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Weekend Recap – The God Who Saves

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My 5/5/19AM sermon, The God Who Saves (1 Samuel 14), is now online. This sermon dug into another failure in King Saul’s leadership, especially as he was contrasted with his son, Jonathan. Jonathan’s confidence in God was amazing: “Who knows? God may help us. He doesn’t need many or few.” I hope this sermon gives you a sense of how God works to save His people. Whether its working through those who have a strong trust in God or overcoming the work of fools, God is at work to save His people. This is good news and I hope it encourages you.

Christ Is Mine Forevermore

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In the month of May at Crestview, we’re going to be learning/singing the CityAlight song Christ Is Mine Forevermore by Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson (CCLI # 7036096). Scott Cornish arranged this for us. Part of the reason in choosing this song is to be honest about the realities (and struggles) we have living life in this fallen world. Further, the heavenly vision that this song ends with is so helpful in stirring up our affections (in a good way) to really live the life we’ve been called to. I hope you resonate with it and it encourages you. Here are the lyrics:

Verse 1

Mine are days that God has numbered
I was made to walk with Him
Yet I look for worldly treasure
And forsake the King of kings

Chorus 1

But mine is hope in my Redeemer
Though I fall His love is sure
For Christ has paid for every failing
I am His forevermore

Verse 2

Mine are tears in times of sorrow
Darkness not yet understood
Through the valley I must travel
Where I see no earthly good

Chorus 2

But mine is peace that flows from heaven
And the strength in times of need
I know my pain will not be wasted
Christ completes His work in me

Verse 3

Mine are days here as a stranger
Pilgrim on a narrow way
One with Christ I will encounter
Harm and hatred for His name

Chorus 3

But mine is armour for this battle
Strong enough to last the war
And He has said He will deliver
Safely to the golden shore

Chorus 4

And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore

Bridge

Come rejoice now O my soul
For His love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore

CCLI Song # 7036096

Jonny Robinson | Rich Thompson

© 2016 Jonny Robinson, CityAlight Music (Admin. by Jonathan Robinson)

Rich Thompson, CityAlight Music (Admin. by Rich Thompson)

Weekend Recap – Saul’s Downfall

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My 4/28/19AM sermon, More Power More Problems (1 Samuel 13), is now online. The sermon got into a 3 chapter episode that will help show why Saul isn’t a king that has confidence in God. Specifically, we saw how circumstances of life and fear can overwhelm us and cause us to view God as unnecessary. It’s in the midst of this seemingly hopeless situation that God will show what He’s up to. I hope this sermon enourages you.

After God’s Own Heart?

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After the Easter holiday, this coming Lord’s Day I plan to return to 1 Samuel 13 and pick up where I left off 2 weeks ago (Lord willing). In 1 Samuel 13, we have the first mention of what could be an interpretive problem. After Saul is rejected for his foolishness (and going hard after his own ingenuity and impatience rather than God), we are told that God would choose a new king after His own heart.

This has led many to speculate something like this: God was looking throughout the land to see if there was anyone who loved Him above everything else and, whew, He found that person in David. David was awesome-sauce. He was able to kill giants, wild animals threatening the flock, honor Saul, befriend Jonathan, fight the Philistines. His heart for God is evident in all of this. He wrote the Psalms for goodness sake.

Unfortunately, this interpretation doesn’t take into account the train wreck that was David’s personal life: multiple wives, the use of position/authority to rape, kill, and take. How he (especially in 2 Samuel) increasingly looks more like Saul (and a king like the other nations) than one who has a heart for God. So, how do we make sense of this?

I’m helped by what Jen Wilkin and others have said and written. Jen invited us to consider thinking of this phrase like the line from the hymn A Mighty Fortress: “a man of God’s own choosing.” John Woodhouse, for instance, says this phrase “a man after God’s own heart” means:

“a man of God’s own choosing, a man God has set his heart on. [It is] talking about the place the man has in God’s heart rather than the place God has in the man’s heart”.
(Woodhouse, 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader, page 287)

Another article that discusses this in a longer way is called David: A Man Chosen According to God’s Heart. I’ve also benefitted from the following episodes of the Knowing Faith podcast featuring Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley. Check out episode 31 (There’s No Such Thing as 2 Samuel) at the 12:50 mark, episode 35 (People Getting Shanked) at the 7:30 mark, and episode 40 (Not What It Looks Like) at the 18:40 mark.

So, if we follow this line of reasoning…

What made David special wasn’t something within him but something outside of him. Specifically, in contrast to Saul, who was tall, handsome, and the one the people asked for, we have David, a man chosen according to God’s heart, who did many worthy things in preparing to and eventually becoming king. He did these not because they came naturally, but because God had chosen him.

I hope this encourages you and it’s something we can continue to be curious about as we move through 1 and 2 Samuel.

Easter Weekend Recap – Someone Greater Than Jonah

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My Easter 2019 sermon, The Sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-41), is now online. Easter really is one message: Jesus died, was buried, and rose again on the 3rd day, according to the Scriptures. This Easter, I chose these words from Jesus as He interacted with the religious leaders to guide our people into enjoyment of resurrection truth. This sermon was able to discuss signs, the obvious work that Jesus did, as well as point to how glorious Jesus is as the Ultimate Prophet. I hope it encourages you.

April 2019 Song – Because He Lives (Amen)

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In April 2019, we’re teaching/learning the song Because He Lives (Amen) by Matt Maher and others. The lyric video is above and lyrics are below. We sing this in the key of G, as it’s more singable/playable than this key. But, I’m hoping that this song helps our hearts swell in love as we celebrate Easter. Enjoy!

Verse 1

I believe in the Son
I believe in the Risen One
I believe I overcome
By the power of His blood

Chorus

Amen amen
I’m alive I’m alive because He lives
Amen amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
(Because He lives)

Verse 2

I was dead in the grave
I was covered in sin and shame
I heard mercy call my name
He rolled the stone away

Bridge

Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives ev’ry fear is gone
I know He holds my life
My future in His hand

Ending

Because He lives

CCLI Song # 7027887

Chris Tomlin | Daniel Carson | Ed Cash | Gloria Gaither | Jason Ingram | Matt Maher | William J. Gaither

© 2014 S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

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worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

I Am A Pilgrim Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

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Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 60939

Weekend Recap – Covenant Renewal

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My 4/7/19AM sermon, Covenant Renewal (1 Samuel 12), is now online. We don’t think in terms of covenant as much in our society today, but we have all kinds of non-verbal agreements with people, so the concept readily applies. We tend to grossly underestimate the God of the Universe, thinking that our offending Him or sinning against Him isn’t that big of a deal, after all, He’s a God of love and grace. But, this passage helps call us back to center in how we think of Him. He is a God of love and grace and Samuel presses this to show how we should pursue a way of living in light of this. I hope these words encourage you to live and have a renewed relationship with the God who made you for Himself.

Weekend Recap – A New Hope

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My 3/31/19AM sermon, A New Hope (1 Samuel 11), is now online. The sermon continued our work in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, specifically dealing with some chapters showcasing the rise of Saul.

The sermon dug into what might be the one shining moment in Saul’s kingship. The Ammonites attack and upon hearing it, the Spirit rushes upon Saul and enables him to lead the nation to defeat the enemy. The passage ended with Samuel “renewing the kingdom” at Gilgal.

This story helped to show how we can respond when our enemies pridefully gloat over us, how the Spirit encourages us, and leads us to focus on God. I hope it encourages you.