July 21, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 31
Theme: The Fall of a King
Passage: 1 Samuel 31
A life lived exclusively following one’s own way:
1. Discovers life working against them
2. Reaps destruction and ruin
3. Results in a great fall no matter strength and stature
4. Ends losing what was hoped to gain
Biblical Truth: The prophetic word inevitably finds fulfillment.
Solution: There is only one perfect king who continues to work through a faithful remnant who honor Him.
· Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand.
· Honor Him.
Application Questions
1. Why does Saul seem such a tragic figure as we read of his death? What can we, who have been given so much, take from this tragedy?
2. From what is seen in this text, how is God’s glory diminished when we forge our own path rather than submit our lives to God?
3. In what ways have you tragically seen or experienced the effects of forging your own way only to find God’s Word never fails (see Gal. 6:7)?
4. How is this text calling you to humble yourself under God this week? What needs to be addressed in your life to return glory to God?
5. How is this passage calling you to honor Him with your life this week?
July 14, 2024
July 14, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 30
Theme: Finding Strength in the Lord
Passage: 1 Samuel 30
Main Idea: Amid life’s crises, believers find their strength in the Lord.
Means of finding strength in the Lord
-Prayer: Turning to God
-Word: Living according to His revealed will
-Evidence of finding strength in the Lord
-Sharing in God’s grace equally
-Sharing God’s grace generously
Application Questions:
1. Why can believers find it difficult to turn to the Lord for their strength amid crisis or difficulty? How have you struggled with this in the past?
2. What obstacles do you find that hinder your turning to God in prayer? Is prayer a regular habit in your life? What difficulties do you experience with prayer?
3. What is it about the Word of God that produces strength and direction for our lives? How are you strengthened when you are in God’s Word?
4. In what ways have you found it difficult to share in God’s grace equally with others? What might this reveal about your own hang-ups or prejudices concerning God’s grace?
5. How has this passage challenged you to share God’s grace toward you generously with others?
July 7, 2024
July 7, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 29
Theme: God amidst Wavering Faith
Passage: 1 Samuel 29
Main Idea: God works to renew the faith of His chosen ones even when their faith wavers.
Characterization of God’s Work in 1 Samuel 29:
- Providential
- Protective
- Patient
Application Questions:
1. Exposing the deep recesses of your heart, what has caused or is causing your faith in God to waver?
2. Looking back over times of seeming distance from God, how have you seen his providential work in your life?
3. How has God protected you from your own sinful and foolish choices? How did you respond?
4. What has this message taught you about God’s patience towards you? Why do we seemingly continue to doubt his goodness and love toward us?
5. What actions has this passage challenged you to take?
June 30, 2024
June 30, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 28
Theme: Guidance from Beyond
Passage: 1 Samuel 28
Disobedience to the Lord’s Word produces inevitable results:
1. Loss of Access to God
2. The Lord’s Departure
3. Loss of Future
4. Destruction
Main Idea: Failure to obey the Lord’s Word will separate us from God.
Application Questions:
· In looking back on Saul’s life what justifications did he have for willfully choosing to obey God’s Word to him? How do we similarly justify disobedience to God’s Word?
· How might Saul’s situation, actions, and outcome pertain to both unbelievers and believers today? How should we walk away from this text both warned and hopeful?
· Have you ever experienced feelings and thoughts where God seemed inaccessible to you? What is a believer to do in such times of their life (see Ps. 42)?
· What should we do when we see another person, especially one close to us, walking in clear disobedience to God’s Word? What motivations are found in this text to stir you to action in this area?
· What can you do over the next weeks and months to draw closer to God through His Word?
June 23, 2024
June 23, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 27, 1 Samuel 28:1–2
Theme: Losing Focus on God
Passage: 1 Samuel 27:1–28:2
This scene in David’s life reveals signs that one’s eyes have turned their focus from God:
1. The “I”s have it (1).
2. Accomplishment of your plan (2-3)
3. Alignment with things opposed to God (4-7)
4. Promotion and preservation of self regardless of cost (8-10)
5. Deception and compromise to cover tracks (11-12)
6. Success but in a position opposed to God’s people (1-2)
Main Idea: God desires that we continually return our focus to Him as the protector and provider for our life.
