2 Samuel 9:1-8 “Risking Reconciliation”

 Message: 2 Samuel 9:1-8 “Risking Reconciliation”

Society’s way of dealing with threats is to eliminate them. Following God, rather than the ways of men, David does something unprecedented: He loves his enemy/rival. Rather than protect himself, he chooses vulnerable love. This is exactly what God chooses in sending Jesus to live among humanity as a human being. It is also how Jesus invites his followers to engage people in the world and in their lives. Are we ready to take a risk toward reconciliation?

 

2 Samuel 7:1-17 “A House Established”

Message:2 Samuel 7:1-17 “A House Established”

When we encounter God and realize that he is the source of our lives, we have a desire to give back to him. God appreciates this desire, but above all else, he wants us to know that He also has a desire for us. His desire is to establish us and continue a formative work in our lives. David desires to build a house for God. God responds by revealing to David that He is building a future for David. That ‘House’ culminates in the person of Christ, the descendant of David who becomes eternal ‘King.’ God ultimately establishes His “House” in Christ. We celebrate this fulfilled promise every time we celebrate Communion.

  

2 Samuel 6:1-15 “When Tragedy Strikes”

Message Title: 2 Samuel 6:1-15 “When Tragedy Strikes”

 In this passage, it seems like everything is finally going right for both David and Israel. But in the midst of celebrating, a tragedy strikes. David finds himself questioning everything he knows about life with God. He goes through a time of being angry with God. He doesn’t receive any real answer for the tragedy, but as life goes on he sees that God is still good and he chooses to continue walking with this God he cannot fully wrap his mind around.

  

2 Samuel 5:1-10 “God’s Slow Work”

Message: 2 Samuel 5:1-10 “God’s Slow Work”

The Prophet/priest/judge Samuel anointed David as King over Israel when he was about 15 years old. It would take 15yrs before David would actually become king over the nation. This reminds us that God’s promises and work are slow process. The primary goal of life is our formation, not our comfort. It is for us to learn to trust God’s slow, often invisible process.

  

2 Samuel 1:17– 2:7 “Mourning what Wasn’t, Accepting what Is”

Message: 2 Samuel 1:17– 2:7 “Mourning what Wasn’t, Accepting what Is”

As we begin 2 Samuel, we will watch David mourn over the loss of Saul and Jonathan and all that could have been if Saul had chosen differently. Then we’ll witness him move forward into the life that he is now called to. The same is true of many of the hopes we might have had for our lives and those we love. There are some things that did not turn out as we had hoped. We can and must mourn the loss of those possibilities. Yet, we must also accept and embrace the life we are now called to live.

  

John 8:1-11 “Interrupting Violence” Part 2

Message: John 8:1-11 “Interrupting Violence” Part 2

In today’s passage we see Jesus interrupt violence by stepping in and redirecting the attention of some religious leaders who were ready to kill a woman. Their issue had little to do with the woman, so Jesus distracts them and redirects their attention. What are some ways we can ‘interrupt violence?’ that we encounter in the lives of others? 

1 Samuel 16-31 “Interrupting Violence”

Message: 1Samuel 16-31 “Interrupting Violence”

As we come to the conclusion of the Book of 1 Samuel, we see a theme of people, from Saul to the Amalekites, perpetrating violence against the innocent. This week we’re going to deal with the difficult issue of removing ourselves from the abuse of others and how to assist others who are being abused in the contexts of physical and racial violence.