Samson - Power but no control
Nazirite vow - "dedicated to God" Num 6:5-8
Samson means "sunlight"
Judges 14:1-3 - Demand of instant gratification
- Defies his parents - Exo 20:12; Pro 28:24
- Does not look for virtue in a wife - Pro 28:22
Judges 14:7-9 - Delights in forbidden food
- Defies his vow - Lev 11:27; Num 6:6-8; Pro 9:17
- Draws others into his sin - Pro 19:26; Pro 1:10
Judges 14:16-19 - Consequences of no-control
- "He who hastens after riches, poverty will come
upon him" - Pro 28:22
Rules of the Spiritual
Road
Rule #5
I must lead a disciplined life
Rules of the Spiritual
Road
"I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your
rules before me" Psalm 119:30
Rule #1 - I am accountable for all of my actions
Rule #2 - I must fear God and keep His commands
Rule #3 - I must surround myself with godly people
Rule #4 - I must embrace the role of a humble
servant
Rule #5 - I must lead a disciplined life
Hebrews 12:3-11 - God's discipline
Discipline implies "instruction, train, chasten,
educate, teach, punish"
Discipline is needed to…
- endure and not grow weary (vs 3)
- avoid sin (vs 4)
- receive God's love (vs 5)
- receive family blessings (vs 7-8)
- find what is good (vs 10)
- share in His holiness (vs 10)
- become fruitful (vs 11)
Take Home - How to lead a disciplined life
"For the commandment is a lamp and teaching is a light and
the reproofs of discipline are the way to life" Pro 6:23
1) Seek constant discipline
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Disciple means "learner, follower"
Acts 17:11; 2:42; Pro 1:5; 1 Jn 2:14
Seek advice from older Christians
Titus 2:1-6; Pro 12:1
2) Secure your own needs first
– Daniel's disciplined life Dan 1:8-12; 6:10
– Pro 19:21; Matt 6:33
– "Apart from God every activity is merely a
passing whiff of insignificance" (Alfred North Whitehead)
– Pro 10:17
3) Start with simple things
– Punctuality! Be on time!
– Finish what you start! Quit whining!
– Eph 5:16; Eccl 3:1ff; Josh 11:15
4) Show some restraint
– 66% of all purchases are impulse buys
– 1 Cor 9:24-27; Gal 5:22; Matt 5:30
A Disciplined Life Worth Living
Mark Denton
- Paralyzed from chest down
for 40 years
- Works for NASA (20 + years)
- "Self-discipline is the key to
prevention."
- "We are nothing without
Him. Pray it up"
- Favorite verses: Rm 8:26-28