Revival Through Repentance Text: 1 Samuel 7:2-17 Rev. John Downs How does revival take place when there are no signs of life?  After the return of the ark from the Philistines, Israel languished in syncretistic idol worship for twenty years, … January 21, 2024 Read More »

The Heavy Hand of a Holy God Text: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:2 Rev. John Downs In the story of the capture of the ark of the covenant by the Philistines, we come to understand that the whole earth belongs to God … January 14, 2024 Read More »

Glory Presumed and Departed Text: 1 Samuel 4:1b-22 Rev. John Downs Today’s passage treats the end of the era of Eli and his wicked sons, accompanied by the capture of the ark of the covenant by the Philistines in a … January 7, 2024 Read More »

Light Into Darkness Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-4:1a Rev. John Downs At first glance, you might not think that today’s text relates to Christmas or our present time but, on closer examination, it truly does.  During the time of the Judges … December 24, 2023 Read More »

Of Sons, Rebuke, and Grace Text: 1 Samuel 2:11-36 Rev. John Downs The contrast between the waning priesthood of Eli and the waxing priesthood of Samuel shows us that it’s possible to be familiar with the word of God but … December 17, 2023 Read More »

Story and Song Text: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 Rev. John Downs As the story of God’s people unfolds in the book of Samuel we see that he preserves them through a great deal of conflict in the time of the judges … December 10, 2023 Read More »

The Parable of the Great Banquet Text: Luke 14:12-24 Rev. Peter Green Food and feasting often contribute to the formation of lasting memories.  Jesus’ parable today highlights a great banquet, foreshadowing the great marriage supper of the Lamb that all … December 3, 2023 Read More »

Content With Christ Text: 1 Timothy 6:2b-21 Rev. John Downs From false teaching flows discontentment affecting both the individual and the community.  The remedy is to find our contentment only in Christ and in the context of community.  We do … November 26, 2023 Read More »

Household Honor Text: 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2a Rev. John Downs We in the church are not just a random group of people who cross paths once a week on Sunday.  Rather we have been knit together in Christ into a family … November 19, 2023 Read More »

A Promised Departure and a Practical Devotion Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-16 Rev. John Downs Given the reality of deceitful spirits, not all spirituality is necessarily good.  In his goodness to his people, God graciously exposes this to us so that … November 12, 2023 Read More »