From the Pulpit

Sermon from June 07, 2026 service. Avery Pham preaching.

Sermon from May 31, 2026 service. Cliff Donaldson preaching.

There are times in life when opportunity feels so obvious, so reasonable, and so providential that we assume acting on it must be God’s will. But is every open door truly an invitation from the Lord? Sometimes the greatest spiritual danger is not blatant rebellion, but the temptation to grasp for something before God himself gives it. As Saul relentlessly pursues David through the wilderness, an unexpected opportunity suddenly places the kingdom within David’s reach. Yet instead of taking matters into his own hands, David responds with mercy, integrity, humility, and submission to God. In doing so, he reveals the character of a godly king and points us forward to Jesus Christ, the true King who perfectly entrusted himself to the Father. This morning, we’ll consider what it means to trust God’s timing rather than force our own way forward.

Sermon from May 17, 2026 service. Stephen Hawkins preaching.

Sermon from May 10, 2026 service. Mani Kunadian preaching.

In 1 Samuel 21–23, David is a fugitive, Saul is on the throne, and the situation feels uncertain and unstable. Yet as the narrative unfolds, a clear pattern emerges. Access to God, direction from God, blessing by God, and clarity about God are not found with Saul, the visible king, but with David, the rejected one in the wilderness. By following the inspired story across these related scenes, we begin to see that God is making it unmistakably clear where his true king is—and where he is not. This passage of Scripture not only sharpens our discernment, but also points us beyond David to the greater King, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom God’s presence, guidance, and favour are perfectly revealed.

In a world marked by instability, uncertainty, and shifting identity, where do we turn for security? In 1 Samuel 20, we find David in a moment of deep vulnerability—hunted, displaced, and unsure of what lies ahead. Yet instead of grasping for control or crafting a plan, he runs to something far more secure: covenant. Through his relationship with Jonathan, we see how covenant provides shelter in chaos, showcases an uncommon faithfulness, carries real cost, and ultimately brings a peace that circumstances cannot give. As we follow this unfolding account, we are invited to consider our own lives. Where do we run when everything feels uncertain? And what does it mean for us, today, to be held—not by circumstance—but by the covenant love of God fulfilled in Christ?

We often assume that resisting God’s will and ways carry little consequence—that we can delay obedience, hold back, or quietly push against what he is doing without much cost. But 1 Samuel 19:18–24 tells a different story. As Saul relentlessly opposes God’s chosen king, his defiance reaches a breaking point. God steps in—not only to interrupt Saul’s plans, but to expose and overrule them completely. What Saul tries to control collapses under the power of God’s Spirit. This passage confronts us with a sobering truth: resistance to God does not simply fail—it is ultimately overruled and revealed. The question for us is urgent and personal: will we yield to what God is doing, or continue resisting until he brings our resistance to an end?

In 1 Samuel 18–19, as God advances his plans and purposes by raising up David as king, people begin to respond. Some—like Jonathan, Michal, and the people—recognize what God is doing and align themselves with it in trust and loyalty. Others—like Saul—resist, attempting to control, manipulate, and oppose what God has clearly set in motion. The result is striking: alignment leads to participation in God’s work and blessing, while resistance leads to fear, frustration, and instability. This passage confronts God’s people with the same reality today. God is still at work—saving the lost, sanctifying his people, and building his church. The question is not whether God is advancing his purposes, but whether we are aligned with them. Will we stand in step with God—or stand in his way?

Sermon from 2026 Easter service. Josiah Boyd preaching.