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A New Light: The Miraculous Birth of Samson

Part of the “Miracle Babies” series

We’re continuing our journey through miraculous births in the Bible, and today we’re looking at a baby born to a woman who wasn’t supposed to have children. Unlike Sarah from last week, this woman isn’t even named in Scripture—but I think there’s a powerful reason for that beyond simple oversight.

The Cycle of Darkness

The story of Samson’s birth takes place during one of Israel’s darkest periods. The book of Judges records a repeating cycle: the people rebel against God, God allows them to be conquered, they cry out for help, and God raises up a deliverer called a judge. For hundreds of years, this pattern continues.

But when we get to Samson’s story, something’s different. The text tells us that “the Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, so the Lord handed them over to the Philistines for 40 years.” Notice what’s missing? There’s no mention of the people crying out to God. It’s as if they’d given up.

But God hadn’t given up on them.

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Generosity that Transforms: 40 Years of Faith in Action

A sermon/presentation by Warren Crawford on behalf of Bryantsville Hunger Relief Project

When Hollis and Ila Sherwood planted their first corn crop in 1985 to support a medical missionary in Africa, they had no idea God had different plans. That first harvest was ready to ship when a devastating earthquake struck Mexico City, killing 20,000 people and displacing hundreds of thousands more. Their mission partner asked: could they redirect the corn?

Without hesitation, they said yes.

That pivotal moment launched what would become the Bryantsville Hunger Relief Project (BHRP.org)—forty years of feeding the hungry and spreading the gospel around the world. And it almost didn’t happen. The Sherwoods initially thought, “We didn’t complete our original project,” so they planted a second year. By then, God had embedded this calling deep in their hearts.

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“Is That It?” Why Your Life Has Eternal Significance

Ever find yourself wondering if your daily grind actually matters? You’re not alone.

We’ve all been there—caught in the routine, wondering if we’re just spinning our wheels in an endless rat race. The midlife crisis hits, and suddenly we’re questioning everything: Is this all there is? Does any of this even matter?

I’m here to tell you: Yes, it absolutely does matter.

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For the Common Good: Using Your Spiritual Gifts

Why the church isn’t meant to be a spectator sport (based on a sermon by Lucas Johnson)

Every Team Needs Every Player

Think about the movie Ocean’s Eleven for a moment. Each member of Danny Ocean’s crew had a specific skill essential to pulling off their elaborate heist—the explosives expert, the tech guy, the con artist. Not everyone could be the explosives expert, and they wouldn’t succeed if they tried.

Or consider the ’90s Chicago Bulls, arguably the greatest basketball team of all time. Michael Jordan was there to win games, Scottie Pippen backed him up, Steve Kerr hit the crucial three-pointers, and Dennis Rodman dominated the rebounds while intimidating opponents. Each player had their unique role.

The same principle applies to your own life—you have specific roles in your family, at work, in your hobbies and organizations. Unfortunately, this understanding of roles and responsibilities doesn’t always carry over to the church.

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Radical Generosity: What Does It Really Mean?

A message from Darrin Chastain about kingdom economics and the transformative power of giving

When we think of “radical generosity,” what comes to mind? The widow who gave her last two coins? Zacchaeus pledging to give away half his wealth? Warren Buffett committing to donate 99% of his $100 billion fortune? Mother Teresa serving the poor in Calcutta?

These are all examples of giving that goes far beyond the ordinary—generosity that’s so different from the usual that we call it “radical.”

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Contagious Kindness: Becoming a Superspreader

From our Kingdom Economics series on service and generosity

Remember playing Follow the Leader as a kid? The leader moves, everyone follows. In our faith journey, we’re called to follow Jesus – the ultimate leader who modeled radical kindness and service. Here are his instructions to us today:

Matthew 5:16 – In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 10:8 – Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Luke 14:13-14 – …when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

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Heart Problems: When Money and Power Corrupt the Church

What happens when our relationship with wealth gets out of whack—especially in church?

The Rich Kids We All Knew

Remember being a kid and knowing which families had “made it”? Maybe it was the house with the U-shaped driveway (fancy!), the yellow Schwan’s delivery truck in the neighborhood, or that friend whose fridge dispensed ice AND water. For some of us, wealth meant indoor plumbing or electricity. For others, it was name-brand clothes from the actual mall—not the thrift store.

But as Bob Marley famously said, “Some people are so poor that all they have is money.” Growing up means realizing that behind those facades of wealth often lies emptiness. The big house nobody has time to enjoy. The fancy clothes covering broken hearts. The convenient meals replacing family dinners around the table.

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The Little Things: How Small Gifts Can Change the World

What if the most powerful gifts aren’t the expensive ones, but the small ones given with great love?

When Little Things Make Big Differences

Early 1900s New Orleans. A beat-up old cornet in a pawn shop window. A struggling teenage boy walks by it every day, dreaming of making music but unable to afford it. His employers advance him a few dollars from his paycheck, and he finally buys that worn instrument.

That boy was Louis Armstrong.

Or consider a poor family in Northern Mississippi who saved up to buy their son an old six-string guitar. That gift helped launch the career of Elvis Presley.

Then there’s the 10-year-old girl who begged her mother for a typewriter so she could write her stories. Her mother hesitated—what 10-year-old would actually use it long-term? But she bought it anyway. That girl, Octavia Butler, grew up to be one of the most influential science fiction authors of our generation.

The right gift given to the right person at the right time can change the world—no matter how big or small it is.

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Hold On Loosely: Breaking Free from the Grip of Money

From a sermon by Darrin Chastain, August 17, 2025.

“Giving away our possessions is the ultimate way to break their hold on us.”

We all wrestle with questions about money and giving: Should I tithe 10%? Does my giving have to go to my church? Will God bless me for giving or punish me for not giving? What if I’m barely scraping by?

While I have opinions on all these questions, today I want to focus on the foundational question: Why should I give my money away?

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