We Are The Heathens - Week 1

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility:

In week one of our We Are The Heathens series, Pastor Aeric Wallace walks us through Samson’s story in the book of Judges. While we may not refer to ourselves as heathens, we are not so different from some of the most famous heathens in the Bible — Samson included — who were real people with real problems, struggles, trials, and troubles.

By the time we’re introduced to Samson in Judges 13:1-5, the Israelites have lost their view and their relationship with God. They don’t understand the Lord’s character, especially His grace, forgiveness, and the desire to be with His people. God sends an angel to Manoah’s wife, telling her she would have a son who would be set apart, rescue Israel, and pave the way for a new generation of judges. 

However, we first meet Samson in a vineyard on his way to propose to a Philistine. By disobeying the Lord’s direct commands — to live by the Nazirite vow, which requires followers to grow out their hair, refrain from drinking alcohol, and avoid anything unclean (including carcasses) — Samson chose convenience in disobedience and entered into situations he was not supposed to have encountered.

As much as God uses people who have been willing their entire lives, he uses people who have been unwilling their entire lives.

Similar to Samson, we have been called by God and told to walk the path He has created for us. In fact, as David describes in Psalm 37:1-4, God’s requirements of us are designed to align our desires with His call for our lives. However, we often choose to disobey God’s commands in order to fulfill the selfish, humanistic desires of our hearts — just like Samson. 

While Samson was created with an important purpose, he continually runs after his own desires. He engages with Philistine women, sleeps with a prostitute, and marries a woman who takes away his God-given strength. Despite his actions and hedonistic tendencies, God still chooses to use Samson.

God did not abandon Samson, and He still chose to use him for a greater purpose. Even in the midst of Samson’s lowest point, God’s power prevailed. God will not leave His mightiest soldiers or His weakest heroes — He will never leave you and He can always use you to fulfill His plan. As much as God uses people who have been willing their entire lives, he uses people who have been unwilling their entire lives — including you.

Watch this week’s message below or catch up with the series here!