Mission City Church w/ Pastor Josh Hershey

Last week we learned that one of the reasons Jonah was so upset to preach to Nineveh is because he knew they were part of the very Empire who would one day bring destruction to his people. That is exactly what happened one generation later. Assyria came in, defeated the North, and deported them to the extent that they would never return to the land again! Throughout the ‘kingdom period’ of both the North and the South we see that both the kings David and Jeroboam cast their shadows over these respective kingdoms for many generations. And it was ultimately the influence of Jeroboam, and his ways, which led to the destruction of both kingdoms. Join us as we dig into the latter period of each kingdom!

The reign of King Asa was one of reform. Asa had a call like that of Jeremiah, to “to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). There was an intentional “putting off of the old man” and a “putting on of the new man” to use the language of Paul (Ephesians 4:22-24). Though Asa’s reformation was largely successful and a great blessing to the kingdom, toward the end of his life (like his great-grandfather Solomon) he began to lean on the arm of the flesh again. Twenty years of rest led to some backsliding. When trusting the flesh rather than our Father gains the upper hand, turmoil begins. Join us as we continue to learn lessons about the kingdom of God from the triumphant kingdom book of the Bible—Chronicles!

The book of Jonah is a little gem of a book tucked away in the Old Testament which plumbs the depths of the Gospel. Its message is meant to cause us to learn and relearn God’s magnificent lovingkindness and compassion for everybody, everywhere. A Love that chases us down. A Love that causes us to confess and praise. A Love that will have us conformed to His Image at all costs. Join us as we explore the life and prophesies of Jonah…

After the decline of the Kingdom during the reign of Solomon’s son Rehoboam, God would raise up a generation of kings who would put God’s kingdom people back on track. Solomon’s grandson, Abijah, and his great-grandson, Asa, would lead the people back to worship of the Lord and to following the blueprint of His kingdom. Under Asa the reform was so extensive and thorough that God’s people are said to have experienced rest on ALL sides. Even when the enemy came with an army of one million soldiers, the citizens of the kingdom feared not! They knew that God would fight their battles! Ultimately, King Jesus is the One who brings restoration, rest, and reform in all our lives. Join us!

After the glories of Solomon’s kingdom there is a period of upheaval and civil war. Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, does not seek the Lord. Because of this the enemy gets a foothold within the kingdom and begins to plunder its treasures. But, nevertheless, when the people humble themselves God in His mercy and grace restores His kingdom people for the sake of His everlasting covenant. And after the people turn to Him a generation rises which more fully leans on Him like David did. They begin to experience the blessings and prosperity of His kingdom again. Join us we delve into the lives and reigns of Judah’s first and second king, Rehoboam and Abijah, and unpack kingdom living truths for today.

2 Chronicles begins with the Kingdom of God at its height. There is not one bad word spoken about King Solomon in 2 Chronicles. Rather, we simply see a victorious reign and victorious living. We see types and shadows of what the Christian’s life in the Kingdom of God is meant to look like. A reign of new creation people. A reign of rest. A reign of peace. A reign of joy-filled worship and heartfelt prayer. And a reign of prosperity. Join us as dig into the glories of Solomon’s kingdom and how it relates to us living in Christ’s kingdom!

During the latter days of Elisha’s ministry two kings were raised up alongside him, one in the South and one in the North, who would usher in great reformation to their respective kingdoms. The warrior king, Jehu, and the young child temple-man, Joash. This is a story of how God preserved His kingdom in its deepest, darkest hour. How God had patriots for His kingdom positioned in the right places—the king’s sister, the high priest, and many within the army. At the right time, in the right way, God restored order to His kingdom The enemy could not triumph! Canaanite religion and Baalism was driven from the land! Join us and be refreshed and reinvigorated by God's Word!

After the central sanctuary and throne of the Kingdom was revealed at Mt. Moriah, the rest of the kingdom could be organized around this divinely appointed throne. This is what concerns the final eight chapters of 1 Chronicles. It is about King David doing what might seem to many readers to be quite mundane—organizing officials, giving Solomon the heavenly blueprint for the temple, reorganizing the temple choirs, guards, judges, treasurers, etcetera. Yet, as we look carefully at this section of Scripture we see there are many powerful lessons for the church! And for all our lives! Join us!

In tonight’s Bible Study we will explore the lives of the two greatest prophets during Israel’s kingdom period—Elijah and Elisha! The lives of these prophets are discussed at length at the very center of Northern Israel’s first king and last king. They were bold men of God who called Israel to believe in Yahweh along, and reform their worship, for Israel had drifted all the way back to the ways of Canaan. Elijah and Elisha’s lives are also filled with types and shadows of the Greatest Prophet, Jesus Christ. Both prophets have much to teach us about Christ and His Kingdom! Join us!

Central to the Kingdom of God in Chronicles is the unconditional covenant God made with David. This covenant was the foundation of the Kingdom’s victories and longevity. As we learn our position within God’s covenant, we can begin to experience the glories of His kingdom! We can be imitators of our King in battle! Ultimately, we can know that God’s mercy is greater than all our sin! That is the greatest lesson David learned as he was shown the divinely chosen site for God’s temple in 1 Chronicles 21. Join us!