First and Second Kings: The King of Redemption History
1 Kings 22 - The Word of the LORD
March 17, 2024 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 Kings 22, John 17:17
1 Kings offers a 3000-year-old chronicle that begins with an inevitable but forced royal succession and continues with relentless political disorder and conflict. We started with the relatively good King David reigning over a united kingdom, and we now conclude 1 Kings with the ignoble death of the wicked King Ahab who ruled over half of a divided kingdom. Unsurprisingly, we learn that we need a greater king than any presented in the history of ancient Israel or Judah. However, we are reminded that even through our most tumultuous times, God has proven Himself faithful to His people. God was neither silent nor inactive. Throughout 1 Kings, Yahweh's faithful prophets speak, and the word of the Lord remains central in each chapter of our study. Join Pastor Jim as he concludes our exploration of 1 Kings, reminding us to remain alert and proactive, listening for the word of the Lord as it comes to us through the written word of God, the ancient scriptures, and the living Word of God, the greater King, Jesus Christ.
1 Kings 21 - Payday Someday
March 10, 2024 • Ryan Motta • Leviticus 25:23, Numbers 36:7, Psalm 73:16–20, Romans 8:1, 1 Kings 21
Why do the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper? In 1 Kings 21, we read of a story that involves a gross misuse of power and authority against an innocent man. Where is God in the midst of all of this? How will He make things right? Join us this week as we begin to unpack the glorious hope we have in Christ who helps the righteous to endure while also making a way for the wicked to be redeemed.
1 Kings 20 - The Surprising and Relentless Grace of God
March 3, 2024 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 Kings 20
Lots of people have asked questions about why God allows this or that to happen in our world. But have you ever wondered why God was merciful to somebody you thought simply didn’t deserve it? Why does it surprise us to think God might forgive those persons we consider to be repeat offenders or “repugnant others?" And are there ever times we think God simply could not forgive us for something we’ve done multiple times? Join Pastor Jim as he shows us how there are times the surprising and relentless grace of God proves Him to be more merciful than we think He should be, more powerful than we believe He could be, more just than we sometimes want Him to be and more wise than we ever imagined He could be.
1 Kings 19 - Running on Empty
February 25, 2024 • Pastor Tommy Bailey • 1 Kings 19, James 5:17
1 Kings 19 follows the prophet Elijah after a decisive victory over the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. Fresh off this climactic spiritual battle, he is confronted with a dire threat to his life. Elijah had likely expected a great revival to sweep the Northern Kingdom of Israel, a turning back to God. Instead, Queen Jezebel had only intensified her opposition to God and the life and ministry of Elijah. Join Pastor Tommy as we consider together the kindness of God as he cares for Elijah in a season of despair. This account of God’s mercy offers encouragement and practical wisdom for all those who have found themselves in the fog of sorrow, depression, melancholy, or have lost their spiritual bearings. There is much for us to learn from the tender way God continues to provide for Elijah in his moment of need.
1 Kings 18 - I’ve Seen Fire and I’ve Seen Rain
February 18, 2024 • Pastor Matt Pierson • 1 Kings 18, Exodus 20:2–3
Israel has suffered three long years of drought and God plans to bring rain back to the land. But before that happens, God intends to make very clear to the Israelites who is the real God and who is a false god. Join us as Pastor Matt leads us in the powerful recounting of Elijah’s challenge to the prophets of Baal.
1 Kings 17 - Who is Your God?
February 11, 2024 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 Kings 17, John 1:1–4
It was the 9th century BC and the northern kingdom of Israel had turned away from God to worship Baal, the rain-storm god of the Canaanites. In 1 Kings 17 the prophet Elijah appears on the scene with an abrupt and harsh prophecy for the wicked King Ahab of Israel. Elijah’s God was going to dry up all the rain credited to Baal. God immediately directed Elijah to head east and hideout for a bit, promising him some ravens will serve as waiters, bringing him the food and sustenance he will need. Not long after this, God sends Elijah deeper into Baal territory to minister to an unnamed widow and her son. But as time passes, the boy gets sick and dies. The woman blames Elijah who then responds in a most remarkable way and the woman appears to come to faith in God. What happened there? As important a figure as Elijah is throughout biblical history, he is not the primary point of this action packed chapter. Just what is? Join Pastor Jim as he guides us on a journey alongside Elijah to learn about the God who speaks, guides, hears and provides!
1 Kings 15 & 16 - Truth AND Consequences
February 4, 2024 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 Kings 15, 1 Kings 16
1 Kings 15 & 16 describe decades of unbridled idolatry, debauchery, treachery, conspiracy, assassinations, wars, civil unrest, international intrigue and strife. Was the God of the Bible aware of the chaos and deepening darkness in that time? If so, what did God do, or what was God planning to do about it? What hope can the Gospel of Jesus bring to us in our own conflicted and troubled times? Join Pastor Jim as he walks us through the pages of the yearbook of ancient Judah and Israel that we find in 1 Kings 15 & 16. Here is an important part of the divine dossier of redemption history, and it all points forward to and finds its fulfillment in the greater King Jesus.
