A GOOD THING TURNS INTO A CORRUPT THING WHEN WE TURN IT INTO A SAVIOR THING

On Sunday, Pastor Kyle preached from 1 Samuel 11, which gives the account of Saul’s first victory as king. The story tells of how the city of Jabesh Gilead is saved. And though Saul appears to win the day, he gives the credit to God. This reminds us that in life, even though our replacement kings might sometimes come through for us, those are yet instances of God’s goodness and God’s deliverance as the King who is sovereign over all things. God works through imperfect and even at times sinful things - like a cruel Roman cross - to accomplish His perfect purposes.

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ISRAEL THOUGHT THEY KNEW WHAT WAS BEST FOR THEM

1 Samuel 9-10 tells the story of the selection and coronation of Israel’s first king. According to the “job description” that Israel had put forth, God selected the best man for the job - Saul. There was no one like him (10:24), but only in terms of height, handsomeness and strength. His heart, however, wasn’t what qualified him. Like Israel, we think we know what’s best for us. But God’s definition of what’s best for us is often quite different - and far better - than our own definition. God proved this very thing 1,000 years after Saul when He sent the King of Kings, one whom there was no one like in every way that mattered. Jesus teaches us to trust that in all things, God’s best is the very best there could possibly be.

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TAKE SOME TIME THIS WEEK TO LISTEN TO ONE OR MORE

Whether you were serving in children’s ministry at the retreat, were unable to attend the retreat, or would like to share and listen to the sermons again, they have been posted on our website and podcast feed.

Click here to be directed to the sermon archive and select a sermon from Celebration CA 2021

JESUS SYMPATHIZES WITH US IN OUR WEAKNESS TO INVITE US TO HIM IN OUR WEAKNESS

This past Sunday we took a break from our series in 1 Samuel to sit under the preached word from Senior Pastor, Ron Boomsma, from our sister church, Sovereign Grace Pasadena. It was an expression of our partnership with Sovereign Grace Churches, in addition to a privileged opportunity to hear God’s Word preached from a faithful servant of Christ who has humbly and courageously shepherded God’s people for over 25 years.

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WE WANT EASIER SOLUTIONS TO OUR PROBLEMS

1 Samuel 8 is one of the most significant chapters in the Old Testament. It marks the beginning of a long and difficult monarchy in Israel. It also reveals what was in the hearts of God’s covenant people: a dissatisfaction with God and a desire to replace Him as king over them. We are no less guilty of the same desire. Like Israel, we want quick fixes to our problems and become fed up with being set apart for His purposes. However, seeking Him in prayer and repentance (1 Samuel 7) is the way God has called us to live before Him as king. But despite our bullheadedness, God is gracious and powerful enough to redeem our desire to replace Him, just as He did for Israel by turning their desire for a king into the bloodline from which would come the King of Kings.

LISTEN TO LAST SUNDAY’S SERMON HERE

THE KING WHO IS, IS A KING WORTH TURNING TO

It took 20 years (1 Samuel 7:2). 20 years after falling under the oppressive hand of the Philistines and 20 years after trying to manipulate God into being their tool for victory and 20 years after remaining committed to their idols … that Israel was finally able to turn back to God. The Biblical term for this act of turning is “repentance”. 1 Samuel 7 demonstrates through Samuel’s leadership that repentance isn’t just saying “sorry” or even merely confessing your sin, but a turn from sin and to God with both heart and action. Moreover, 1 Samuel 7 points forward to the cross and shows us that though God is the one offended by our sin, because of the now-completed work of Christ, He is very much worth turning to.

LISTEN TO LAST SUNDAY’S SERMON HERE

WE ARE NOT ALONE IN OUR LOCAL MISSION IN SANTA ANA

This past Sunday, we had the privilege of hearing from guest preacher, Tommy Cota from Hope Alive Church in Santa Ana. He preached from Ephesians 2:11-22, reminding us that we who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ, making us one in Him. The unity we experience together as a local church and with our brothers and sisters in our city only strengthens our mission together. Listen to last Sunday’s message and be encouraged as you take the Gospel to your Santa Ana neighbors.

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GOD’S HOLINESS IS HIS UTTER UNIQUENESS

The Ark of the Covenant. Not a relic from an Indiana Jones film, nor merely an expensive piece of furniture in the Hebrew Tabernacle. It was a symbol of God’s - the King over all - presence on earth among His people and in 1 Samuel 4-6, the manner in which both Israel and Philistia handle the Ark demonstrate just what kind of King God is. He is a King who will not be manipulated nor mocked; He is a king who will not be trifled with … because He is holy. His holiness lays a claim on our lives. His holiness, just as it demanded something from Israel, demands something from us. Listen to last week’s sermon to learn more.

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A BETTER KING DOES YOU NO GOOD IF YOU DON’T KNOW HIS WAYS

You may think of a “prophet” as someone who predicts the future, but in Israel, a prophet was one who received God’s word and revealed them to God’s people. Sometimes this included foretelling the future, but more often than not, it was a ministry of forth-telling the truths of God’s character, will, and ways to his people. Why? Because without God’s word, we can’t see the path that leads to death or find the way that leads to life. God used the prophets to turn on the lights for his people, alert them to the danger of walking in the darkness, and lead them back to the light of God’s grace and truth. Because, what good is it to have a better King if we don’t know the way into his Kingdom? What good is a better King if we don’t know how to walk in his ways? Like Israel, left to ourselves, darkness is common (1 Sam 3:1), we think we know the way, and our eyes and hearts are darkened. In 1 Samuel 3, God raised up Samuel as a torch who would light the way and lead that generation of Israel from ruin to restoration. Yet, the light that Samuel shined in that generation ultimately pointed to another, greater light that would shine in the darkness, give life to all who beheld him, and fully and finally declare the truth that would bring everlasting change. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

A BETTER KING DOES YOU NO GOOD IF YOU’RE STILL AN ENEMY OF THE KING

“Priest” may not be in your everyday vocabulary or your current list of needs. But in the Old Testament, the job of a priest was to “intercede” for the people of Israel with God by offering sacrifices. Why? Because through their daily individual sins, they violated God’s covenant with them. In other words, sin sets humans up as enemies of the King and we need a priest to stand in the gap. The problem that 1 Samuel 2 identifies is that Israel’s priests at the time were corrupt. Their corruption illustrated a far greater problem that Hebrews 7 and Hebrews 10 explain: not a single human priest is sufficient for the task and no animal sacrifice can completely atone for human sin. The message that we’re left with in 1 Samuel 2: you need a better priest and a better sacrifice if you have any hope of living in the goodness of the better King you need. By God’s grace, He provides both the priest and the sacrifice. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE