Staying True To Our Faith

Samson's life story actually began with his parents receiving instructions for his birth. As a Nazirite, Samson was set apart for the Lord, never to cut his hair or indulge in wine or anything unclean. His life was to be a constant reminder that he belonged to God Almighty.

Samson's parents, faithful and wise, prayed for guidance on how to raise this special child. That's lesson number one: Always seek the Lord's wisdom, especially in raising children.

Fast forward, and we find Samson, about 25 years old, behaving impulsively. His eyes catch a beautiful Philistine woman, and he demands her to be his wife. Samson's parents object, reminding him of the Lord's command not to marry unbelievers. But Samson, driven by his hormones, persists, and his parents sadly cave.
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What can we learn from this?

1. First, we must remember not to judge by outward appearance. The Lord looks at the heart, and so should we.
2. Second, we must follow God's clear command not to team up with unbelievers.

​The story of Samson's life serves as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope. He was flawed, impulsive, and at times, reckless. But God chose him, imperfections and all, to serve a purpose.

Like the frog in the kettle, Israel was so comfortable with the Philistines that they didn't even realize they needed rescuing. In our lives, too, we can become so cozy with worldly values that we risk spiritual extinction. But even when we don't realize we need a hero, God is always ready to raise one.

Samson's life also reminds us that God works through spiritually flawed people. We're all imperfect, but we need Jesus every single day to rescue us from ourselves. So let's hold strong to our faith, follow God's guidance, and not allow the culture to shape us.
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Let's remember to pray for wisdom, stay true to our convictions, and always keep our eyes on the Lord.

​- Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 8/13/23.