Sunday Sermon – “What’s Your Attitude?” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (2/16/2020) GET OUR AUDIO PODCASTS – PICK YOUR PLATFORM AND SUBSCRIBE NOW: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0fOzdLLXu2wJLRU63I7zrP Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-rock/id1495666247?uo=4 Google Podcast – https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMmQwOWIyYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Breaker – https://www.breaker.audio/mountain-rock Radio Public – https://radiopublic.com/mountain-rock-8XkY95 Pocket Casts – https://pca.st/i53xzyqs Anchor – https://anchor.fm/mountainrock CLICK HERE […]
Sunday Sermon – “What Do You Believe?” presented by: John Urciuoli – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (2/9/2020) GET OUR AUDIO PODCASTS – PICK YOUR PLATFORM AND SUBSCRIBE NOW: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0fOzdLLXu2wJLRU63I7zrP Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-rock/id1495666247?uo=4 Google Podcast – https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMmQwOWIyYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Breaker – https://www.breaker.audio/mountain-rock Radio Public – https://radiopublic.com/mountain-rock-8XkY95 Pocket Casts – https://pca.st/i53xzyqs Anchor – https://anchor.fm/mountainrock CLICK […]
Sunday Sermon – “In The Same Way” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (2/2/2020) GET OUR AUDIO PODCASTS – PICK YOUR PLATFORM AND SUBSCRIBE NOW: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0fOzdLLXu2wJLRU63I7zrP Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-rock/id1495666247?uo=4 Google Podcast – https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMmQwOWIyYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Breaker – https://www.breaker.audio/mountain-rock Radio Public – https://radiopublic.com/mountain-rock-8XkY95 Pocket Casts – https://pca.st/i53xzyqs Anchor – https://anchor.fm/mountainrock CLICK […]
Sunday Sermon – “Freedom in Submission” presented by: Ryan Kern – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (1/26/2020) GET OUR AUDIO PODCASTS – PICK YOUR PLATFORM AND SUBSCRIBE NOW: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0fOzdLLXu2wJLRU63I7zrP Apple Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-rock/id1495666247?uo=4 Google Podcast – https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMmQwOWIyYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Breaker – https://www.breaker.audio/mountain-rock Radio Public – https://radiopublic.com/mountain-rock-8XkY95 Pocket Casts – https://pca.st/i53xzyqs Anchor – https://anchor.fm/mountainrock CLICK HERE […]
Sunday Sermon – “Born into a New Family” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (1/19/2020) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “A New Year and a Deeper Holiness” presented by: Nick Rivera Moraes – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (1/12/2020) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “A Home for the Homeless” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (1/5/2020) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Follow The Leader” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (12/22/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Remember Me” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (12/15/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “God’s Remnant” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (12/1/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Micah: A Story of Justice and Mercy” presented by: John Urciuoli – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (11/24/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Broken Covenant” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (11/17/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Restore What Has Been Lost” presented by: Angel Capellan – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (11/10/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Potential” presented by: Glenn Geeting – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (11/3/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “As He Died to Make Men Holy” presented by: Steve Ampersand – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (10/27/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Jonah: A Ministry of Reconciliation” presented by: Steve Ampersand – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (10/20/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Generation to Generation” presented by: Felipe and Dan Rivera – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (10/13/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Fear is a Gift” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (10/6/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Jonah and Repentance” presented by: Glenn Geeting – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (9/29/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Worship Our King” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (9/22/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Praise You in This Storm” presented by: Lowell Hoover – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (9/1/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Vision” presented by: Nick Rivera Moraes – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (9/1/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Suppressing The Truth” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (8/25/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Empty Words, Full Mind” presented by: Angel Capellan – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (8/18/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Faith > Gold” presented by: Allan Abeleda – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (8/11/2019) CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “From Doubt to Certainty” presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/4/2019) CLICK HERE To Download Glenn’s Slide Presentation CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Disruptions” presented by: Ethan Powers & Max Geeting – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (7/21/2019)
