The 🔑 of your deliverance is within the story of Samson: Diving Deeper
See Jesus
On Sunday, Pastor Nicole shared a powerful message from the life of Samson.
We saw in Samson's life that he was on a path of destruction yet he was not able to cut ties with a dangerous woman named Delilah.
Like Samson, we are powerless on our own strength to cut ties with our oppressors.
How do we Cut Ties With 'Delilah'?
See Jesus doing perfectly what Samson was unable to do.
See Jesus breaking down the gates of hell.
See Jesus bringing down Satan's kingdom.
Samson was in the city of Gaza. While there, the Philistine people plotted to kill him. Samson heard about their plot.
He waited until the middle of the night. He got up. He took hold of the doors of the city gate including the two posts and tore them loose, bar and all!
He lifted the heavy massive gates to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.
(Hebron means Fellowship).
What a beautiful foreshadowing of Jesus.
Samson carried these wooden gates all the way up the hill.
Jesus carried the gates of hell (all of our sins, punishment, shame, poverty, sickness and every curse) upon His back.
Jesus carried the wooden cross all the way up the 'hill', Mount Calvary, to restore "Hebron: Fellowship" between us and our Father.
Samson's life offers other foreshadows of Jesus and the Cross as well.
Samson was betrayed as Jesus was betrayed.
He was arrested and held prisoner. During a large Philistine celebration and feast to their idol, they brought Samson out to taunt him for their entertainment.
Samson asked to be chained in a location where he could rest each of his hands upon a pillar. He prayed for strength to bring vengeance against the Philistines for gouging out His eyes. This would mean his own death as well.
Samson took hold of the two pillars and pushed them down! The power of God came upon him and he brought down the enemy Philistines' temple killing everyone present.
As I am writing this tonight, the Lord just showed me something beautiful to share with you!
The Philistines had gouged out Samson's eyes.
How had Satan hurt the Lord's eyes?
Beloved, the Bible says that you are the apple of the Lord's eye!!
He who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.
Do you see it, Beloved? One hand against one pillar and one hand again the other; that looks just like Jesus with his arms outstretched on the cross.
As Samson pushed against the pillars, so Jesus endured the Cross. He pushed against the pillars of Satan's kingdom. Jesus triumphed over Satan and his kingdom at the Cross!!
Jesus laid down His life for you, the apple of His eye!
Hallelujah, Jesus is greater than Samson. Jesus finished the work at the Cross. He rose again from the grave!
Beloved, see Jesus carrying the gates of hell upon His back in order that your fellowship with God can be restored.
See Jesus with his arms outstretched on the Cross destroying the kingdom of Satan and setting you free from your oppressor.
Look to Jesus and let Him cut the ties of Delilah(s).
Listen to Pastor Nicole's message by visting the Podcast page!
-Pastor Merodee
***You might wonder why I call you "Beloved" in these emails. It is because as I prayerfully write I grow in awareness of God's great love for you. I love you. But more than that, I call you "Beloved" because that is what the Lord calls you. He calls you "His Beloved".
Know Jesus
This week, you can dive deeper into the message through one or all of the following:
Read the account of Samson in Judges, chapters 13-16
Do a DBS on Colossians 2:15
Click the "Testimony" button below to email me about what God has been doing in your life.
Discovery Bible Study
TO BEGIN
Pray and ask Holy Spirit to teach you about God from His word.
Next, read the verse a couple of times.
Now, ask these questions:
What does this tell me about God/Jesus?
What does this tell me about people?
How can I respond to what I just read?
When you’re done asking these questions, it’s a great idea to pray and thank God for teaching you more about who He is and who you are!
Discovery Bible Study (DBS) is a way for anyone, anywhere to read God's word! You can dive deeper into this week's message by doing a DBS one any one or all of these scriptures. DBS is a great tool to use for your own devotions, as a bible study with friends, or as an evangelism tool!
Colossians 2:15
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
Prayer Prompts
Pray that the Lord will help us to see Jesus and His Finished Work.
Pray that the Lord will help us to be aware of His Presence.
Ask the Lord to deliver us from any thing which is harmful or oppressive to us.
Share Jesus
You can share this week's podcast, email, or blog post. Check out volunteer opportunities to get involved in the work of sharing Jesus in our church family and community.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Pastor Charla is creating the upcoming Kids Church schedule. You can pastorcharla@kiplingchurch.com
Pastor Nicole is looking for volunteers for the administration ministry. If you are passionate about serving in the behind-the-scenes operations of the church, this is a great opportunity to get involved! pastornicole@kiplingchurch.com
