John the Baptist prepares the way by preaching repentance, proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven is near, and facing off with the Pharisees and Sadducees. Anticipation builds: if this is Elijah, who is to follow? Join us as we consider John’s challenge and its connections to Jesus’ later preaching.

As we approach the end of 1 Samuel the cliffhangers mount, and each resolution leads to new questions. Leaving Saul in the dark we turn to 1 Samuel 29 and consider David’s predicament, in the pay of a Philistine commander as their armies muster to attack Israel. Will he end up on the wrong side of the battlefield? And if so, what will he do when the arrows begin to fly?

God intervenes to settle David’s difficulty, only for him to stumble into a whole new set of challenges in chapter 30. But through a maze of layered contrasts David is shown to be the king Israel needs, though not the one who rules them right now.
Meanwhile, back in the north, what will become of Saul and the armies of Israel? Stay tuned!

In 1 Samuel 24, we encounter a unique situation where there are two anointed figures, David and Saul, face off once again. David, is confronted with a moral dilemma and the angst of his men when he finds Saul vulnerable in a cave but chooses not to harm him. Instead, he cuts off the corner of Saul’s robe, bringing to mind the words of Samuel in 1 Sam 15:27–28. Truly the kingdom is being ripped away from Saul but David does not chose to play the hand that brings it down. Instead, David relies on God’s providence, spares Saul’s life, and leaves the outcome in God’s hands. David exemplifies his faith in divine justice and the belief that God will ultimately establish His chosen ruler.

The wall is built, the doors are set, the surrounding peoples have fallen in their own esteem as they detect the Lord’s hand at work. And yet danger remains. Join us as we consider the next chapter and see the necessity of guarding the church, of building up the church, and of leaning on the Lord as he manifests this protection and growth in his church across generations.

What does it look like to take up the whole armor of God in the face of determined opposition? This morning we consider (1) the death throes of a defeated enemy, (2) the strategies of a prepared warrior, and (3) wearing the armor of God today. As we consider Nehemiah in light of Ephesians 6:10–20 we see a living example of what it looks like to put on the whole armor of God.

Nehemiah 3 What have we to learn from a long… read more

Once again Paul urges the Philippians to imitate his example, warning them of the danger posed by enemies of the cross. But we are heavenly citizens, and look forward to a resurrection like Christ’s. It is this resurrection hope that enables us to stand firm.