You are never too old or too experienced to let God teach you something new.

Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

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In this Verse by Verse teaching through 1 Samuel 16:1-13, we step back into the school of the Spirit with Samuel as God selects Israel’s next king. Following the tragic rejection of King Saul, Samuel finds himself heartbroken and stagnant in grief. Yet the Lord gently reminds the prophet that human failure never halts divine grace. God directs Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, giving him just enough light for the next step. Through this passage, we discover that no matter how long we have walked with the Lord, none of us have arrived in our spiritual maturity. We are all still disciples, continuously learning to yield our hearts to Jesus rather than walking by mere habit or ritual.

Throughout this Bible study, we explore how God views human life compared to our earthly perspective. When Samuel arrives in Bethlehem under threat from King Saul, he assumes the eldest and tallest son, Eliab, must be the anointed one. But God corrects His servant with one of the most vital truths in all of Scripture: man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Just as John Goodenough continuously returned to learning new fields throughout his century of life, believers are called to maintain a teachable, consecrated heart before God. True peace with God does not come through empty external rituals, but through being washed and justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, exchanging our shortcomings for His righteousness.

We witness the humble introduction of young David, who was left out in the field tending sheep while his brothers were presented. David enters the room not with loud speeches, but with a heart already consecrated through quiet worship in the pastures. As Samuel pours the oil, the Spirit of the Lord comes powerfully upon David to equip him for service. Whether you are searching for verse by verse verse Bible teaching, studying the Old Testament, looking for a Calvary Chapel verse by verse message, or seeking a deeper walk with Jesus, this message encourages us to keep moving forward in faith. God still has work to do in our lives, and His mercy is brand new every morning. Join us as we unpack God’s Word together and learn what it means to be a person after God’s own heart.

Just as cutting structural corners caused Seoul’s Sampoong Department Store to instantly collapse, kingly compromise and selective obedience will inevitably bring down our own spiritual lives.

Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 15

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Welcome to our latest Bible study through the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. In this message titled Defiance Of The Lambs, we examine the sobering events of 1 Samuel 15, where King Saul faces a clear command from the Lord regarding the Amalekites and chooses partial obedience instead of full submission.

When wealthy developer Joon Lee ignored approved blueprints to build the Sampoong Department Store in Seoul, cutting structural columns to maximize profit, the result was a catastrophic collapse years later. In a similar way, King Saul abandoned the divine design of the Lord of Armies. By keeping King Agag alive and sparing the best livestock under the guise of future sacrifice, Saul proved that partial obedience is simply full rebellion. Through this chapter, we see how selective follow-through fractures our walk with Jesus, harms those around us, and grieves the heart of God.

Throughout this exposition, we explore key theological themes that speak directly to the Christian life today. We look at the righteous judgment of God against the persistent cruelty of Amalek, contrasting their history of attacking weak Israelites with the mercy shown to the Kenites. We also address the danger of self-justification, blaming others, and placing human reasoning or worldly methods above scripture. Prophet Samuel reminds us that to obey is better than sacrifice. True worship is not found in outward religious gestures or empty promises, but in listening to the voice of God and doing what He says.

Whether you are searching for verse-by-verse verse exposition, interested in Bible prophecy and Old Testament history, or looking for faithful Calvary Chapel teachings, this message offers practical wisdom for walking uprightly before the Lord. Join us as we learn how to guard our hearts against compromise, submit to the authority of holy scripture, and remain faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

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External success means nothing if internal surrender is missing, revealing why temporary earthly victories cannot substitute for true spiritual rest in God.

Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 14:47-52

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Like King Charles VI of France, who won impressive early victories yet suffered from a tragic descent into madness believing he was made of fragile glass, King Saul presents a life that looks successful on paper but is broken beneath the surface. In 1 Samuel 14:47-52, the text offers what reads like a final summary of Saul’s forty-two year reign over Israel. In this verse by verse Bible study through 1 Samuel, we look past superficial military achievements to uncover the spiritual decay and endless conflict of a leader who relied on human strength rather than God.

