INTRO: Sanctity of Human Life The sanctity of human life is a biblical truth, not a political slogan or cultural argument. It is rooted in creation, clarified by God’s holiness, and answered by the gospel. All human life is created in God’s image. Therefore, all human life has God-given worth. God is holy and hates sin—including the shedding of innocent blood. Yet God’s mercy in Christ is sufficient to save repentant sinners. Identity — Who We Are (vv. 26–27) We are image-bea

INTRO Saul’s kingship is still early and unstable. Israel faces pressure… panic ensues and the troops scatter. Saul gathers at Gilgal under immediate threat. The crisis sets up the central issue of the passage: whether Saul will wait for God’s instruction or act on his own. Pressure Will Come (vv. 1–7). Saul divides a small standing army Jonathan strikes the Philistines Saul sounds the trumpet The Philistines muster Israel hides and scatters Pressure often hits when resources

INTRO Samuel’s farewell address at the transfer of leadership from judge/prophet to monarchy Israel has a human king, but the LORD remains their King Their covenant responsibility does not change before their King and the Lord. Today we live under the reign of the true and better King… Jesus Christ Hear the Lord – vv. 1–5 Samuel’s faithful, proven ministry ( 1 Sam. 3:20 ) Leadership transition appointed by God: Samuel → Saul Samuel’s point: I have walked faithfully before you

Intro Saul has been chosen and anointed as king (1 Sam 10). Chapter 11 shows why Israel needed a king: protection, direction, deliverance in crisis. God’s people cannot rescue themselves, God alone saves by His power and for His glory. Opposition Comes – vv. 1–4 God’s people are surrounded (v.1) The enemy offers a shameful “deal” (v.2) Crisis exposes our need for rescue (vv.3–4) Leadership Responds – vv. 5–11 The need is seen and heard (v.5) The Spirit empowers courageous act

INTRO Israel wanted a king for security—not submission ( 1 Sam. 8 ). God providentially brought Saul to Samuel ( 1 Sam. 9 ). Chapter 10 confirms Saul publicly and exposes Israel’s heart. The Calling: Set Apart by God – vv. 1–8 Saul is anointed—God appoints and sets apart (v. 1). God confirms His Word with specific signs (vv. 2–5). God empowers by His Spirit for the task (v. 6). The first test: trust, obey, and wait (vv. 7–8). The Equipping: Empowered by God – vv. 9–16 God gi

INTRO This Advent we’ve traced four scenes in Revelation: Rev. 1 (Christ among His churches), Rev. 5 (the Lamb who was slain), Rev. 19 (the King who returns), and Rev. 22 (“Surely I am coming soon”). Christmas celebrates His first coming in humility; Revelation 22 fixes our eyes on His throne and presses one response: keep His Word, come to Christ, and live ready for His return. A Picture of Our Future Life – 22:1–5 Life from the throne (vv. 1–2): river of life; tree of

INTRO On this third Sunday of Advent, we focus on joy … not because life is easy, but because the Lord is near . We’ve seen His first coming in humility: a baby in a manger and a Savior on a cross. Christ’s return completes the believer’s joy—because He is Faithful and True , He comes in righteous victory , and He brings final justice . Who He Is — The Faithful and True King – vv. 11a, 12–13 Faithful and True (v. 11a) — He never fails His word or His people. Eyes like a fla

I. The Heavenly Scene: The Sealed Scroll A. The Scene B. The Scroll C. The Question II. The Victorious Redeemer: The Lion & the Lamb A. The Proclamation B. The Vision C. The Attributes D. The Act III. The Response: The Lamb is Worshiped A. The Response B. The instruments C. The Reason for Praise IV. Application: Peace in Christ Alone

Advent is the four-week season leading up to Christmas, from the Latin adventus (“coming”), when the church remembers Christ’s first coming in Bethlehem and looks ahead to His second coming in glory. Historically, Advent began in the early centuries of the church (around the 4th–6th centuries) as a time of preparation—prayer, repentance, and instruction—before celebrating Christ’s birth. Advent matters today because it slows us down in a noisy season, re-centers our hearts o

Intro God is providing the King. Saul is chosen. In their disobedience, God is fulfilling His purpose and will. God’s providence rules over every detail of our lives. God is faithful. He always has a plan for His people. Regardless of our response, He is faithful. God Is Working in Every Detail – vv. 1–14 Normal life, sovereign God Saul’s family and background (vv. 1–2) Lost donkeys and a long, frustrating search (vv. 3–5) “Small” moments under God’s hand A servant’s suggesti

Intro: Chapters 6–7 end with lamenting, repentance, and renewal. God gives His people an Ebenezer —a stone of help—to remind them: “The LORD has helped us.” But renewal that doesn’t continue in maturity slowly drifts into complacency . That’s the tension of 1 Samuel 8: Will we grow up in trust… or drift back to wanting a king “like all the nations”? Conformity to the World – vv.1–5 Samuel ages; his sons twist justice with bribes and partiality (vv.1–3). A reminder: leaders

Intro Priests are corrupt; Eli’s house is judged (2:12–36; 3:11–14). Israel is defeated; the ark is captured (4:1–11). The ark is taken—but God topples Dagon and strikes Philistia (5:1–12). Yet GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE: He returns the ark ( holiness ), disciplines irreverence ( judgment ), and calls His people back ( renewal ) (chs. 6–7). Holiness – 6:1–12 “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD?” God’s heavy hand presses Philistia (6:2–5). Guilt offering = confession

Intro God has fulfilled His word of judgment to Eli and Israel. The ark is captured, Eli’s family is gone — yet God is still on His throne. He defeats His enemies and judges all who oppose Him. God will not share His glory—He alone is sovereign and worthy of worship. God Defeats False Gods – vv. 1–5 The Philistines place the ark in Dagon’s temple. God answers without words— Dagon falls face-down. The next day, Dagon’s head and hands are severed. Every rival god—ancient or mod

INTRO Chapter 2: Hannah praises God for Samuel’s birth. Meanwhile, Eli and his sons sin before the Lord, even as Samuel grows in faithful service. Chapter 3: Samuel receives his call from the Lord, and the message of coming judgment on Eli’s household. Chapter 4: That judgment is carried out: Israel is defeated, Eli’s sons die, the ark is captured, and the glory departs. Defeat – God Will Not Be Mocked – vv. 1–11 Israel suffers defeat (4,000), then grabs the Ark instead of gr

I. God’s Call is Timely. (vv. 1-3) A. A Faithful Servant B. A Famished Nation C. A Failing Priest D. A Faithful God II. God’s Call is Persistent. (vv. 4-10) A. A Bypassed Priest B. An Unregenerate Recipient C. A Discerning Priest D. A Prepared Recipient III. God’s Call is Demanding. (vv. 11-18) A. A Hard Message (vv. 11-14) 1. A Speaking God 2. An Uncomfortable Message 3. A Reasona

Intro In this passage, we see two kinds of servants, both active in worship, but only one faithful before God. The contrast between Eli’s...

Intro Hannah’s story moves from barrenness to blessing through God’s faithfulness. Her response reveals what genuine worship looks...

Introduction to 1 Samuel The book begins in the chaos of the Judges and moves toward the rise of Israel’s monarchy. Main Characters:...

I. Marriage Under Christ's Lordship (vv. 18-19) A. Wives: Submit in the Lord B. Husbands: Love and Leadership without...

INTRO Last week, in Colossians 1:28–29 , we saw the pattern of the church we it takes the ministry of the Word seriously…: We Serve...