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Transcript June 3 and 4, 2017

Man Up | No Pain, No Gain (North) Jake Barker | Judges 14-15

Well,what’supNorth?Iseverybodydoingokay?It’ssogoodtobewithyou.MynameisJakeandI’moneofthepastorsatTradersPoint.Ifyouareneworthisisyourveryfirsttime,we’resogladtohaveyou.Ineedtoletyouknowaboutthekindofpeopleyou’rearound.I’vejustgottogushalittlebit.I’vegottogush,I’msoproudofthisplace.ThepeopleyouarearoundaresomeofthemostselflesscontributorsI’veevermetinmyentirelife.I’veneverseenagroupofpeoplejumpintoacultureofserviceasfastastheNorthcampushasdone.Theyarewildlygenerouswiththeirtime,talentsandtreasure—justwildlyopenhanded.SuperencouragingthateverytimeI’mheresomeonetellsmesomethingaboutmyselfthatIknowisnottrue,butitmakesmefeelgoodanyway.AndthenIleaveanditisso,sogood.Afewyearsagowehadthiscrazyvisionofwhatwoulditlooklikeifourchurchmetinmultiplelocationsthroughoutthecity.Itwasthepeopleherewhopioneeredthatvision,andwithoutthemitwouldneverbewhatitis.SocanIjustsayfromthebottomofmyhearthowmuchIloveyou,I’mproudofyou,andthanksforbeingyou.LastweekwejumpedintoasermonseriescalledManUp.Andifyoumissedweekone,youcangobackonourwebsiteorchurchappandyoucancatchup.Theideaisthis.Weknowthatlifeishard,wejustknowthat.Foreverysingleoneofus,there’sgoingtobeamomentwherelifeisdifficultbecauseitisaseriesofpeaksandvalleys.Inthepeaksweareontopoftheworld,andwecannotimaginelifegettingbetterthatthis.Andtheninthevalleysthataresoontocome,wecannotimaginelifebeinganyworseandwedon’tknowhowwe’regoingtogetoutofthem.Andthosevalleys,theybeganatdifferentpointinourlives.Iknowformeitwasinmiddleschool,whenIwastryingtofigureoutwhoIwasandwhereIfitin.Maybeyouhavethatsamestruggletoo.Honestly,noneofusevergraduatefromthatstruggle.We’reall,whetherweadmititornot,tryingtofigureoutwhoweareandwherewefitin.Andthenyoustartacareerwithitsupsanddownsandajob.Thenyourfamilythrowswrenchesintothings,eitherthefamilyyoustartorthefamilyyoucomefrom.Andyoukindoflookbackandrealize,“Ohman,we’relikesuper-crazy.Ididnotknowhowcrazy

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ourfamilywas,”untilyougetoutofthebubble.Andthenyougetthroughyourcareer,andthenyouretire,andguesswhatyoustartasking,“WhoamIamwheredoIfitin?”It’sthisunbelievablecycleofpeaksandvalleys.Thequestionis,whenweareinavalleyandwhenwearenotsureit’sgoingtoturnoutokaywheredowefindthestrengthtogetthroughtheday?Howdowesummonenoughstrengthsowecangetthroughit?Infact,weaskeditlikethislastweekandhopefullyyouhadsomechancetothinkaboutit.Fillinthisblankforyourself.IamokaywhenIhave___________.WhenI’mnotsureit’sgoingtoturnoutrightandIfeellikeI’mfallingandslipping,whatdoIgrabfor?What’sgoingtokeepmeonmyfeet?IknowI’mokaywhenIhavewhat?Maybeit’syourfamily.Maybeaslongastheyarehappyandhealthy,andsuccessfuliftheyaregood,you’regood.Itdoesn’tmatterhowchaotictherestoflifeis.Aslongaswe’recool,everythingelseisalright.Ormaybeit’syourresourcesandaslongasyourbankaccountisatacertainspotandthefutureisoptimistic,theneverythingelseisokay.Maybeit’syourjobperformance.Ifyou’regoodatyourjob,andeverybodyelseknowsyou’regoodatyourjob,thenyou’reokay.Buttheproblemwithfillingintheblankwiththosethreeanswersisallofthemarefickle.Theycanturnonadime.Yourfamily,financialsituation,orjobperformance,theyarenotguaranteed.Ifthatisthefoundationonwhichyoustand,ifthat’sthefoundationonwhichyoubuildyourlife,itmightshiftunderneathyouandyoumayfall.Sowe’vebeenpitchingtoyouthatmaybeGodhassomethingtosayaboutwhatyouputinthatblank.Todaywe’regoingtokeepexploringthatideabyturningtotheBible.IfyouhaveaBibleoraBibleApp,I’dloveforyoutojoinmeinJudges14.That’swherewe’regoingtopickup,whereweleftofflastweek.Ifyou’rehereandyou’renotreallysurewhereyoustandwithGod,Jesus,ortheBible,ifyou’reaskingsomequestionsandyou’vegotsomedoubtswearesogladyou’rehere.IwouldneverforasecondexpectyoutobelievesomethingbecauseIsayit’strue.That’sactuallynotagoodidea—tobuildyourlifeonwhatIthinkorwhatIsay.Youshouldprobablyalwaysaskquestions.Idon’texpectyoutoagreejustbecausewe’reinchurchanditseemslikeeverybodyisonthesamepage.Wewantyouwrestlingthisout.SowhatI’dlikeforyoutodotoday,ifyou’renotquitesurewhereyoustand,ifwecancallatruceonlikethementalargumentthat’sgoingoninyourhead,andjusthaveyouaskthisonequestion,“Ifthis

