In today's service, we hear from two of our members about how Jesus changed their lives. Their stories of God's grace remind us that Jesus came to save sinners who could not save themselves.
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 What does strong leadership look like in today's world? Can a leader be both strong and humble? Can they have close friends? In today's continuing study from 1 Samuel 23, we find leadership qualities in David that apply to all of us whether we hold a formal title or not. Video of Service  What should our response to the coronavirus pandemic be? In today’s message Pastor Charles applies several passages of Scripture to how we should think and act during this difficult time. Video of Service  God gives leaders to empower and protect, not punish and persecute. One of the saddest reversals of this divine plan, even horrific, is King Saul's systematic slaughter of God's priests in the city of Nob. Saul's jealousy of David has driven him to do the unspeakable. His actions reveal characteristics of abusive leadership that are alive and well today. We pick up our study in 1 Samuel 22. Video of Service  In his book, The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey relates a story told to him by a friend who worked with the “down and out” in Chicago. The friend told him that a woman of ill repute in wretched straits, homeless, sick, and unable to buy food for her daughter came to his shelter. Through sobs and tears, she confessed that in order to make ends meet, she needed her daughter to help in “the business.” Yancey’s friend could hardly bear to hear her sordid story. He had no idea what to say and finally asked if she ever thought of going to a church for help. “Church!” She cried. Why would I ever go there? I was already feeling terrible about myself. They would just make me feel worse.” In 1 Samuel 21, we find a man in similar circumstances, “down and out” in wretched straits, homeless and hungry, looking for help among God’s people. Instead of being made to feel worse, he is helped and encouraged. It is a beautiful illustration of the grace God’s people can give today when relationships are valued above strict rule keeping. Video of Service  Their friendship stood in stark contrast to the world around them. Political chaos, war, immorality, religious apathy and constant civil unrest littered the national landscape. Sound familiar? We could very well be talking about current events and yet these are descriptions of life in Israel over 3000 years ago. As we pick up our study in 1 Samuel 20, we read where Jonathan and David's love for each other highlights the value of covenant community. Their God centered relationship stands as a reminder that we too can experience an oasis of life in the middle of a dry desert through meaningful relationships 1 Samuel 20 Video of Service  Everybody experiences rejection from time to time, but where do you turn when the most powerful man in the country has a bounty on your head? Where do you run when there is no place to run? Where do you hide when there’s no place to hide? In 1 Samuel 19, we find David fleeing Saul for his life. His response to Saul's murderous plots provide important insights for when we too experience rejection and trouble. 1 Samuel 19 Video of Service  If your athletic abilities are like mine, you don’t want the ball in your hands when the game is on the line. You’d much rather others more talented take the final shot, throw the final pass, score the final points. In many ways, the world of sports is one huge illustration of the local church. The local church is a team- a community and no one person is more important than another. Though we all have different roles and responsibilities, each of us play an important part in our overall effectiveness. Problems arise when me, mine and my become more important than we, us and our. As we resume our study of 1 Samuel today, we find in King Saul a picture of me, mine and my and in David a picture of we, us and our. Two important marks of maturity are revealed through the contrasting character of Saul and David. 1 Samuel 18 Video of Service  Today we hear from Jim Panagoplos: I’m sure many times throughout this past year we would scratch our heads and wonder what in the world is going on. Oftentimes as the struggles became more personal, we would even ask God why me. In those moments we can become more discouraged; more disillusioned; frustrated. Our perspective becomes distorted and our circumstances look insurmountable. But God in His providential ways comes to us and brings encouragement and hope in the midst of our darkest times. In Isaiah 43:1-7 we look at the encouragement He gives to Israel during their captivity in Babylon and see that those same words then can be applied to our lives today. Video of Service  God becoming flesh and blood on this “dirty tennis ball of a planet” is a glorious truth the angels of heaven could hardly believe. What is even more staggering is that when the God of the universe became flesh and blood, he entered our world not with the riches of royalty but the rags of poverty. The circumstances surrounding his birth did not come with power and applause but shame and rejection. We have been looking at the birth of Jesus through a different lens this year. The lens of scandal and tension. In today's final