November 17, 2024 • Eli Thomas • James 1:22–25, 1 Kings 2:1–4, Matthew 1:1–16
In the wrap up to Rise and Fall, pastor Eli ties David's life into the story of Jesus and shows us how his story is also our story. David teaches about what it means to be a Christ follower and his story is part of a greater story that brings hope to all people.
Fallout From The Fall
November 10, 2024 • Eli Thomas • 2 Samuel 13—19
What happens when we don't learn our lessons from our sins? David messed up with Bathsheba, he confessed to God and was forgiven for his actions but David didn't learn his lesson. 15 years later David's sin is repeated by one of his sons and it leads to David's downfall. May we learn from David's lesson to not only seek forgiveness for our sins but also to learn from them so we don't keep making the same mistakes.
A Fallen Hero
November 3, 2024 • Eli Thomas • 2 Samuel 12, 2 Samuel 11, Luke 8:17, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Psalm 44:21
Throughout David's life there are times of great success but there are also a few moments of great failure and none is really so great as his sin with Bathsheba. David shows us that it is possible to make some spectacular mistakes, and quite often there is a price to be paid for the things that we do. But his failure also shows us a merciful God who loves us even when we really mess up and is ready to forgive us when we are ready to ask for it.
Welcome Home
October 27, 2024 • Eli Thomas • Matthew 1:1, 2 Samuel 9, Galatians 4:4–7
The word HOME can have a lot of meanings, and it can create a lot of different emotional response. Depending on our experiences with our homes, our reactions may be good or very bad. But God offers us a home that is always perfect. This week in Rise & Fall we see God's kindness played out in the life of one who had no right to expect a warm welcome and yet that is exactly what he got. We too, through faith in Christ, get far more than we could ever dream of receiving.
God's Promises, Our Patience
October 20, 2024 • Eli Thomas • 2 Samuel 6—7
As followers of Christ there is a strong desire to do the right thing. We want to follow Jesus and to combat the evil that we see around us. The temptation though is to fall into a pattern where the ends justify the means. David had a strong desire to serve God but that desire led him to act without consulting the Lord. When we act for God without FOLLOWING God, we, like David, can find ourselves guilty of doing the right thing but going about it the wrong way.
Patient Waiting and Running
October 13, 2024 • Eli Thomas • 1 Samuel 18—31, 2 Samuel 1—5, Romans 5:3–5, 1 Peter 4:12–13, Zechariah 13:9
It is hard to wait on God's timing. When we see something better or get a glimpse of God's promises, we want to move from where we are to where we will be. Even harder is having to wait and having to struggle at the same time. David had to do a lot of waiting while under great pressure. How he dealt with his circumstances can encourage us when we too have to wait on God's timing.
A Giant of a Story
October 6, 2024 • Eli Thomas • Romans 8:31, 1 Samuel 17, Hebrews 11:1, Matthew 28:19–20
Where is your hope? Is it in Jesus or do you put your confidence and trust in something of this earth? Saul and Israel were all about trusting in human strength but David put his trust in the Lord. One way leads to success, the other leads to disappointment and despair. This week, in part 6 of Rise & Fall, pastor Eli takes us through the account of David and Goliath, a story about one who completely trusts God in all things.
The Shepherd King
September 29, 2024 • Eli Thomas • 1 Samuel 16
Sometimes God's time and our time don't come together and we find ourselves in a place where we have to wait. When that place is uncomfortable we might be tempted to try to force God's hand so that we get to move on. The lesson that we get from David this week is that sometimes being patient where we are is exactly what God wants us to do.
Losing My Religion
September 22, 2024 • Eli Thomas • 1 Samuel 8—15, Genesis 6:6, Ephesians 4:30
God is love and the love is expressed for everyone no matter their successes or failures. He wants everyone to experience hope through Jesus Christ. Too often though that love is one-sided- many of us either entirely ignore his love or let our desire for our own way to get in the way of it. Saul experienced a great rise as he followed God but it all fell apart when he decided he was the one in charge.
Who You Gonna Call?
September 15, 2024 • Eli Thomas • 1 Samuel 4—8, Romans 1:21–28
Who is your first call? When you have something you are trying to figure out, who do you reach out to first? Do you call on God or try to solve things yourself? Israel faced this question over and over and most of the time their answer was to go their own way rather than go God's way. When we call on ourselves, our efforts, like Israel's, frequently lead to disaster.
Are You Listening?
September 8, 2024 • 1 Samuel 1:1–10
Samuel hears the voice of God and he responds with an invitation for God to speak and the promise to listen. Too often our response is the other way around- we ask God to listen as we speak. Samuel has a lot to teach us about acting on God's words, but most importantly, he shows us that we need to take the time to be quiet so that we can hear what is spoken.
Rise & Fall
September 1, 2024 • Eli Thomas • 1 Samuel 1
*Due to an equipment issue this message is audio only*
Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is a women without hope. How many of us can identify with that feeling? Childless and tormented by her husband's other wife, Hannah cries out to God in her despair and discovers that no matter how alone she feels, God hears and God speaks. Join us as we begin a new series looking at the challenges and successes of the major players in 1 & 2 Samuel!
