complete the registration.
http://www.capitolcitychurch.com/vbs