Biblically Based, Christ Centered, Caring Community in Annapolis, MD
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
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
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
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
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 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
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)
Relationships die from neglect if we do not realize their importance and work through relationslips to keep them healthy.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
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
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
Israel rejected the LORD as their King, preferring to led by a human king to be like the nations around them.
1 Samuel 8
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
The prophets spoke of the Messiah who would come to restore the hope of God’s people.
Isaiah 42:1-4
The blessed life for which we were created is not found in the technology of the iWorld and the glow of its screens but in the Presence of God and real human relationships.
Psalm 20:7
We are called to live for that which endures – things which have been passed down for generations, and which should be passed on to generations to come. But we live in a world of perpetual novelty, which is dominated by the trendy and the trivial, and is often disdainful of that which has gone before.
Psalm 78:1-8