As an expository preaching message from a conservative evangelical, Calvary Chapel perspective, this study contrasts worldly success with true spiritual fruitfulness. On paper, Saul expanded borders, fought bravely, and defeated surrounding enemies like Moab, Edom, and the Amalekites. Yet, notably absent from his summary is any mention of the Lord. Saul never built anything lasting for God’s kingdom, established no spiritual administration, and lived without the rest God promised His people in Deuteronomy. Instead, his life was marked by fierce, perpetual brawling and a reliance on drafting strong men into his army to compensate for his lack of divine backing.

Though Saul ruled for many more years, God effectively closed the book on his leadership in this chapter, setting the stage to raise up David, a man after His own heart. This passage provides a vital lesson for believers today. Physical prosperity, professional advancement, or material abundance are never accurate measures of spiritual health. While Saul built a frail legacy of glass that collapsed into spiritual tragedy, David depended on the Holy Spirit and established lasting worship, administration, and peace.

Jesus offers us true spiritual rest rather than a life of constant internal conflict and fleshly striving. By cultivating a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit and anchoring our lives in Holy Scripture, we can build a faith that yields eternal fruit rather than empty achievements.

If you are looking for solid expository preaching, Old Testament study guides, or verse by verse Bible teachings, join our community as we walk through 1 Samuel. Subscribe to the channel to follow along with our ongoing teaching series through the books of the Bible.

When we trade faith for self-centered impulse, we turn spiritual victories into complete fiascos.

Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 14:16-46

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During the 1788 Battle of Karánsebes, thousands of soldiers lost their lives not to the enemy, but to a chaotic friendly fire disaster triggered by foolishness and alcohol. In 1 Samuel 14:16-46, we witness a spiritual version of friendly fire as King Saul transforms a miraculous victory against the Philistines into a complete organizational fiasco. In this ongoing verse by verse Bible study through 1 Samuel, we examine how human pride and selfish leadership almost cost the life of Saul’s courageous son, Jonathan.

As a mid-week expository preaching study from a conservative evangelical, Calvary Chapel perspective, this passage contrasts walking by faith with walking in the flesh. Jonathan stepped out in faith to fight for Israel, while Saul remained passive under a pomegranate tree, making impulsive, rash vows that bound his hungry soldiers. Saul foolishly cursed anyone who ate food before evening, leaving his men completely exhausted. When Jonathan unknowingly tasted a bit of honey on the ground, his eyes brightened, pointing us to the truth of Psalm 19, where God’s Word nourishes and strengthens us like sweet honey during the battles of life.

Saul’s foolish oath forced his starving army into sin as they frantically slaughtered captured livestock and ate meat with blood still in it. Instead of taking personal accountability, Saul acted like a legalistic dictator, accusing his own exhausted men of unfaithfulness and demanding Jonathan’s execution to save face. God answered Saul’s selfish prayers with silence, showing the dangerous reality of putting our own desires over divine guidance. Thankfully, the people intervened to redeem Jonathan, recognizing that God had worked through him to bring a great deliverance.

This passage serves as a sobering lesson for every Christian navigating modern life. When we try to run our own lives, react out of emotion, or lead with rigid self-righteousness, we bring exhaustion, division, and unfinished victories to those around us. God calls us to submit to His Lordship, wait patiently on His timing, and feed daily on the rich nourishment of Holy Scripture.

Whether you are looking for an in-depth Old Testament study, practical biblical wisdom, or verse by verse expository sermons, join our community as we walk through the historical books of the Bible. Subscribe to follow along with our daily Bible teaching series and learn what it means to be led by the Holy Spirit.

When everyone else was sitting in fear, two men put their lives on the line—proving how a single, daring step of faith can change everything.

Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 13:23-14:15

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In 1 Samuel 13:23-14:15, we witness a dramatic shift in Israel’s battle against the Philistines. While King Saul sits passively under a pomegranate tree with his remaining men, his son Jonathan decides to step out. Armed with conviction rather than a massive army, Jonathan and his weapon bearer head toward the Philistine outpost at Michmash.

This verse-by-verse Old Testament teaching explores what it means to actually walk by faith rather than just sitting around waiting for circumstances to change. Jonathan had no special divine revelation or guaranteed outcome. He navigated the steep, rocky pass between Bozez and Seneh knowing the human odds were stacked against him. Yet his mindset rested entirely on the character of God. He famously declared that nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.

To illustrate this kind of courage, we look at the historical story of Dr. Werner Forssmann. In 1929, when medical experts insisted that entering a living human heart was impossible and fatal, Forssmann took a catheter and secretly passed it through his own arm into his heart. His willingness to put himself on the line opened up the entire field of modern cardiology. In a similar way, Jonathan put his life on the line. He climbed up the steep pass on his hands and knees, trusting God with the results. That single, difficult step of obedience broke the stalemate and sent panic through the entire enemy camp.

As we walk through this chapter, we also see how Jonathan points us directly to Jesus Christ. Jonathan was a prince who left the safety of the camp, took on extreme danger, and brought a servant along to share in the victory. Jesus left the glory of heaven, stepped into our broken world, and secured complete salvation for us on the cross, inviting us to join in His work.

Whether you are going through a personal Bible study or looking for verse-by-verse expository teaching through 1 Samuel, this message offers practical encouraging insight for your daily walk with Jesus. We examine the stark contrast between Saul losing ground through passivity and Jonathan advancing through simple trust. God can do incredible things through minor, everyday acts of obedience. Join us as we open the Scriptures together, study God’s Word, and learn how to take our own steps of faith today.

Just as human self-reliance brought collapse to both 18th-century Scotland and King Saul’s Israel, true victory only comes when we trade our own foolish plans for radical obedience to God.

Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 13:1-22

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Welcome to our ongoing verse by verse Bible study through the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. In this teaching, we walk line by line through 1 Samuel 13:1-22, exploring a sobering chapter in Israel’s history titled All Fail The King.

We begin this passage by looking back at history to the ill-fated Darien scheme of 1698. Thousands of Scots invested their entire savings and sailed off on a great wave of emotion to build a colony in Panama. Yet because of poor leadership, lack of preparation, and self-reliance, the venture collapsed. Over two thousand lives were lost, leaving the nation nearly bankrupt and stripped of its sovereignty.

That historical tragedy mirrors the spiritual breakdown we see in 1 Samuel 13. Israel wanted a human king to give them security and prosperity, yet Saul quickly relies on his own wisdom rather than walking in simple trust. Facing an overwhelming Philistine army with thousands of chariots, fear grips the people. Troops desert, hiding in caves and thickets, while Saul grows impatient at Gilgal. Rather than waiting on God’s appointed time for Samuel, Saul forces himself to offer the burnt offering. He uses religious rituals to manipulate emotions and manage optics, proving that his heart is far from true surrender.

Through this verse by verse exposition, we examine how Saul shifts the blame to Samuel, the deserting people, and the enemy. We are reminded of the essential truth that to obey is better than sacrifice. As Jesus taught, loving Him means keeping His commands. When we bypass God’s Word to carry out our own plans, our self-reliance leads to spiritual bankruptcy, loss of power, and deep failure.

By the end of the chapter, Israel finds itself defenseless, outgunned, and facing an economic monopoly where the Philistines even control the blacksmiths. Yet even in the middle of judgment, God’s mercy and covenant love shine through. We get our first introduction to Jonathan, whose name means Yahweh has given. As a brave, unselfish prince who steps out in faith, Jonathan serves as a picture pointing us toward Jesus Christ, the true King after God’s own heart who ultimately saves His people.

