Martin Luther, the firebrand of the Protestant Reformation, was once asked why he persistently preached about justification by faith. He answered, "Every week I preach justification by faith to my people because every week they forget it."

I. The Man of Faith. The Bible has many examples of odd characters God used to fulfill His will. No one would choose the Jewish people or Abraham, Jacob, Rahab, Gideon, David, Jeremiah, Peter, or Paul to advance the divine purpose. None had reason to boast when chosen by God, but pride causes us to stumble thinking God would use people or create circumstances which offend our modern values.
Really, Samson’s story of faith is the story of every believer. Not a respecter of persons, God has made history using the unexpected to fulfill His eternal plan (Deut 7:1-9; 1 Cor 1:18-31). And that’s appropriate, because it shines the attention upon the Almighty who works by grace rather than the one He uses.
Samson was unusual. He was holy, separated unto God’s service from the womb and his conception announced by an angel. He was declared to be Israel’s savior, and empowered by the Spirit. He was rejected by his own people, arrested and given by Israel to her enemies. In the end, he was tortured and made a spectacle, yet achieved his greatest victory in death. These are remarkable pictures of another unusual deliverer, the Deliverer, Jesus of Nazareth!

II. The Ground of Faith (Hebrews 11:32-34). Samson is listed among the men and women of faith, of whom God says were righteous (Heb 11:4), pleased God (Heb 11:5), and of whom He was not ashamed (Heb 11:16). Each proved victorious in a great challenge while none were perfect or sinless. Each of these point the reader to Jesus (Heb 12:1-2).
But faith in Jesus isn’t an excuse to sin; faith is the only ground upon which the sinner stands. Faith isn’t about being perfect or sinless, but trusting God through all things.
Despite his moral failings, Samson knew God had chosen him to deliver Israel. While reluctant to take the role, he still delivered Israel by the gifting of the Holy Spirit. His pride was a constant stain on his character, yet he trusted God to be faithful to His promise. Samson didn’t attack Philistines because he was strong; he was weak. He didn’t enter Gaza because he was brave; he was naïve. Samson didn’t begin to deliver Israel because he had a great plan; he was out for his own pleasure. Samson’s exploits were the result of faith in a God, who before Samson was born made a promise. That is faith! And his faith, while hidden to our eyes, was best revealed in his death.

III. The Discipline of Faith (1 Cor 9:19-27). The life of Samson is a lesson for us. He began so well. He had every opportunity and advantage, yet struggled every step of his spiritual journey. So is the struggle in our Christian lives.
Genuine faith received by God’s grace in Christ Jesus is a disciplining virtue (Titus 2:11-15). We must run the race set before us to win, not merely for exercise, to wear a uniform, or receive the applause of a crowd. We must set aside the weight and sin that so easily besets us and keep looking to Jesus (Heb 12:1-2). We must be willing to sacrifice to reach the goal.
Paul had a spiritual goal mentioned 4 times in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. That goal required discipline. Success requires discipline, and discipline can be painful. Without discipline, Paul would disqualify himself from his spiritual race. This was not the race to be saved, for salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, but the race of effectual ministry.