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istrue,likeifwhatthey’resayingaboutGodandiftheBibleisaccurateandifallthisisreal,thenwhatmightthatmeanformylife?”Whatwoulditmeanforyourrelationships,yourfuture,andhowyouseeGodifallofthatisreallytrue?Keepwrestlingthatout,andweareheretoprocessthatwithyou.We’rereallygladyou’rewithus.NowinJudges14we’regoingtopickitupwiththisguywemetlastweeknamedSamson.Lastweekwesawthestorywherehisparentsfoundouttheyweregoingtohaveaboyandhewasgoingtobegintheprocessoffreeingtheirpeoplefromcaptivity.TheIsraelitesareundercaptivity.ThePhilistinesarerulingoverthem,andtheyfindouttheirbabyboyisgoingtofreethepeoplefromcaptivity,oratleastbeginthatprocess.Thatisaverycrediblevisionforthiskidearlyon.Todaywe’regoingtoseehisfirstwords,hisfirstwords.IntheBible,whenyoumeetsomeonefortheveryfirsttime,theirfirstwordsareimportanttopayattentiontobecauseit’sasnapshotoftheirsoul.It’sthislittlewindowintotheirhearttorevealwhotheyare.Sowe’regoingtoseeSamsonspeakforthefirsttime,anditwillrevealthekindofguyheis.Idon’tknowifthisisstilltrue.I’dbealittlenervousbecausemybabygirl,mydaughter,herfirstwordwasshoesandthatmightbedangerousforme—mybankaccountgoingforward.I’mhopingthat’snotasnapshotintohersoul,butwe’regoingtoseeasnapshotintoSamson’ssoul.Watchwithmeinchapter14,verse1.“OnedaywhenSamsonwasinTimnah,oneofthePhilistinewomencaughthiseye.Whenhereturnedhome,hetoldhisfatherandmother,‘AyoungPhilistinewomaninTimnahcaughtmyeye.Iwanttomarryher.Getherforme.’Hisfatherandmotherobjected,‘Isn’tthereevenonewomaninourtribeoramongalltheIsraelitesyoucouldmarry?’ButSamsontoldhisfather,‘Getherforme!Shelooksgoodtome.’Hisfatherandmotherdidn’trealizetheLordwasatworkinthis,creatinganopportunitytoworkagainstthePhilistines,whoruledoverIsraelatthetime.”SoofallthewaysforSamsontoshowuponthescene,thisisadoozy.He’sjuststrollingtheneighborhood,heseesahottie,andhe’slike,“I’vegottohaveher.”That’sexactlywhathappened,it’sintheBible.It’snotmywords,theirwords.Hesays,“She’shot.Iwanther.Getherforme.”Samson,Shakespeare,almostthesamedude,verypoetic,veryromantic.Hesays,“Dad,Isawher.Iwanther.”Why?Whyher?Whycouldn’tmarrysomeoneweknow.He’slike,“Shelooksgood.Whatmoredoyouneed?Sheissuper-hot.”Soherewehaveayoungmanseeingahotgirlandcan’tthinkofanythingelse.Notalothas

