Wednesday, November 14, 2007

"What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets" (Hebrews 11:32).

IDEA: God has a purpose for our lives whether or not we are guided by it.

PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that it is wise to live according to God’s purposes for us.

Rick Warren had a smashing success in his book The Purpose-Driven Life. 

• Why do you think the book had such great impact? 
• Do you think all of us have a purpose for our being here?
• Does it make any difference?

I. Samson clearly received a purpose for his life.

The biblical writer spells this out for us in Judges 13:1, 5.

Obviously God’s hand was on him from before his birth.

His parents believed that they could not have children.

A messenger from God announced his birth to his parents.

Do you think Samson’s parents told him about the events of his birth?

II. God gave Samson the gifts that he needed to accomplish his purpose.

God blessed him with enormous physical strength.

He had a clear purpose, to deliver the people of Israel from domination by the Philistines.

Do you think that Samson kept that purpose clearly before him in the living of his days? Why or why not?

Conclusion:

Do you think it makes a difference if we believe we have a purpose for being here?