Remember
Do not be enticed into worshiping things that the Lord has given to the whole world. For you have been made the Lord’s inheritance.
Deuteronomy 4:10; 15-20
The Story : Sin and Exile
The great dilemma in the Christmas story surrounds the problem of sin, which produces our exile from God, His purposes, and His blessing.
Genesis 3:23-24
All In: The Joy of a God-Centered Life
A life that is centered on glorifying God is full of joy, because God is supremely worthy and it is why we were created.
1 Corinthians 10:31; Psalm 16:11
Reversing The Curse
The sin of mankind’s arrogance at the Tower of Babel brought about the curse of confused languages and the splintering and scattering of mankind. Nevertheless, the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus is undoing the effect of that curse of Babel in anticipation of the total and final reversal of the Curse.
Genesis 11:1-9
Peace For The City
Christians are called to seek shalom (peace) for their city through prayer, godly speech, working with others to promote human flourishing, and always promoting the Gospel as the only hope for true shalom.
Jeremiah 29:7
Behold Christ!
The ancient church saw the Gospels as a fulfillment of Ezekiel and John’s visions, and as testimonies to Christ – who is the focal point of all of God’s revelation.
Ezekiel 1:4-11; Revelation 4:6-11
The Refreshment of Rest
Sabbath rest is not a legalistic restriction but rather a gift from God to allow us to be refreshed as we rest from normal activities so we can focus on God and His provision for us.
Leviticus 23:1-3
How The Mighty Have Fallen
Saul fell because he did not really seek to know God and His will, preferring to attempt to manipulate God into blessing his own desires and actions.
1 Samuel 28-2 Samuel 1; 1 Chronicles 10 (1 Samuel 28:4-7; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14; 2 Samuel 1:17-27)
A Wicked King
Over time, Saul’s sin grew from a lack of personal integrity to consulting witches – with devastating effects for himself and those under his leadership.
1 Samuel 18-28 (1 Samuel 18:20-22; 28:3-7)
A Jealous King
When Saul was rejected as king because of his sin, rather than repenting and finding his identity in God, he let his jealousy drive him to fear and despise others.
1 Samuel 16-28 (1 Samuel 16: 14-23; 18: 5-17)
A Rebellious King Is Rejected
Saul was rejected as king because he feared others and did not obey God’s word, and then made excuses for his sin, hoping that the rituals of worship would excuse his rebellion.
1 Samuel 15 (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
The Compulsive And Confused King
Saul is a compulsive man, full of rash and foolish actions, rooted in his confusion over how to walk in God’s favor.
1 Samuel 13:1-15
The LORD’s Anointed King
The anointed kings of Israel serve as a picture of Jesus, the Anointed One, Who faithfully rules us forever and has anointed us with the Spirit.
1 Samuel 10-12; 1 Samuel 10:1-10
Great Expectations – The Rise Of Saul
When Israel demanded a king, God graciously provided Saul, a man of great promise possessing the characteristics Israel desired, to lead the people under Yahweh their King.
1 Samuel 9-10 (1 Samuel 9:15-21)
Slip Sliding Away
Relationships die from neglect if we do not realize their importance and work through relationslips to keep them healthy.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Slipping Into Something More Comfortable
Longing for acceptance we have fallen captive to shame and fear – which condemns us to relationships of isolation and apathy. Now our rescue can only be found in perfect integrity.
Genesis 3:11
Slip of the Tongue
Relationships can be strengthened or damaged by words – which are the overflow of the heart – and repairing them requires confession and repentance in word and deed.
Proverbs 12:18
A King for Israel
Israel rejected the LORD as their King, preferring to led by a human king to be like the nations around them.
1 Samuel 8
The LORD Reigns
Our God reigns over all things, and this calls for a response of repentance, worship, and remembrance of God’s work in our behalf.
1 Samuel 5-7
Ichabod – The Glory Is Gone
People often superstitiously believe that they can guarantee God’s favor and protection through external rituals, but His favor is only received through genuine faith.
1 Samuel 4
The Word and the Prophet
An absence of God’s Word is a great curse, but God is faithful to raise up true prophets to speak forth His word.
1 Samuel 3
Holy People and Unholy Priests
The fundamental problem for all humans is our rejection of the reign of God, preferring to do what is right in our own eyes, which leads to chaos and curse rather than God’s blessing.
1 Samuel 2 (1 Samuel 2:11-18)
When Anarchy Reigned
The fundamental problem for all humans is our rejection of the reign of God, preferring to do what is right in our own eyes, which leads to chaos and curse rather than God’s blessing.
Judges 21:25
Facing A New Year In Faith
Christians do not know the future, but we should face it in faith, trusting that our Sovereign God will work all things for our good.
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
God’s Song of Love
Because of the coming of Christ, God is with us, delivering us from our enemies and saving us from our sins, as He delights in us and sings His song of love over us.
Zephaniah 3:14-17