Whether you are searching for verse by verse expository preaching, deeply interested in Bible prophecy and Old Testament studies, or seeking a closer walk with Jesus, this teaching offers practical encouragement for your everyday faith. Join us as we open the scriptures together to learn what it means to yield our plans to the Lord, walk in obedience, and trust Him in times of trouble.

Even when we blow it, God sets a choice before us to turn from the dead ends and walk straight into His grace.

Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 12:1-25

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Welcome back to our ongoing verse by verse Bible study through the Old Testament books of First and Second Samuel. In this message titled There Goes The Judge, based on 1 Samuel 12, we stand with the nation of Israel as Judge Samuel delivers his final address before stepping down. Just like a famous Ohio judge who gave offenders creative sentences to teach them lessons in mercy, Samuel presents the Israelite people with a profound, defining choice: will they faithfully walk with the Lord or swerve off the path into spiritual emptiness and ruin?

Taking the stand on his final day in court, Samuel begins by putting his own integrity on trial, inviting anyone in Israel to bring charges against him. Standing above reproach with a spotless record, Samuel contrasts his faithful service with the people’s foolish decision to demand a earthly king. While Israel insisted on human leadership to face threats like Nahash the Ammonite, Samuel confronts the nation with God’s unbroken history of deliverance, reminding them how the Lord consistently raised up leaders to rescue them whenever they turned to Him in repentance.

Through this powerful expository teaching, we examine vital spiritual principles for Christian living today. We are challenged to live lives above reproach, shining as lights in a dark world by holding firm to the Word of Life. Samuel reminds us that forgetting God’s past faithfulness breeds discontent, leading us to settle for lesser things instead of trusting our true King. Even when Israel’s disobedience brought judicial consequences, such as the destructive storm during the wheat harvest, God showed immense grace by leaving the door open for them to serve Him with all their heart.

Samuel also sets a remarkable model for lasting ministry by declaring that he would never sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for the people. Regardless of our age or circumstances, we are called to remain active in prayer, holding fast to the Lord as our refuge and strength. If this verse by verse Bible study encourages your walk with Christ, please like, share, and subscribe to join us for future teachings in 1 Samuel. Feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts or prayer requests as we study God’s Word together.

Put on humility like your favorite outfit and watch your spiritual life completely change.

Series: The One Anothers

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In 1 Peter 5:5, we explore one of the vital one another commands found throughout the New Testament. These commands serve as a clear blueprint for how believers are to relate to one another so that the local church can grow, thrive, and reflect the love of Christ.

Writing to early believers, Peter delivers a direct directive: all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. In ancient Greco-Roman culture, humility was looked down upon rather than celebrated. Even today, humility does not come naturally to the human heart, as we constantly battle against pride, selfishness, and self-centeredness. Yet scripture makes it clear that while God actively opposes the proud, He freely pours out His grace upon those who choose the lower place.

To emphasize this point, Peter draws on vivid, intentional imagery. The unique phrasing used for clothing oneself refers specifically to tying on the apron of a slave. Peter witnessed this firsthand on the night before the crucifixion, when Jesus wrapped a towel around His waist and stooped to wash the feet of His disciples. Just as we make a conscious, daily choice to put on our physical clothes every morning, Peter calls us to make a deliberate, daily decision to wrap ourselves in active humility. This means serving others, taming our speech, and guarding our hearts before challenging situations even arise, ensuring that our humble posture cannot be easily stripped away by difficult circumstances.

Through this passage, we are reminded that true Christian living is about deciding ahead of time to walk in obedience to God’s Word. When we lay aside pride and put on the mindset of a servant, we experience the depth of God’s grace and foster genuine unity within the body of Christ.

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What Ike’s secret mission and an ancient eyeball threat show us about God stepping in when we’re completely out of options.

Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 11:1-15

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Welcome back to our ongoing verse by verse Bible study through the Old Testament books of First and Second Samuel. In this study of 1 Samuel 11, titled Fight Or Sight, we look into a pivotal moment in Israel’s history as Saul steps up to lead the nation against a cruel enemy, demonstrating how God provides deliverance when His people face impossible odds.

Before Dwight D. Eisenhower was officially inaugurated as president, he took a secret, ten thousand mile trip to the front lines of the Korean War to bring a strategy for peace. In a similar way, before Saul was officially inaugurated as king over Israel, a sudden crisis tested his calling.

Nahash the Ammonite laid siege to Jabesh-gilead, threatening to gouge out the right eye of every man to humiliate Israel and render them unfit for battle. Hopeless and ready to compromise, the men of Jabesh called out for a savior.

When news of the siege reached Saul, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him. Saul rallied three hundred thousand men from Israel and thirty thousand from Judah, leading a rapid night rescue that completely scattered the Ammonite forces by morning. Through this dramatic victory, Saul rightly pointed the glory back to the Lord, declaring that God Himself had provided deliverance for His people.

Through this verse by verse exposition, we explore key Old Testament themes and practical applications for Christian living:

God as our ultimate Deliverer: Just as Israel could not save themselves from Nahash, we cannot save ourselves from sin, death, or the enemy. Salvation is a free gift received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

The work of the Holy Spirit: While the Spirit came upon Old Testament figures for specific tasks, believers today are permanently indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience.

Choosing faith over compromise: Nahash sought to maim the Israelites so they could no longer fight. Satan works to compromise our walk, but Christ has already defeated the enemy.

Giving God the glory: True leadership and faith recognize that any spiritual victory or fruit comes strictly from the power and mercy of the Lord, not our own strength.

If this expository message encourages your walk with the Lord, please like, share, and subscribe for future verse by verse Bible studies in 1 Samuel. Feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts or prayer requests as we study God’s Word together.

Before you go trading God’s plan for some human fix, remember Israel’s first king hid in the luggage to avoid the job.

Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 10:17-27

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What happens when we choose our own path instead of trusting God’s reign? In this verse by verse Bible study through 1 Samuel 10:17-27, we look at the dramatic coronation of Saul, Israel’s first king. When the draft pick comes, the new ruler is nowhere to be found, hiding among the baggage while the nation celebrates a decision that will cost them far more than they realize.

What does NFL lineman Joe Thomas opting to go fishing with his dad on draft day rather than step onto the big stage have to do with this Bible passage?

Interestingly, Saul tries to avoid the spotlight. But behind this awkward moment lies a much deeper theological truth about human choices and God’s sovereignty. Israel rejected King Yahweh in favor of an earthly monarchy, trading the care of a loving Shepherd for human rulers who would eventually lead to heartbreak.

Through Old Testament scripture teaching, verse by verse exposition, and practical application, this message explores what it means to seek first the Kingdom of God today. While Israel rushed after culture and worldly security, God still showed grace by touching the hearts of valiant men to stand alongside their new leader. Whether you are studying the history of Israel, learning how to walk with Jesus, or looking for practical Christian living advice, this passage challenges us to examine who is truly ruling our hearts.

Join us as we continue our verse by verse chapter by chapter verse study in 1 Samuel. If you are blessed by Calvary Chapel verse by verse teaching, simple Bible exposition, and Old Testament studies that point directly to Jesus Christ, subscribe to follow along with our complete series through 1 Samuel.

In this video study, we cover:

Samuel’s prophetic warning to Israel at Mizpah in 1 Samuel 10:17-19

The casting of lots and finding Saul hidden among the supplies in 1 Samuel 10:20-24

The rights of kingship written on a scroll in 1 Samuel 10:25

God touching the hearts of brave men to serve in 1 Samuel 10:26-27

How to avoid choosing earthly kingdoms over a walk with God

Read 1 Samuel 10, grab your Bible, and study the word of God with us. Seek the Kingdom, trust Jesus as your King, and walk in His grace daily.