Luke 2:8-20 - The Angel's Song

In this message, we focus on the song of the angels following the announcement to the shepherds of Christ’s birth. As observers of Christ's advent, the angels remind us that the events of Christmas are an incredible demonstration of the glory of the God and the execution of His marvelous and eternal plan of redemption.

Read Online: Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:8-20 - The Shepherd's Song

We look at the shepherds’ worship in Luke 2. Unlike Mary, Zechariah, the angels, or Simeon, we are not told the content of their song, but their response in glorifying and praising God demonstrates the response of those who see their need in light of God’s grace.

Read Online: Luke 2:8-20

Luke 1:68-79 - Zechariah’s Benediction

We prepare for Christmas in this Advent season by focusing on the songs of joy in Luke. In this message we look at the Benedictus, Zechariah’s song of praise in Luke 1:68-79, whose own silence is broken signaling God’s speaking mercy to His people.

Luke 1:46-55 - Mary's Magnificat

We prepare for Christmas in this Advent season by focusing on the songs of joy in Luke. In this message, we will look at the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46-55, wherein she praises her Savior for God’s rescue of the humble based on His covenant promise.

2 Samuel 24 - Trusting God's Mercy

We conclude our look at the life of David in 2 Samuel 24. God uses David’s senseless census to humble David, causing him to trust God’s provision and pointing us to the need for atonement. David’s purchasing Araunah’s threshing floor sets the stage for the building of the Temple and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

2 Samuel 23:1-7 - David's Last Will and Testament

We read David’s final words in 2 Samuel 23:1-7. Rather than just look back to his own glories or even review God’s grace in his life, David points forward, describing God’s kingdom ruled by David’s son, Jesus Christ.

2 Samuel 22

David gives thanks for God’s protective care in 2 Samuel 22. As the great king takes stock of his life, he recounts, from God’s perspective, how His Heavenly Father has cared for him, resulting in his praise.

Mark 11:12-12:12

This week we will examine the demonstrations of Jesus' authority in Mark 11 and 12, an authority which was denied by the Pharisees and doubted by Peter. In this passage, Jesus reminds us of our tendencies to doubt His authority as we pray and as we forgive others.

Mark 11:1-11

In this message, we examine the well-known story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Sadly, this story is really more of a tragedy, as the people fail to recognize the true nature of their Redeemer and five days later call for His crucifixion.

2 Samuel 19:9-40

David, returning from civil war, encounters people expressing their regrets: one for actions done in the past, another who was slandered, and a third who refuses a kind offer by the king. David once again points us to our Lord’s kindness to us and His restoring power.

2 Samuel 18-19:8

A reminder that the news we hear so often is a mixture of good and bad, that even in the best of circumstances joy is mixed with sorrow. The death of David’s son Absalom ends the strife of civil war, but grief overtakes gladness. Nevertheless, we have reason for a confident joy as we trust in the Man of Sorrows who is our reigning King.

Mark 10:17-31,46-52

In this sermon, Pastor Ferguson compares and contrasts two well-known stories – the rich young ruler and the healing of blind Bartimaeus. Both claimed to have faith, but in the end their faiths were revealed to have different perspectives and confidence in different people. This passage challenges us to consider the authenticity of our faith and to cry out to God once again, “Help my unbelief!”

2 Samuel 16:15 - 17:23

David’s prayer for Ahithophel’s counsel to Absalom to be turned to foolishness is answered. 2 Samuel 16:15-17:23 shows the tragic ends of those who reject God’s counsel and that the Ahithophels of the world cannot vanquish the armies of God.

2 Samuel 16:1-14

We see how words are used for smooth talk or trash talk, flattery or condemnation. In this passage, David is confronted by Ziba who lies to benefit from David’s circumstances, and then by Shimei who takes David’s disaster to heap greater denunciation upon the king. David’s response shows us our need to critique both acclaim and criticism.

2 Samuel 15

David’s sinful actions and passivity receive their rewards as Absalom mounts a revolt against his father, the king. 2 Samuel 15 is a sad picture as David flees Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 14

In this sermon, we see the continued downward spiral of David and his reign as the royal family refuses to own their own failures by manipulating one another to create an aura of reconciliation. 2 Samuel 14 is an eerie reminder of the games all families may play.

Mark 10:13-16

Looking at a passage where the disciples devalued children and where Jesus rebukes the disciples. He reminds them of the value of children in the kingdom of God and in the covenant community. He uses a childlike faith as an example of the faith we should all have.

Mark 10:1-12

In this sermon, we will examine Jesus’ words to the Pharisees on divorce. However, when we dig deeper into the spirit of what Jesus is saying, we realize that not only is Jesus speaking against divorce, but establishing the pattern for all marriages. Rather than congratulate ourselves for not being divorced, we must see that we all fall short of God’s perfect pattern for marriage and desperately need the saving grace of our spiritual bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

2 Samuel 13

In today's sermon we see the ongoing consequences of David’s sin as the sword cuts through David’s own house. In 2 Samuel 13, the horrific events of rape and murder remind us of our brokenness and need of God’s restoring grace.

