SERMON NOTES: Don’t Forget Who You Are
THE BOOK OF JUDGES

● Context: God’s people enter the promised land.
● The Call: Stay “set apart” from the surrounding culture.
● The Role of Judges: Raised up by God to protect and defend His people.
● The Pattern: A downward spiral—both the people and the judges drift further from God and lose their identity.

SAMSON (Judges 13–16)
● Identity: A Nazarite for life.
● The Nazarite Vow (Numbers 6:1–21):
○ No wine or grape products
○ No cutting hair
○ No touching dead bodies
○ (Note: This vow was normally temporary)

Key Progression:
● Judges 14:1 — A Lady
● Judges 14:4 — A Lion
● Judges 14:8 — A Wedding
● Judges 15:9 — A Rope
● Judges 16:4 — Delilah
● Judges 16:23 — Death of Samson

DID GOD USE SAMSON’S LIFE?
● Yes — God used him despite his character flaws.
● The Takeaway: You can't help but feel like he missed the mark.
● Core Issue: Samson believed he could do whatever he wanted; he did as he saw fit.
"In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit." — Judges 17:6
● Samson forgot who he was at every turn. He only called out to God when he was in desperate need.

PERSONAL APPLICATION
● Where in your life are you doing "as you see fit"?
● Where have you forgotten who you are?
● (If you don't know who you are, it's time to learn.)

TRUTH & REMINDER
● Jesus wants to be King over ALL of your life.
● You will be known by:
1. The way you love each other
2. The light of your life shining before others
3. The peace you bring from Him to those around you
● He has good works lined up for you.
● You are loved.
● You are His.
● Live as though it’s true.