1 Kings 14 - The Lies We Tell Ourselves
January 28, 2024 • Ryan Motta • 1 John 1:9, James 5:16, Proverbs 10:17, Romans 6:23, 1 Kings 14
1 Kings 14 is a heartbreaking chapter describing God’s judgment on the Northern and Southern Kingdom for their wicked ways. In light of all we have read in the book of 1 Kings, it’s right for us to ask, “How did we get here?” Join us this week as we take a closer look at the deceptive nature of sin and how the Gospel shines bright even in the midst of man’s rebellion and God’s judgment.
1 Kings 13 - The Word of the LORD
January 14, 2024 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 Kings 13
What does the phrase, “the word of the LORD,” mean? Can and does God speak? If so, in what ways or by what means does God speak? How should we interpret and respond to the word of the LORD? Join Pastor Jim as he helps us unravel one of the most puzzling chapters in the Old Testament and shows us how it can also be one of the most clarifying chapters in the Bible, especially as we seek to understand what the Lord may have said or might be saying. 1 Kings 13 is part of the written word of the LORD, the divine dossier of redemption history.
1 Kings 12 - Be Careful Which Way You Lean
January 7, 2024 • Pastor Tommy Bailey • 1 Kings 12, Romans 8:38–39, Hebrews 12:1–2
1 Kings 12 is a dramatic scene change in the history of God's people. King Solomon has just passed away, and his son, Rehoboam, is assumed to be his successor. Instead, the kingdom divides. Two kingdoms are now set against one another: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This separation is tragic, and the consequences will reverberate for generations. Yet, we see the hand of God at work, even in this seemingly hopeless moment. Three words from God frame this chapter and offer hope to us today, "...but not forever." (11:39) Join Pastor Tommy as we seek to learn from these events in redemptive history and lift our eyes to the hope we have today in King Jesus.
1 Kings 11:14-43 - When All is Said and Done…
November 19, 2023 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 Kings 11:14–43, Luke 1:31–33, Daniel 2:21–22
As a young man, King Solomon was gifted by God with unparalleled wisdom and wealth. Even in our own time, Solomon is considered to have been one of the wisest men who ever lived. And yet, while Solomon started out so well, he finished quite poorly. As a result, Solomon’s life story is both an inspiration and a warning to us. What went wrong? What happened to Solomon? And what was God up to? Join Pastor Jim as we finish up the story of King Solomon and see our great need for a much greater king.
1 Kings 11:1-13 - Mind the Gap
November 12, 2023 • Pastor Tommy Bailey • 1 Kings 11:1–13, 1 Kings 3:3, Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 51:12
The Bible is refreshingly, and sometimes shockingly, honest. Our study of 1 Kings 11 will reveal to us the unvarnished reality of King Solomon's condition of heart toward the end of his life and reign. From this short biography of Solomon's latter years, we will seek to learn how to avoid the dangers of spiritual drift. How did Solomon go from the wisest of men to one of the most foolish? His heart was wholly with the Lord as he began his reign (1 Kings 3), but in his final years, he did "evil in the sight of the Lord..." (1 Kings 11). What can we learn from this heartbreaking story? Join Pastor Tommy as we look for God's provision of mercy and lift our eyes to one greater than Solomon, who seeks to rescue and redeem all who would come to Him.
1 Kings 10 - More Money, More Problems
November 5, 2023 • Ryan Motta • 1 Kings 10, 1 Kings 8:41–43, Deuteronomy 17:16–17
In 1 Kings 10, we reach the pinnacle of Solomon’s kingdom. As the nations begin to hear about his wisdom, splendor and wealth, he receives an unlikely visitor to see for herself if everything said about Solomon is true. Join us this week as we unpack 1 Kings 10 and see how the glory of Solomon and his kingdom foreshadows the glory of another greater king to come.
1 Kings 8:54-9:28 - God’s Blueprint for a Healthy Spiritual Life
October 29, 2023 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 Kings 8:54—9:28
God is the designer and creator of everything that exists. As the ultimate architect of the human person, what would God’s blueprints for a healthy spiritual life look like? What key elements and features would characterize God’s design for a vibrant life with Him? Is it even possible for us to live in a right relationship with God, and if so, upon what basis? Join Pastor Jim as he draws insightful and helpful answers from God’s second appearance to King Solomon as recorded in 1 Kings 9.
1 Kings 8:1-53 - The Promise of His Presence
October 22, 2023 • Pastor Tommy Bailey • 1 Kings 8:1–53
1 Kings 8 describes a great gathering of God's people in Jerusalem. The Temple construction had been completed and King Solomon called for an extraordinary celebration to honor this moment in the history of Israel. The pinnacle of the gathering was marked by the manifest presence of God falling on the Temple in a great cloud of glory. The presence of God is something every human heart longs for, whether one acknowledges it or not. For some, that longing has been misdirected, obfuscated or calloused over, and for others, numbed by the weight of suffering. Still, some ignore or dismiss this longing through willful unbelief. Join Pastor Tommy as we study this remarkable account of the dedication of the Temple. This notable event in the history of Israel points to an even greater reality of the resurrected King Jesus, who has made a new and living way for all people who turn to Him to dwell with God today and for eternity.