Hosea 11:1-9
Rev. Barr Overcast
Perspective is important. Whether it's sports replays or news pundits, we're prone to miss things when we only get one angle. In our text this week, we see the gospel from a different perspective than we're used to, an incredibly important perspective: God's own.
Titus 3:4-7
Rev Charlie Phillips
Join us this Christmas Eve as we conclude our Advent series “God With Us”. In the morning we’ll be studying the ways in which God is “for” us. The Apostle Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” In the evening, after hearing and singing of God’s incredible love we’ll contemplate God being “above” us via the ascension of Christ at the end of His glorious Incarnation season. See you soon!
Matthew 1:18-25
Rev Alan Foster
One of the beauties of Christmas is the truth that God has come in the flesh. The Biblical term for this is Immanuel. It means God with us. Join us this Sunday as we explore the implications of the fact that at Christmas Jesus came to be God with us.
Colossians 1:18-20
Rev. Charlie Phillips
The first verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” tells the story of the Incarnation so well - “O come O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel”. Can you feel the desperation? Namely, that the transcendent God of the universe MUST come near. All of life would feel like an extreme exile without His presence, and yet the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in the Son and the Son was was pleased to dwell among us for a season…a season of hope and redemption. Join us this Sunday as we gather to call on Him together.
Colossians 1:15-20
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Frederick Buechner once said, “In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You are aware of the beating of your heart. The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.” Join us this Sunday we remember and anticipate the incredible grace of our Savior together.
1 Samuel 14:24-46
Rev Charlie Phillips
Just when things seemed to be going so well for the Israelites with the Philistines being routed mightily Saul once again shows his colors. Once again the contrast between Saul and Jonathan couldn’t be any greater-their perspective of God leading to a prescription for living. Join us as we gather one last Sunday before Advent to learn about the effects our view of God has on the way we live.
1 Samuel 14:1-23
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Have you ever felt like you play it too safe in life; that there’s a part of you that wants to do big things in this world in light of the fact that you serve big God? If so, 1 Samuel 14 is for you! In this passage we’ll encounter the king’s son, Jonathan, as he displays a daring faith for the Lord. See you on Sunday!
1 Samuel 13:1-23
Rev. Charlie Phillips
At just the beginning of the monarchy in Israel things hit an impasse when Israel’s first king made a sacrifice-a burnt offering to seek the favor of the Lord. How could a sacrifice to God cause an impasse? Why was Saul punished for doing what most would deem a good thing? Find out why this coming Sunday as we observe the sunset of Saul’s line as king.
1 Samuel 12:1-25
Rev. Barr Overcast
In our text this week, Samuel is stepping into his role as judge one last time, complete with a black robe, a white wig, and a gavel (okay probably not that last bit). Samuel is God's representative, bringing the case against Israel. What will the verdict be? What will the result of the trial be? Join us this Sunday as we see God's courtroom grace on display.
1 Samuel 11:1-15
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Of the reformers, Martin Luther had a particularly keen perception of spiritual warfare. Famously known for throwing an ink well at Satan and frequently preaching at him, Luther understood the reality of being attacked. He once said, “The devil can’t have any other intention than to destroy us because he’s the foe of Christ. Satan is opposed to the church. The best thing we can do, therefore, is to put our fists together and pray”. During this Reformation Sunday we’ll encounter Israel at war with her enemies and dig deeper into our own warfare. See you soon!
1 Samuel 10:1-27
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Coronation ceremonies in the United Kingdom receive wide fanfare across the world. In May of this year, King Charles III was coronated in front of a large audience with a further 30+ million in the UK and USA watching from home. The crowning took place at the beautiful Westminster Abbey and included a beautiful service filled with oaths and the anointing and robing of the new king. This week in our study of 1 Samuel we encounter quite a different crowning ceremony. Join us this Sunday as Saul is anointed and coronated.
1 Samuel 9: 1-27
Rev. Charlie Phillips
This Sunday we begin a new section in 1 Samuel as the sun rises on the monarchy. The scene unfolds with a search for donkeys and ends with the elevation of a nobody from the land of Benjamin named Saul. Come ready to observe the incredible ways God works in, through, and around His people to accomplish His purposes!
1 Samuel 8:1-22
Rev. Charlie Phillips
This past Sunday pastor Mark Bates encouraged us to live on mission—that we as a people set apart by God have an important role in reaching the world. But what happens when God’s set apart people no longer act set apart from the world? What happens when they instead prefer to be set apart from God? Join us this week as we encounter the dawn of the monarchy in Israel.
Isaiah 2:1-5
Rev. Mark Bates
It is easy to grow discouraged about the state of the world, whether it is war in Ukraine, corruption in Washington, or even conflict in our own households. In the midst of this brokenness, God’s prophet Isaiah gives us a promise of hope, a promise of a world made right. Join us this Sunday as we discover in God’s Word how we can participate in God’s work of fixing our broken world.
About Mark Bates: Mark Bates is MTW's senior director of U.S. Operations. Mark has a B.A. in Greek from Bryan College and a master's degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. He served as youth and singles pastor at Orangewood PCA in Maitland, Florida. In 1991, Mark and his wife, Tricia, founded University Presbyterian Church in Orlando. From 2007-2021, Mark served as senior pastor of Village Seven PCA in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mark and Tricia have three daughters.
1 Samuel 7:3-17
Rev. Barr Overcast
Have you missed him? It's been a while since we've seen Samuel in the book that bears his name. Since the last time we saw Samuel, Israel has gone from bad to worse, and we might be left wondering whether there's any hope for God's rebellious, foolish people. We hope you'll join us this Sunday as we learn about Israel's hope, and ours.
1 Samuel 6:1-7:2
Rev. Charlie Phillips
RC Sproul taught that when we begin to understand the character of God we begin to understand His holiness. And when we begin to understand His holiness we begin to understand our sin and hopelessness. And when we begin to understand the depth of our sin we cling to God like no other! Unfortunately, the holiness of God has often taken a backseat in Christianity. Thankfully God has given us passages like 1 Samuel 6! Join us this week as the ark finally lands back in good hands!
1 Samuel 5:1-12
Rev. Charlie Phillips
How do you process life when the chips are down—and not just personally, but culturally? Is God still out there? Is He mighty enough to defeat His and our enemies? Will they get away with their sin in the end? This Sunday we’ll be diving into chapter 5 and studying the arrogant Philistines as they attempt to put God in His place. See you soon!
1 Samuel 4:1b-22
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Have you ever found yourself seeking the blessings of God without the presence of God? John Woodhouse said that religion for many people is not a seeking after God but a seeking after his power. Does that describe believers today or even you? Join us this Sunday as we study a power struggle between Israel and her enemies with a failed power grab by God’s people.
1 Samuel 3:1-4a
Rev. Charlie Phillips
What would life be like if you didn’t have God’s Word? We sometimes take the Bible for granted because there are millions of copies in hundreds of different languages. Not only that but there are numerous apps, thousands of websites, and a plethora of churches in our country all espousing and promoting God’s Word. But what if all of this went away? What would our lives be like? That’s the context for Israel when Samuel was born. But because of God’s faithfulness and grace it wouldn’t continue that way. Join us this week as we encounter God reviving His Word by establishing Israel’s first prophet.
1 Samuel 2:12-36
Rev. Charlie Phillips
In 1 Samuel chapter 1 we learned of the spiritual desolation of God’s people following the period of the Judges. As we move into chapter 2 we learn just how devastating the desolation was-resulting in a corrupt priesthood. But amidst the darkness and desolation we also see glimpses of light-embers in the ashes. Join us this Sunday as we study God’s steadfast love amidst the ruins.