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changedoverthelastfewthousandyears.Thisstoryisbeingrewritteneverysingleday.Nowphysicalattractioninarelationship,it’snotabadthing.It’sactuallykindofessential,itneedstobetherebutitcan’tbethefoundation.Idon’tknowifyou’venoticed,butphysicalappearanceschangeandifthatisthefoundationyouarestandingon,itmightbealittleloose.ThewaySamsontalkstohisdadinthismomentwouldhavebeenshockingforacoupleofdifferentreasons.Thefirstonewouldhavebeencultural.Yousee,atthistimeinhistorythepatriarchofthefamily,thedad,wascallingtheshots.Hewastheonedeterminingthefamilyvalues.Hewascreatingthefamilybusiness.Hewasarrangingmarriagesforhiskids.Dadwascallingtheshots.SotheideathatSamsonwouldshowupandsay,“Dad,dothis,”andtheninthefaceofpushbackarguebacktohisdadwouldhavebeenculturallyunacceptable.Thatwasprettyshocking.Butbeneaththat,andevenmoreimportantly,spirituallythatwouldhavebeenshocking.AgaintheIsraeliteswereundercaptivity.Aforeignpeoplewererulingoverthem—thePhilistines—andtheydidnotlovethesameGodtheIsraelitesloved.GodtoldHispeople:“DonotintermarrywithpeoplewhodonothavethesameloveforGodyoudo.”BecauseGod,astheCreatoroflove,humans,andrelationshipsknewaspouseinamarriagerelationshipwillalwaysbethemostinfluentialpersoninyourlife—forthegoodandforthebad.Soifyoumarrysomeonewhodoesn’tloveGodasmuchasyoudo,theywillnotencourageyouinyourrelationshipwithGod.NowIknow,inaroomlikethis,thereisboundtobesomeonewhoislivingthisrealityrightnow.Andyouknowit’shard.It’shardtostayconsistent.It’shardtoliveoutyourconvictions.It’shardtoshowupeveryweekbyyourself.Youjustneedtoknowwearesogladyou’rehere.Weareforyouandwewanttodothiswithyou.TheBibleisveryclearonhowtoliveoutyourlife—it’storemainfaithful,prayerful,andhopefulthatonedayyourspousewillloveJesusthesamewayyouloveHim.Therearestoriesonhowthatisabsolutelypossible,andhopefullythiswillbeinyourfuture.ButGodistellingthepeoplewhoarenotyetmarriedthattolinkupwithsomeonewhodoesnotloveGodthesamewayyoudoisgoingtobedisadvantageousforyou.It’snotgoingtoencourageyouinyourrelationshipwithGod.Samsondoesn’tcareaboutthat.She’shotandhewantsher—hewantsherrightnow.Heisignoringthelongtermconsequencesbecauseofhisdesireinthemoment.Yousee,whatSamsonisdoinghereisheisbasicallyleveragingtheshorttermgaindespite

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thelongtermpain.He’snotworriedaboutthatbecausehewantswhathewantswhenhewantsit.Longtermpainforshorttermgain.Dothisforme.We’regoingtohavealittlegroupparticipation.Ifeveryonecouldraiseyourhand,lookateveryonearoundyou.Thisrepresentsthenumberofpeoplewhohavedonetheexactsamething—everysingleoneofusatsomepointinourliveshassaid,“Idon’tcare.Idon’tcare,momanddad,I’minlove.Youcan’ttellmeanything.Idon’tcarethatIknowthisisnotheadedanywhere.Idon’tcareifthisisbadforme.IwantwhatIwantwhenIwantit,andthatisrightnow.”Andmaybeitwasarelationshipforyou.Youknewthispersonwasn’tgoodforyou,andyouknewitwasn’theadedanywherebutshelookedgoodinyoureyes.Ormaybeitwasaseasonoffrustrationanddespairandyouwantedtoescapethewayyoufelt,soyouusedasubstancelikesomedrugsoralcohol.Andtherewasashorttermgain,eventhoughitledtolongtermpain.Ormaybetherewasaseasoninyourlifewhereyougotthatbrandnew,shinycreditcardandyouboughtabunchofstuffyoudidn’tneedtoimpressabunchofpeopleyoudidn’tevenlike,butitledtosomelongtermpainandamassivedebtyou’vebeencrawlingoutofforever—shorttermgainforlongtermpain.WhatSamsonwasdoingwassomethingweareallfamiliarwith.Samson’sdesiresweremorepowerfulthathisconvictions.Samson’smomentary,“I’mrighthereandwhatIwantisrightinfrontofme”wasmorepowerfulthathisconvictionsthatshouldhavebeenguidinghislife.Itsoundslike,“IknowIshouldn’t,butI’mgoingto.IknowI’mbetterthanthis,butIwantit.”Andhewasoverwhelmedbythedesirehecouldnotsaynoto.TheonlythingSamsonwasnotsayingnotowasimmediategratification.Samson’sdesiresweremorepowerfulthanhisconvictions.Whatwehaveonourhandshereisacaseofdelayedgratification.ItwaslikesomedayGodwantstogiveSamsonwhathewantsintherightcontextwiththerightperson.Godwasn’tsaying,“Thereisneveranybody.”Godisn’tsayingtherewasnotawomanforhim.Hewasjustsaying,“Nother,notnow,”andSamsoncouldn’thandledelayedgratification.Iwouldsayofallpeopleinthehistoryoftheworldthereisprobablynotagroupwhostrugglesmorewithdelayedgratificationthanusrightnow.Weliveinaworldwithimmediacy,on-demand,whycan’twegetthisnow?Infact,theideaofdelayedgratificationwehavecategorizedaspain.

