The Reckless Hero

The Reckless Hero

The Samson Wars, Part 2

Important to the Samson narrative is the Holy Spirit’s work in his life. A very real question for every believer will be, how will I treat the Holy Spirit who lives in me? How serious do I take the Holy Spirit’s presence, leading, boundaries, Word and prompting.

Illustration: Adrian Rogers tells of coming back into the United States from a trip. As he went through security, a man in front of Adrian had some gourmet cheese. The inspector said, “I’m sorry sir, you cannot bring this cheese into this country.” The man and the inspector argued for a few minutes, until finally the man said, ‘oh yes, I am going to bring it into this country you just watch.” He walked to the back of the line and ate the cheese then walked right on through.

When you get saved, the Holy Spirit physically moves into your body. We call that the “indwelling” of the Spirit.

• Ephesians 5:18: Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
• Paul compares the filling to drunkenness because when you are drunk you are under the control of the substance.
• The Secret of Samson’s Strength was the Holy Spirits Empowering.
• Judges 13:24-25, “the Spirit of YHWH began to stir him.”
• Samson was dangerous to the enemy. But he was reckless with the Holy Spirit who indwelled him.

–Dangerous to the enemy. Hero (Hercules/Hulk smash things/Thor no hammer)

–Reckless with the spirit: Long as I’m saved, I can do what I want.

1. Reckless with

• Judges 14:5-9
• Ephesians 4:30.

2. Reckless with the

• Judges 14:14-19
• His “riddle” is still used on Lyles Golden Syrup. It’s an impossible riddle; you can’t figure it out as a word game, but you would need inside information in order to solve it.
• To “plow with his heifer” means that they took what was his and used at as their own. You don’t come home and see another man in the field plowing with your cow. (Of course, there’s a little bite in there as he is calling his wife a cow.)
• His violation of the marriage covenant first involved his choice to marry among the Philistines, who were not in covenant with Yahweh. 2 Corinthians 6:14 commands believers not to enter into a situation where they will be “unequally yoked.” You cannot be faithful to two covenants that pull in different directions.
• Notice how he treats her in Judges 15:1. He shows up with a goat expecting sex.

3. Reckless with

• He used his gift to catch foxes and torch vineyards.
• He used his gift to get revenge and carry out his rage. He’s supposed to engage in warfare with the Philistines, but not just be attacking the citizens food supply.
• Notice in Judges 15:16, his song of the jawbone is so arrogant. This guy is no Palmist, giving praise to God. Samson praised… Samson.

4. Reckless with

• Judges 16:1, he was sleeping with a prostitute.
• The myth about sex is that it’s wholly physical. If no one gets pregnant, if no one gets a disease, many assume it’s just like football or pingpong.
• What is often overlooked is the spiritual nature of sex. (1 Corinthains 6:19) Your Body belongs to the Holy Spirit who indwells you.
• Judges 16:3, he carried the gate about 38 miles. (That’s like from the center of 29 Palms to Pioneer town.)

5. Reckless with The

• If you’re sharp, you’ve had a little problem with this whole sermon. A quiet objection. All those bad things Samson did, he did once the Holy Spirit had come on him.
• The purpose of the Holy Spirit’s resting on Samson was for a purpose, “The Lord was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines.” (Judges 14:4)
• He was supposed to raise an army and liberate Israel. That’s what other Judges did when the Spirit came on them.
• Samson used the Holy Spirit to play Rambo. He abused the Spirit’s power.
• 1 Thess. 5:19 “Do not quench the Spirit.” That is to take a moment where God is ready to work and use it to do your own thing.
• Samson struggled to let Christ be the hero of his life.