The angels’ song, set against the backdrop of a superficial and fragile worldly peace (Pax Romana), proclaims the eternal glory of God and the true peace that Jesus brings through His life, death and resurrection. Like the shepherds, we are called to let this song linger in our lives—beholding God’s glory in Christ, receiving His peace through faith, and sharing the story of His grace with others.

This message explores the biblical concept of hope through Zechariah’s song in Luke 1. Unlike the fragile, uncertain hope of the world, biblical hope is a confident expectation rooted in God’s character and faithfulness. Zechariah’s story shows us that hope is a journey: it sometimes falters in the face of doubts, but it is restored when we anchor ourselves in God’s faithfulness. True hope looks back to remember God’s fulfilled promises, sees His present work in our lives, and looks forward to the future promises He has promised to accomplish. This Advent season, we are invited to bring our doubts to God, recount His faithfulness, celebrate His work today, and trust Him for what is to come. Biblical hope is grounded, unshakable, and transformative—it carries us through life’s uncertainties with confidence in God’s unfailing promises.

This sermon introduces the Advent series, Hymns of Hope, by reflecting on Mary’s song in Luke 1, the first Christmas hymn. Advent, a season of waiting and anticipation, centers on the arrival of Jesus and God’s faithfulness to His promises. Mary’s story exemplifies how God’s mindfulness and might collide with human frailty. Despite her humble and vulnerable position, Mary’s faith leads her to celebrate God’s mercy, justice, and provision. Pastor Blake Burrough draws parallels between Mary’s experience and our own, highlighting how God enters into our weakness and fulfills His promises for His glory and our joy. Through Mary’s song, we see that God is mindful of the overlooked and mighty for the helpless, inviting us to trust Him fully. 

Pastor John Murphy concludes the Warrior Poet series by exploring King David's wisdom in Psalm 37, where he reflects on a life shaped by battles, mistakes, and victories. David teaches that true wisdom begins and ends with trust in the Lord, demonstrated by not letting fear, anger, or envy rule our lives, but instead patiently waiting on God’s justice and promises. Although David’s trust was imperfect, the psalm points to Jesus—the ultimate Person of Wisdom—whose perfect life, death, and resurrection secure the promises of God for those who trust Him. This wisdom offers both present hope, as God sustains us in our struggles, and future hope, as we inherit eternal blessings through Christ. The call is to live wisely by trusting in the righteousness of Jesus, shifting from temporal concerns to an eternal perspective.

The sermon focused on 2 Samuel 24, where David’s prideful census led to God’s judgment on Israel, but also revealed God’s mercy through David’s repentance and a substitutionary sacrifice. This story highlights the dangers of pride, the gravity of sin, and the need for a tender, confessing heart, ultimately pointing to Jesus as the true sacrifice who absorbs God’s wrath and offers forgiveness. Pastor John Murphy emphasized that God’s mercy is deeper than our sin, and through Jesus, we can experience a new heart and the fullness of His steadfast love.

The sermon "Facing Your Real Giants" reframes the common idea of personal challenges as "giants" by identifying sin, death, and Satan as our real, ultimate adversaries. Drawing from David's battles in 2 Samuel 21-23, it emphasizes that we cannot defeat these giants ourselves, but Jesus has already conquered them on our behalf. David’s final words and song of praise invite us to respond with faith and gratitude, grounded in the hope of Jesus’ victory and the promise of our future salvation.

David’s return to Jerusalem after Absalom’s rebellion exposes the fractures in his kingdom, revealing his struggle to balance justice, mercy, and leadership. His interactions with figures like Shimei and Mephibosheth showcase both his limitations and Israel’s lingering division. This imperfect restoration points us to our deeper need for a true King, fulfilled in Jesus, who brings lasting unity, justice, and redemption.

In this sermon, Pastor John Murphy explores how human desires, from ancient philosophies to modern psychology, often leave us restless and unsatisfied. Using David’s example in Psalm 63, it shows that only a deep desire for God’s presence and promises can truly satisfy and reshape our reality, even in difficult circumstances. The message encourages believers to aim their desires toward God, who holds them securely, offering eternal hope and fulfillment.

Pastor John Murphy reflects on the chaos in King David's life during Absalom's rebellion, where deception, betrayal, and murder seem to dominate, yet God remains in control. Despite human actions and apparent disorder, God's sovereignty is emphasized, showing that His plans and promises cannot be thwarted, as seen in David's eventual restoration and in the ultimate example of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The takeaway is to trust in God's control, even in life's most chaotic moments, responding to His grace with obedience and faith.

The sermon examines how David, facing fear and anxiety in Psalm 3, turns to God for strength and protection. Instead of being consumed by fear, David shifts his focus to God as his shield, glory, and the lifter of his head, finding peace even though his circumstances remain unchanged. Pastor John Murphy encourages us to trust in God’s care, reminding us that true peace comes from changing our perspective and gaze onto the promises of Jesus, not necessarily our situation.