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Howdareyoumakemewait?I’moffendedwhenIhavetowait.I’moffendedwhenthewifitakesmorethan30secondstoloadmyInstagramfeed.Howdareyou?IamoffendedwhenI’vebeenworkingatthisjobforthreemonths,andIhaven’tgottenapromotion.Howdareyou?I’moffendedthatI’m25andcannotaffordthehouseittookmyparents40yearstobuild.Iamoffended.Iamoffendedyouwouldsuggestthatthisincrediblyattractivepersonwhoisrightinfrontofme,whoIwant,shouldnotbemylifelongmate.I’moffendedyoushouldtellmetowait.Iamoffendedthatbaristaforgotthefifthpopofcaramelinthatcoffeethattookherasecondtofix.Howdareyoumakemewait?AllGodissayingis,“Someday,Samson,justnotrightnow.Samson,Iwantitforyousomeday,justnotinthismoment.”Samsonsays,“IwantwhatIwantwhenIwantit,”andyouandI?Wesay,“IwantwhatIwantwhenIwantit.”Shorttermgainforlongtermpain.Predictably,Samson’sdecisionleadstothiscrazyseriesofevents.Yousee,Samson’sparentsrelentandsay,“OkaySamson,we’llgiveyouwhatyouwant.”Sotheyarrangeforhimtomarrythewomanhefoundsoirresistible.SoSamsonshowsuptowhatwasthecustomarypartybeforethewedding.Theywouldhavethisweek-longweddingfeastwheretheywouldcelebratethecoupleandoneanotherbeforetheceremonywouldhappen.SoSamsonshowsup,andhewasflyingsolobecausehealwaysis.Samsonisflyingsolo.Heneverhasanyonearoundhim.Sothebride’sparentsseehimandgivehim30youngPhilistinementohangoutwith.Theyarelike,“Well,hedoesn’thaveanyfriendssohereisabachelorpartyinabox.”Theystarthangingoutandthey’redoingtheirthing.Predictably,when31youngmenstarthangingouttheygetalittlecompetitive.Theystartshowingoffalittlebit,anditresultsinabet.Samsonsays,“I’llbetyou30dudesIcangiveyouariddleyouwillneversolve.”Andtheysay,“Deal.”ThetermswereifSamsonwasrightandtheycouldnotfigureouttheriddle,theyallowedhimapairofclothes.Theywerebettingclothes.Hewasgoingtoget30outfits.Butiftheygotitright,heowedthemanoutfiteach.So30:1odds,Samsonagainstthe30.Sohegivesthemtheriddleandtheyhaveaweektofigureitout.Theycannotdoit.Theyjustcannotgettheirbrainaroundtheanswertotheriddle.Astheweekiswearingdown,theykindofpanicandgrabSamson’sfiancé.Theysay,“Ifyoudon’tgettheanswerforus,wewillgatheryouandyourfamilytogetherandburnyoutodeath.”

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Thatisthethreattheyputonhisfiancé.Sopredictably,sheisgoingtocometotherescueofthefamilyshehasknownandlovedherwholelife,andkindofselloutthedudeshebarelyevenknows.AnditleadstooneofthefunniestpartsoftheBible—thereissomethingwrongwithmeprobably.SoJudges14:16-17,“SoSamson’swifecametohimintearsandsaid,‘Youdon’tloveme;youhateme!Youhavegivenmypeopleariddle,butyouhaven’ttoldmetheanswer.’‘Ihaven’tevengiventheanswertomyfatherormother,’hereplied.‘WhyshouldItellyou?’Soshecriedwhenevershewaswithhimandkeptitupfortherestofthecelebration.Atlast,ontheseventhdayhetoldhertheanswerbecauseshewastormentinghimwithhernagging.Thensheexplainedtheriddletotheyoungmen.”Ithinkitissofunny.Andyoumaybelikesittingwithsomeoneyouhappentobemarriedtosaying,“Iknowwhatthat’slike.”That’sforthetwoofyouguystoworkout.We’lljustdothatlater.Heresheis.She’sgottogetthisanswerorherfamilyisgoingtodie.Soshecries,shewines,andshesaid,“Ifyoureallylovedme,”andshenags,andnags,andfinallySamsonsays,“Shutup.Hereistheanswertotheriddle.”Predictably,shegoesrighttothedudes,tellsthemtheanswer,andSamsonlosesthebet.SoSamsonismad.Heisangryathisfiancé.Heisangryatthe30guys.Sohegoesoutandinordertopaythebethekills30men,takestheirstuff,andpaysthebet.Andthenhebailsontheentireweddingfeastinhistempertantrum,leaveswithoutsayinganything.Sotheparentsofthebridehavethrownthisweek-longpartyandthegroomjustleft.SoinapanictheygivetheirdaughtertoSamson’sbestmantomarry.Wasitworthit,Samson?Let’sjustrecap.Becauseshewassohotandirresistible,heoffendedhisfather,hemadeabet,lostabet,killed30men,threwatempertantrum,embarrassedhisfuturein-laws,andnowhisfiancéwasgiventohisbestman.Shorttermgainlongtermpain.Samsondoesn’tevenknow.NobodyevenbotherstotellSamsonwhathappenstohisfiancé.Soafewdayslaterheshowsbackup,expectingtoseehisfuturewife,whoisnowmarriedtohisbestman.Ipromiseyou,factcheckmelater,it’sinthere.SowhatdoyouthinkSamsonisgoingtodo?Howdoesherespond?Well,he’sangry.Heisabsolutelyangry.Infact,asyoureadSamson’sstory,hebasicallyhastwoemotions:He’seitherangryoraroused.That’sit.ThatisthedefinitionofSamson.Andyoumightbemarriedtosomeonewhofeelsthesameway,that’sforthetwoofyoutoworkout.Youguyscantalkaboutthatlater.

