Sermon outline: This is an abbreviated outline with the complete sermon downloadable at the bottom of the post.
Text: Judges 14:1–3
Title: Facing the Giant of Lust
Introduction: We live in a world reluctant to part with the giant of perceived pleasure, otherwise known as lust, and the man we will look at today was no exception. He was one who was called to be a deliverer, but in the end, he himself needed deliverance.
What is lust? Our definition: craving, longing, a strong, focused desire for what is forbidden.
I. A Man of Promise
Often, when God wants to do a great work of deliverance, He sends that which we recognize as the most fragile, defenseless thing known to man—a baby.
- When God delivered Israel from Egypt, He sent Moses to Amram and Jochebed.
- When Israel needed revival, God sent Samuel to Elkanah and Hannah.
- And, when the fullness of time had come, God sent Jesus through Mary.
Now, Israel needed a deliverer, and God sent to Manoah and his wife, a son—Samson.
II. A Man of Power
III. A Man of Pleasure
IV. A Man of Presumption
V. A Man of Pain
Conclusion: How great is this promise of deliverance? Consider the One who brought the news of deliverance to Manoah and his wife.
When an angel came and brought news of the birth of a deliverer, Manoah asked the angel for his name.
Judges 13:17–18
17 And Manoah said unto the angel of the
LORD, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee
honour?
18 And the angel of the LORD said
unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?
The word secret here comes from the same root word used in Isaiah 9:6.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a
son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall
be called Wonderful…
I believe the One who delivered this message of promise was Jesus Himself.
He continues to bring messages of promised deliverance today to all that believe.
John 8:36
If the Son therefore shall make you free,
ye shall be free indeed.
The word indeed here means “in reality.” It means that in your daily lusts, you can be set free.
So then, the key to victory is the daily realization that my freedom was completely granted at salvation. The Spirit of God that was born in me is the One who is always victorious. As I submit to Him, I win over lust, over passion, over perceived pleasure. Only as I walk in the Spirit do I enjoy victory—it is never the product of my flesh, of my resolve, or of my own strength. The Scripture says:
Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and
ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
