Pastor Cary Cox, 1 Samuel 14. The decline of King Saul continues. Chapter 14 shows a great contrast between foolish King Saul and his wise and courageous son, Jonathan. In Jonathan we see glimpses of the character and strength we wish Saul had. In Jonathan we see a hero. But only Christ can live up to these pictures in the Old Testament. He is our perfect and wise King, who defeats our enemies and leads us to God! All other heroes will fall.

Pastor Cary Cox, from 1 Samuel 13. In Chapters 13-15 we see the sin and flaws of Saul, resulting in his rejection by God. God will put Saul down and raise up King David. Through David’s line will come the Christ! Here in chapter 13 Saul despises the word of God.

Pastor Cary Cox, from 1 Samuel 12. Israel has gathered and Samuel is officially passing the reigns of leadership to King Saul. In his speech he charges Israel with their ‘great wickedness’ and God thunders from heaven to help them see their guilt before him. But as soon as Israel confesses their sin in repentance, Samuel comforts them with tender words of God’s great grace! God’s grace is poured out on his treasured people, yet it is not a license to sin.

Pastor Cary Cox, from 1 Samuel 11. God brings salvation to Israel through their new, Spirit-anointed king! Yet, Saul cannot be the ultimate rescuer. We must hope for another. God provides a perfect Rescuer-King in his Son, Jesus Christ!

 

Pastor Cary Cox. An introduction to the great theme of Scripture, the Kingdom of God. Is the Kingdom here, or coming? Is it spiritual, or physical? Do we enter it now, or in the future?

Pastor Cary Cox. We trace the unfolding of the Kingdom of God throughout the story of Scripture.

Pastor Cary Cox. In the Bible, through prophecies and pictures, God pointed over and over again to the One who would come and rescue his people and reign forever. Christ the King is the focus of God’s word. The Kingdom of God is all about the King!

Pastor Cary Cox. Deuteronomy 17:14-20. An often unnoticed portion of Scripture; God’s Law through Moses looked ahead to the coming of God’s kingdom, showing us God’s requirements for the King. Only Jesus Christ fulfills the requirements!

Pastor Cary Cox. Daniel 2, 7. We continue our introduction to the Kingdom of God in Scripture. We look to the prophet Daniel and his great vision of the kingdom…and the King!

Pastor Cary Cox. 1 Samuel 1:1 – 2:10. God works out the glorious BIG picture of his kingdom through the small pictures of normal people in everyday life. The BIG story is woven through many small stories. There is glory is the mundane, because the Kingdom is coming!

Pastor Cary Cox. 1 Samuel 2:11-3:1. God is preparing the way for his kingdom. He is bringing low those who are despising him in Israel, and he is raising up Samuel the Kingmaker!

Pastor Cary Cox. 1 Samuel 3. God reveals himself and brings his kingdom through his word.

Pastor Cary Cox. 1 Samuel 4. When the kingdom comes, judgment comes with it. God brings down the corrupt leaders of Israel and allows his people to lose the battle. But he is at work, and glorious things are coming!

Pastor Cary Cox. 1 Samuel 5-6. The ark has been captured and Israel has been defeated, but God has not been defeated. He takes concern for his name. His kingdom is about his glory displayed!

Pastor Cary Cox. 1 Samuel 7. God is getting ready to bring a manifestation of his kingdom to Israel. The Kingdom of God is prepared through repentance.

Pastor Cary Cox. 1 Samuel 8. God has always planned to give Israel a King, but their request comes from sinful motives. Can God be sovereign even over sin??

Pastor Cary Cox. 1 Samuel 9-10. In the story of how Israel gets their first king, God demonstrates through the details that he himself is the reigning King of all! A look at the providence of God.