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HerewehaveSamsonandheisticked,soheretaliatesagainstthepeoplewhomadeallthishappen.Hedoesitintheweirdestway.Hecaptures300foxes,tiestheirtalesinpairs,putsatorchintheirtails,andsendsthemoutintothefieldtoburndownthecropsofthePhilistines.Idon’tknowwhy.Itwasweirdthathedidit,butitwaseffectivebecauseallthefieldsarenowonfire.Theylostallthatmoney.GuesshowthePhilistinesfeel?Veryangry.Guesswhattheyaregoingtodoaboutit?They’regoingtoretaliate.Anger,retaliation,anger,retaliation—thisendlesscyclethatdoesnotstop.SonowthePhilistinesaregoingtooppressSamson’speople.Andwatchwhereitleadsus.Youcanjumpdowntochapter15:9-12.Itsays,“ThePhilistinesretaliatedbysettingupcampinJudahandspreadingoutnearthetownofLehi.ThemenofJudahaskedthePhilistines,‘Whyareyouattackingus?’ThePhilistinesreplied,‘We’vecometocaptureSamson.We’vecometopayhimbackforwhathedidtous.’So3,000menofJudahwentdowntogetSamsonatthecaveintherockofEtam.TheysaidtoSamson,‘Don’tyourealizethePhilistinesruleoverus?Whatareyoudoingtous?’ButSamsonreplied,‘Ionlydidtothemwhattheydidtome.’ButthemenofJudahtoldhim,‘WehavecometotieyouupandhandyouovertothePhilistines.’‘Allright,’Samsonsaid.‘Butpromisethatyouwon’tkillmeyourselves.’”Let’stakeamomenttounderstandthis.TheIsraelitepeopleareundercaptivity.Theydonotrulethemselves.Thereisaforeignpeoplewhoaretellingthemwhattodo.Buthere,the3,000menofJudah,Samson’scountrymen,insteadofjoiningthefightwiththeirbrothertofighttheircaptors,theycometoSamsonandsay,“Whatareyoudoing,man?Don’tyouknowthey’reincharge?Whyareyourockingtheboat?Whyareyoumakinglifeharderforus?”Insteadofjoiningthefight,theyactuallygrabtheirbrotherandaregoingtohandhimovertotheenemy.Yousee,theseguyshadcompletelysoldout.They’dactuallysoldout.Theybasicallysaid,“It’snotworthitanymore,sowe’rejustgoingtokindofliveaspeacefullyaswecan,evenifthatmeanswelosealldistinction,evenifitmeanswedon’tstandoutanymore,evenifitmeanswehavetogiveupsomeofourmoralconvictions.We’rejustgoingtofitinandblendinasmuchaspossibletothepointwherewewouldratherturnoveroneofourownthanhaveanyconflictwiththecultureinwhichwelive.”Thechallengeisthat,asChristians,forthoseofuswhowouldsayweareallinforJesus,wekindofknowwhatit’slike.Yousee,asChristiansoneofthefundamentalconditionswewillhaveisadegreeofconflictwiththecultureinwhichwelive.Therewillalwaysbealittlebitofunrestintheworldaroundusbecause,asChristians,wesayGod’swayoflivingisworthlivingoutbecauseHesentHisSontodieforoursins.BecauseHedidthat,itmeansHeistrustworthy,loving,andkind.Andtherefore,whatHesayswillbetheguidingprinciplesinourlives.

