One important thread through the scriptures is the suffering savior or the suffering servant. In this sermon, Pastor Will traces this theme through the life of Joseph into Isaiah 53, showing that God is with you in your suffering and that He can bring beauty out of your suffering. Our job in community is to not look away when others we know are suffering.

Looking back at the beginning of the story, we find hope for the coming king from an early time. In Genesis 1 and 2, God grants humanity this remarkable world and authority within it. But in Genesis 3, humanity fails an early test. Thankfully, the story doesn't end there! In Genesis 3:15, we get the first promise of a coming deliverer. We all fail from time to time, but God does not leave us or forsake us.

In the beginning of the Jesus movement, there was a man named Saul who was zealously pursuing the early church. After Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he needed help. That help came in the form of a disciple of Jesus named Ananias. Ananias was bold to face his fears and trust the Lord Jesus. Because of Ananias, Saul eventually became the apostle Paul and helped teach many people about Jesus.

During the lifetime of Jesus, he faced a lot of conflict with the religious leaders, including the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Sanhedrin. There was so much peer pressure, if you aligned with Jesus, you were kicked out of the religious community! In that charged environment, we find two secret disciples of Jesus in high places: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. These two men decide to boldly align with Jesus after his crucifixion by burying him like the king that he is. In this sermon, Pastor Will talks about these two men and how we can stand for Jesus like they did.

In a dark time for the people of God, Baruch stood up for what was right. In this sermon, Steve Longley tells the story of Baruch, showing us that we can take a bold stand for God since we are convinced that His Word is true.

In a dark time for the people of God, a noble priest named Jehoiada and his wife save the Davidic dynasty by hiding a future king named Joash. Six years later, Jehoiada boldly leads a coup to place the rightful king on the throne. Victory was won, until Jehoiada died. Joash, the king, was obedient to God while Jehoiada was alive but didn't persevere afterwards. In this sermon, Pastor Will talks about Jehoiada, Joash, and what obedience really means.

At the end of King David's life, one mighty man of valor stands out for his faithfulness to the Davidic dynasty and his bravery: Benaiah. From his early days winning battles against two trained men of Moab, a lion in a pit, and a super-tall Egyptian until the end of his military career protecting the interests of King Solomon, Benaiah shines as an example of faith and faithfulness. In this sermon, Rev. Leon Weller walks through the story of Benaiah, helping us to see that we, too, can take on our challenges with God's help, just as he did.

In 1 Samuel 25, we come across an interesting record. We find King David running from Saul and waiting for his exaltation to the throne of Israel. And while he usually does a good job of being righteous, in 1 Samuel 25, his anger almost leads him to make a grave mistake. Who saves the King? A woman named Abigail! In this sermon, Pastor Will works through 1 Samuel 25 and the account of Abigail, showing that peacemaking takes radical and intentional action.

Jonathan, the son of Saul, is a remarkable example of courage in the face of difficult times. In this sermon, Dan Kruer walks through 1 Samuel, showing that Jonathan was a man who trusted in God to do amazing things for the people of God, was loyal to his father and his best friend even when they shared animosity, and protected the line of kings coming before Christ.

In the middle of a time when many people were unfaithful to God, Hannah stands out as an example of faithfulness and obedience. After waiting years to have a son, Hannah cries out to the Lord, and He hears her. In this sermon, Pastor Will talks about infertility, Hannah, and how her example of faith prefigures the gospel.