Calvary: the Hill Sermons

Jesus begins His ministry by calling obscure fishermen to walk with Him. We see in this passage how Jesus' divinity gives Him a significant authority in placing a destiny upon His people (Mark 1:16-20).

In the book of Mark, we find the origin story of the Church. Mark uses a cocktail of allusion to the Old Testament to make the case of Jesus being the Christ and the beloved Son of God (Mark 1:1-15).

In the season when kings go out to battle, David stays home and so begins the degradation of this great man. David's sin with Bathsheba seems to set in motion a series of death, violence, and sexual perversion. Still, David is met with the grace and mercy of God.

The great commission can seem like such a daunting task. But what does Jesus really expect of His church? Is it really as extraordinary as we let on? (Matthew 28:16-20)

One of the first orders of David's reign is to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, the new national capitol. The book carries on to outline the various military conquests of David and the spread of his fame throughout the nations. We also see how David reaches out to the sons of his fallen allies to extend his kindness to them.

Even though some believers are radically changed by radio/television broadcasts of the gospel, every believer needs other more mature believers to pour in to them and advise them on their journey of sanctification. This is how God intended His body to function (Ephesians 4:11-14).

These early chapters in 2 Samuel, we see the dynamics of the transition of power from the dynasty of Saul to David's. We see over a slew of intrigue, double-crossing, and assassination, that David remains meek and blameless. Despite a long history of people telling David that God has given him some sort of treacherous opportunity, it is only when when David has received unsolicited grace, that Dav...

Why should we make disciples? According to Paul in Titus we should make disciples because of what God did in revealing grace in Christ, because of what God will do in revealing glory in Christ and because of what God is doing in purifying a people for himself. This is why we as a church seek to embrace our calling to make mature disciples of Jesus.

The final chapter of Saul's life is a sad one. It is also full of tension, as David is working for the Philistines. Will Saul die at his hand after all? Once again we encounter God's sovereign plan as He leads David to the throne.

Jesus, the eternal King, bears many titles that human government bears. He is Ruler, Judge, and Enforcer. The one unique quality Jesus gives His people is that He is the Giver of Life. We see in this passage the great hope that awaits for those who've given their life into Jesus' hands (Daniel 12).

David's life on the lam continues. His path crosses with several colorful characters along the way. He saves the people of Keilah, but they give him over to Saul. David spares Saul's once, meets and marries Abigail the wife of Nabal, and spares Saul's life a second time. At the end of this passage, Saul goes back to his throne and David leaves the borders of Israel.

Jonathan and David consort to determine whether or not Saul is actually trying to kill David. When certainty is assured, David flees Saul's house. On his way, David cross paths with the priests in Nob, acquires Goliath's sword, and builds up an army.

When Daniel fasts in mourning, God sends him an angel to reveal to him that which is to come. An intense vision of God's glory lays Daniel out, from which he gradually recovers over the course of the chapter (Daniel 10).

God directs Samuel to the household of Jesse, the Ephrathite. There, God selects everyone's last choice as His next king. David is anointed in secret, but fame begins gathering around him from his defeat of the Philistine Champion, Goliath, through David's continued military prowess. Meanwhile, an intense jealousy brews within Saul against his new right hand man.

When Daniel reads Jeremiah's prophecy, he sees that the captivity is almost over. He turns to prayer and surveys Israel's history for times when they've received undeserved mercy from their God. We see in this passage our undeniable guilt in contrast to God's ever-available mercy (Daniel 9).

Saul's reign continues and his character begins to show patterns of self-centeredness and the fear of man. Meanwhile, Saul's son Jonathan fears no man and even risks his life in the hands of God. By the end of this passage, God will decree the ending of Saul's dynasty much to the sorrow of Samuel.

Daniel is given another vision about coming human empires. We see in this passage that even the greatest power of man pales in comparison to God's ultimate power (Daniel 8).

Samuel is frustrated when the Israelites ask for a king like the other nations. Despite his frustrations, Samuel heeds God and appoints Saul as the first king over Israel. Though Saul is initially reluctant to be crowned king, he rises to the occasion to rescue the city of Jabesh Gilead.

In this passage, God reveals to Daniel the coming imperial conquests that will befall the earth in the coming centuries. We see that unlike theirs, God's reign is from everlasting and that His foreknowledge proves that He is the preeminent King. Knowing this future, our present should be affected (Daniel 7).

When the Philistines attack, Israel resorts to bringing out the Ark of the Covenant to strengthen their battle. At the subsequent loss, the Ark is captured and the line of Eli is decimated. In Philistine territory, God wreaks havoc and sets in motion a realization that leads to a national repentance in Israel. So begins Samuel's national ministry.

Daniel finds himself thrown into the den of lions. It is there he finds the salvation of the Lord. We too see how God, Whose laws supersede those of man, continues to save His people even in the gravest of situations (Daniel 6).

As we open up the book of Samuel, we see the many ways that the pattern of the book of Judges extends into this era; and yet the rare occasions where that pattern is broken. When a barren woman looks to the Lord for compassion, God lets loose the beginnings of a new work in the nation of Israel.

The succeeding king, Belshazzar has forgotten what God has done in Babylon. He does not know the conclusions to which Nebuchadnezzar came concerning the God of Israel. We see that God cuts the time off and judges this king, having weighed his worth concerning the things of God (Daniel 5).

This concluding study through Judges follows four chapters of epilogue that exhibit the depth of Israel's departure from the way of the LORD. Beginning with a curse and a robbery, the book closes with a deadly civil war that leads to, at best, partial repentance.

When Nebuchadnezzar has another startling dream, he turns to Daniel for its interpretation. Daniel foresees Nebuchadnezzar's coming destruction in God's holy judgment. We learn how our inclination toward idolatrous glory robs us of the true satisfaction found in glorifying the one true God (Daniel 4).