Total Sermons: 98
Total Amens: 1
Fixing Society, Step Six: It's All About God
We have a choice when we are confronted with failure in ourselves or in San Diego. Jonathan shows that faith can reverse the worst of circumstances and make real the kingdom of God in our lives and in society. Saul shows that our jealousy and need for control can cause us to lash out and destroy the power of God in our lives and ruin the kingdom work of others. As we see Saul’s downward spiral continue, we are encouraged by Jonathan’s example and by Jesus, to whom Jonathan points.
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Leadership for the Long Haul
Saul’s first crisis in leadership comes when he is ready to go into battle but he has been told to wait at Gilgal until Samuel shows up to offer a sacrifice. This story shows us the tragedy that takes place when we doubt God’s word and head off on our own. We ultimately need a leader who will stand firm in crisis and trust God.
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Fixing Society, Step Five: Love the One You're With
During the election season, Christians need wisdom to know how to marry faith and politics. 1Samuel 12 brings a close to the political tension between Samuel and the People and God over whether or not Israel should have an earthly king. The conversation between Samuel and the people of Israel demonstrate the importance of character and a willingness to work together to navigate the messiness of life. The sermon ends with four practical steps that ought to govern our own political discussions and practices if we are to seek unity in the church and peace in the city.
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Worldliness: Israel Asks for a King
Worldiness is contrasted with biblical spirituality. It is looking at the world through a cultural grid unillumined by the Holy Spirit and represents a view of life directly at odds with scripture. Worldliness causes one to look at men rather than God; it causes us to reject God and blinds us to what we truly need.
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Potential For Greatness
Saul is chosen as the first king of Israel and these early chapters show the potential he had to be a great king. He was physically impressive, teachable, changed by God, used by God, brave and forgiving. However, the latter part of his reign was completely different from his early potential. This shows us appearances can be deceiving, the roots of sin are in each of us, and we need a true and faithful King.
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Fixing Society, Step Four: Returning to the Lord
As the fourth step toward healing the brokenness of society, we learn that when we or others fall away from God, God calls us to return to him by giving up our false worship, letting go of self-dependence, and confessing our sins. As we commit ourselves to him, our commitment will be tested, and we need Jesus to strengthen us to stay faithful.
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The Ark of the Covenant
God's glory is real and awesome. This text shows that God's glory is at odds with man's contempt, religiosity and wilfulness. We show contempt for God's glory when we are hypocritical, superstitious or presumptuous. Our wilfulness and innate desire to find significance beyond the finite and material can also work against us understanding God's glory. But God's glory is fully expressed in the person of Jesus Christ and appreciated through the Gospel.
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Fixing Society, Step Three: The Call to Lead
As God calls and trains Samuel to replace Eli, the leader of the nation of Israel, we see how God calls and trains us to become leaders and influencers in our world today. The key to Samuel’s (and our) successful leadership is (1) to know God personally, and (2) to know his word. As we gain the experiential knowledge of these two things, we will be used to provide leadership in the areas of life and society that need to be healed and restored.
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Fixing Society, Step Two: Church Leadership
As the second step toward healing the brokenness of society, God confronts the hypocrisy of the church, bringing severe judgment against its leadership. Eli and his sons are confronted, convicted, and cast out for their flagrant abuses of religious power. Hope begins to emerge from the brokenness of Israel’s leadership as Samuel’s quiet but faithful service demonstrates that God has plans to bring about the longed for healing and redemption of the nation.
0 Amens