Bible Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 | Preacher: Joshua Burdette | Series: The Stories We Live By
We know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but we do it all the time. At times, our first impressions are accurate, but often, they mislead us. God seems to like surprises. He often binds the best stories in dusty old books with tattered covers. Join us this Sunday as we look at the story of a surprise new king and his anointing.
Bible Text: 1 Samuel 8:4–7; 10:17–19, 22–24; 13:1, 13–14 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: The Stories We Live By
Some of us have the tendency to take credit for our successes while blaming circumstances for our failures. But if God is sovereign, we must see our best traits—even our hard work and determination—as gifts that are not earned but received. Join us this week as we learn from the story of a king named Saul the danger of entitlement and the reward of trusting God.
Bible Text: 1 Samuel 4:1-11 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: The Stories We Live By
Some people carry a rabbit’s foot for good luck; others call upon a favorite saint to give them fortune; others still suppose that a cross around their neck will ward off calamity. Yet the God of the Bible cannot be conjured or manipulated. How can we trust a God whom we cannot control?
Bible Text: 1 Samuel 2:12, 17, 22–35 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: The Stories We Live By
Abuse of power, hypocrisy, absence of leadership—these realities seem to mark our world. Sadly, tragically, they also describe the church. In such a situation it is easy to become cynical and hard to trust authority. And yet, it seems, that at a fundamental level people cannot exist without leadership. In these dark times of scandal and abuse, where do God’s people turn? How can they move forward in the face of so much corruption. This week we will see that these are the exact questions that 1 Samuel asks and answers.
Bible Text: Exodus 20:1-7 | Preacher: Kyle Wells
On January 6, the world watched as riots in DC turned violent and threatened the lives of public servants in both parties. Some of the rioters claimed to be motivated by their Christian faith, donning Christian symbols into the Capitol. Others who claim to be Christ-followers have said they support the insurrection on the same basis. How should those seeking to follow the crucified Nazarene view and respond to such claims? Join us this week as we pause our current sermon series in order to see our current events through the lens of Scripture.
Bible Text: 1 Samuel 3:1–10, 19–21 | Preacher: Joshua Burdette | Series: The Stories We Live By
2020 was an especially disorienting year. It was difficult to discern truth from error, reality from fiction, and where to be confident and where to show circumspection. The good news is that we are not the first or only people to experience this. When we open the book of 1 Samuel, Israel is in a very similar situation. This week we are reminded that even though we live in a world with varying shades of gray, God does not leave his people without a clear witness to the truth, and is faithful to provide his word, which is a light in the darkness.
Bible Text: 1 Samuel 1:2-28; 2:1-2 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: The Stories We Live By
It’s the new year and everyone is looking to the future. We’re all hoping this year will be better than the last. But what if God is able to redeem good things out of all the hardships and pain we suffer? What if he is able to use even our failures to achieve his purposes? Join us this Sunday as we begin a new series looking at the stories of 1st and 2nd Samuel and how God brings good things out of hopeless situations again and again and again.
Bible Text: Luke 2:21–35 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Christmas
In times of crisis and confusion, we often utter the cliché, “God moves in mysterious ways.” It reminds us that God is always at work even when we don’t see him. Yet we still tend to expect that God’s work in this world will be unmistakable and obvious. How can we train our eyes to recognize the glorious work of God’s mission among us in the mundane and everyday things? Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Christmas and join the angels’ refrain: Glory to God in the Highest!
Bible Text: Luke 2:1–20 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Christmas
It may not have been the Christmas we’re used to, but it arrived nonetheless. The gifts have been opened, the egg nog has been drunk, the cookies have been eaten, and the families have been Zoomed. But in the midst of all the festivities, did you catch the beauty and mystery of Christmas? Did you consider who that baby in the manger would be and what he would do? God’s power in the world often comes in surprising and hidden ways. It takes faith to see it. How do we learn to detect his hand at work in the world?
Bible Text: Philippians 4:1–7 | Preacher: Joshua Burdette | Series: Advent: Living with Expectation
We hear the words to the famous Christmas carol at coffee shops and retail stores this time of year—joy to the world, the Lord has come! Yet in reality, joy seems elusive and fleeting to most of us. Is it possible to have joy even in the midst of dark and painful seasons? Is there anything we can do to produce joy? This Sunday we celebrate Advent and learn to wait for Christ with joy.