And just when you thought political conflict is past, we read the Christmas story. It’s not about happy trees and shiny tinsel. Not presents, parties and nostalgia. Not Santa and sweets. It’s about Regime Change, the coming of a king whose reign of grace and truth confronts, and displaces, every pathetic counterfeit that masquerades as the hope of the world. This Sunday we launch an advent series in Luke 2. Its about “good news of great joy” and why we must rejoice. This week, the good news is a...
Dec 01, 2024•34 min
David was no stranger to grief. The Psalms are full of his accounts of grief, sorrow, and lament. This is to be expected of a man who lived the kind of life that David did. But what about the people of God today? How are we to respond to hurt in our lives? How are we to respond when people who have hurt us experience their own hurt, pain, or even death? As we prepare to close the book on this journey through the writings of Samuel, I encourage you to turn the page to 2 Samuel 1 and look at how a...
Nov 24, 2024•43 min
This weekend we return to the story of Saul, the first king of Israel. Chapter 28 invites us into the final hours of Saul's life and one final act that will ultimately define Saul's legacy. This is a strange story that includes an overwhelming army, a desperate journey into sorcery, and a theological conundrum about forgiveness, repentance, and rejection.
Nov 17, 2024•46 min
"Then David said in his heart…" These opening words of 1 Samuel 27 introduce a time in David's life when he relied on his own wisdom and chose a path that seemed right to him, but it led him further away from the identity God had given him. Only through God's relentless grace will David be reminded of who he truly is and the purpose God has for his life. As we prepare to dive into God’s Word, take a moment to reflect on areas in your own life where you've relied on your own wisdom and strayed fr...
Nov 10, 2024•46 min
This week in I Samuel 25, the narrative takes a break from the Saul-David conflict and instead describes an interaction between David and some of the people of Israel he has been anointed to lead, including a wealthy kinsman of David’s, Nabal, and Nabal’s wife, Abigail. Each of them will take on an identity in one of the most compelling relationship triangles in all of the Bible.
Nov 03, 2024•37 min
In the past several weeks we've seen David on the defensive.This week is different. He literally catches Saul with his pants down, and he has a choice to make: Does my enemy live or die? How would you respond to such an opportunity? Given Saul's wicked conduct the previous few chapters, it might seem like an obvious choice. But David isn't your average guy. He is seeking God's will and God's heart. So what would God want him to do? Read all of 1 Samuel 24 before Sunday and come ready to be blown...
Oct 27, 2024•42 min
This week in 1 Samuel 23, David hears back from Yahweh (unlike Saul). Some of what he hears is comforting…but there’s also confusion. Just because God speaks, it doesn't mean that David necessarily understands it or agrees with it. The same could be said for us. Do you hear from God? What does He say? How can you know His will for your life? On Sunday we’ll see what David depended on to hear from God. And we’ll see how that foreshadowed the Better David. And we’ll see what that means for how we ...
Oct 20, 2024•45 min
When we read 1 Samuel, it might be tempting for us to reduce Saul and David to two-dimensional characters; Saul = bad guy; David = good guy. Don’t be like Saul. Be like David. But humans are a lot more complex and complicated than that. Although history and geography may lead us to feel distant from David’s life, this week we'll see some similarities (and not great ones) between David’s choices and our own. He’s more relatable and this passage is more relevant than I expected at the start. And I...
Oct 13, 2024•42 min
As we prepare to gather and worship Jesus this Sunday, I encourage you to read 1 Samuel 18-20, paying careful attention to how God works to accomplish His purposes. While we plan to cover a lot of ground, I believe we will discover one overarching story of God's provision overcoming human intentions. And yes, we will discuss the "evil spirits" sent by Yahweh!
Oct 06, 2024•42 min
Goliath has fallen, the people of God are saved, and a young shepherd from the hill country of Judah becomes an overnight celebrity: the messiah of Israel! Yet creeping through the shouts of celebration is an enemy far greater than any giant on a battlefield. As the hearts of Israel turn towards David, the heart of Saul turns against him. As we approach 1 Samuel 18 this weekend, I invite you to read over the text and prayerfully ask this question: How do I respond when the Messiah arrives?...
Sep 29, 2024•33 min
"With courage like David, you too can face Goliath!" Sound familiar? For many, the story of David and Goliath has been reduced to a children's Sunday school lesson or a metaphor for sports and personal challenges. While we love a good underdog story, when it comes to facing the 'giants' in our lives, we often seek more than slings and stones to solve Goliath-sized problems. But what if this story is more than a metaphor for dealing with hard things? What if you and I aren’t the hero of the story...
Sep 22, 2024•43 min
This week we renew our 1 Samuel series “The Problem with Crowns,” picking up the story where we left off; Saul is out as Israel’s king, and God says he has found Himself a new and better version. He sends Samuel on a dangerous mission to identify and anoint a new king, even while the old king is still on the throne. Samuel thinks he’s found the right guy, but God tells him not to trust his eyes. He tells him, “The LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks...
Sep 15, 2024•44 min
Paul concludes his letter to the church in Philippi sharing the state of his contentment. Where and how does Paul have this kind of contentment? He’s been laying a foundation through the entire letter. This week our pastoral team provides a discussion reviewing Paul’s letter and we’ll share what we think Paul means when it comes to true contentment. He ends with gratitude to the church in Philippi for their love and generosity, providing for him.