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ButGodoftensaysthingsthataretrue,andtheyconflictwithwhatourworldsays,andthenyouandI,wehaveachoice.Whichonearewegoingtogowith?Forinstance,GodtheCreatorofrelationshipsandphysicalintimacy,whenitcomestophysicalintimacyHesaysthatisbestreservedfortherelationshipofmarriage.Itisabeautifulgiftaslongasit’sintherightcontext.Anditisworthwaitingfor.That’swhatGodsays.Theworldlooksatthatandsays,“Absolutelynot.”Infact,that’srepressive,that’sancient,andhowdareanyonetellyouanythingaboutthatpartofyourlife.Youshoulddoitwithwhomever,wherever,whenever,however.Don’tsayno.Whatareyoutalkingabout?SoGodsaysonething,andtheworldsayssomethingelse,andweliveinthattension.Godsays,“Youridentityshouldnotbeformedintheamountofmoneyyoumake,theneighborhoodyoulivein,orthecaryoudrive.”Butourworldsays,“Yourworthisdeterminedbythosestatussymbols.”Soweobsessoverthem,webuildourlivesaroundthem.Thequestionis:Whowins?Weliveinthisconflictinbetweenthosetwoworldviews.Nowthereisadifferencebetweenlivinginconflictandcombat.Yousee,we’renotlookingtograbourbullhorns,ourpicketsigns,andstandonthecornerandyellatanybody.We’renotcombative,butwedoliveinconflict.Nowbecausesomanyofusareconflict-avoidant,wetrytoreducethisasmuchaspossible.I’mnotencouragingyoutoenjoyconflict.Ifyouevermeetsomeonewhoenjoysconflict,they’reweird.Don’tassociatewiththem.Buttheideaweshouldalwaysavoidconflictkindofleadsustothreedifferentwaysofdoingthis.SomeofustrytomakeourChristianity,ourfaith,morerelevant.Relevance:editChristianitytomakeitmoreappealing.Sowhatwedoiswegetourworddocumentoutandcutoutthestuffthatmakespeoplefeelweird:miraculousstuff,theideathatJesussaysHeistheonlywaytoGod,theideathereareeternalconsequencestoourchoiceslikeheavenorhell.WejustkindofdeletethosepartsandwecomeupwithaCliff-notesversionofChristianity.Wesay,“Here,thisiswhatthisislike,”buttheproblemisthat’snotChristianityatall.Anotherwaywetrytodoitiswetrytoblend.Blend:adopttheworld’svaluesasourown.Wecanjustbeaspeacefulwitheveryoneaspossible,sowedon’thaveanyconflict.Whatitendsupbeingisakindoftherapeutic,self-help,you-can-do-it,you’regoodenough,smartenough,andpeople-like-youkindoffaith.Buttheproblemisthat’snot

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Christianityatall.Thefinalwaywetrytodothis,toavoidconflictwejustretreatfromculture.Retreat:rejectthecultureandneverinteractwithit.Wetrytobuildthisbubblewherewecaneditandcensoreverything.Weneverhaveanyrelationshipswithpeoplewithwhomwedisagree.Sowekindofcrawlinthisholesoweneverhavetobeuncomfortable,butwe’renotlivingonmission,we’renotengagedwiththepeopleGodabsolutelyloves,andsothat’snotaversionofChristianity.Godsays,“NormativeChristianitywillalwayshavealittlebitofunrest.Therewillalwaysbealittlebitofconflictbetweenyouandthecultureyouarelivingin.Butthesemen,theyhadjustgivenup.Theysoldoutandsaid,“It’sjusteasiertoblendin.We’renotgoingtobedistinct.We’renotgoingtostandout.”TheycapturedSamson,tiedhimup,andtheyweregoingtohandhimovertothePhilistines.ButtheSpiritofGodcameonSamsonsostrongthathebrokefreeoftheropes,hegrabsthejawboneofadonkey,andhetakesout1,000Philistinemen.Ipromiseyouthat’sreal,factcheckit,it’sinthere.Hegrabsthejawboneofadonkey,takesout1,000guys,thisisanincrediblevictory,andlookwhatSamsonsaysafterthisunbelievablethingGoddoesthroughhim.Chapter15:18-20,“Samsonwasnowverythirsty,andhecriedouttotheLORD,‘Youhaveaccomplishedthisgreatvictorybythestrengthofyourservant.MustInowdieofthirstandfallintothehandsofthepagans?’SoGodcausedwatertogushoutofahollowinthegroundatLehi,andSamsonwasrevivedashedrank.Thenhenamedthatplace‘TheSpringoftheOneWhoCriedOut,’anditisstillinLehitothisday.SamsonjudgedIsraelfortwentyyearsduringtheperiodwhenthePhilistinesdominatedtheland.”Thisguy,heistheworst.Godgiveshimthisvictory,andwhatdoeshedo?“I’mthirsty.God,IneedsomeGatorade.Ijustkilled1,000dudes,I’mkindofparched.Whatisyourproblem,God?Ijustkilledalltheseguysforyou.You’rewelcome,God.”Samsonwasverydelusionalaboutwhowasactuallystronginthisscenario.WhywouldGoduseaguylikethis?He’strulytheworst.Heinsultshisdad.Herunsoutonhisbride.Hecomplainsthathe’sthirstywhenGodgiveshimthepowerofvictory.Samsonistheworst.WhyisGodusingthisguy?Thereisthisnarrativethathasformedinourheads.Maybeyou’vebeenaroundGod,ormaybeyou’vejustbeentoldthisoutright.It’sthatGodusesthegoodpeople,andHedoesn’tusethebadpeople.Godusesthegoodguys,butHedoesn’tusethebadguys.

