Stephen Bonham JFBC
Judges 16:4 and 15-20
Samson the judge who was the biggest disappointment.
Chapter 14-15 his parents vowed three things. The third was to not cut his hair. He was to marry a Philastine. Then he met Delila, who convinced him to cut his hair.
Sin makes us oblivious to the obvious. Know anyone like this? Okay, besides me.
Samson: an example of what we should not do.
Characteristics of sin:
1. Sin is often specialized. Most of us have one or two areas in our lives where we are most tempted to wander. For Samson it was lust. What about me? Having an awareness of these specific areas help us face these temptations.
2. Sin often spirals. Small sins compound and gradually turn into larger sins. We make worse and worse decisions. The final big moment is often a result of several previous smaller bad decisions. Instead we should flee.
3. Sin makes us stupid / foolish. We don't think straight. Romans 7:15-20. "I don't understand what I am doing…it's the sin that dwells in me."
Stephen: Why did Clay ask someone as scrawny as me preach on Samson?
Delila pleads with Samson to tell her the source of his strength. She ties him up with (1) animal tendons and (2) new rope. Then (3) she braids his hair, but he duped her again.
4. Sin manipulates truth. Then both Samson and Delila aren't being truthful. We think about things differently. Cognitive dissionist we make consessions to justify our behavior.
5. Sin clouds God's presence in our lives. Verse 20. Our desire for God wanes. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit would only come temporarily for a specific purpose.
Romans 8:33-39 Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
6. The consequences of sin are inevitable, but the grace of God is unstoppable. Samson's hair grows back. Our sin can lead to job loss, divorce, etc but God can and wants to use you and your story. God has open arms to save you, and forgive your sins, so you can begin to follow God. We see God's grace at the end, when he is being laughed at. Samson prays and God answered.
Looks like Smokehouse Burgers & Bones in The Avenue East Cobb has closed. Never had enough help.
RICHIE ASHBURN [SABR Bio] was a master at fouling off pitches he didn't like. He also didn't want to walk. Alice Roth could tell you about the most famous example of his bat-control prowess, on 17‑Aug‑1957. Ashburn played for the Cubs in 1960 & 61 before being traded to some certain loveable losers. As a rookie, he led the majors in stolen bases. Ashburn swiped 32 bags in 1948, most of any major leaguer. In 1958, he hit .350 to lead the majors but wound up with only 33 RBI. Richie's name accurately describes What Ted Williams and Mark McGwire were discussing before an All-Star game one year. Williams asked McGwire before the 1997 ASG if he ever smelled smoke after hitting a ball. Surprised at the question, Big Mac still confirmed that his powerful swings frequently made the ash burn.
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