Weekly Announcements

Last Week’s Sermon: The Call (Set Apart, Week 1)

This week begins our miniseries on Samson in Judges 13.

Context: The period of Judges occurs after Joshua’s death and before Israel gets a king. Israel is ruled by judges for ~300 years, until God appoints king Saul. The term judges did not apply in the same way we think of it today. Judges were known for battles, not courtrooms and verdicts, and they were most often people God raised up for a crisis.

Samson is born to Manoah, a man from the tribe of Dan. They are a struggling, vulnerable tribe. Manoah's home is also barren. This is the same signature as Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth. And yet, the angel of the Lord comes to tell Manoah's wife she is chosen, a woman their culture would have overlooked.

Being set apart is a way of life, not a personality.

After receiving word that they would be with child and that Samson would free the Israelites from the Philistines, Manoah and his wife ask the angel how he should be raised in order to fulfill this calling. Instead of giving them a user manual for life, the angel just repeats the same instructions he initially gave: use no razor on his head; give him no drink from the vine; have no contact with the dead.

Manoah asks for the angel’s name, and he won’t say…instead he remarks that it is "too wonderful" for them to know.

When the angel leaves them, we see a contrast. Manoah is overcome with fear, but his wife holds steady. She trusts in God. Manoah's wife did not know what was to come for her son, but she knew he would be a ray of light in what was a dark moment for her people. Indeed, the word “sun” is derived from his name.

Samson is born, and he grows strong, but his strength is never his own. The Spirit of the Lord begins to stir in him. To be continued next week...

Homework

Where has God spoken a beginning in your life that isn't finished yet?

Live set apart this week:

• Stop asking for a new manual. What has God already told you to do? Do that.

• Reason like Manoah’s wife. When afraid, look at what God has done to understand what He intends to do.

• Remember that set apart is mostly a life of ordinary obedience. Name one limit you keep for God’s sake: screens, budget, rhythm, speech.

• Honor hidden obedience. Who carried limits so you could walk in your calling? Thank them.

Memory verse: Galatians 1:15

Have a blessed week!