Keep these truths in mind:
1. This side of heaven, God continually works through sinful and at times unfaithful people.
2. We have much more of the complete story, so we have less excuse.
3. The Spirit of God in dwells your life to guide, convict, and lead you in truth.
Application Questions:
· How is a scene like this in David’s life sobering? How might it also be hopeful?
· Looking back on times that you were distant from the Lord, what characterized your life physically and spiritually? Was life itself marked by difficulty or ease? What have you learned through such times that now helps keep you focused on God?
· How have you justified certain actions or accepted certain things in life that are opposed to God? What does this reveal about you?
· In what areas are you vulnerable to compromise the teaching of scripture to make things easier for your own life? How do you or can you combat this through the power of the Spirit? What’s a next step that God desires for you to take to return your focus to Him as you protector and provider?
June 16, 2024
June 16, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 26
Theme: Wait on the Lord, Part 2
Passage: 1 Samuel 26
As we wait on the Lord, there are certain things we can be doing:
1. Act according to God’s revealed will.
2. Leave matters of personal retribution and justice in God’s hands.
3. Continue to live rightly.
4. Enter each day with the confidence of God’s protection over you.
Main Idea: The Lord desires for us to patiently trust His deliverance and care.
Application Questions:
· In what ways have you struggled with justifying sin because life’s circumstances weren’t going your way? What have you learned through such situations and occurrences?
· Where are areas in your own life that you tend to want to take matters into your hands, seeking personal retribution or justice? How can you go about leaving these matters in God’s hands?
· From where does David gather His confidence in the Lord’s care and deliverance over His life? How can we maintain assurance of God’s care when life’s circumstances seem to indicate the opposite?
· What are some practical ways that we can foster patient trust on God’s deliverance and care on a daily basis?
June 9, 2024
June 9, 2024 • Pastor Josh Kee • 1 Samuel 25
1 Samuel 25 Sermon Notes
Series: Rise & Fall
Title: “Delivered from Foolishness”
Contextual/ Interpretive Notes:
Chapter 25 must be read in light of chapter 24, as it reveals yet unseen aspects of David’s character that foreshadow future characteristics of his rule.
Note the parallels between [Nabal and Saul] and between [Abigail and Jonathan]
Compare David’s attitude and actions in relationship to Saul (“Yahweh’s anointed”) in chapter 24 and Nabal (the businessman in Carmel) in chapter 25
Note Yahweh’s providential provision through minor characters
1. The death of Samuel, the “man of God” (25:1a)
- Samuel has been a prominent fixture as: God’s response to Hannah’s lament (ch. 1), God’s chosen servant (ch. 3), Israel’s judge (ch. 7), the anointer of Saul (chs. 9-10), the rebuker of Saul (ch. 15), the anointer of David (ch. 16), and David’s refuge while fleeing Saul (ch. 19).
- The “mouthpiece of God” is removed from the story following Saul’s confession of David as Yahweh’s anointed king (24:20) and all Israel mourned (25:1a)
- Those who possess and live by God’s Word are a blessing to many, though despised by some.
