Introduction: The threat against what God desires for your future is not out “There”, it’s Within. This threat that can lead to ruin is Subtle and Easy.

• 3 Realities about Your Future
  • Your Future is Determined by Choices
  • God works In You if You Choose
  • God works Through You if He Chooses

• Samson was a Nazarite (Judges 13:5): Do not Consume Grapes, Do not Touch anything Dead, and Do not Cut your Hair.

A Side by Side Comparison (Judges 13:1-25)

• Both were promised before their birth, had miraculous births, and were seen as saviors of their people.

             Samson                                               Jesus

       Birth brought Joy                                 Birth brought Shame

       Nazarite: Honored                                Nazarene: Despised

     Always Compromises                              Never Compromises

Deliverance: Weak became Strong         Deliverance: Strong became Weak

      Samson Begins Salvation                             Jesus Completes Salvation

Step 1: Affirm your Misguided Entitlement (Judges 14:1-4)

• It is an Expectation that “the World Owes You”

• It always Belittles your Responsibilities

Step 2: Conceal your Sin (Judges 14:5-9)

• It Creates a Prison that Isolates the Real You from Everyone else- including God (Psalm 32:3-4)

• It Facilitates the Potential for more Sin to Flourish

Solutions to Steps 1 & 2:

• Step 1: Recognize that you were Born “Entitled” to Death & Hell (Ephesians 2:1-5)
• Step 2: Confess- What you Cover, God will Uncover… but what you Uncover, God will Cover. (1 John 1:8-9)