The Tabernacle Sermons

At the first Christmas, wise men came searching for the one “born king of the jews.” Psalm 24 describes the nature of that promised King who rules and reigns now and forever. Jesus as our promised Savior takes care of the sin and shame of our past. As the promised Shepherd he tends us as his sheep in our daily lives. But it’s in his kingly rule that he dominates our lives now and forever, securing...

The simplicity and beauty of Psalm 23 make it arguably the most well-known and loved of the psalms. It is a picture of Jesus the good Shepherd and his relationship to his people. Old Testament prophecies regarding Messiah promised that he would be a shepherd to his people, born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2-4). At Jesus’ birth, lowly shepherds received angelic visitors who proclaimed him and even served...

Psalm 22 is a cry for rescue in the midst of circumstances. But it's also prophetic, fulfilled in the promised savior Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. The Old Testament is full of prophecies that came true in the person of Jesus Christ. Psalm 22 is one of three intense messianic chapters, written by David mostly likely during one of his exiles. The layers of the psalm capture’s...

After a tremendous victory in Ch 11, the nation of Israel has confirmed and established Saul as their king, fulfilling their desire to be like the other nations around them. The annihilation of the Ammonites has the potential to affirm in the hearts of Israels’ people their demand of an earthly king. The victory seems to prove them right and they have gone as far as to demand death of anyone who o...

Circumstances can be so overwhelming to the point of wanting to give up or give in. So what are we to do with God who promises victory? Saul has been anointed be prince over Israel, but nothing much has changed. He’s still working the farm and their enemies still threaten. Nahash and the Ammonites demand servitude, and a treaty at the cost of the right eye of the inhabitants of Jabesh. The people...

Beautiful story and something we can all relate to. Saul is anointed by Samuel and is going to be king. Before he leaves for home, Samuel gives him a sign to look for. Multiple signs, in fact. Ludicrously specific signs. All happen and Saul has a new heart. But, the transplant seems to be taking its time in taking hold, at least according to Saul's coming actions. The big moment comes, and Saul, i...

God’s providence extends beyond ministry and church. In fact, God is at work in every aspect of our lives even when we can’t see his hand, it is there. We often say that God is sovereign, but we struggle to see the interwoven moments of His Providence in the mundane daily routines of life. Whether we are chasing donkeys over the countryside, folding laundry for the hundredth time or working in a t...

The desire to be like the world is as old as time. But God tells us we are strangers and aliens in this world, and to be conformed to his image instead, serving and worshipping him alone. Samuel is old and the people approach him with a succession plan, namely that he should give them a king like all the other nations. This displeases both Samuel and God, not because wanting a king was bad but bec...

We can never experience victory and peace in life without God’s help. But God won’t share his glory with idols or tolerate our half-hearted worship either. As judge and prophet, Samuel spends 20 years preaching a sermon of repentance to God’s people. The call is for them to return to the Lord with all their hearts, put away idols, direct their hearts to God and serve him only. The emphasis on the...

There is only one true God, and He will not share His glory with our idols. The Bible says it’s a terrible thing to fall into His hands, so how can anyone escape? Chapters 5 & 6 contain the story of the lost ark and its return to Israel. This is one of the lowest points in Israel’s history. The “glory has departed” and their very survival is on the line. But while the Philistines possess and parad...

In chapter 4 of 1 Samuel, Israel is battling the Phillistines, an enemy nation. After suffering defeat, they retrieve the ark from it’s resting place. Bringing it into camp and among the battle, they expect that it will guarantee their victory. However, they have not consulted with God for His direction, nor have Hophni and Phineas repented of their sins. Despite this, there seems to be the expect...

When the Lord speaks and we respond, God fulfills his purposes in us and through us. Samuel’s calling by God is a template for how he still interacts with us today. God called Samuel in a dark time when "the word of the Lord was rare.” But the Lord called to Samuel who didn’t yet know God. He didn’t realize it was God (Jesus pre-incarnate) until Eli counsels him to respond in humility and submissi...

Chapter 2 begins with Hannah’s prayer of praising to the God who sees, hears, cares, and remembers. Her exultation reminds us that God’s always worthy of praise, regardless of circumstance. The story turns to the environment that little Samuel is growing up in, where the sons of Eli are spiritual leaders who don’t know the Lord. They treat their duties, the altar, and the Lord with contempt. They...

Where is God when you’re hurting? Does he see your pain or hear your cries? Samuel opens with an incredibly personal scene of anguish, and a God who remembers his promises to his people.

Do you ever get frustrated with the unfinished story? We are finishing this series by looking at our call as a church, as families, and as individuals to keep our eyes dialed in to Jesus.

Headlines describe a "country in limbo", but is this also true of the church? Could it be that we are neglecting God's mission by waiting for things to return to normal?

Are we living in the end times? When will Jesus return? What are the signs of the end of the world, and what will it be like? Jesus spoke clearly to these questions and reminds us that God is in control even in the chaos.

Faith is a word like love; very hard to define, often desirable and subject to much individual and institutional dysfunction in its description and practical application. Scripture teaches us what's true about faith, but we often feel we lack, or that something is missing.

We live in a world that demands instant-gratification. Whatever results we want we "gotta have right now". But God's ways are not our ways, and the journey of the Christian life cannot be rushed.

Culture increasingly believes that truth is relative and "everyone is entitled to their opinion." Although this may be true for personal preferences, it cannot be true for truth-claims about God, faith and moral standards. What the Bible says matters more than my opinion.

Immediately following the moment of redemption in Peter's life on the beach, Jesus tells him he will die the same way He did (John 21). This moment was immediately followed with Jesus telling Peter of what was to come for his life. Death. So then we see in 1 Peter that he is directly telling the christians don't be surprised this is happening to us, rather embrace it, and rejoice we are sharing in...

Jesus promised that life would bring troubles. Sometimes the pain and stress of those troubles are so overwhelming that they lead us to believe silly things like, "God won't give you more than you can handle." But that is wrong, dead wrong.

In the last of our series on Resurrection, Ben takes us through the final four verses of Ephesians and encourages to receive the hope, and then share the hope.

All of life is a fight. The war began in the Garden and mankind has had to battle ever since. We have to fight to live, make a living, stay healthy, keep a marriage, protect and raise a family. We fight to make it at home, in school, in our jobs, in relationships, politics, and sometimes literally. But Christ resurrects our fight and promises victory.

We all have a job to do, to submit ourselves to God first, to one another second, and finally to the role and responsibility we’ve been assigned. Submission means yielding my need to be in control (worship), and is actively loving God and people. Christians are called to be different, and that includes the humility of submission, which is the way of Jesus.