Samson – When there is No More Strength

André Ong

Judges 13:1-5; 14:1-3, 8; 15:1-8, 14-15; 16:1, 4-5, 15-17, 21-22

Judges 16:28 (NIV)

     Then Samson prayed to the LORD, "O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more…

Judges 16:20 (NIV)

     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.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

     The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Judges 16:21-22 (NIV)

    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. But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

1. When we recognize and receive the unending love of God, even in the ______ of our brokenness, and in our _________ that prepares the way for His miracles

Judges 16:28 (NIV)

     Then Samson prayed to the LORD, "O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more…

Hebrews 13:5 (NASB)

     For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

     And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

2. Our growth is most genuine when we grow out of our ____________ on the grace of God inside-out, when no one is watching

Judges 16:23-30 (NIV)

     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.  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." 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.

1 Corinthians 1:25 (NIV)

     For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.  

3. However much we have squandered and wasted our lives, whatever remains, however small, if we _____ that back to God, will be transformed for His glory