1 Samuel 18:1-30
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Just when things are going so well for David—he’s established himself as a servant of the king, he’s defeated Goliath, and he’s loved by everyone—everything seemingly unravels as Saul “eyes” him with the intent of destroying him. Come Sunday expecting the Spirit to move among us as we dig into 1 Samuel 18.
1 Samuel 17:1-37
Rev. Charlie Phillips
This Sunday we come to perhaps the most well-known and beloved story in the entire Bible. Given that we know it so well, it’s easy to assume that we’ve wrung all the truth and joy from it. However, there’s always so much more than meets the eye. Join us for worship as we seek the glory of Christ in the story of David and Goliath.
1 Samuel 16:1-23
Rev. Charlie Phillips
We don’t see things the way God sees them. By definition the finite doesn’t have the view of the infinite. Through Christ we are able to see things from a renewed perspective; He changes the way we view the world, our situation, others, and even ourselves. Come worship with us on Sunday as we seek to see the way He sees and glorify Him.
1 Samuel 14:47-15:1-35
Rev Charlie Phillips
One of my favorite times of the year is the very beginning. There’s all this energy swirling around our goals and vision for life. Everyone stops for a moment and considers how their present steps are affecting their future lives and aspirations. I love it! I would in fact argue that we’re called to do such reassessments throughout our lives, and not just because of our cultural drift (which we talked about this past Sunday), but because we’re called to be stewards of the gifts, talents, and resources God has given us. Join us this Sunday as we talk about living on vision as a church community.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Rev. Charlie Phillips
One of my favorite times of the year is the very beginning. There’s all this energy swirling around our goals and vision for life. Everyone stops for a moment and considers how their present steps are affecting their future lives and aspirations. I love it! I would in fact argue that we’re called to do such reassessments throughout our lives, and not just because of our cultural drift (which we talked about this past Sunday), but because we’re called to be stewards of the gifts, talents, and resources God has given us. Join us this Sunday as we talk about living on vision as a church community.
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Rev. Charlie Phillips
John Piper once said, “Servanthood does not nullify leadership: it defines it. Jesus does not cease to be the Lion of Judah when He becomes the lamblike servant of the church.” Starting this Sunday, you’ll have the opportunity to nominate candidates for offices of elder and deacon. As we prepare to select men for office, we need to prepare our hearts and wrap them around God’s design for biblical leadership. Our definitions and desires for leadership must come from Him. Join us this Sunday as we consider God’s standards for a king.
Hosea 11:1-9
Rev. Barr Overcast
Perspective is important. Whether it's sports replays or news pundits, we're prone to miss things when we only get one angle. In our text this week, we see the gospel from a different perspective than we're used to, an incredibly important perspective: God's own.
Titus 3:4-7
Rev Charlie Phillips
Join us this Christmas Eve as we conclude our Advent series “God With Us”. In the morning we’ll be studying the ways in which God is “for” us. The Apostle Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” In the evening, after hearing and singing of God’s incredible love we’ll contemplate God being “above” us via the ascension of Christ at the end of His glorious Incarnation season. See you soon!
Matthew 1:18-25
Rev Alan Foster
One of the beauties of Christmas is the truth that God has come in the flesh. The Biblical term for this is Immanuel. It means God with us. Join us this Sunday as we explore the implications of the fact that at Christmas Jesus came to be God with us.
Colossians 1:18-20
Rev. Charlie Phillips
The first verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” tells the story of the Incarnation so well - “O come O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel”. Can you feel the desperation? Namely, that the transcendent God of the universe MUST come near. All of life would feel like an extreme exile without His presence, and yet the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in the Son and the Son was was pleased to dwell among us for a season…a season of hope and redemption. Join us this Sunday as we gather to call on Him together.
Colossians 1:15-20
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Frederick Buechner once said, “In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You are aware of the beating of your heart. The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.” Join us this Sunday we remember and anticipate the incredible grace of our Savior together.