sermon from this series, we consider how the favor of heaven often brings trouble on earth. Luke 2:33-35 Video of Service  The Bible invites us to ask hard questions. God’s Word doesn’t try to hide the tension caused by doubts and the uncertainties of life. One such example is found in the account of Christ’s birth - two very different stories from Matthew and Luke. Which is correct? The differences invite us to consider our own doubts and how to overcome them. Matthew 2 and Luke 2 Video of Service  One of the most popular traditions of Christmas is the sending of Christmas cards and the image that stands far above any other “religious” card is the picture of Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus in Mary’s arms or in a manger. Images include a clean manger, well kept animals, and a beautiful starry sky. It is a very warm and inviting scene. What most cards leave out however is how hard, messy, tense and even scandalous were their circumstances. Ever tried to walk through an animal barn without stepping in something? These are things we don’t see in Christmas cards, but they were very real for Joseph and Mary. With that in mind, I want us to consider the story of Mary and Joseph through a different lens this year. I want us to consider the tensions surrounding Christmas-the hardships associated with Jesus’s birth. By examining these tensions we can better enter into the joy of having a Savior who knows firsthand what shame, hardship, disappointment and uncertainty feel like. Matthew 2/ Luke 2 Video of Service  In conjunction with our international missions emphasis this month, we are honored to have a special guest speaker today. Zane Pratt is Vice President of Global Training for the IMB (International Mission Board), having served for over 20 years in Central Asia as a church planter and regional director. He also teaches on the faculty of Southern Seminary as Associate Professor of Christian Missions. He brings with him a wealth of both knowledge and experience as a follower of Christ. Today's message unpacks Paul's motivation for asking the church in Rome to help him take the gospel to Spain. Video of Service  Today's message is from Adam Madden, the Executive Director of the Golden Spike Baptist Network. There are a lot of voices saying a lot of different things today. Whose voice has your ear? Whose voice makes your heart beat faster? Whose voice has your allegiance? Is the Word of God sufficient for the household of God? The Apostle Paul addresses these questions in 1 Timothy. Our text today reminds us how we should conduct ourselves as the pillar and support of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:14-15 Video of Service  When we talk about loving relationships, we usually talk in terms of husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends, parents and children. How often do you hear one man tell another (unrelated) man that he loves him? Men expressing non-erotic love for other men is somewhat rare in today’s world, at least in this country. As we begin chapter 18, the inspired writer calls attention to a unique love between two men, David and Jonathan. More than casual friendship, these men’s souls were knit together in a way that reveals God’s heart for meaningful same sex relationships. 1 Samuel 18:1-4 Video of Service  What do you do when your faith seems too weak to fight the giants harassing you? Today, we conclude the story of David and Goliath by focusing on the actual confrontation. David's convictions, collaboration, and preparation were only part of the battle plan. Eventually, he had to confront his Goliath, as must we. Sooner or later, our convictions, collaboration, and preparation must be applied to the situation threatening our peace. The battle engages - the struggling ensues - the fighting begins. We pick up the action in 1 Samuel 17:38 Video of Service  The story of David and Goliath not only validates the genuine crises of life but also the goodness of God in giving us victory. As stated last week, there can be no good news without bad news. What makes the second half of this chapter so inspiring is the first half. But the first half of the story is not the final word. We come now to the second part - the good news and the person through whom God gave victory. 1 Samuel 17:25-39 Video of Service  The story of David and Goliath is one of the most popular stories in the Bible. It so well-known that even those unfamiliar with the Bible use the phrase when referring to a team, company or person who doesn’t stand a chance against another team, company or person. We enjoy David and Goliath stories because the "outnumbered-no chance to win at all" guy or gal overcomes all odds and miraculously triumphs in the end. What makes the story of David and Goliath so inspirational is that, among other things, the opponent is a really, really bad and powerful. In today's message, we learn that in order to appreciate Christ's power we must measure him against life's strongest threats, not its weakest. 