2. David and Nabal (25:1b-13)
- David’s (presumptive?) request (1b-8)
Wisdom & Folly: Abigail (“discerning and beautiful”) is contrasted with Nabal (“harsh and badly behaved”) (2-3)
David sends a delegation of peace and goodwill requesting provisions from Nabal’s abundance in return for David’s (uncontracted) protection in the wilderness (4-8)
David’s motive is unclear, as is his actual need (he will leave 200 men to protect his own provisions in verse 13), but he presumes that Nabal ought to repay him for his goodness (contrast with Luke 6:27-36)
- Nabal’s reply (9-11)
Scoffs at David’s request and equates him to a rogue servant (as opposed to recognizing him as Yahweh’s anointed)
Treats God’s anointed with contempt
- David’s response (12-13) – in contrast to his refusal to take matters in his own hands against Saul (“the LORD’s anointed”), David takes matters (“the sword”) into his own hands to exact vengeance against Nabal
3. Yahweh’s intervention (25:14-31)
- An unnamed servant tells Abigail of Nabal’s action and David’s intentions (14-17)
- Abigail acts with wisdom and haste (18-20) (compare with God’s intervention in 23:26-28)
- David’s rash vow (21-22)
- Abigail mediates in wisdom (23-31)
embraces David as God’s anointed and detaches herself from her “evil” and “worthless” husband, (note Jonathan)
posture of submission and honor - “your servant” (6x); “my lord” (10x)
reaffirms God’s promise to David (28)
4. David’s repentance (25:32-35) – contrasted with Saul’s refusal to repent (22:18-19)
- Blesses Yahweh (32)
- Blesses Abigail and promises peace (33-35)
5. Abigail’s report to Nabal (25:36-38)
- Nabal is drunk in his contemptuous wealth - fool (36)
- God exacts vengeance (37-38)
6. David takes Abigail as his wife (25:39-44)
- Blesses Yahweh for his justice and protection (39)
- Literarily, likely represents David’s embrace of God’s wisdom and provision (40)
- Culturally and politically, represents a strategic “maneuvering” toward the throne (43) (perhaps foreshadowing David’s failure in 2 Samuel 11)
- Note: The biblical and historical account of God’s chosen one taking multiple wives in no way condones or endorses such an action as wise or acceptable before God
Main Points: Even the Lord’s chosen ones, save Jesus Christ, possess duplicity of heart and require God’s gracious intervention, often through the provision of others, to protect them from their own foolishness. The humble will accept God’s merciful intervention, embrace his wisdom, and rejoice over his protection. The foolish will double down on their folly, reject wisdom, and become embittered over God’s hindrance of their desires.
Discussion Questions:
1. Consider the gift Samuel was to Israel because he was a “mouthpiece for God.” Imagine your own funeral. Who is present? Why are they there? Will they mourn because a mouthpiece of God is no longer with them? How might you bless others with God’s Word (starting in your own home)?
2. Read Luke 6:27-36 and consider Jesus’ fulfillment of righteousness. Are you devoted to good works to bless others and adorn the gospel (see Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Titus 3:1, 8). Do you do so expecting repayment? How do you respond when your good works go unrecognized or unrepaid? Consider how Jesus fulfilled these verses and rejoice at his selfless generosity to you, knowing you could never repay him for his kindness.
3. Where are you prone to justify taking matters into your own hands? Are there any areas you need to repent of currently? Are there any people who have offended, wounded, or wronged you that you need to commit to the Lord’s justice and timing?
4. How has God intervened to keep you from your own foolishness? How have you responded? Is he acting currently to keep you from sin? Will you receive his merciful hindrance and rejoice over his protection, or begrudge his refusal to accommodate sinful desires?
5. Do you love wisdom? If you struggle, consider reading through the book of Proverbs, taking a chapter a day for a month. Ask the Lord to teach you and to help you love (and embrace) his wisdom.
June 2, 2024
June 2, 2024 • Pastor Josh Kee • 1 Samuel 24
1 Samuel 24 Sermon Notes
Series: Rise & Fall
Title: “Wait on the Lord”
I. CONTEXT: The strongholds of Engedi (23:29)
a. Meaning – “spring of the wild goat”
b. Oasis in the desert; “living water” (Ps 36:7-9; Ezek 47:1, 10; Jer 17:5-8; John 4:13-14; 7:37-38)
II. David and Saul in the cave (24:1-7)
a. Saul continues to pursue David (24:1-3; “enmity” Genesis 3:15; Pharisees seeking Jesus)
i. Saul is obsessed with finding and killing David (1)
ii. Saul outnumbers David 5:1; 3000:600 (2)
iii. WARNING: Self-obsessed insecurity causes us to take extreme (and irrational) measures to secure our desires
iv. Saul, a mere man, must succumb to his humanity and becomes vulnerable (3)
b. David spares Saul (24:4-7)
i. The tables turn: Saul is alone with David and his men - 600:1
ii. David’s men invoke God’s name for vengeance (4)
iii. David “cuts off” Saul’s royal robe (24:5; see Ps 37: 9, 22, 28, 34, 38)
iv. David is convicted (“struck in the heart”, invokes God’s name, and tears into his men to spare Saul (5-7)
v. WARNING: We are tempted to assume God’s will based off of circumstances and human wisdom, but we must test everything against God’s Word.
