Sola Gratia (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Israel Needs a Humble King (Pt 2 - 1 Samuel 25 & 26)

1 Samuel 25-26 Joshua Handford Tune in as Pastor Josh preaches from 1 Samuel 25 & 26 this morning: “This is the regular means of God’s grace: one of the greatest blessings possible is the church! The people of God! In recent chapters David was rescued by God through the faithfulness of Jonathan, and now through the faithfulness of Abigail. In both the first and last chapters of this section (1 Samuel 24 and 26) David has his strong moments. His men are like ‘Let’s kill Saul now!’ and David is like ‘No, no, no. That would not be right. Let’s leave it to God. Leave vengeance to God.’ In both these chapters, David boldly confronts Saul with Saul’s sin. Humbles himself. Makes himself nothing before Saul. David is like ‘I’m a flea. I’m like a dead dog. But Saul, you should not incur the wrath of God on yourself this way.’ But in the middle section, David has weakness, as we all do. In my life, church, God has shown me that he is not going to allow me to have the strength on my own. That doesn’t serve His glory…this is the regular means of God’s grace: to use the church — one another — to humbly and gently confront…”

Solus Christus (John 14:1-6)

Solus Christus (John 14:1-6) Leighton Hickman Tune in as Pastor Leighton continues to preach through his series on Doctrine, today visiting the 4th Sola: Solus Christus: “Friends, Christ Alone should be the easiest sola to speak on. Jesus is the only way. But the unbelieving world has to attack it, because of sin, it is the only option available to them. Sinners had to fight against God. And yet…however…notwithstanding…BUT: the greatest attack on the Christian church is never from the outside, but has always come from within. History bears this out, when the unbelieving world rages against the church, the church only gets stronger, but when the church stagnates, gets comfortable, ponders endless theories, looks for ways around tough verses, then false teachings and tiny little lies creep in and cause the unimaginable damage. Christ Alone should be the biggest no brainer to speak on. Christ Alone should be the shortest sermon in the series. Look! Jesus is the only way! There done. But church, Christ Alone is always, most under attack, from within the church.”

Israel Needs a Humble King (Pt 1 - 1 Samuel 24)

Israel Needs a Humble King (1 Samuel 24) Joshua Handford Tune in as Pastor Josh preaches from 1 Samuel 24 this morning: “As the one who feared the Lord, David did not choose the way of self-realization by getting rid of his enemy by himself. In other words, David didn’t allow himself to disobey God’s commands by interpreting this occasion as a God-given opportunity to commit murder. Rather than to take things into his own hand, David was patient and willing to entrust the matter to God’s good judgement…And so once again, David swallows his pride for the sake of peace…Let us consider how David, in this chapter, points to Christ Jesus, the greater Son of David…Because of Christ’s obedience, even allowing himself to stand before unjust tribunals and kangaroo courts, and bearing the sentence of death on a cross, and because his Spirit now dwells in each of those who likewise lay down their lives to follow him…You and I can now also glorify God by humbling ourselves, even before the proud.”

Israel Needs a King Who Is On God's Side (1 Samuel 23 and Psalm 54)

Israel Needs a King Who Is On God's Side (1 Samuel 23) Joshua Handford Tune in as Pastor Josh preaches from 1 Samuel 23 this morning: “God is not on your side, but you can be on God’s side. We know if we are on God’s side if we are dedicated to fulfill his purposes, his agenda, and for his glory…God was not on David’s side, per se, but David was on God’s side. He was not expecting God to achieve his goals, but had committed himself to God’s goals, this is why he prays (Psalm 57:2) ‘I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.’ And he states with confidence (Psalm 138:8) ‘The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me…’…We think that Saul is insane for thinking that God is blessing his endeavors and helping him to catch David; that God is blessing those who help him get what he wants. But how many professing Christians believe and act the same way?  Confidently pursuing our own agenda, our own desires, our own purposes, and then expecting that God will come alongside and help us out? The church is full of Sauls’. Church, you only have God on your side if you have taken God’s side. You can only expect the protection and faithfulness of God—as David did—if you have given up living for yourself and now live for God…”

Israel Needs a King Who Honors God (1 Samuel 22 and Psalm 57)

Israel Needs a King Who Honors God (1 Samuel 22 and Psalm 57) Joshua Handford Tune in as Pastor Josh preaches from 1 Samuel 22 and Psalm 57 this morning: “You see, church, that faith towards God is not merely believing that he exists, or even believing that he can help us in every situation, but faithfully acting on that belief. Living as though what we say we believe is true! ‘I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me,’ (Ps 57:2) even if that purpose does not bring about immediate relief from my discomfort. We exist for the glory of God, so let our prayer continuously go forth: Be exalted in me, O God, above the heavens!  Let your glory be revealed in your church over all the earth! God did exalt himself greatly in David, who was not alone in the cave, and his physical solitude was soon relieved…The warning to us church, is that, as with Saul, the judgment of God does not always wait until we breathe our final breath, but if we are disobedient to his word, and do not live for his glory, he may give us over to the terrible results of our rebellion. According to Romans 1, this is the ‘wrath of God… revealed.’ When people fail to honor God rightfully, and fail to give him the thanksgiving he deserves, they are often given over to the foolishness of their hearts…”