30th September 2018 - CFC Sunday Church Service
Summary
The message emphasizes that true worship involves giving everything one has, comparing it to the poor widow who gave her all out of poverty. The speaker encourages the congregation to offer their bodies, minds, and wills as living sacrifices, reflecting a life of gratitude and thankfulness to God. The sermon also touches on the theme of God's enduring mercy, citing examples of biblical figures who failed but were restored by God's grace.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Welcome and opening songThe service begins with a warm welcome to the brothers and sisters and an invitation to stand and sing a hymn of adoration to the Lord.
God looks for those who praise HimReflecting on the lyrics of a song, the speaker notes that God looks over the earth to find people who want to lift their hearts in praise.
Choosing to sing and worshipThe speaker emphasizes that praising God is a choice we make, leading the congregation into songs of devotion and bowing before Him in gratitude for His sacrifice.
Offering ourselves as a living sacrificeThe speaker reflects on God's redeeming love and encourages believers to offer their entire being—body, mind, and will—to Him.
The reality of heroes who failedWhile many biblical figures performed mighty exploits through the Spirit, some were heroes who later backslid or fell away before being restored by God's mercy.
The beginning of Samson's storyThe speaker begins examining the life of Samson, starting with the miraculous announcement of his birth to Manoah and his wife.
Samson's disregard for his callingBy choosing a Gentile wife and visiting vineyards, Samson ignored the Nazarite vows that prohibited touching certain things. Despite this disobedience, God's Spirit continued to come upon him for specific tasks.
The danger of persistent temptationSamson's encounter with Delilah led to his final downfall as she pressured him until his soul was annoyed to death. This is contrasted with Joseph, who resisted the persistent pestering of Potiphar's wife.
The tragedy of losing God's presenceSamson mistakenly believed his strength came from himself rather than the Holy Spirit, leading to a state where he did not even realize the Lord had departed from him. This serves as a warning to seek God and maintain self-control.
Samson as a fallen entertainerThe speaker describes how Samson, once a strong leader, was reduced to being a clown for his enemies in a prison setting.
God's mercy is new every morningAs Samson's hair began to grow again, it symbolized a process of repentance and the renewing mercies of God.
Recognizing our helplessness and God's loveThe speaker warns that the enemy tries to rob us of hope, but reminds us that Christ died for us while we were still ungodly and helpless.Romans 5:6–8
God works where there is no strength leftUsing the examples of Samson, Sarah, and Hannah, the speaker explains that God chooses to work through human helplessness so that all glory belongs to Him. This divine principle is found in Deuteronomy 32:36, which promises compassion when human strength is gone.
The danger of living by our own powerThe speaker uses Samson's life to show that while the Spirit once empowered him, he eventually relied on his own strength and allowed idols into his life. This shift leads to a state where one is walking like a mere man rather than being filled with God's Spirit.Judges 13:24
God's promise of restoration and a new heartDespite the departure of His glory due to abominations, God promises to gather His people and replace their hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. Through the piercing power of God's Word, He separates what is merely religious from what is truly spiritual to restore His presence.
