In this message from 1 Samuel 1, “A Poured Out Soul,” we are introduced to Hannah, a woman carrying a burden she could not fix and circumstances she could not control. Yet instead of allowing her pain to drive her away from God, Hannah poured out her soul before the Lord, trusted Him with the outcome, and remained faithful to obey what He had placed in her hands. Her story reminds us that faith is not pretending that something does not hurt—it is knowing where to take the hurt. As we consider the question, “Is God King?” we are challenged to surrender our burdens, trust God in the waiting, and hold His gifts with open hands.

When trouble comes, it can feel as though our entire world has become smaller—our perspective narrows, we feel alone, and we struggle to understand what God is doing. In Psalm 102, we find the honest prayer of an afflicted and overwhelmed believer who brings his pain directly to the Lord. Through the imagery of the pelican, the owl, and the sparrow, we are reminded that trouble may make us feel displaced, desolate, or alone, but our feelings do not determine God’s presence. The Psalm points us to a God who regards the prayer of the destitute and sees what we cannot see. While we view life from ground level, God sees the entire picture from heaven—He sees, He hears, He knows, and He works according to His perfect wisdom. When you cannot see the way, God sees; when you do not know what to say, God hears; and when you feel completely alone, God is near.

In this message from Psalm 78, we are challenged to consider whether we have a faith worth passing down. Christianity is like a relay race—we have received the truth from those who came before us, and now we have the responsibility to faithfully carry it and intentionally pass it to the next generation. We must personally receive the truth, remember the works of God, repeat His truth, aim for the hearts of those coming behind us, and guard against spiritual drift. The goal is not simply that our children know about our faith, but that they would know God personally, set their hope in Him, remember His works, and keep His commandments. Our possessions, positions, and even our names may eventually fade, but our faith can outlive us. The question is simple but searching: Do you have a faith worth passing down?

As we begin our journey through 1 Samuel, we discover that this book is about far more than the familiar stories of Samuel, Saul, and David—it is ultimately about the question, “Who will be King?” Through Israel’s history, we will see the importance of fearing the Lord, serving Him with our whole heart, remembering His faithfulness, and obeying His Word. While human leaders rise and fall, God remains on the throne, and His desire is not merely for outward religion but for hearts fully surrendered to Him. As we study 1 Samuel, may we be challenged to remember all that God has done, listen when He speaks, and live with the conviction that obedience matters.

In this concluding message from our study through Deuteronomy, we are reminded of a powerful truth: man’s failures are many, but God’s faithfulness is always greater. As Moses looks back on Israel’s history, he points to a God whose covenant love never let His people go, who knew them by name, upheld them through their enemies, and continued His work even after Moses was gone. Ultimately, Deuteronomy leaves us looking beyond Moses to the greater Prophet who was to come—Jesus Christ, whose love was demonstrated perfectly at the cross. As we reflect on Israel’s story and our own failures, may we remember where God has brought us, hear and obey His Word, teach His truth to the next generation, choose life, and rest in the faithful love of the God who continues to carry His people.

In Joshua 3–4, Israel stood at the Jordan River facing a road they had never walked before. The river was at flood stage, the way forward was unclear, and yet God called His people to follow Him in faith. In this message, “We Have Not Passed This Way Before,” we consider what it means to trust God when we face unfamiliar seasons of grief, difficulty, uncertainty, or change. We’ll see the importance of acknowledging what is new, letting God set the pace, fixing our eyes on Him rather than the obstacle, drawing near to Him, taking the step of faith before the waters part, and remembering His faithfulness through the memorial stones He gives us. Whatever unfamiliar ground you may be standing on today, it may be new to you—but it is not new to God.

In this concluding message from the “Not of This World” series, we are challenged to consider whether the way we live makes it clear which kingdom we belong to. Drawing from Philippians 2:12–18, this sermon reminds us that as citizens of Heaven and ambassadors for Christ, our conduct should reveal a noticeable difference, our lives should radiate the light of Christ, and we must faithfully hold forth the Word of Life in a dark world. Because we belong to Christ, we are called to live with our hearts fixed on Heaven, our lives grounded in truth, our hands open to those around us, and our eyes looking for the return of our King. “Not of this world” does not mean hiding from the world—it means shining for Christ in the midst of it until Jesus returns.