Pastor Cary Cox, from 1 Samuel 23 and 24. Saul is obsessively pursuing David, but this is only to secure his own kingdom. So he’s really pursuing himself. David, on the other hand, is NOT pursuing the kingdom. He values something more. David chooses to wait on God and do what honors him, though this means a longer, harder road for David. He is pursuing God. Do we treasure God, or what God can give us?
Despite our sin and rebellion, God has pursued us in Jesus Christ, the great Son of David.
Pastor Cary Cox, from 1 Samuel 21-22. Davis is officially a fugitive, running for his life from King Saul. These are very difficult days for David, but God is with him. God’s blessing doesn’t look look like comfort and ease. God is humbling and seasoning and preparing his servant, making him into a king. God will do the same thing with the great Son of David, Jesus Christ. Through Christ’s suffering comes our salvation.
Pastor Cary Cox. This message was given at the 2014 ACRC conference that focused on Challenges to the Gospel Ministry. We look at the threat from within. Are the seeds and habits all ready in place in our hearts that, if left unchecked, will disqualify us from ministry? Warning and gospel-encouragement from the Scriptures.
Pastor Cary Cox, from 1 Samuel 20. David and Jonathan appeal to each other on the basis of their covenant. We see the covenant love of God for his people, which calls us to show steadfast love to one another! Our hope is in the unfailing, unrelenting, devoted love of God for his special, covenant people, through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Cary Cox from 1 Samuel 18-19. Now that David has been thrust onto the public scene by his victory over Goliath, everyone must respond to him. In this text we see two very clear and contrasted responses to God’s Plan and God’s Man. Jonathan is willing to humble himself and love God’s Anointed, at great cost to himself. On the other hand, Saul knows that David is God’s choice, yet he stubbornly fights against God to preserve his own kingdom. How will WE respond to God’s Anointed?
Pastor Cary Cox from 1 Samuel 17. The honor and glory of God is the focus of this ‘Sunday School Classic.’ See the gospel shining as God saves his people through his anointed rescuer!
Pastor Cary Cox from 1 Samuel 16. Saul has been rejected by God as king, but God is not discouraged, and the Kingdom of God has not failed. God has a plan, and he has chosen a man. The time has come to anoint David as king.
Pastor Cary Cox, from 1 Samuel 15. Saul disobeys the command of God and is rejected as king. In his sin, we see ourselves and our need for Christ. We also take a look at God’s holy war in the Old Testament: how can God command the destruction of people?
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.
The Church at Meadowlake 