Calvary: the Hill Sermons

We close the book on Jephthah and read the story of Samson. A lover of riddles, Samson himself is a bit of a riddle himself. His constant back and forth with the Philistines proves him to be undisputedly the best and worst judge we've seen thus far. His story, full of deceit, debauchery, and compromise becomes a bit of an allegory for the nation of Israel itself.

What do we do when we're faced with a controversial issue that flies in the face of our faith? We see from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that serving God publicly can lead to a type of change in the world that we couldn't fabricate if we tried (Daniel 3).

First, we begin with the seizure of power from Gideon's son Abimelech. After witnessing his rise and fall, we meet a few more judges before the rule of Jephthah, the Gileadite. Jephthah's tragedy sheds light upon how Israel sees their God and the depth of their decline.

When Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream, he threatens the lives of all his seers to divine the content and meaning of his dream. Daniel appeals to his God on behalf of the safety of his peers (Daniel 2:1-45).

At a time when Israel is being plundered by a nomadic race, the Angel of the Lord appears to the youngest son of a man of Menasseh. Gideon begins as a coward and dies a tyrant surrounded by idolatry and debauchery.

Daniel and his three friends find themselves taken captive into a pagan nation. We see Daniel's insurgency in the strangest places and boundaries proving that the true God is really the One in charge (Daniel 1).

After the death of Joshua, the Lord looks upon the Israelites and sees that they have turned their hearts away from Him. God delivers the Israelites up to warring nations. This passage includes the first four judges in Israel: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, and Deborah.

Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthians by reminding them that his desire for them is their maturity. Although he isn't afraid to come to the Corinthians in authority, it's ultimately for their growth; not for their destruction (2 Cor 13:9-14).

The Israelites beyond the Jordan erect a memorial altar that nearly sparks a civil war. Joshua is ready to die and addresses the nation one last time.

Like a spiritual paternity test, Paul surveys the visible fruit in the Corinthians' lives to to determine whether they are truly God's spiritual children (2 Cor 13:5-8).

The remaining tribes are assigned their inheritance in the land by way of casting lots. Cities of refuge and Levitical cities are also assigned throughout the promised land and Joshua is given an inheritance. Lastly, we see that which perhaps may be the key verse in all of the book of Joshua, that not one of God's promises failed.

As with any loving father with his children, discipline is a component of Paul's relationship with the Corinthians. We see that Paul's use of correction is not punitive but loving and with the desire to see the church grow (2 Cor 12:19-3:4).

Although not all of the battles have not yet been fought, the Israelites see the division of the land as promised to them by God. Some Israelites, like Caleb, see this as a great opportunity for God to show His faithfulness. On the other hand, other Israelites, some entire tribes, fail to drive out the inhabitants of the land.

Paul compares his free ministry to the Corinthian church to parents' free service to their children. In this passage we learn about pastoral ministry as well as parenting (2 Cor 12:11-18).

As Israel's reputation for divine military prowess precedes them, the people of Gibeon trick the Israelites into a non-agression pact. The Israelites unwittingly enter into this alliance against God's direction, and yet they must honor this covenant. As such, they go into battle on behalf of the protection of the Gibeonites. God miraculously sees to the victory of this battle. The chapters proceed...

Paul begins to boast about his weaknesses and even cites a divine vision as a point of weakness (2 Cor 11:30-12:10).

Not merely being ironic, Paul relishes his opportunity to boast in his weaknesses. Why might that be? (2 Cor 11:30-12:10) Object Lesson Video available at: https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?a%3DZZTLlZDUG65GrVPO%26u%3D/watch%253Fv%253D5lJMuq64Tzk%2526feature%253Dem-share_video_user&source=gmail&ust=1528393110500000&usg=AFQjCNE9nVdKjRN5h_CJt3GPcENq7qVfeg

The nation of Israel begin their campaign into the Holy Land. In the infancy of this campaign, they meet the angelic Commander of the Lord's Army, defeat Jericho, and execute judgment on Achan and his family.

It can be hard to trust God with your future. Whether it be your past traumas or your present worries, looking to tomorrow can be worrisome. Riley Taylor is the senior pastor at Calvary Fellowship in Mountlake Terrace, WA and one of the planting pastors of Calvary: the Hill.

In the book of Ezra, the Israelites face opposition from all around them. They come to see that God fights for them and protects them. The ultimate example of God with us is found in Jesus Christ. Riley Taylor is the senior pastor at Calvary Fellowship in Mountlake Terrace, WA and one of the planting pastors of Calvary: the Hill.

God moves to raise up individuals to participate in rebuilding the temple. Revival like this doesn't come without prayer and personal commitment to God's calling. Riley Taylor is the senior pastor at Calvary Fellowship in Mountlake Terrace, WA and one of the planting pastors of Calvary: the Hill.

Paul, borrowing a technique of many Roman rhetoricians including Caesar, lauds his credentials. His credentials, however, appear shameful in the eyes of the Corinthians; yet Paul explains that this makes his life more like Christ's (2 Cor 11:21-29).

Israel's new leader is introduced as Joshua, the Servant of the Lord. The Beginnings of this book include spies inquiring of the land, the meeting of a prostitute named Rahab, and God drying up the Jordan to let the Israelites cross on dry land.

Paul uses the Corinthians' accusations to his advantage. Since they're so quick to treat him as a fool, he figures he might as well boast as the fools do. But before he does, he emphatically declares that this is not Jesus' way (2 Corinthians 11:16-21)

What motivates a teacher to preach is key in seeing whether their shepherds like Paul and Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:7-18)