Rivercrest Presbyterian Church - Sermons

Confession, repentance, forgiveness; these are all laid out by David before the Lord. In terrible sin and conviction David recognizes that he has wronged the Lord and is completely honest and broken over his sin. We, like David, ought to consider the weight of our sin, Who it is we've sinned against, and quickly run to Him in honesty and vulnerability. God promises to forgive and cleanse us f...

Sin doesn't happen in a vacuum. David's adulterous actions with Bathsheba led to murder of her husband Uriah. This mess was made by David and against the Lord who spoke truth through the prophet Nathan. In justice, the Lord doesn't let the sin go unpunished, but in grace the Lord stays with the king of Israel as He promised in covenant. Sin will never be so great that God's pro...

The slide toward sin doesn't begin with what is seen, but with what we linger on. David's life in 2 Samuel 11 is a more than a tragic story of sin and its fallout. It's a cautionary tale for the people of God, in humility, and in recognition of our own spiritual weakness, to recognize just how susceptible we are to sin, and to grow more in the grace of the Lord in Christ.

David, in keeping his word to Saul, pursues and extends kindness towards Mephibosheth; the crippled son of Jonathan who can offer David nothing. This is the lavished kindness God has extended towards all those by faith in His Son, that we would both receive that kindness and feast at the King's table as His family, as well as extend that kindness towards others like David did.

David responds to God's covenant promise with right posture. This posture then leads to praise and petition. In humility and awe, David ponders the greatness of God and acknowledges all he has is the Lord's. Christians share in this promise and can confidently know God will deliver on His promises, despite our forgetfulness and wandering. The Lord is faithful and good, and we can stand b...

In a season of rest, David seeks to build a house for the Lord but is met with a different answer than he expected. Instead, God makes a covenant with David that will transcend generation after generation in David's line, ultimately to Christ who will rule and reign as King forever. The promises of the covenant are encouraging to believers today, but we also recognize they are powerful becaus...

David is now king of Israel and has commissioned the Ark of the Covenant to return to Jerusalem after 20 years with Abinadab. Though David and the people of Israel were doing the right thing, they were not obedient to the way God asked them to transport the Ark. God isn't a domesticated being, and He's certainly more powerful than any other force in the universe, therefore we praise Him...

The book of 1 Samuel ends with the tragedy of Saul. The Lord humbles the king of Israel regardless of Saul's power, plea, and position. In justice and holiness, God humbles all those who are prideful and choose to go their own way. This ushers in the new era of King David, who does the opposite of Saul and trusts in Yahweh. Christians today are called to do the same. 

God never abandons His people, nor is indifferent to what happens in His creation. In His providence, work of recovery, and in overwhelming generosity we can be encouraged, along with David in this trial, that God is in control and to Him belongs all good things. We need not fear or worry as a child of God.

Following after the Lord's anointed and trusting in Yahweh has led David's men away from home, and when they return they realize their families have been taken. This hurts the men, including David, whom many want to stone, but David points them back to the Lord who is always in control and is faithful. As we follow after God we may experience hardship, but it doesn't mean He isn&apo...

David pours out his heart in the midst of great struggle. All the while he understands Who it is who holds him, Who it is who loves him and hears his prayers. Believers today are to live in the same trust in a God who covers us in the shadow of His wings.

Sin always tries to make us believe that there is some other way. For David in what seemed to be a coincidental situation with a vulnerable Saul, did not strike him down but trusted in not only the will of God, but the way of God. Jesus never took the shortcut to make salvation for His people, and now we live as patient and anticipating people as we trust in Him.

Jonathan exemplifies true friendship yet again towards David by telling him his father's plan to kill him. He also is a good son towards his father, not shaming him but reminding Saul of truth. Unfortunately the refrain of life is the same today as it was for the Israelites, that "there was war again" and Jonathan is absent from the divided home. Thankfully we have a wonderful Frien...

Jealousy turns King Saul mad, and he will seek to harm David the rest of his life. Saul's true issue is with God, but he has forgotten the Lord and turned to his own way. Thankfully we have a loving King in Christ who not only goes out and wins the battle as David does, but loves us and is jealous for us in holiness and righteousness.

Love can be difficult to define at times, but the Bible explains love in a variety of different ways and depths. The love that Jonathan expresses to David is a deep brotherly affection that truly is beautiful; it's a friendship in the Lord.

A familiar story in the Bible that might get perceived incorrectly, the fight between David and Goliath is not about the strength of David or how the humble underdog prevails over the oppressive foe, but how the Mighty God of Israel defeats His enemies. We can struggle with God's place, pace, plan or providence, but God is always perfect in His timing and acts. 

The Philistines continue to combat the Israelites, but this time it's a single foe who puts fear into the hearts of his enemies. Goliath is described as impressive and intimidating, contrasted with David who is young and unassuming. But as the theme of 1 Samuel has shown us, the outward appearance is not what matters, but it's the heart. And it's not that David is so great that Isra...

Saul is facing trouble, a harmful spirit from the Lord, and is seeking some relief. Providentially, one of Saul's servants knows of David who is skillful and able to help the king. Unknown to Saul is the anointing of David as his replacement, but David serves the king faithfully and finds favor in Saul's sight.

The Lord meets Samuel in his grief and doesn't let him stay there. Graciously we see how God calls Samuel to worship, to seek the next king who isn't like Saul, whom man saw the outside appearance and loved, but who is faithful in the heart where God sees. The Lord is providing for His people a new and better king in David, a man who points us to the True King from David's line; Jes...

Saul continues to be disobedient to the Lord in his self seeking kingship. In honoring himself and raising a monument to his own glory, Saul has neglected following after the True King of Israel, and God is grieved by his unfaithfulness. The way of Saul has led to his downfall and the throne is now opened for a new king. 

There is a tension to the reality that God is actively working in history, and that history is still a mess. This passage shows us that even in the chaos of life, God still speaks His word, God still sees what's happening, and God still scorns what's sinful. And beyond that, as His children, God still calls our names.

Saul has disobeyed Samuel, the prophet and voice of the Lord, by making an unlawful sacrifice. In doing so he has lost the throne and come under a great consequence for his sin. The Lord doesn't allow for sin to go unpunished but thanks be to God who sent His Son, the True King, to be completely obedient to the Lord for us.

Saul is the first king of Israel, a handsome man that fits the external requirements of royalty, but falls short internally. As he fails to complete a task given to him by his father, Saul then meets Samuel who instructs him in what the Lord has said, that he would be king.  Even though Saul won't be the king Israel needs, and even though the people are rebellious towards the True King, the m...

Things were going well for Israel in the younger days of Samuel, with Ebenezer being a symbol to the people of God of His steadfastness and strength. But as life goes, Samuel gets older, puts his unfaithful sons in positions of power, and soon the Israelites seek to be just like their neighboring nations; desiring an earthly king. The Lord grants their request, but it will come at a cost, because...

Hannah models for us how to pray in that she rejoices in her Lord. By rejoicing in the Lord's deliverance, in His holiness, as He carries us through our weaknesses, and as He preserves us by grace Hannah has prayed an honest and meaningful prayer of adoration and thanksgiving. This salvation that Christians have in Christ prompts us to be a prayerful people like Hannah.