Dealing with Our Biggest Failures

Scripture: Judges 13-16, Read 13:24

Hebrews 11:32-33

Introduction

Samson was a man called of God to deliver Israel from bondage under the philistines. His birth was announced by an angel. His life was described before his birth. He was born to be a deliverer. Yet throughout his life we see glimpses of his own bondage and consistent failure.

I. What God called him to be

Judges 13:5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

A. The Nazarite vow

1. Drink no wine

2. Could not cut his hair

3. Could not touch a dead animal

B. Characteristics of his spiritual life

Judges 13:25a ...and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him....

1. He had a spiritual nature that was awakened

2. He had the potential to fully deliver Israel from the Philistines

C. God saw potential in you before you were born

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

II. How his life turned out

Judges 16:1 NIV One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her.

Judges 16:20b But he did not know that the Lord had left him.

A. His major failing: Lust

1. For sexual fulfillment

2. For power

3. For excitement

B. The major repetitive failures we have

1. Compulsive behaviors

2. Addictions

3. Relationships

III. How he became God's instrument in spite of his failure

Judges 16:28 NIV Then Samson prayed to the Lord, "O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more...."

A. How God came back into his life

1. He asked Him to return

2. God came in power

B. God is more concerned about your potential than your past failures

1. He placed the potential in you

2. He has given you the freedom to fail

3. He wants to give you success

4. He is your success

Invitation

Will you ask God back into your life. Would you say, "God I've failed (sinned), but would you come back into my life once again?" Will you allow God to work in you in spite of your faults and failures?

The Lord is saying, "Seize the prize. Take it!!! It's yours. Don't let past failures prevent your final victory. I AM your victory."