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Soit’sreallyconfusingwhenwelookatSamson.Godisusinghimeventhoughheisanabsolutejerk.ThethingisthebeautyoftheBible,thebeautyofGod’smessage,isthatourrelationshipwithGodwasneverbasedonourgoodnessatall.Yousee,youhavetohearthisandmaybethisisnewstoyou.ThisisthefundamentalthingaboutChristianitythatisuntrueaboutanythingelse.ThewayGodseesyou,thewayGodfeelsaboutyouisneverbasedonyourgoodnessatall.SotheideathatGodonlyusesthegoodpeople,ortheideathatGodonlylovesthegoodpeople,it’sjustneverbeentruebecausetherearenogoodpeople,it’sus.We’rebroken,sinful,andflawed,andGodknewallofthatandsendHisSontosaveus.AndHesentHisSontotakethesinwedeservedtodiefor.Goddoesn’tjustusethegoodpeople.Hedoesn’tjustlovethegoodpeople.Helovesuswithallourflawsandallourbrokenness.GodisstillusingSamsoninspiteof,andmaybesometimesbecauseofhisflaws.Butthereisadistinctionweneedtomakehere.GodisusingSamson,butHeisnotaffirmingSamson.Thosearetwodifferentthings.Yousee,GodisusingSamson’sstrength,andHeisusinghisrelationships,andHeisusinghisopportunities,butHeisnotcheeringSamsonon.Heisnotsaying,“Goodjob,Samson,waytobearrogant.”Heisnotsaying,“GoodSamson,waytobeshorttempered.”Heisnotsayinganyofthat.HeisusingSamsonbutHeisnotaffirminghimbecausethereisthisdifference.Thisiswherewe’regoingtolandtoday.Thereisadifferencebetweenspiritualgifts,thethingsGodenablesustodo,andspiritualfruit,thecharactertraitsofwhowearebecoming,whowearebeing.Sowe’regoingtobreakdownthisdistinction.Thisiswherewe’regoingtolandtheplanetoday.Godgivesspiritualgifts.Thosearethethingswedo.It’sourabilitytodogood.It’stoovercomeobstacles,toteach,toserve.It’stobehospitable,compassionate.It’skindofthegiftsGodhasgivenyou.That’swhatGodhasgivenyoutodo,andit’sagoodthing.It’sanamazing,amazinggift.Spiritualgiftsareskillsfordoing.Godhasgivengiftstopeoplewithoutaffirmingtheircharacter.Yousee,Samsonhadgiftsandstrengths,butinsidehewasdeteriorating.Spiritualfruitischaractertraitsofbeing.Thatisthescoreboard.SothescoreboardofhowwearedoingwithGod,likehowdoIknowIamcoolwithGod?HowdoIknowIamgrowinginmyfaith?Manyofus,myself

