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.