Love Chapel Hill

exodUS --- Exodus 1:1-22

This has certainly been the year to ask ourselves "How did we get here?" Pick your context. As we move from Origin Stories where Israelites were well-established and well-regarded in Egypt, we begin Exodus where their descendants are facing enslavement and genocide. Every height has a fall. Exodus is not the denial of pain or oppression. But it does show God as a redeemer, especially for those searching for hope in dark times.

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Origin Stories --- Genesis 32:22-30

We're not always called to quiet contemplation of our Lord in times of contentment. Jacob may have been looking for gentle wisdom before meeting Esau, but what he got was a life-altering scuffle with God himself. But even if we remove the violence itself, this episode reminds us that we can be reformed by God and our prayer life. We don't always end up unscathed in our walks. But sometimes who we are when we emerge is closer to who God needs us to be, both for his and for our own sake.

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Origin Stories --- Genesis 22: 1-5

There's nothing simple about the story of Jacob, Isaac, and their brush with sacrifice. Hard as it can be to hear, there are so many themes there that go beyond the act itself. Above all there is faithfulness and not just from Jacob. It's a story of God's ultimate faithfulness to God's people. It is a test of Covenant from all involved, and it is passed. The willingness shown here is echoed by Jesus centuries later at the salvation of the world.

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Origin Stories --- Genesis 12:1-3

The story of the people who would become the Israelites essentially begins with the story of Abram/Abraham. And even from this "first family" it's clear that the people of God have had a history of brokenness. Betrayal, lies, jealousy, and even murder keep generational cycles of trauma all the way up to Christ himself. Pain in your family doesn't separate you from God. As for Abraham and his descendants, it calls you back TO God.

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Origin Stories --- Genesis 3:1-6

What does Genesis tell us about sin? If you only read it as talking snakes, curses, and fig-leaf underwear, you're missing what the Fall actually is. It's the pride that makes us assume we can become God and yet adds to our separation from God. It's rebellion from the truth that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made, so we can avoid treating people like our family. It's taking a swing at earthly prosperity and missing the mark.

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Origin Stories --- Genesis 2:4-25

Now let's look at Genesis's second Creation narrative, this one more centered around humanity. Here, we can celebrate the wonder of beginning from nothing and yet bearing God's image in our forms and our minds. And we're reminded that the first thing that wasn't declared "good" was when a human stood alone. We've been given a place of high regard by God, but we were also given the greatest responsibility as well. We care for this creation with gratitude, and we do that best when we care for one another as if they were formed from the same dust...or taken from our own bodies.

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Origin Stories --- Genesis 1

Everything has a beginning, and one of the things we love to do as a people is explore how what we love and sometimes take for granted came to exist. Whether it's UNC or Batman, everything has an origin story. In this series, we're going to look at our fundamental relationship with God and the Earth we live on as seen through the Genesis narratives. Our growth on a community depends on us acknowledging the roots that took hold at Creation itself.

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King of Hearts --- 1 Samuel 28

Concluding our series in 1 Samuel, we observe the persistent pattern of contrast between Saul and David. It's crucial to resist the temptation to portray Saul as a mere villain and David as a flawless hero. Throughout their reigns, both men demonstrated fallibility, making comparable mistakes. They both succumbed to pride and arrogance, abused their authority, and experienced the repercussions of their transgressions. The final section of 1 Samuel provides a poignant, final contrast between these complex figures.

So, Samuel ends things by showing us one last time how different Saul and David were. In 1 Samuel 28, the Philistines are back, and Saul's really freaked out saying he was “greatly distressed.” He tries to get God to tell him what to do, but when he doesn't hear anything fast enough, he goes to a witch instead. She brings Samuel's spirit back, and Samuel basically says, 'I told you so.' He reminds Saul that God has given the kingdom to David, and that Saul and his sons are going to die in battle. Needless to say, Saul's not feeling any better.

Okay, so now we jump to chapter 30, and it's David's turn. And get this, he's living with the Philistines! The same guys he used to fight! He's somehow tricked them into trusting him. But then, the Amalekites attack, take everyone, including David's family, and his army is furious, blaming him. And just like Saul in chapter 28, verse 6 says David was 'greatly distressed.' This is a deliberate parallel of these two kings.

This parallel highlights their contrasting responses to similar distress. Saul turned to the occult, while David 'found strength in the Lord his God' (1 Samuel 30:6). David sought God's will through a priest, receiving a message of hope, unlike Saul's doom. David's distinction isn't inherent goodness or flawless leadership, but his recognition that God, not himself, is the story's center. Who is the center of your story? Who is the King of your Heart?

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King of Hearts --- 1 Samuel 18:1-27:12

We have seen God hold bad leadership accountable. God prioritizes character over results and does not expect His people or leaders to get it right all the time. Instead He wants us to confess when we fall short and turn back to Him. That requires humility and integrity. What it also requires is accountability.

Saul and David are different in many ways. One of their key differences is their willingness to be corrected. David shows a consistent willingness to be accountable where Saul does not. After David’s anointing, Saul loses it (18-27). As David's popularity grows, so does Saul's jealousy and paranoia with it.

Because envy and love cannot coexist, Saul's affection for David turns to hate. Saul is out to get David at every turn. 1 Samuel 18:10-11, Saul even tries to kill David while playing music and in chapter 19 orders his son Jonathan to kill David. Jonathan instead helps David escape, which leads to David running and hiding for years from Saul. During this time is when David penned most of his Psalms we know today.

David cannot retaliate. Not because he is unable. In 1 Samuel 24:1-7 David had the opportunity to kill Saul with his own hands. But David refuses because David knows he cannot both honor God and seek vengeance. Until Saul's own demise by his own hand, David for years threads the needle of accountability, stability, and security in honoring God’s will and heart whereas Saul was chaotic, violent, and insecure.

Hold up, let's put all the cards on the table. David is not perfect. In fact, in chapter 25, while David is on the run from Saul, living a life of good character, David is tested. A man named Nabal betrays David, causing David’s good character to crack. David is out for blood but in that moment, David needs a voice of accountability. This comes in the person of Abigail, Nabal's wife. 1 Samuel 25:24-31 she pleads with David to have a clear head and clean heart. David on the verge of becoming like Saul needs help! As good as David is, he is one decision away from being the same as the one who is after him.

We all need accountability. Even those that live up to the highest standards of character. God brings us those still strong voices we need. Do we listen to them? Who are those voices for you?

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King of Hearts --- 1 Samuel 16:1-17:51

Saul is transitioning out of leadership and David is transitioning in. We see God is not asking for perfect Christians or people. Instead God is more interested in our character. Which is best revealed when we respond to difficulty and pain. How we respond to our weakness reveals our true heart.

David, a young man, demonstrates how good character appears when we are invisible. David rises up into a position of influence out of obscurity. He shows us how to respond when we are overlooked and not seen. 1 Samuel 16:7 “People look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” (Contrast to 1 Sam 9:2 with Saul)

David’s story is in direct contrast to Saul’s. In Chapter 9, Saul is described as tall and impressive. Saul looks like a king but David was an afterthought. Saul had the image but not the character. David had the character that only God could see as a man after God's own heart. This is what made David King in the eyes of God and later for the rest of the world to see.

Do we need to be seen to be listened to? Do we need to be uplifted into positions of power to make a difference? Not according to God.

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