Sunday Sermon [in SPANISH] – “Aroma” presented by: Jesus Cruz – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (7/14/2019) DOWNLOAD Presentation Slides: http://MountainRock.org/files/aroma.pdf CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday Sermon – “Say Enough to the Troubles of Today” presented by: Dacio Moraes – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (7/7/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Enough” presented by: Steve Ampersand – Mountain Rock Church of Christ (6/30/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “From Doubting to Believing” presented by: Allan Abeleda (6/2/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Fix Your Eyes on Jesus” presented by: Glenn Geeting (5/26/2019)
VIDEO LINK: Last Words of Christ – The Rich Young Ruler Sunday Sermon – “Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise” presented by: Angel Capellan (5/5/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Sunday Morning Surprise” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/21/2019)
VIDEO LINK: Last Words of Christ – The Disciples and the Donkey Sunday Sermon – “Last Words” presented by: Glenn Geeting (4/14/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Bear Fruit That Will Last” presented by: Sovann Seng (3/24/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Ride or Die Love” presented by: Nick Rivera Moraes and Jack Jackson (3/10/2019)
Download the Sermon Presentation File (PDF) Sunday Sermon – “Agape: What Heroes Are Made of” presented by: Glenn Geeting (2/24/2019)
Video links: Thoughts on Love =>> https://www.sermonspice.com/product/21452/thoughts-on-love Thoughts on Neighbors =>> https://www.sermonspice.com/product/20193/thoughts-on-neighbors Sunday Sermon – “Take Off and Put On” presented by: Allan Abeleda (2/17/2019)
Video link here =>> https://youtu.be/slyevQ1LW7A Sunday Sermon – “Do This and You Will Live” presented by: Allan Abeleda (2/3/2019)
Watch the “Strength – Me’od” Video here =>> https://youtu.be/9aaVy1AmFX4 Sunday Sermon – “The ABCs of the Greatest Commandment” presented by: Allan Abeleda (1/27/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Love God With All Your Soul” presented by: Glenn Geeting (1/13/2019)
Sunday Sermon – “Love God With All Your Heart” presented by: Allan Abeleda (1/6/2019)
Watch the “Gospel According to Mark” Video here =>> https://youtu.be/OVRixfameGY Sunday Sermon – “Something to Talk About” presented by: Dacio Moraes (12/30/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “The Lord’s Hand Was With Him and Now it’s With You” presented by: Steve Ampersand (12/9/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Make Ready a People Prepared for the Lord” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/25/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Streams of Living Water” presented by: Glenn Geeting/em> (11/18/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Deliberate Discipleship” presented by: Eddie Mayes/em> (11/11/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Glorifying God with Our Differences” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/4/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Principles on How to Disagree with Other Christians” presented by: Angel Capellan (10/28/2018) based on the article, “12 Principles on How to Disagree with Other Christians” by J.D. Crowley and Andy Naselli
Sunday Sermon – “The Problem with Living Sacrifices” presented by: Jamison Malcom (9/30/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “God’s Sovereign Plan” presented by: Allan Abeleda (9/9/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Believe it, Speak it, Live it” presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/26/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Lead Us Not Into Temptation” presented by: Julio Areas (7/22/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Hallowed Be Your Name” presented by: Eddie Mayes (6/24/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Transition: Be Strong and Courageous” presented by: Allan Abeleda (6/10/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “The Thirteenth Apostle” presented by: Clayton Walker (4/29/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Loving Jesus Leads to the Cross” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/15/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “After The Resurrection–Now What?” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/8/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Praying in the Spirit” presented by: Allan Abeleda (3/4/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Walking in the Spirit” presented by: Allan Abeleda (2/25/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Present Suffering and Future Glory” presented by: Steve Ampersand (2/4/2018)
Sunday Sermon – “Mary, Did You Know?” presented by: Glenn Geeting (12/24/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “The Promise By Grace” presented by: Allan Abeleda (12/3/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “So That It May Be By Grace” presented by: Steve Ampersand (11/26/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Grace is At Work and Not You” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/19/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “God is Just and We Are Not” presented by: Glenn Geeting (11/12/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “You Are Not Better Than Them” presented by: Angel Capellan (10/29/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Monsters Inside of Me” presented by: Allan Abeleda (10/8/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Grace Through The Ages” presented by: Glenn Geeting (10/1/2017)
