The story of Samson: Judges 13-16 Tribe of Dan, son of Manoah: Jud. 13:2 Promised son to be raised as a “Nazirite to God…and he shall…deliver.

Dying With the PhilistinesJudges 16:28-30

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Introduction

The story of Samson: Judges 13-16 Tribe of Dan, son of Manoah: Jud. 13:2

Promised son to be raised as a “Nazirite to God…and he shall…deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines”: Jud. 13:4-5

Samson seemed to take God’s commands lightly: Jud. 14:9; Lev. 11:27; Jud. 14:2; 14:10; 16:1, 4; 16:20

Spiritually undiscerning, blinded and imprisoned by Philistines: Jud. 16:20-21

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Introduction

The story of Samson: Judges 13-16 “Let me die with the Philistines!”

Jud. 16:28-30

Physically died with the enemy of God’s people.

Many Christians die spiritually with the Philistines today!

Not a new problem! Rev. 3:1, 17```

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Why Do God’s People Die With the Philistines?Forget the worth of one’s own

soul: Matt. 16:26 Forget our cleansing did not come

cheap: 2 Pet. 1:9; 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Acts 20:28

Lost respect for human life: Gen. 1:26

God values all human life (physical and spiritual): Gen. 9:1-6

God gives life, only He can take it! Acts 25:11

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Why Do God’s People Die With the Philistines?

Not grounded in the faith: Lk. 8:13 Whose fault is it if I don’t grow in

faith, virtue, knowledge, etc.? 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Tim. 2:15

God puts no premium on ignorance: Jn. 8:31-32; Hos. 4:6; Jn. 17:17

Apostle’s to teach, baptize, teach some more: Matt. 28:18-20; 11:28-30

We need to be like Mary! Lk. 10:42

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Why Do God’s People Die With the Philistines?Word choked out of our life: Lk.

8:14 Sports, hobbies, entertainment;

not wrong in right proportion, right priority.

Cares of this life: Matt. 6:33; Jn. 6:27; Heb. 10:25, 31

Pleasures of life: Matt. 7:13-14; Phil. 4:8

Sin always leaves a mark that’s not easily erased: Jer. 17:1-2; Acts 8:18-19; Jas. 1:27; 1 Tim. 4:2

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Why Do God’s People Die With the Philistines?Not distressed about the sin

around us: 2 Pet. 2:7-8 Desensitized—like a frog in hot

water.

“Everyone’s doing it!”

Our society is “saturated” with sin: movies, TV, plays, magazines, etc.

Difficult to live in a sinful world and not be influenced by it (Noah, Lot, Joseph).

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Why Do God’s People Die With the Philistines?

Reject reproofs and admonishments: Eph. 4:19; 1 Tim. 4:2 God’s word reproves us: 2 Tim.

4:2

We shun reproofs to our own detriment: Prov. 15:10

Those willing to correct us are our friends, not our enemies! Psa. 141:5; Gal. 2:11-14; 2 Tim. 4:2

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Signs We Are Dying With the Philistines

Worship by rote: Isa. 29:13 Giving not sacrificial or cheerful:

Mal. 1:6-14; 3:8-9; Acts 20:35 Spend more on leisure that giving

to God: Matt. 6:20-21 Lackluster singing, skip Bible

class, sporadic attendance: Jn. 6:68; 12:48

Casual attitude, daydream during Lord’s Supper, unable to “amen” prayers: 1 Cor. 11:27-30

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Signs We Are Dying With the Philistines

Shun opportunities to be with Christians: Heb. 3:13 Bible classes, gospel meetings,

etc.

Potlucks, invites to meals, etc.

When someone will not avail himself of such opportunities the charge of “unfriendliness” is hollow!

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Signs We Are Dying With the PhilistinesSpend more time chasing dollar

than serving Christ: 1 Tim. 6:9-10 God’s word warns of

covetousness: Lk. 12:15; Matt. 6:19-21; Mk. 10:23

God’s work, children, family neglected.

Things money can buy often serve as distractions; not wrong if we keep our priorities straight.

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Signs We Are Dying With the Philistines

Not easily stirred to repentance: Acts 24:25; 17:32; Rom. 1:32 Live in sin or excuse it, justify

participation in it.

Condone sin in others—by silence or by lending name and influence to it.

Be careful! Heb. 3:13

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Signs We Are Dying With the Philistines

Not moved to restore the erring brother: Gal. 6:1 Those in spiritual danger are

announced.

After announcement—not concerned enough to contact…let someone else do it: Jas. 5:19-20

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Signs We Are Dying With the Philistines

Consider works of flesh as no big consequence: Gal. 5:19-21 Justifies/rationalizes dancing,

mixed swimming, immodest apparel, R-rated movies, etc.

Embarrassed at first, later doesn’t care if caught.

Squirming yet?!

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Conclusion

Do any of these signs describe you?

Can’t allow ourselves to grow comfortable with sin!

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Conclusion

We can avoid dying with the Philistines by making a conscious effort to: Examine ourselves: 2 Cor. 13:5; Lk.

8:15; Prov. 4:23 Confess and repent: 1 Jn. 1:9; Acts

8:22 Study: Rom. 10:17 Grow: 2 Pet. 1:2-11 Participate: Eph. 4:15-16