III. David confronts Saul (24:8-15)
a. David humbly honors Saul as king (8)
b. Saul had listened to men; David listened to Yahweh (9-11)
c. David invokes God’s name to judge and vindicate (12-15)
d. WARNING: God is just and will carry out justice in righteousness. God’s people must leave judgment and retribution in God’s hands, and to God’s timing.
IV. Saul’s confession (24:16-22)
a. Saul acknowledges David’s righteousness (16-19)
b. Saul acknowledges David’s kingship (20-21)
c. David makes a covenant with Saul (affirming his covenant with Jonathan, 18:3; 20:16)
Main Point: The Lord’s chosen people (see 1 Peter 2:9-12) must wait on the Lord to fulfill his promises, refusing to take matters into their own hands. God will surely vindicate the righteous in due time (Psalm 37:39-40)
Discussion Questions:
1. What does the geographical setting (Engedi) teach us about God’s promise of living water?
2. How does a refusal to embrace God’s will (God’s timing, God’s means, God’s methods, God’s provision, etc.) cause us to become obsessed with the wrong things and, therefore, waste our lives?
a. Are you fixated on some area where you believe God is holding out on you? What is it producing in your life?
b. How does genuine faith lead to rest and contentment?
3. What do you think David was doing all those years living in the wilderness? What do you think God was doing in David all those years in the wilderness? How has God used long “wilderness seasons” to shape your character and your hope (see Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-9)
4. How do you think you would have responded if you were in David’s position? What would your rationale be for your actions?
5. What is the church but a community of believers who persist in doing good to others as they wait for the Lord to fulfill his promises, and in all of this with hope and with rejoicing?
a. Read the following and passages and note how they shape our expectations and our hope as we wait for the Lord: Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 2 Peter 3:8-13
b. How are you at waiting? Where are you prone to become impatient and take matters into your own hands?
6. Spend some time reading Psalm 37, 57, 63, and 142 this week. Let the Lord love you through his Word as you learn to wait on him.
May 26, 2024
May 26, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 23
Theme: God’s Wilderness Provision
Passage: 1 Samuel 23
In the struggle of following God through life’s wilderness, God provides His chosen ones ...
1. Guidance by His Word
2. Confidence of ultimate victory
3. Protection amidst betrayal and opposition
4. Companionship for edification
Main Idea: God provides exactly what His chosen ones need precisely when they need it.
Application Questions:
· Identify times of struggle and trial in your life (difficult trials; opposition; betrayal). How did God provide for you during these? Which do you fall back on when God allows you to go through life’s wilderness?
· What are some promises of God that produce confidence as you face life’s trials? Can you think of some verses that you need to memorize to find God’s confident reassurance or with which you can reassure others?
· According to Hebrews 4:14–16, how does Jesus serve as God’s provision to us in our time of greatest need?
· Whom has God impressed upon your mind to reach out to and encourage this week? How are you going to go about doing that?
May 19, 2024
May 19, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 22:6–23
1 Samuel 22:6-23
Title: Evil Strikes Back
This horrific event reminds us that …
1. The Lord remains faithful to his promises.
2. The Lord may allow his just and right judgment to be carried out by unjust and evil means.
3. The Lord will direct the paths of his chosen ones.
Main Idea: The Lord faithfully accomplishes His will despite evil’s greatest attempts to thwart Him.
Application Questions:
• Why do horrific events like this cause us to question God and His ways?
• What questions do you have for God about His ways and evil? What do you do with them?
• How does your struggle with power and control when things don’t go your way manifest itself? What can you do to address this?
