Advent is the season of waiting, anticipation,

J.D. Greear often reminds us that the gospel is

At Advent we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace! The Peace Jesus brings is more than the Hollywood version of quiet solitude found in front of the fire place with hot cocoa in our hands. Jesus came to give us Peace “that passes all understanding.” A Peace that lasts all year long, through all of the highs and even the lows of life. This Peace is deeper. This Peace is bullet proof. It is a Peace 2.0.

1st Advent is all about Hope! The Hope and expectation we have in the coming Christ. Hope is sometimes hard to find and impossible hold onto by ourselves. Hope is too heavy to hold onto alone, that is why the Bible tells us to not to hold onto hope, but to put our hope in Jesus. True hope is found in Christ!

David one of our heroes of faith. A true renaissance man who was as comfortable at worship as he was at war. And he was a “man after God’s own heart.” What was his secret? Was caused him to succeed at such a high level? Was it all God? Was it all David? Or was there something (someone) else?

After hitting rock bottom in last week’s story, King David bounces back to his “man after God’s own heart” form. This week we read one of the most beautiful demonstrations of God’s Grace and Mercy in the entire Old Testament: David’s mercy towards Mephibosheth.

This week in the story of David, we find our hero in real trouble, but it is trouble of his own making. He didn’t set out for the city of Ziklag, but choices were made and baby steps were taken. Before he knew it, he was settled in and putting down roots in the last place on earth he thought he would ever wind up! God rescued him from Ziklag, but it cost David dearly. What will it cost to get you out of your Ziklag?

When you hear the word, "Friend,” what comes to mind? What makes someone a friend - a true friend? For far too long we have been satisfied with the world’s definition of friendship that is shallow and short-lived. This week we take a look at the biblical model of friendship that is both genuine and life giving. The friendship between David and Johnathan. 

When we look at the world and see so much chaos, it's easy to lose heart. When we look at elections and find more division than unity and more conflict than cooperation, it's easy to start feeling anxious. But what if God gave us a way to find hope in ANY circumstance, no matter what the outcome?

What makes for a powerful time of worship? The right leader, style of music, temperature, and lighting? A clear head and heart ready to experience God’s Spirit? What if some or none of those things are present? Can there be no worship? This week, we learn from the greatest Worship Leader of the Bible that true worship can be found even in the face of a powerful storm!

David was the first king God chose for His people. He was the greatest King in the history of Israel. He must have been a really special young man. Why was God’s choice such a surprise? Why didn’t anyone else see it coming? What did God see in David that others could not see?