Samson is not our hero, he himself needs deliverance, but he is pointing forward to the Hero we need. Why is he not? Because the only one that can ascend the hill of the Lord is the man with clean hands and a pure heart… the wages of sin is death and Samson falls short. There will be another whose birth was miraculously foretold by an Angel, who is Spirit-anointed to take on the enemies of God and His people, who is betrayed by his own people and given over to pagan oppressors, who is betrayed by a kiss for silver, who is arrested, not blinded, but blindfolded and mocked and humiliated by a foreign army, who seems to be forsaken by God, who’s victory would crush the heads of his enemies, & would gain greater victory in His death than life. However, this man is no rebel, and this man does not give in to his appetites; this one’s death, unlike Samson’s who’s death killed God’s enemies, will actually rescue and save God’s enemies. This is Jesus of Nazareth!
Most of us love our children, but that is not the issue. The issue is: do your
children feel loved? We will love our children by educating them, and we will grow our children by encouraging them. We must love our children by introducing them to the perfect Father who condescended to our level and who will never leave or forsake us.
There are three things of great significance for us in 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. We share with Paul, his motives, his message, and his mission. What is IDC about? Here you go…
#1: Our Motives: (2 Cor. 5:11-16)
He desired to please God above all things (5:9-13)
He was compelled by the love of Christ. (14-16)
#2: Our Message: The Gospel (2 Cor. 5:17-21)
Regeneration: New Life in Christ (17-18a)
Reconciliation: Peace with God through Christ (18-19)
Justification: Being Counted Righteous in Christ (21)
As ambassadors of Jesus we want to represent Jesus with our deeds and we want to make the good news known with our words. The world needs good news. We want people to be reconciled to God.
Speak Persuasively, “we persuade others” (11)
Speak Powerfully, “God making his appeal through us” (20b; Eph. 6:18-20; Prov. 28:1)
Speak Passionately, “we implore you… be reconciled to God” (20c)