• How does this passage challenge you in your own relationship with God? What is it calling you to do?
May 12, 2024
May 12, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 21, 1 Samuel 5:1–5
Theme: A Mighty Fortress
Passage: 1 Samuel 21:1–22:5
God’s protective care ...
1. May prove risky (21:1–9).
2. Rescues us from our foolishness (21:10–15).
3. Providentially occurs behind the scenes (22:1–4).
4. Requires us to trust Him (22:5).
Main Idea: God remains a fortress of protection and care for those who abide in Him.
Application Questions:
· What risks or even losses have you experienced in trusting in or providing others with God’s protective care?
· How have you seen God protect you from your own foolish choices? What should be our response when we experience this aspect of His care?
· Looking back over your life, can you identify times when God providentially cared for you without you even being aware of it in the moment? Why is it so important for us to remember and acknowledge these events?
· Currently, is there a decision concerning God’s will for your life that requires risk to follow Him? What are the truths of this passage challenging you to do?
· How can you abide in God as your fortress this week?
May 5, 2024
May 5, 2024 • Pastor Josh Kee • 1 Samuel 20
1 Samuel 20 Sermon Information
Series: Rise & Fall
Title: “Devotion to the God’s Anointed One”
I. David confides in Jonathan (1-11)
a. Innocence & Ignorance (1-3)
b. Jonathan’s loyalty (4)
i. Jonathan’s deference to David reveals his love for David
ii. Jonathan’s deference to David reveals that he has embraced God’s chosen one
c. The Plan (5-7)
d. The Covenant (8-9; cf. 18:3-4)
i. “deal kindly”; “show kindness” – hesed = loyal love, faithfulness, steadfast love
ii. Exodus 34:6 > John 1:14
e. To the field (10-11)
II. Jonathan and David Affirm their Covenant (12-23)
a. Jonathan affirms his loyalty to David (12-13)
i. God’s name is invoked, indicating the seriousness of Jonathan’s devotion to David as God’s chosen king (12)
ii. Breaking covenant results in severe judgment (13)
b. Jonathan appeals to the covenant (14-17)
i. Jonathan’s loyalty to David sets him against his father and puts him in danger (14)
ii. Jonathan’s (and his family’s) security depends on David’s faithfulness to the covenant (14-15)
iii. Jonathan opposes all that opposes God’s purposes (16)
iv. Covenantal love is expressed through extreme loyalty (17)
c. Jonathan’s promise is expressed through specific action (18-22)
d. Jonathan and David’s covenant is affirmed (again) (23)
e. Jonathan and David’s friendship is ultimately about loyalty to God’s purposes through his chosen means
III. Saul’s heart is revealed (24-34)
a. The table scene foreshadows future allegiances (24-25)
b. Saul’s suspicion and Jonathan’s defense (26-29)
c. Saul’s response reveals his heart (30-31)
i. Selfish ambition and opposition to God have consumed Saul and driven him mad
ii. Unrestrained self-orientation results in a murderous heart and opposes God
d. Jonathan separates from his father (32-34)
IV. Jonathan warns David (35-42)
a. Jonathan fulfills his covenant promise (35-40)
b. Jonathan and David meet, then depart in peace (41-42)
“True strength lies in submission, which permits one to dedicate his life, through devotion, to something beyond himself.” (Henry Miller, American Novelist)
Main Point: Pride and selfish ambition ultimately bring ruin because they set the self-obsessed against Almighty God. Faith embraces God’s revealed purposes, through his chosen means, within the security of his holy covenant, and devotes all of life to him.
Discussion Questions:
1. What does Jonathan’s loyalty to David teach us about the Christian life?
a. Who was he ultimately devoted to?
b. What did that produce in his life?
c. Who/ what are you most devoted to?
2. What does Saul’s preoccupation with the throne (power) result in? What does this teach us about the dangers of a self-oriented life? Are there areas where you are more devoted to your ambition than God’s purposes? Are you more devoted to your personal goals than to God’s purposes?
