JICF Sunday Sermons

When we expect someone important to visit, we prepare and look forward to their arrival. How much more should the promise of Christ’s return shape our daily lives? In Romans 13:11–14 , Paul calls believers to wake from spiritual sleep, cast off the works of darkness, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Our salvation rests on what Christ has done for us, and the hope of His return calls us to live in...

As we come to the end of 1 Samuel, we are drawing to the close of the stories of the first kings of Israel. Saul has already had God’s judgement pronounced on him and here we see David beginning to rise to the kingship. Here, we see the promise of what God’s king would bring to God’s people Israel, how it would mean to defeat of evil, rescue of those taken captive and the sharing of the blessing t...

1 Samuel 29 is a short, quiet passage between two longer and more action-filled passages. It features two conversations, one between King Achish and other Philistine leaders, and the other between King Achish and David. As we examine the passage and consider the possibilities of what could have happened instead, we begin to see God's hand at work. This passage gives us the chance to reflect up...

When fear and uncertainty overwhelm us, we can be tempted to seek answers and security apart from God. In 1 Samuel 28 , Saul’s desperate search for guidance reveals the tragic consequences of persistently rejecting God’s Word. His story warns us not to seek God’s help while refusing His authority, but to turn to the Lord in repentance and trust. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we can trus...

Fear can become louder than faith. In 1 Samuel 27, David—who had repeatedly trusted God in the past—allowed fear to shape his decisions. Instead of seeking God’s direction, he relied on his own reasoning, sought security in the wrong place, and eventually became entangled in deception and compromise. This passage reminds us that a decision can be logical, practical, and even successful, yet still...

What happens when the same test comes again? David has been here before. Saul is pursuing him again. Once again, Saul is vulnerable. And once again, David has the opportunity to end the problem himself. (1 Samuel 26:1-25)This time, Saul’s spear—the very symbol of the violence David has endured—is within David’s reach. The spear is finally in David’s hand. What will he do with it? Sometimes the gre...

What happens when someone pushes the wrong button in our heart? In 1 Samuel 25, one insult nearly turns David from a man who trusts God into a man seeking revenge. Along the way, we encounter three very different hearts: Nabal's hard heart, David's divided heart, and Abigail's wise heart. Yet behind all three is the sovereign hand of God—using difficult people, unexpected interventions...

David was facing an extremely difficult situation. Saul was relentlessly pursuing him and seeking to take his life. Then David suddenly found himself with what appeared to be the perfect opportunity to kill Saul and end the threat once and for all. Yet David refused. How did David know what God wanted him to do when his circumstances seemed to point in another direction? This Sunday, we will disco...

When we consider the fact that God has a plan for each of our lives, we shouldn't conclude that this is a guarantee that life will be smooth. Or worse, we can get the impression that if I'm obedient life will be easier and if I'm disobedient, life will get worse. We are going to see together in  Samuel 23:1-29  that God's plan for David had actually made his life harder and that hi...

We find ourselves in the tumultuous period of Israel's monarchy. Saul, the first king of Israel, sits on the throne, not by divine favor anymore (the Spirit of the Lord has departed from Saul and rests powerfully upon David) but by political momentum. And Saul knows it. The prophet Samuel has already anointed David, as Saul's successor. Deep in his bones, Saul knows that his kingdom is sli...

We often think our relationship with God depends on how well we keep our promises to Him. Genesis 15 shows us something better. God comes to Abram, a man with no child and no land, and He does not ask Abram to make the promise sure. God makes it sure Himself. Join us as Pastor Brannin Pitre shows how our hope rests not on what we do, but on God, who keeps His promise all the way to the cross.

Few people realize the profound and consistent role that marriage plays in the story of God’s redemptive work. From the very first pages of Scripture to the closing chapters of the Bible, marriage is woven into God’s divine narrative. It begins in Genesis with the creation of man and woman, and continues to appear throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the writings of the prophets. Marriage...