2 Samuel 12:15b-25

In 2 Samuel 12:15b-25, the first consequence of David’s sin is realized. His child becomes ill and dies. Despite the agony of losing a child, God’s faithfulness to His promise is seen.

2 Samuel 12:1-15 - Grace That Shatters Isolation

In 2 Samuel 12:1-15, we witness God’s confrontation of David following his adultery and murder. There we see both repentance and the ongoing consequences of sin begin to be spelled out.

2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba

Throughout 1 and 2 Samuel, David repeatedly pictures his great Son, Jesus Christ. In 2 Samuel 11, David’s fallen nature is most clearly seen. Gazing upon the bathing Bathsheba, David’s desires foment adultery and murder. While God’s gracious forgiveness does not come out until the next chapter, here we see the warning for all of us as to how we must conduct our lives.

2 Samuel 9 - Faithful to His Promise

Up to this point in David’s life, we have seen God’s hand in establishing His servant as king in Israel. In so many ways, David’s life clearly points to that of his descendent, Jesus Christ. Beginning in 2 Samuel 9, we see how David lives out this calling in his life. In this chapter, David’s choices demonstrate the implications of the promise God has made to him as David welcomes the lame son of Jonathan. In the coming chapters, his choices will not always be so good.

2 Samuel 7:18-29 - Responding to God's Promises

In this sermon, we come to a high point, not only in David’s life, but in God’s story of redemption. 2 Samuel 7:18-29 gives David’s response to God’s promise to establish David’s line forever. David marvels at God’s plans for His people based on His promise.

Mark 9:42-50 - Now or Later

We will be studying an often misunderstood and confusing passage. The fact that each of the three synoptic gospel writers uses this passage differently, and some of them multiple times, makes its interpretation even more difficult. Mark appears to be using this passage to remind us of the eternal fires of judgment, calling us to realize that while the path of life involves suffering and pain here on earth, we have hope in an eternal reward.

2 Samuel 7:1-17 - God's Eternal Kingdom

We come to a high point, not only in David’s life, but in God’s story of redemption. 2 Samuel 7:1-17 tells of David’s desire to build God a house, but instead God promises to build David’s household. The promise that David’s throne would be established forever is understood in the New Testament to speak of Christ’s eternal reign.

2 Samuel 6 - Etiquette in God's presence

David’s early act as king is to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the new capital city, Jerusalem, in 2 Samuel 6. In the midst of this great celebration, two tragedies occur: Uzzah dies seeking to protect the Ark from falling and Michal is cursed for her cynicism. The answer to the terrifying events that bookend this chapter is expressed in David’s oddly permissible priestly acts.

2 Samuel 5 - Christ's Kingdom Established

God’s kingdom under David is established in 2 Samuel 5. Here we read of seemingly unrelated events, all of which point to God keeping His promise to David. This picture of God’s promise to His people down through the ages encourages us today as we too await the consummation.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 - A Christian Focus

In this sermon we examine how the Apostle Paul described his arrival in the city of Corinth, focused on his mission of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. A gospel focus was essential in Corinth, a city filled with distractions, and it remains essential for the Church today, living in an age of religious fads and empty gospels.

Mark 9:33-41, 10:35-45 - Greatness Redefined

In this sermon, we are reminded by the disciples' foolish arguments and requests that humans have a natural desire to be great. Jesus does not raise issue with this desire, but with the fact that most people desire to be great in order to be served. Jesus addresses this selfish attitude by redefining what it means to be great and what it means to serve, presenting Himself as the ultimate example.

2 Samuel 4

Sermon Audio Temporarily Unavilable

A trained team of rescue hamsters is furiously digging through digital rubble in search of this sermon. When the audio is found, their squeals of joy will be heard throughout the land.




Sermon Summary:

As David seeks to secure his rightful rule over all of Judah and Israel as God had promised, there are those who imagine that their form of judgment aids God’s program. In 2 Samuel 4, we see too clearly our own sense of justice that ignores God’s merciful work in the lives of those who otherwise oppose Him.

Mark 9 - Life in the Valley

In this sermon, we are taking a look at Jesus' transfiguration and the failure of the disciples to cast a demon out of a young boy. Although these appear unrelated on the surface, Mark places them together to remind us that the glorious God of the mountain is present with us in the realities of the valley.

2 Samuel 3

The intrigue of power and politics forms the backdrop of repentance and forgiveness. 2 Samuel 3 is unflinching in its portrayal of the depth of human corruption, but it also powerfully pictures God’s restoring grace.