This past Sunday, we started our observance of Advent with the lighting of the Hope candle. Joey then spoke to us on our unseen hope found in both the groans and glory of our faith. Looking at Romans 8:18-25, Joey unpacked that, despite our groanings in today's life we have hope for what is to come in Jesus Christ's return. It is in this hope that we are saved, and so we rejoice!

This past Sunday, Steve wrapped up our study of 1 Samuel. After giving a quick recap, Steve unpacked 4 points for why we went through 1 Samuel which ultimately was to see how Jesus is represented. In unpacking all this, Steve gave us 4 points. First, the bible is the story of Jesus, the story of a savior. Second, 1 Samuel advances towards Jesus in Hannah's prayer and examples of bad and good human leadership. Third, even though Jesus as a man does not come to us until the New Testament He is previewed to us in this book, as well as accompanying Psalms. Fourth and final, we should be telling the story of Jesus in our lives.

This past Sunday, Justin took us through 1 Samuel 31,  the last chapter of this book. In this final chapter, we see the Philistines attacking Israel. Saul's sons fell in battle and he was badly wounded. When his armor-bearer would not kill him Saul chose to fall on his sword to not become a prisoner. Philistines then took the bodies of him and his sons and desecrated them, but the bodies were then rescued by the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead. This happened because of the legacy Saul had left with them when he saved them from Nahash the Ammonite. While looking at this dark ending to the book Justin spoke to how despite the mistakes made by Saul, his legacy with Jabesh-gilead stayed intact. Justin went on to speak on how Jesus' legacy is greatly different from the legacy of Saul. He also made the important point of asking us what our legacy would be. 

This past Sunday, Joey spoke on 1 Samuel 30. In this chapter, David and his men have found that a raiding party has kidnapped all the women and children at Ziklag, including David's two wives. With God's permission, David and 600 of his men pursued and overtook them. They rescued everyone as well as everything the raiders had taken as spoils. David then made a statute that shared all the recovered spoils with all the people, as well as sent it to all the places where he and his men had roamed. Looking at this section, as well as what has happened throughout 1 Samuel in the life of David, Joey looked at how David consistently found his strength in God.  Joey then gave 4 points as to how we can also find and live in the strength that comes from God.

This past Sunday, Joey spoke on 1 Samuel 29. In this chapter, we find David after he has lived for quite some time amongst the Philistines. King Achish of the Philistines has been very pleased with David and his men to the point he had decided they would join in the battle against Israel. Some of the Philistine leaders however disagreed with this so King Achish told David to take his men and leave in peace. While speaking on what took place in this chapter, Joey unpacked how God's faithfulness is shown in the life of David and also gave four points to how God shows His faithfulness to us.

This past Sunday, Steve spoke to us on 1 Samuel 28. In this chapter, King Saul is very afraid of the Philistines. So much so that he seeks out a medium, known as the witch of Endor. Steve went on to speak on how Saul had to do this under the cover of night because he was not only near the Philistine camp, but also because he had previously outlawed all mediums and sorcery. By swearing on the name of the Lord Saul convinces the medium to summon the spirit of Samuel despite the fact Samuel had stopped speaking to him long before he passed away. Saul then asked the spirit of Samuel if Israel would beat the Philistines. Samuel not only reminds Saul that God had already given a prophecy that Saul would lose his kingdom to David, he then added that Saul and his sons would die. In unpacking all of this, Steve speaks to how God can use something that is wrong for good. He also gives us the reminder that unlike the works of so-called mediums, God's will and prophecy are true. We see from this to be so in the study of the bible.

This past Sunday, Justin spoke to us on 1 Samuel 27 and David's decision to go to the Philistines to get away from King Saul's constant pursuit of him.  Successfully ridding himself of Saul, David goes on to perform raids and then lie to the King of the Philistines who thinks of him as a benefit. While explaining all that transpires, Justin highlights how in this section of scripture David, one who is known for seeking God's counsel, instead looked to himself and his own means. In unpacking all of this, Justin presented 3 important truths; do not fear to seek God's counsel, God will protect His People, and God will make secure His inheritance.

This past Sunday, Joey spoke on 1 Samuel 26. In this chapter, we see Saul again gathering his men and searching to kill David. We also find David once again having the opportunity to kill Saul, but saying the Lord forbids it. While going through this section of scripture Joey looks to the afflictions David had to live through while running from Saul. He also shows us other examples of God's people in the bible living through afflictions, and still being great followers of God. Pulling from David's life and the other examples, Joey offers us 5 points of how God works with our afflictions and shows us why we should trust God amidst the afflictions of life.

This past Sunday, Joey finished up 1 Samuel 25:1b-44. Focusing on the section where David hopes to get aid from Nabal, Joey spoke to how truth and love can lead to confrontation in relationships. Angered by how Nabal denied and then turned away his men, David had blood on his mind as he set out with 400 men to attack. Abigail, Nabal's wife intercepted David on the way. She confronted him with truth and love which convicted David to stand down. Unpacking all that transpired, Joey shared 3 points that took place; a fleshly struggle, a merciful rebuke, and a spiritual triumph. He also spoke to the reality that the Christian life is full of hard conversations. We can avoid, or we can be like Abigail and rebuke in truth and love.

This past Sunday, Steve spoke to us on 1 Samuel 25:1a. While this is only 1 verse, it is an important one that tells of Samuel's death. Steve explained how monumental this was for the people of Israel, all of whom it is said gathered for his funeral and burial. From there Steve reflected on the story of Samuel, beginning with how his birth was a gift from God to Hannah. He then went on to retell Samuel's life and the many great things that God did through him. In this, Steve made a point in showing how Samuel is a great example of God using people to carry out His work. Going deeper, he shared that we are the hands and feet of God who look towards being counted in the great cloud of witnesses with Samuel and others. Steve also emphasized the importance of being in a community with other believers if we are to successfully finish the race that is sharing the good news.