3. Why do you think self-obsession results in unrestrained anger?
a. Is there anger in your life? Trace it to its roots. What does that reveal about our hearts?
b. Does anything need evaluated, acknowledged, confessed, and repented of?
4. What does this chapter teach us about covenant?
a. What does it mean for you to be in covenant with God (1 Corinthians 11:25)? How has Christ covenanted (irrevocably promised) to relate with those who trust him? How can this encourage you and lead to praise?
b. How are you living? Are you loyally devoted to Christ, or is your heart divided? How does resolving your devotion lead to security and stability in a chaotic world?
5. Consider the many promises of God for those who are in covenant relationship with him. Rejoice at what you have been gifted. Ask him for grace to live devoted to him in all things. Confess where you are not devoted, but trust his faithful, loyal, steadfast love to you in Christ.
April 28, 2024
April 28, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 18, 1 Samuel 19
The Lord’s work through David teaches us the following truths:
1. The Lord successfully accomplishes his plans through His chosen ones.
2. The Lord protects His chosen ones to accomplish His plans.
What should we do when we see this occurring in the life of another?
1. Curtail the spiral of selfish ambition:
a. Control
b. Anger
c. Jealousy
d. Obsession
e. Violent outbursts
f. Dread and Fear
g. Paranoia
h. Scheming
i. Enmity
2. Cultivate Relationship
a. Appreciation
b. Love and Loyalty
Main Idea: We need to tether ourselves to God’s work through relationship with God’s people or else we will end up selfishly opposing it.
Application Questions:
· Why has God chosen to work through individuals in community with one another rather than simply in personal isolation? What should this indicate for our own discipleship?
· How do we experience God’s protection over our lives today? Write these down so that you can praise and thank him for his protection of your life.
· Can you identify a fellow believer toward whom you have spiraled down the list of selfish ambition? Where are you at on the spiral (be honest)? What do you need to do to address this before it worsens?
· What are ways that you can express appreciation to God and your Christian brothers and sisters? Which of these will you follow through with this week?
· How can you demonstrate love and loyalty to the believers with whom you are in relationship? Be specific.
April 21, 2024
April 21, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 17
Theme: The Battle is the Lord’s
Passage: 1 Samuel 17
Knowing we engage in the Lord’s battle, we should respond in the following ways:
1. Serve faithfully in the place God has you.
2. View whatever you face from the Lord’s perspective.
3. Be wary of our natural tendency toward opportunism.
4. Turn your focus away from worldly threats.
Main Idea: Engage with confidence knowing the Lord has won the victory.
Application Questions:
· What service does God have you engaged in your current situation?
· Looking back on your Christian life, how has God brought you through trials previously? What do you face currently that God wants you to view from His perspective? What is this calling you to do?
· What fleshly cravings (power, fame, attention, wealth, pleasure, comfort, peace at any cost, etc.) are you tempted toward in your own service for God? Knowing this, what steps can you take to address this in your life?
· In what ways do you tend to focus on threats from this world? What spiritually have you found that helps bring your attention back to the Lord?
· Knowing He has already won the victory, what is God calling you to do with confidence in obedience to Him?
April 14, 2024
April 14, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Samuel 16
Theme: God Sees the Heart
Passage: 1 Samuel 16
God’s rejection of Saul and choice of David teaches us four truths about God’s choosing.
God’s choosing ...
1. Has very little to do with appearances.
2. Focuses on what’s inside—heart devotion.
3. Results in Spirit-empowerment and submission.
4. Impacts the well-being of others.
Main Idea: God chooses to use those who commit their lives to Him for His good and glory.
Application Questions:
· Why do some of us bristle at the idea that God chooses individuals through whom to accomplish His plan and will?
· Does God’s choice in this chapter involve the decisions and devotion of Saul and David? Explain. What does this mean for us today?
· What might God’s choosing be teaching you about your choices and decisions concerning others and spiritual matters in general?
· How does seeing the effects of God’s choosing (for Saul and David in this chapter and in the rest of 1 Samuel) challenge you in your devotion and service to Him? What is this chapter calling you to do?
