God Centered Life

Suffering, while originally caused by sin and therefore bad, is nonetheless something that God frequently uses. We all are in pain at times, and we can think that God doesn't understand or has forgotten us. And yet, we will find an answer to this in Samson's story.

Samson, with all his brilliance, becomes a symbol for all that's wrong with modern life. Is bigger necessarily better? Our culture says that a bigger house, car, salary, church, or ministry is always better, but is that how we should assess what is truly valuable? In this message we look at real meaning and real value.

The whole story of Samson is a riddle. What is it about and what does it mean? Why is it even in the Bible? The meaning of this story is significant and it will draw you into the Word.

Boldness requires confidence, but in our success-driven world, many struggle to find confidence. Ecclesiastes gives us advice from someone who's been there on how to age well. We don't want to grow older and not become more mature.

Each of these figures in Judges is a rescue figure, a redeemer. Each of them fall short in many ways, and Samson's failings are famous. But the fact that they fall short points us to the true Redeemer.

Samson is famous for his strength and the powerful, dynamic personality that goes along with it. But he's also known for his weaknesses. It's important to look beyond the caricatures and look at the real heart of the message of this story.

What is the Christian response to all the trauma in the world today? I'm not sure we have the answer, but it's a very important question. When you get God-centered, it changes everything!

It's so easy in Christian circles to assume that in order to be used by God we have to be picture-perfect. In this passage we find a real rough-and-tumble character, and yet he's consecrated to God and mightily used.

Sinfulness is not breaking religious or social norms. It is worshipping anything other than God. It could be your car!

We used to believe that science was going to solve all our problems, the economy was always going to boom, and politicians were always honorable. Now people do not trust the military, the politicians, or the scientists. But God is unchanging.