In  1 Samuel 21 , David is on the run. He makes choices – some of them showing his reliance on God, others showing reliance on himself. Ultimately, at the beginning of  1 Samuel 22 , David follows God’s instructions and comes to a place of rest. He is still facing the same trials and challenges as at the beginning of 1 Samuel 21, and he will face those challenges for many years, but he is where Go...

God never intended for us to journey through life alone. Friendships are one of His gifts to strengthen, encourage, and shape us— but what makes a friendship truly biblical? Through the remarkable friendship of David and Jonathan in  1 Samuel 20 , we will discover key qualities that mark godly friendship: discernment, action, genuine love, trust, vulnerability, and a willingness to walk with one a...

Where do we turn when the walls of our life seem to be crashing down around us? What do we do when it seems like wicked men are seeking our demise? What happens when things don’t go as we planned? David knew God’s promises. He knew that he was anointed as the next king, yet his life was in peril. What would David do? Where would David go? Our life might not be in physical danger like David’s, but...

1 Samuel 18 Life is full of transitions. Sometimes the biggest challenge is not surviving difficult seasons—it is recognizing when God is leading us into a new one. After David defeated Goliath, Israel celebrated a great victory. But while everyone was looking at the fallen giant, God was quietly preparing a new season for His people. Jonathan recognized it and embraced it. Saul recognized it but...

In a world filled with uncertainty, fear, and constant change, there is no greater blessing than having the Lord with us. In  1 Samuel 16:14–23 , David's life reminds us that God's presence is the source of our strength, His providence directs the steps of our lives, and His power enables us to serve others faithfully and fruitfully wherever He places us. Though David was still a young shepherd, t...

David and Goliath. The shepherd and the warrior. The sling and the sword. Even those who have never opened a Bible know something of or about this story. It has become shorthand for improbable victory, for the little guy taking on the establishment, for overcoming the odds.  What makes this passage challenging is the fact that if we reduce this story to a motivational tale about self-empowerment,...

Jesus gives us a very clear and exciting job: to help others know and follow Him. But as we all know, life gets busy, and simple fears or distractions can easily get in the way. This Sunday, Mike Broomell helps us look at the common things that hold us back, and how we can overcome them with God's help. Questions for Reflection This Week What is stopping me? What is the biggest thing that keep...

Many Christians think discipleship requires a special program, formal training, or a perfect candidate. Yet throughout Scripture, discipleship often began with ordinary relationships. Jesus called fishermen. Paul invested in Timothy. Priscilla and Aquila mentored Apollos. Before asking, "Who should I disciple?" perhaps ask: "Who has God already placed in my life that is spiritually...

Sharing the good news of Jesus can sometimes feel scary or complicated, but it doesn't have to be. This Sunday, we explored how the Apostle Paul molded the Good News to people of different backgrounds. And we learned a simple and comfortable method of sharing with those around us. Please read Acts 17:16-34 to read how Paul as a Jew wisely shared his faith with the Greeks in Athens who worshipp...

What does it truly mean to be a follower of Jesus Christ? Is the Christian life primarily about attending church, growing in biblical knowledge, and pursuing personal holiness—or has God called us to something more? This Sunday, we will explore Jesus' Great Commission in  Matthew 28:19-20 , Paul's burden for the gospel in  1 Corinthians 9:16 , and God's heart for the lost in  1 Timothy...

Every follower of Jesus has experienced and expected kindness from God. It is an underserved kindness. We are to extend a kindness toward others as we have received kindness from God ( 2 Samuel 9:1-13 ). It may be an underserved kindness. Who do you and I need to extend a kindness to in our lives?

In a world obsessed with outward appearance, worldly achievement success, God reminds us that His eyes see deeper on the inside. When Samuel looked at Jesse’s sons, he was impressed by strength, stature, and appearance — but God declared,  “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Hidden in a field on the quiet hills of Bethlehem was David, the forgotten and overlooke...

In  1 Samuel 15 , we see the tragic story of King Saul—a leader who slowly drifted from God through partial obedience, compromise, and fear of man. This sermon explores how spiritual drift rarely happens suddenly, but through small decisions made over time. Through the contrasts of Saul and David, we discover the difference between regret and true repentance, and how our identity in Jesus Christ c...