1 Samuel 14:24-46
Rev Charlie Phillips
Just when things seemed to be going so well for the Israelites with the Philistines being routed mightily Saul once again shows his colors. Once again the contrast between Saul and Jonathan couldn’t be any greater-their perspective of God leading to a prescription for living. Join us as we gather one last Sunday before Advent to learn about the effects our view of God has on the way we live.
1 Samuel 14:1-23
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Have you ever felt like you play it too safe in life; that there’s a part of you that wants to do big things in this world in light of the fact that you serve big God? If so, 1 Samuel 14 is for you! In this passage we’ll encounter the king’s son, Jonathan, as he displays a daring faith for the Lord. See you on Sunday!
1 Samuel 13:1-23
Rev. Charlie Phillips
At just the beginning of the monarchy in Israel things hit an impasse when Israel’s first king made a sacrifice-a burnt offering to seek the favor of the Lord. How could a sacrifice to God cause an impasse? Why was Saul punished for doing what most would deem a good thing? Find out why this coming Sunday as we observe the sunset of Saul’s line as king.
1 Samuel 12:1-25
Rev. Barr Overcast
In our text this week, Samuel is stepping into his role as judge one last time, complete with a black robe, a white wig, and a gavel (okay probably not that last bit). Samuel is God's representative, bringing the case against Israel. What will the verdict be? What will the result of the trial be? Join us this Sunday as we see God's courtroom grace on display.
1 Samuel 11:1-15
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Of the reformers, Martin Luther had a particularly keen perception of spiritual warfare. Famously known for throwing an ink well at Satan and frequently preaching at him, Luther understood the reality of being attacked. He once said, “The devil can’t have any other intention than to destroy us because he’s the foe of Christ. Satan is opposed to the church. The best thing we can do, therefore, is to put our fists together and pray”. During this Reformation Sunday we’ll encounter Israel at war with her enemies and dig deeper into our own warfare. See you soon!
1 Samuel 10:1-27
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Coronation ceremonies in the United Kingdom receive wide fanfare across the world. In May of this year, King Charles III was coronated in front of a large audience with a further 30+ million in the UK and USA watching from home. The crowning took place at the beautiful Westminster Abbey and included a beautiful service filled with oaths and the anointing and robing of the new king. This week in our study of 1 Samuel we encounter quite a different crowning ceremony. Join us this Sunday as Saul is anointed and coronated.
1 Samuel 9: 1-27
Rev. Charlie Phillips
This Sunday we begin a new section in 1 Samuel as the sun rises on the monarchy. The scene unfolds with a search for donkeys and ends with the elevation of a nobody from the land of Benjamin named Saul. Come ready to observe the incredible ways God works in, through, and around His people to accomplish His purposes!
1 Samuel 8:1-22
Rev. Charlie Phillips
This past Sunday pastor Mark Bates encouraged us to live on mission—that we as a people set apart by God have an important role in reaching the world. But what happens when God’s set apart people no longer act set apart from the world? What happens when they instead prefer to be set apart from God? Join us this week as we encounter the dawn of the monarchy in Israel.
Isaiah 2:1-5
Rev. Mark Bates
It is easy to grow discouraged about the state of the world, whether it is war in Ukraine, corruption in Washington, or even conflict in our own households. In the midst of this brokenness, God’s prophet Isaiah gives us a promise of hope, a promise of a world made right. Join us this Sunday as we discover in God’s Word how we can participate in God’s work of fixing our broken world.
About Mark Bates: Mark Bates is MTW's senior director of U.S. Operations. Mark has a B.A. in Greek from Bryan College and a master's degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. He served as youth and singles pastor at Orangewood PCA in Maitland, Florida. In 1991, Mark and his wife, Tricia, founded University Presbyterian Church in Orlando. From 2007-2021, Mark served as senior pastor of Village Seven PCA in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mark and Tricia have three daughters.