WE NEED A KING WHO OBEYS THE FATHER COMPLETELY

In 1 Samuel 15, after Saul had presumed to undertake the role and priest and prophet and failed in chapter 13 and 14, he finally and tragically fails in his anointed role as king and God strips his kingdom away from him. In what way did he fail? He only partially obeyed God’s Word. In last Sunday’s sermon, pastor Kyle explained that God did not give Saul his kingdom to turn and only obey some of His commands. However, where Saul failed, Jesus, the King of Kings, succeeded and fully conquered sin and death in us, bringing salvation to our souls. Like Saul, though, we didn't receive salvation only then to turn and allow sin to remain in our hearts. Listen to the sermon to learn more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM GOD

Throughout the book of 1 Samuel, the Old Testament offices of Prophet, Priest and King rise to the surface over and over. As Saul is anointed as Israel’s first king, he then presumes to act in both the prophetic and priestly roles in chapters 13-15, begging the question, “will this man whom the people want prove to be the prophet, priest and king that they need?”. Chapter 13 answers that he is sadly not the priest they need. Chapter 14 answers that he’s not the prophet they need; he’s not suited to speak as God’s representative to His people because he doesn’t seek God’s heart. Saul shows us how desperately we need to hear from God Himself and Jesus has satisfied that need. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

GOD WANTS OUR OBEDIENCE AND HE’S AFTER OUR HEARTS

In 1 Samuel 13, Saul proves that he’s not the “man after God’s own heart” that God’s people needed to lead them. When things became difficult and stressful, he relied on his own wisdom and strategies to find a solution, even though he very clear knew what obedience looked like. In our lives, we’re drawn daily by similar temptations to value convenience or comfort over obedience, despite the fact that it may very well be inconvenient. The good news of the Gospel, though, is that Jesus always did the Father’s will and even graciously gave His perfect record of obedience to us through His cross. So, next time, when you do choose convenience over obedience, run first to Christ in faith and then ask Him for the strength to obey despite however inconvenient it might be.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

BUT YOU CAN’T OVERESTIMATE GOD’S MERCIFUL COMMITMENT

On Sunday, we heard Pastor Jeff preach from 1 Samuel 12, where Samuel addresses Israel one final time and pulls the cover off their sin of desiring a king. His aim was to show Israel that they had drifted away from their God to the point of rejection. Yet, they didn't see the gravity of their sin until they were fully committed to their sin. They had drifted farther than they realized. But what’s even more apparent than their sin in the text is the strength of God’s commitment - to His own glory. Because He had called them His people, He refused to forsake them. The same is true of those who have been adopted into God’s family through the blood of Christ. Though you may have drifted far - and may yet drift again - God’s commitment to you in Christ remains steadfast.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

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.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

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.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

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.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

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