State College Sunday Sermon – “Pure in Purpose” presented by: Chip Mitchell (9/24/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Grace is Jesus in You” presented by: Allan Abeleda (9/10/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Grace: Safety Net or Hammock?” presented by: Steve Ampersand (9/3/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Enter The Narrow Door With Repentance” presented by: Dacio Moraes (8/13/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Forgiveness = The Kingdom of God” presented by: Allan Abeleda (8/6/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” presented by: Allan Abeleda (7/30/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “The Kingdom of God” presented by: Jeremy Young and Nick Moraes (7/23/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “”Party in My Father’s House and You’re Invited”” presented by: Allan Abeleda (7/16/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Respected, Neglected, Rejected” presented by: Steve Ampersand (6/18/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Proclaim God’s Kingdom” presented by: Allan Abeleda (5/21/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “For Such a Time as This” presented by: Glenn Geeting (5/14/2017)
Sunday Sermunion – “Martha-plexy” presented by: Allan Abeleda with Kendra Abeleda(5/7/2017)
HOUSE CHURCH Sunday Sermon – “Saul’s Conversion” presented by: Glenn Geeting (4/23/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Insane in the Membrane” presented by: Kurt Flinchbaugh (4/9/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “It Begins with The Spirit” presented by: Glenn Geeting (4/2/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “The Battle is for Real” presented by: Allan Abeleda (3/26/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “In Light of God’s Love” presented by: Angel Capellan (2/26/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Trained By The Spirit” presented by: Allan Abeleda (2/19/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “The Battle of the Mind” presented by: Glenn Geeting (3/12/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “The Mystery – Grace and Mercy” presented by: Allan Abeleda (1/22/2017)
Sunday Sermon – “Jesus: The Ultimate Paradigm Shift” presented by: Allan Abeleda (1/8/2017)
Saturday Christmas Eve Sermunion – “Jesus is Our Light” presented by: Allan Abeleda (12/24/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Please God, Have Peace” presented by: Eddie Mayes (12/18/2016)
Sunday sermon – “The Gift That Keeps On Giving” presented by: Allan Abeleda (12/11/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Close to The Cross, But Far From Christ” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/27/2016)
“Ethan and Scott’s Baptism” – October 23, 2016 CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
Sunday sermon – “Are You a Fan or a Follower?” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/6/2016)
Sunday sermon – “More Than A Concept” presented by: Angel Capellan (10/30/2016)
“Josh’s Baptism” – CLICK THIS LINK TO WATCH VIDEO ==> http://MountainRock.org/Joshs-Baptism – October 9, 2016 CLICK HERE for Personal Bible Studies
“Beyond The Looking Glass” – Women’s Day 2016 – presented by: Angie Hoover (10/8/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Chosen, Holy, and Dearly Loved” presented by: Eddie Mayes (10/2/2016)
Sunday sermon – “The Mission of a Disciple” presented by: Glenn Geeting (9/11/2016)
Sunday sermon – “What’s Your Motivation in Christ?” presented by: Allan Abeleda (8/28/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Seeing the Hidden World” presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/21/2016)
Sunday sermon – “It Takes Discipline to Win the Prize” presented by: Allan Abeleda (8/7/2016)
Sunday sermon – “The Shadow of Jesus in the Tabernacle” presented by: Allan Abeleda (7/3/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Religion or Relationship” presented by: Glenn Geeting (6/26/2016)
Sunday sermon – “This is the Main Point” presented by: Eddie Mayes (6/19/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Jesus is Greater Than Tradition” presented by: Allan Abeleda (6/5/2016)
Sunday sermon – “The Certainty of God’s Promises” presented by: Eddie Mayes (5/29/2016)
Sunday sermon – “God Wants Your Heart” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/24/2016)
Sunday sermon – “Listen to the Voice: The Holy Spirit” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/11/2016)
Sunday sermon – “The Supremacy of Jesus Over Moses” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/3/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Fix Your Thoughts On Jesus” presented by: Allan Abeleda (3/27/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Victory of Surrender” presented by: Glenn Geeting (3/20/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Christ Supremacy: The Perfect Leader” presented by: Eddie Mayes (3/14/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Jesus is Greater Than Our Problems” presented by: Allan Abeleda (3/6/2015)
Sunday sermon – “So What Are You Going To Do About It?” presented by: Angel Capellan (2/28/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Supremacy of Christ” presented by: Eddie Mayes (2/21/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Prayer, Fasting, Power and Faith” presented by: Glenn Geeting (11/29/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Results-Measured Faith” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/22/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Radical Faith – No Other Choice” presented by: Eddie Mayes (11/15/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Faith That Marveled Jesus” presented by: Allan Abeleda (11/8/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Parable of The Lost Son” presented by: Allan Abeleda (10/11/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Son of Encouragement Part 2” presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/30/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Son of Encouragement!” presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/16/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Rich Ruler” presented by: Glenn Geeting, Heather Geeting & Nick Moraes (8/9/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Spiritually Overweight” presented by: Angel Capellan (7/26/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Souls in Harmony – Souls in Conflict” presented by: Lowell Hoover (7/5/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Spirit Guides Us” presented by: Felipe Rivera (6/21/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Blessed Are The Peacemakers” presented by: Eddie Mayes (5/10/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Blessed Are The Peacemakers” presented by: Dacio Moraes (5/3/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Blessed Are The Pure in Heart” presented by: Dan Zackary (4/26/2015)
Sunday sermon – “God and Science: The Anthropic Principle” presented by: Dan Zachary (4/24/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Blessed Are The Merciful” presented by: Glenn Geeting (4/12/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Satisfaction Guaranteed?” presented by: Allan Abeleda (4/12/2015)
Sunday sermon – “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” presented by: Eddie Mayes (3/8/2015)
Sunday sermon – “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” presented by: Glenn Geeting (3/1/2015)
Sunday sermon – “Shepherding God’s Church” presented by: Glenn Geeting (2/15/2015)
Sunday sermon – “The Call for Hope” presented by: Gary Jacques (12/21/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 4 – “The Amazing Jesus” presented by: Dacio Moraes (11/30/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 5 – “Find Your Lion” presented by: Glenn Geeting (11/23/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 4 – “The Amazing Jesus” presented by: Dacio Moraes (11/16/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 3 – “The Amazing Disciple” presented by: Steve Pugh (11/9/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 2 – “Getting Unstuck” presented by: Dan Rivera (11/2/2014)
Sunday sermon – Christ-Centered Living Campaign – Part 1 presented by: Glenn Geeting (10/26/2014)
Sunday sermon on Acts 12 presented by: Glenn Geeting (9/21/2014)
Women’s Day – “Be Still and Know That I am God” (Deb Anton) – Saturday, May 3, 2014
Presented by Douglas Jacoby, International Speaker and Author of the book “The Spirit” (5/26/2013)
Presented by Douglas Jacoby, International Speaker and Author of the book “The Spirit” (5/26/2013)
Presented by Douglas Jacoby, International Speaker and Author of the book “The Spirit” (5/26/2013)
Presented by Douglas Jacoby, International Speaker and Author of the book “The Spirit” (5/26/2013)
VIDEO LINK IN SERMON: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo Sunday sermon presented by: Glenn Geeting (05/12/2013)
2013 Mid-Atlantic Women’s Retreat (March 23, 2013) Guest Speaker: Karen Louis
2013 Mid-Atlantic Women’s Retreat (March 22, 2013) Guest Speaker: Karen Louis
“On The Mountain Of The Lord” 2012 World Discipleship Summit AT&T Center – San Antonio, Texas
“On The Mountain Of The Lord” 2012 World Discipleship Summit Justin Renton WDS opening at the AT&T Center
Pied Pipers – Winter Wonderland 2011 Newport, PA December 18, 2010 Mountain Rock Church of Christ
Sunday sermon presented by: Glenn Geeting (8/14/2011)
The Geetings visited the Phnom Penh Church of Christ and reported back through a live Skype call to the Mountain Rock Church of Christ in Central PA: Glenn Geeting (7/17/2011)
“Live Dif’rent” 2011 Women’s Day with Guest Speaker: Karen Jacques (6/4/2011)
Pied Pipers – Winter Wonderland 2010 Harrisburg, PA December 11, 2010 Mountain Rock Church of Christ
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors […]
“…and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” – 1 Peter 3:21
“…having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.” – Colossians 2:12
Sunday sermon presented by: Gary Jacques, former director for the HOPE hospital in Cambodia (11/29/2009)
“for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” – Galatians 3:27
“Then he said: ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and […]
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” – Psalm 139:13 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 Congratulations, Talisha! God has knitted you together into a very special new creation.
Sunday sermon presented by: Glenn Geeting (07/7/2013)
GLENN’S NOTES:
Sermon- Judg 14- Samson’s Marriage
Intro: Samson- strange story- guy with critical flaws (immorality, lust, awful taste in women, tendency to be manipulated by these women), amazing potential (superhuman strength, mission from God), and impact (freed the Israelites from their Philistine oppressors)
1. v1-3 Samson keeps digging his hole
Samson- in mortal danger. We often don’t see the danger when we act against God’s plan- wages of sin is death. Oh that we would see the dangers- spiritual, physical, emotional
I’ve seen so many examples of people led into relationships with another person that’s not on the same page spiritually with disastrous, maybe eternal consequences.
Runs against our American culture/world cx- are you willing to be counter-culture. Early church turned the whole world upside down because they were running in God’s direction which was against the flow of the world.
“If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at anytime, and you would achieve nothing.” Margaret Thatcher, Former British Prime Minister
Brought gates about 10mi away- it was common for victors of war to carry the gates of the losers to their temple. symbolized defeat.
God even used this compromised situation to defeat His enemies.
Type of Jesus- imprisoned, broke free from captivity, took the very gates of death to the heights to make a spectacle of them.
2. v4-14 Guard your heart
Delilah- finally one of Samson’s beau’s gets a name, and finally seems he fell in love.
