Cross and Crown Sermon Audio

This week our Elder Apprentice, Trey Hopkins, unpacked 1 Samuel 21-22:5. David spirals out of control on the run from Saul, and ends up alone and humiliated with no where to go except to the Lord. Through this story and the Psalms David wrote in this season of life (Psalm 142 & 34) we see how the Lord is the refuge for his weary people.

In this week's exploration of 1 Samuel 20, we delve into the complex dynamics of anger and its impact on our spiritual lives. We witness the stark contrast between Saul's destructive, sinful anger and Jonathan's righteous indignation. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and discern the nature of our anger. Are we, like Saul, allowing jealousy and bitterness to distort our perception of truth and justice? Or are we, like Jonathan, standing firm for what is right, even when it means opposing those closest to us? The story of David and Jonathan's deep friendship amid turmoil reminds us of the power of covenant relationships grounded in God's truth. As we reflect on this passage, we're called to pursue righteous anger - anger that aligns with God's heart for justice and truth, tempered by mercy and love. This message urges us to root out sinful anger that blinds us to reality and instead cultivate a spirit that seeks God's righteousness above all else.

This week lead Pastor Brad Andrews unpacks 1 Samuel 19 where we're reminded of the stark contrast between dependence on God and defiance against Him. Through David's story, we see how God consistently delivers those who humbly rely on Him. David's flight to Samuel in Ramah symbolizes his recognition that true safety lies in God's presence. On the other hand, Saul's tragic descent into jealousy and rebellion serves as a sobering warning.

His story challenges us to examine our own hearts: Are we running towards God in dependence, or away from Him in self-reliance? The passage's vivid imagery, including Saul's prophetic frenzy and loss of royal robes, illustrates the emptiness of earthly power without divine authority. This message urges us to surrender fully to God's kingship, reminding us that true freedom and security come from submitting to His loving rule in every aspect of our lives.

In this exposition of 1 Samuel 18, we're confronted with the destructive nature of jealousy through Saul's reaction to David's success. The scripture vividly illustrates how unchecked envy can poison relationships and undermine our spiritual well-being. We see how Saul's jealousy of David's God-given talents and popularity leads him down a dark path of manipulation and violence. This story serves as a stark reminder of how easily we can fall into the trap of comparison and resentment in our own lives. The message challenges us to examine our hearts and recognize areas where jealousy might be taking root. It encourages us to instead cultivate gratitude, celebration of others' successes, kindness, and contentment. By doing so, we not only improve our relationships but also strengthen our faith community, creating a church full of joy rather than jealousy. This teaching invites us to reflect on how we can actively 'crucify our flesh' and its desires, as mentioned in Galatians 5, by fully embracing our identity in Christ.

This week Pastor Brad dives deep into the profound friendship between David and Jonathan. This passage reveals to us that genuine friendship isn't simply found, but forged through shared vision and sacrifice. We're challenged to reconsider our modern understanding of friendship, often distorted by social media and self-interest. The covenant between David and Jonathan serves as a beautiful example of friendship rooted in a common purpose - the glory of God and the good of His people. As we reflect on this, we're called to examine our own relationships. Are we forging meaningful connections within our church community? Are we willing to be vulnerable and take risks for the sake of true friendship? This message reminds us that Christ Himself modeled the ultimate sacrificial friendship, binding Himself to us with His own blood. By understanding and embracing this divine example, we can find the strength to cultivate deep, transformative friendships that reflect God's love to a watching world.

This week Lead Pastor, Brad Andrews, explored the familiar story of David and Goliath, revealing deeper truths about courage, faith, and God's power. We examined how David's zeal for God's glory transformed him from a shepherd boy into a warrior, and how his courage stemmed not from self-reliance, but from an unshakable confidence in God's greatness. This narrative challenges us to reframe our own battles, measuring our challenges not by our circumstances or fears, but by God's immeasurable power.

Diving back into our series through 1 Samuel, lead pastor Brad Andrews unpacks chapter 16 and God's choice of David as the next king of Israel.

This week the elders came together to discuss questions that come in during our series on the church and politics.

How should Christians consider voting when living in a context that allows this kind of civic participation in our governance? Listen as lead pastor Brad Andrews unpacks this vital question for us.

In the second of a three-part series on the intersection of the church and politics, lead pastor Brad Andrews answers the question, "should Christians be political?"