* The Reubenites and Gadites chose for themselves land outside the Promised Land.

* This was much like their father Reuben who couldn’t wait on the inheritance and allowed his lust to control his actions (he slept with David’s concubines).

* So they built an altar to show the other tribes in the future that they were still Israelites.

* Essentially they wanted to be a part of the group without having to adhere to all of the group’s rules.

* It’s like saying, “We’re still with you, we just don’t want to obey this one command.”

* So they built an altar to prove their allegiance to the same God - that way future Israelites wouldn’t see them as enemies.

* PROBLEM - they were wanted unity but refused to operate in purity.

* They wanted unity with those who’s truth they abandoned.

* But little did they know not following God’s plan left them vulnerable to attack.

* Today, we seek unity over purity.

* But when this happens those who forsook purity leave themselves open to attacks from the enemy.

* Yes, they came to peacefully coexist, but they were living out of bounds.

* KEY - we are to seek for purity (living according to God’s plan). Unity with others who are also seeking purity will be the result.

* Samson’s secret was that he was dedicated to God from birth.

* The symbol of that dedication was his hair.

* A married man is dedicated to his wife, and the symbol of that dedication is his ring.

* What would it signify if he went on a long trip and took his ring off?

* It would reveal that he’s already forsook his dedication to his wife.

* Would she stick around for a guy like that? Nope!

* When Samson allowed his hair to be cut he was taking his ring off, essentially.

* God didn’t stick around, and Samson lost the source of his strength.

* Why would he do this?

* Because he wanted sex. He wanted to fulfill his own lust.

* He was “doe drunk!”

* Men - don’t let yourself forsake your dedication to God, spouse, kids, or anything else because you can’t stop focusing on the lust of the flesh.

* You’ll end up dead just as Samson was.

* Samson had just killed 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey.

* So he sang a song in his own honor.

* He killed 1k men but couldn’t kill his own thirst.

* God was humbling him.

* This is a great picture of the distinction between what is vital and what is urgent.

* Samson did what was urgent but neglected what was vital, and it almost cost him his life.

* Urgent things are about tasks - getting stuff done.

* Vital things are about life - sustaining and enhancing life.

* We need to prioritize what’s vital over what’s urgent.

* EX: It’s urgent I teach this lesson - it’s a task that needs to be done by a certain time.

* But it’s vital that I use the bathroom regularly.

* If I forsake what’s vital I cannot complete what’s urgent.

* KEY - what’s vital is rarely urgent, but when it is it’s often too late.

* If Samson didn’t drink he would die (vital), and if he died he could no longer fight (urgent).

* side note - Relationships are never urgent - they are vital.

* An angel showed up to Manoah’s wife and announced the birth of a son.

* Samson’s dad asks what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work.

* Essentially, “how can I raise my kid the right way?”

* The angel responds with a command to the child’s mom:

* vs 12-14 - “Be sure your wife follows the instructions I gave her…”

* He was to be a Nazarite, but she had to live like one first.

* Essentially, the angel said, “Model the type of behavior he should have, like that of a Nazarite, and that will be enough.”

* What is “caught” by kids is far more impactful than what is “taught” by parents.

* vs 2-4 - Jesus taught the disciples first how to pray.

* Then He gives an example of being consistent in prayer.

* vs 6 - The man in the story was asking for food for “someone else.”

* He didn’t imposition his neighbor for his own benefit.

* vs 9 - we need to consistently ask, seek, knock.

* vs 12-13 - What are we supposed to be asking for?

* The HOLY SPIRIT!!!!

* The gift of the Holy Spirit allows us to be a nourishment for others.

* Just like this man asking his neighbor for food for his friend in the middle of the night.

* It’s all about blessing, helping, feeding others!

* If you ask consistently for the Holy Spirit because you want to be a nourishment for others then God will grant you what you ask for!

* The Holy Spirit is the best gift of all.

* It’s like having a stream of water rather than a bucket of water.

* Jesus sends out His disciples to go before Him and preach.

* Matthew Henry - “the quality of the receiver determines the nature of the reception.”

* Notice that the person who is peaceful will receive peace.

* The person who isn’t peaceful will not receive it.

* The things that happen on the outside are a result of who the person is on the inside.

* Take a look at what seems to consistently happen to you on the outside.

* This will point to what’s going on on the inside.

* Are you always getting into arguments with people?

* Are you consistently getting ripped off and entangled in lawsuits?

* Is there a pattern of drama wherever you go?

* These are all signs pointing to the type of person you are.

* This isn’t “always” the case, but much of the time it’s true.

* (early Christians were persecuted consistently)

* Interpersonally it is true - how are you with your friends and family?

* The reverse is true as well.

* Are you rarely in an argument with others?

* Are you rarely if ever in a lawsuit?

* Is there a pattern of low drama in your life?

* You are a person of peace.

* Pay attention to what’s happening on the outside and you’ll discover what’s going on on the inside.

* The Israelites had ownership of the land but they did not possess it.

* They had the power and the authority, but they refused to walk in authority and use their power.

* They “could” not take the land because they “would” not.

* Why?

* 1) They were slothful and cowardly.

* 2) They were covetous - they wanted the Canaanites’ labour and money would do them more good than harm.

* 3) They pitied those who would lead them astray - they didn’t have the proper view toward the dangers of idolatry.

* 4) They didn’t truly believe they could defeat them.

* In Luke 9:1 we see Judas being granted power and authority to do miraculous things.

* He was a betrayer at heart, but nobody knew it at this time.

* Here’s the key - he didn’t reveal himself until an opportunity for PERSONAL GAIN entered the picture.

* He was probably looking for some way to build his own thing off the popularity of Jesus but the best opportunity didn’t come along until three years after joining Jesus.

* He found his “in” when he went to Jerusalem and heard and watched the priests.

* The opportunity for personal gain is the great separator of people.

* Pay attention to what goes on in your heart when the opportunity for personal gain presents itself.

* We are not to think in terms of “personal gain” but “paying the price.”

* God turned the Israelites failure of driving out the Canaanites into something that could be positive.

* For the Israelites who didn’t know how to fight it would teach them how to be warriors.

* This is a picture of what we are to do with sin - drive it out!

* This will require a FIGHT.

* The Israelites had to learn to be militant and so do we.