ManUp|NoPain,NoGain(North)June3and4,2017

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included,wearetemptedtouseourspiritualgifts—theoutwardstuff—asourscoreboardastowhetherwe’relivingthelifeGodwanted,“LookatwhatI’mdoing.God,I’mservingandGod,I’mgiving,I’mpreachinganddoingallthesethingsforyouontheoutside.”Noneofthosethingsarebad,butyouandIknowit’spossibleforpeopletodothingsforGodbutontheinsidehaveacorruptlife.Howmanymorenewsstoriesdoweneedtoseeofpowerful,charismatic,andlife-changingpreacherswhointheirprivateliveswereabsolutelylivingalifetotallycontrarytothewordstheyweresayingonastage?It’spossibletohavegiftsbutnotfruit.Andthescoreboardinourlives,thewayweknowwhetherwe’regrowinginourfaithisbythespiritualfruitonlyGodcangrow.Sohopefullyonthewayinyouweregivenoneofthesepiecesofpaper.Ifyouwanttogoaheadandgrabit,youcanlookatit.Andthisisactuallykindofatoolwewantedtogiveyoutodaytofigureout,“HowamIdoing?HowamIgrowing?IsGoddoingsomethinginmylife?”SoaguybythenameofPaulinabookoftheBiblecalledGalatians,hemadethislist.Hesaid,“WhenGodisactiveinyourlife,whenyou’vefullysurrenderedtoJesus,thesearethethingsthatwillshowupmoreandmoreinyourlife.Therewillbemoreofthistodaythantherewasyesterday.Andhopefullytherewillbemorethanthisayearfromnowthanthereistoday.We’realwaysgrowinginthesefruits.Here’sthelist,“’ButtheHolySpiritproducesthiskindoffruitinourlives:love,joy,peace,patience,kindness,goodness,faithfulness,gentleness,andself-control.Thereisnolawagainstthesethings!’”SowhatPaulissayingisifGodisactiveinourlives,ifwearesurrenderedtowhoHewantsustobe,ifHeistheonegrowingthefruitthisiswhatshowsup.ThesearethecharactertraitsthatGodwantstogrowinus.NownoticemylanguagewhenIsay,“ItisGodwhodoesthegrowing.”YouandIareincapableofproducingthisfruit.Here’stheproblem.Ifyou’reatalllikemeandyou’vegotalittletypeAinyou,youlookatthatlistandyou’relike,“Herewego.I’mgoingtobemorejoyful.Icandoit.I’mgoingtobesojoyfultoday.I’mgoingtofindthingstobejoyfulaboutandI’mgoingtomakejoyhappen.I’mgoingtobesopatientyou’llbeamazedathowpatientI’mgoingtobetoday.I’mgoingtoforcemyselfintothisfruit.”Theproblemisyoucan’tdothat.OnlyGodgrowsthefruitoftheSpirit.OnlyHimgettinginside,throughoursurrender,isHegoingtogrowthisfruit.That’shardforus.It’shardforustothinkwecan’tdoitwithourownwillpower.TobethepersonIwanttobe,IactuallyneedGodinthatscenario.

ManUp|NoPain,NoGain(North)June3and4,2017

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Solastweekwegaveyouasimpleprayertoprayeverysingleweek.Hopefullyit’sdonesomethinginyourlife.Ifyoukeepprayingthiseverysingledayitwillbeamazing,becauseIthinkGodwillgetinsideandchangeyourheartifyoujustsaid,“God,helpmetowanttoknowyoumore.Helpmetoevendesirearelationship.”NotalltheanswersandnotthatI’llhaveeverythingfiguredoutaboutlifeandeternityandGod.Justsimply,“God,helpmetowanttoknowyoumore.”Andthisweekwe’regoingtoaddontothat.Here’sthesecondprayer,andit’svery,verysimple:God,helpmetakeonesteptowardthisfruitthisweek.Here’swhatwe’regoingtodo.Sometimetoday,Ithinktodaywouldbegreatbecauseifyouwaituntilanytimelateryou’llprobablyforgetaboutitandputthislistsomewhereelse.I’dlikeforyoutotakeamomentandhonestlyrateyourself,onethroughfive,ineachgroup.Say,“Man,amIgrowinginthis?Isthisshowingupinmylife?Isthisdecreasing?Andifyou’rereally,reallybraveyou’llletsomeoneelsetakethequizforyou.Butit’suptoyou.Here’sthedeal.I’dloveforyoutoshareitwithsomeone,someoneyouknow,someoneyoutrust,andmaybesomeoneinyourgroupthisweekifyou’reinagroup.Someonetosay,“Hey,ifyoucouldpraywithmeforthis—thatwouldbeawesome.”Butwereallyjustwanttochooseonefruitandsay,“God,helpmegrowinonestep.It’sasimplegoal,asimpleprayer.AndifwedoitwithabsolutesurrenderandallowGodontheinsidetocallusoutforwhatweneed,Hewillgrowthatfruit.IfwedesirewhatHewantsinourlives,Hewilltakeusthere.Man,I’vegotsomuchroomtogrow.Idon’tknowanyonewhohasmasteredallofthese.WealwaysaregrowingintothenextstageofourmaturityinChrist.Ibelieveifwepraythisprayer,Godwillshowupinabigwayandwe’llseethatfruitgrow.Soifyou’rereadytopraythatwithme,I’mgoingtopraythatoveryouasweclosetoday.God,wearesogratefulforYourWord,thatitisclear,compelling,andconvicting.God,Idon’twanttobelikeSamson.Idon’twanttobeallshowontheoutsideandhaveahollowspiritontheinside.God,IwantYoutogrowmefromtheinsideout,andIpraythatwhoeveriswithmetodaythatcouldbetrueofthemaswell.Godhelpusbehonestaboutwhereweareandgrowusonestep.Showupinacertainwaywecouldn’tdoonourown.TransformusintothemenandwomenYou’vecalledustobe.

ManUp|NoPain,NoGain(North)June3and4,2017

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God,weneedYou.Wecan’tdothisonourown.It’sinYournameIpray,amen.