Not clear if Delilah is an Israelite or Palestinian-some Jews claim that she became a proselyte but there is little evidence to support this. likely a Philistine, as she was tight with the philistine lords.
Bribed- 1100 sheckels of silver x 5 Philistine Lords- total over 1000 lbs sterling! large bribe! tempting under any circumstances. why 1100- strange number?
Consorting with the enemy- strictly forbidden among disciplined military services. Our tongues slip when we’re relaxed and comfortable.
that which we love has the ability to kill us-soft underbelly. so what do you love?
Common American theme- anything is OK as long as you’re in love- used to justify all kinds of selfish, immoral, foolish acts
Ex. Beaten woman- “but I love him”
Theme with Samson- giving in to poorly-chosen, unspiritual, nagging woman- not clear if they were married. No mention of him taking her to his house, so likely not.
Our society has lowered the standard for marriage now to the point that marriage really means little more than a change in your tax status.
Ex. Couple engaged, living together, likely already slept together, but has decided not to be fully immoral until their wedding, however, still impure. This is a lot closer to the worlds standard than God’s. God’s standard for anyone, married or single, is one of purity! God calls us to be totally counterculture- the results are joy & peace that you can feel. Build your rels and life God’s way.
Purity- who you sleep with, speech, eyes, internet use, jokes
I see a theme here- Delilah bugs Samson to give away the secret to his strength and each time she personally does it while he’s sleeping (really sound sleeper), then cries out that the Philistines are upon him.
You’d think Samson would have figured this out. Not sure if he’s clueless or thinks that God will indefinitely rescue him. We do that same with sin- skirting the line, stepping over and playing with it. No understanding of purity and the slippery slope of wickedness. If understood- would stay as far away from the trap as possible.
Philistines trying to find out where his great strength lied. looking for some trick. strength from The Lord- can’t take that away. from where do you take your confidence?
Guard your heart!
3. v15-21 Our decisions can betray us
Delilah was savvy- knew the secret but didn’t tell the Philistines until they came with the silver in their hands.
Sleeping on his woman’s lap- what treachery! What betrayal!
Satan would love to see us lulled to sleep- overconfident, complacent, comfortable- then strip us of the power God has given us.
“Once saved, always saved” not really a Biblical doctrine. True, God won’t leave us just because we’re dorks, but there comes a time when God’s patience/grace is not unlimited.
If we sleep in the lap of our lusts, we shall certainly wake in the hands of the Philistines.
The Lord had left Samson. Why? Not about his hair.
Maybe you can relate to Samson here- betrayed by your own decisions, blinded, hurt. God is not in my life- this is for you.
4. v22-31 Redemption- God uses sinful people
Return of Samson’s hair- sign of God accepting him again as a Nazirite. Renewing his vow.
Saw more clearly once his eyes were gone.
The Philistines gave the credit for their triumph over Samson to their half-man/half-fish god Dagon. Showed their loyalty and belief.
Who we give the credit for events in our life shows who our god is too. Who gets the credit when things go well for you?
-Promotion? Who gave you the job in the first place, worked out the training and logistics?
-Sports victory? Who gave you this body?
-Repentance? Whose Spirit prompts the mindset change? Who gives the willpower?
Dagon was made the patron of their actions- deceit, immorality, bribery, prostitution, violence, burning a new bride and her father to spite the groom, gouging out an enemy’s eyes
If you’re worshiping anything other than God, expect these results
God’s nature- good (so we’re reluctant to approach him), just/fair, all-powerful- we do well to approach Him with humility and awe.
Samson’s prayers here are telling- prays for revenge, prays to die with the Philistines.
What do you pray for?
Do we cry out to God in our distress?
Ultimately, Samson named in Heb 11 Faith hall of fame.
The next time you feel like God can’t use you, just remember…
~ Noah was a drunk ~ Abraham was too old
~ Isaac was a daydreamer ~ Jacob was a liar
~ Leah was ugly ~ Joseph was abused
~ Moses had a stuttering problem ~ Gideon was afraid
~ Samson had long hair & was a womanizer~ Rahab was a prostitute
~ Jeremiah and Timothy were too young ~ David was an adulterer and a murderer
~ Elijah was suicidal ~ Isaiah preached naked
~ Jonah ran from God ~ Naomi was a widow
~ Job went bankrupt ~ John the Baptist ate bugs
~ Peter denied Christ ~ The disciples fell asleep while praying
~ Martha worried about everything ~ The Samaritan woman was divorced (> once)
~ Zaccheus was short ~ Paul was too religious
~ Timothy had an ulcer ~ Lazarus was dead!
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