1 Samuel 17:1-24 Video of Service  There are scary things in this world; heinous crimes, terrorism, covid-19, and an infamous host of others. However, the scariest thing one could ever hear is from Jesus in the 7th Chapter of Matthew, And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Do you know Jesus? Are you invited into his presence? Listen as Pastor Jeff brings us today's message. Video of Service  That bad things can happen to godly people is a biblical fact. The apostle Paul faced many troubling hardships in life though not because of sin on his part. King Saul however is a different matter. He is reaping what he has sown through rebellion and pride. Beyond reaping what one has sown, we have come upon one of the most uncomfortable and disturbing verses in the entire Bible. God removed Holy Spirit from Saul and sent an evil spirit in His place. As we dive back into 1 Samuel today, we have another opportunity to witness God's grace upon both Saul and David. 1 Samuel 16:14-23 Video of Service  God does not need a person of great wealth to make a difference-He does not need a person of great intellect to make a difference-He does not need someone who is physically strong and healthy to make a difference. God does not even need someone who has ginormous faith to make a difference (faith the size of a mustard seed will do). No, it’s not who we are on the outside that matters most to God; it’s who we are on the inside. In today's study from 1 Samuel 16, our Father gives us one of the most important glimpses into His character in all Scripture. 1 Samuel 16:4-13 Video of Service  At some point in a television series or movie, we begin to wonder how it is going to end. When the final episode or scene takes place, what do most of us do? If it has a good ending- we smile - feel good inside, and think - that was a great movie! But if it has a bad ending, we groan inside; or if you are like me, talk back to the TV. You’ve got to be kidding me! This is how the movie ends? No!! No-it can’t end this way. As we return to the Book of 1 Samuel today, we find Samuel in despair and self-pity, assuming Saul's disobedience in chapter 15 will be his legacy in the years to come. What the prophet could not see in his despair was God's orchestration of these events for Samuel's future delight. God was about to give Samuel the greatest assignment of his life and the capstone of his career - the anointing of David. 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Video of Service  A casual reading of the Psalms will reveal that David and Asaph were not amateurs when it came to intimacy with God. They knew their stuff when it came to fellowship with God! And yet....they also knew what it was like to be in the depths of despair and fear. They too experienced seasons when distress described their souls more than delight. We are in good company when the "bottom falls out" and God seems a million miles away. Is there any meaning to our soul's mess? As we conclude our series about shipwrecks of the soul today, we read how Paul's distresses at sea opened the door for the gospel to advance among an unsaved community. Good things always await us on the other side of the soul's shipwreck. Acts 27 and 28 Video of Service  How many times have you walked through your garage or basement and thought, I don’t really need this; why do I keep hanging onto it? Sometimes our stuff can get in the way of more important things. When Deanna’s mother died several months ago, we emptied her parents' storage unit full of stuff they had accumulated through the years. After unloading it into our garage, I thought for sure we could assimilate all of it within a couple of weeks. A couple of weeks turned into a couple of months and I now realize that our cars may have to endure a Utah winter outside their normal habitat. That stuff is going to be there a while! It’s easy to accumulate things over time that eventually get in the way of what is more necessary. The same can be true in the Christian life. Over time, we collect things in our souls that are really not helpful for our journey on earth. Just as a garage or basement might become crowded with unneeded stuff, so can our souls. In today's message, we consider the importance of jettisoning unneeded cargo during the trials of life. Video of Service  Week after week as a kid, my brother and I tuned in to watch what would become one of television’s most popular series portraying the hilarious escapades of 7 people stranded on a South Pacific Island after a terrible storm knocked their boat off course. Each episode began with these words… Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip-that started from this tropic port aboard this tiny ship. The jingle would end with….The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle with Gilligan, the skipper too, a millionaire, and his wife. A movie star, the Professor and Mary Ann, here on Gilligan’s Isle. As much as we enjoyed laughing at the silly plots of Gilligan's Island, there really isn’t anything funny about life-threatening storms on the ocean or being shipwrecked. It goes without saying that storms and shipwrecks are fun to watch… as long as they never happen to us! There is more than one kind of shipwreck however and the other kind is one I believe all of us will face at least once in our life, if not more. It's the shipwreck of our soul. Triggered by at least one traumatic event, we find our souls stuck and isolated, unable to move forward or backward in life. With that in mind, I want to take a few Sundays to talk about shipwrecks from the 27th chapter of Acts. Video of Service |
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