Third Church Sermons

This Sunday we’ll traverse into the next great chapter of the history of the monarchy in Israel: we will meet the young man named David. This is a new chapter in what has been a sad and disappointing beginning in Israel’s monarchy, and it speaks of the hope that God always brings out of hopeless situations. God always sees beyond what we see- and this chapter invites us to see with the eyes of God.

This week we’ll see how a well-meaning and gifted person like Saul can go from being a promising young King to becoming a king “like that of the nations.” We see his rebellion against God’s command and his self-deceit as he justifies his behavior. We are given a warning that we share the same kind of heart, and to be watchful over our own propensity to self-deceit. And we are given a pointer to the God who saves us all from our self-destruction.

- Tim Keller, “Sin as Self Deceit,” Sermon preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 1/28/1996, and ’The Disobedience of Saul,” sermon preached on 1/4/2004. The structure of this sermon and several illustrations come from Keller’s sermons.

- Christopher J.H. Wright, Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. See Wright’s discussion of OT genocide also in the chapter of his book, “The God I Don’t Understand.”

- The David Story, By Robert Alter

- 1 & 2 Samuel for Everyone, by John Goldingay

- 1 Samuel for You, by Tim Chester

- 1 and 2 Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann

This Sunday we’ll continue our study of 1 Samuel by seeing the first major mistake Saul makes as king.

This week, we’ll continue the story as God concedes to Israel’s demand for a King and selects a young man named Saul to be the first official monarch of Israel. It’s a story of heartache as we watch God’s people dive headlong into their rebellious desires, but God’s fingerprints are also all over the story as he directs the events according to his purposes.

* This sermon was co-written with Rev. Kevin Germer, Christ Presbyterian Church, Richmond

- Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics, IV.1, 437-445.

- The David Story, By Robert Alter

- 1 & 2 Samuel for Everyone, by John Goldingay

- 1 Samuel for You, by Tim Chester

- 1 and 2 Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann

- “Hell,” Sermon by Tim Keller, Jun 8, 1997.

Clamor for a King by Third Church, RVA

Return to Community by Third Church, RVA

This Sunday we’ll walk through a biblical understanding of work, both the goodness of work in God’s created order, the futility of work under the curse of sin, and how God calls us to use our work to advance his Kingdom and display his goodness.

This week we look at one of the miracles of Jesus and the powerful transformation he is offering to us to truly be able to see.

This week we look at one of the miracles of Jesus and the powerful transformation he is offering to us to truly be able to see.

This Sunday we’ll look at Psalm 139 and God’s invitation to the good life of knowing him and be known by him.

Sermon Sources for 8/15 sermon:

- Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life

- Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms

- David Benner, The Gift of Being Yourself