Sep 08, 2024•53 min
Sep 01, 2024•41 min
Last week we saw Paul look back at his past, B.C. (Before Christ). This week we look at his life, post conversion, in the present, A.D. (After the road to Damascus). But his secret to living in the present is by focusing on the future. “For to me to live (present) is Christ and to die (future) is gain." Philippians 3 is all about Paul's past, present and future. And it's true for us, too. Come and see your story in light of who you were, who you are, and who you will be, because of Jesus Christ....
Aug 25, 2024•49 min
As we come to the halfway point of Paul's letter to the Philippian church, we are interrupted with what seems like a couple of travelogues. Timothy's future plans, Paul's hopes, and instructions about welcoming home the otherwise unknown Epaphroditus. While personal updates and instructions aren't abnormal in Pauline epistles, it is a little strange that Paul places them right in the middle of this communication to the Philippians. This should cause us to pause and ask: why? Why does Paul seem t...
Aug 11, 2024•38 min
This week we continue chapter 2 in Philippians and consider how The Gospel is…Witness. Funny thing about this title…witness is not mentioned in last week’s scripture, nor in this week’s passage. Christians often talk about the trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). But the word “trinity” isn’t found in the Bible. The concept is present even when the word is absent. The same is true about the word witness this week; the concept is present even though the word is nowhere to be found. Read ahead in Ph...
Aug 04, 2024•48 min
This week we begin chapter 2 in Philippians and consider how The Gospel is…Humility. I have followed Jesus for over half my life. I like to think that I understand the concept of humility. I like to think that I demonstrate it regularly. I read this week, “Humility is one of those things that if you think you have it, you don’t.” Ouch. Spoiler Alert: We all need it more than we think we do. Not just for our personal growth, but as we’ll see on Sunday…for the good of unity in the Body of Christ. ...
Jul 28, 2024•34 min
“Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God.” - Sam Storms The themes of joy and rejoicing are ever present in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. This joy is not based on Paul’s current situation, but on his hope in what he knows, what he expects, and what he longs to see. The Gospel is… Worth It
Jul 21, 2024•35 min
One day, a group of unassuming travelers entered a city with a simple mission: to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After several days, two miracles, and a few salvations, the travelers left at the request of the city officials. What they left behind would go on to have an impact on the future church movement across all of Europe and beyond. What was left behind? The Church of Philippi. Join us this Sunday as we begin our study of Philippians and see how the Gospel is... a community partnership...
Jul 14, 2024•42 min
Jul 07, 2024•59 min
Jun 16, 2024•47 min
How do you know whether you are living according to God’s standard as a true spiritual leader? In today’s text, we will focus on three specific situations where King Saul behaved as a false spiritual leader. During the sermon, we will discuss a biblical standard for discerning whether you are living as a true or false spiritual leader. Ask God to show you what you need from Him to shine as lights in this crooked and twisted generation.
Jun 09, 2024•48 min
This Sunday we will be introduced to a new character who will continue to shine through the pages of scripture as another man after God's heart. One who will be true and loyal and seemingly without vice in every situation he is presented to us. His name is Jonathan. And in I Samuel 14:1-23 he will be given to us so we can compare/contrast him with his father Saul. What does faith look like and what does it not look like?
Jun 02, 2024•39 min
In I Samuel 13 our King Saul is finally ready to step into obedience and clear the Philistines out of the Promised Land. It starts out very well, and he goes to Gilgal to wait 7 days on Samuel as directed. Maybe Saul is our guy after all! But what happens when things get worse after obeying God? What happens when Samuel doesn't arrive in a timely fashion? What happens when his troops begin to desert him?
May 26, 2024•50 min
In I Samuel 12 we experience the height of Samuel's priestly ministry to God's people. Samuel explains God's faithfulness and brings the Hebrew nation to their knees in repentance and regret. But it's what he shares with them after this moment that will give them (and all of us) hope for a flourishing future beyond, and maybe even because of their (our) past sins.
May 19, 2024•58 min
Samuel has anointed Saul and announced him to the twelve tribes as Israel's first king. "Long live the king!" But last week's passage ended with an ominous cliffhanger: But some worthless fellows said, "How can this man (Saul) save us?" Chapter 11 begins with an enemy invasion of one of the young kingdom’s outlying territories. This passage provides a real-time answer to that rhetorical question....but the answer isn't obvious. Saul will get a second chance to embrace God's call and commission. ...
May 12, 2024•44 min
Saul has been called and identified to kingship by the prophet of God. So now Samuel shares a path with Saul that will bring him more personal confirmation of his calling, and also provide an opportunity to initiate his role of protector, captain and savior of his people. Will Saul embrace his role, or will he avoid and abandon his calling?
May 05, 2024•47 min
"God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform; he plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines, of never-failing skill; he fashions up his bright designs, and works his sovereign will." William Cowper I Samuel 9 is all about the unfathomable providence of God. Donkeys go missing, and Israel finds her King. In a series of disconnected, random and normal events, we will see through to the other side of the tapestry, and notice that they are connect...
Apr 28, 2024•46 min
In chapter 8 of I Samuel the people and the leaders of Israel come to Samuel and request a King to rule over them. Samuel doesn't like this request. God doesn't seem to like it either. And yet, God tells Samuel to obey the voice of his people and give them a King. And so, the monarchy begins in this ambiguous and enigmatic way. Maybe this chapter is about something else bigger altogether? Maybe this is yet another story that God keeps telling us over and over again all through the Old Testament....
Apr 21, 2024•44 min
