Florida Coast Church

After the Lord rejected Saul as king, he chose a man with a heart oriented toward the Lord.

In response to King Saul’s second major error and his excuse, Samuel famously declared that to obey is better than sacrifice.

Saul’s two acts of foolishness contrasted with his son’s two acts of faith, and they changed the course of history.

God’s choice of Saul to be Israel’s first king anticipated the eventual arrival of the coming King and also Christians’ royal calling.

The Israelites’ demand for a king is a good reminder to us to trust in the Lord, the only one who can profit and deliver.

When the ark is captured, the Lord goes into exile for his people and fights their enemies. When his people repent, he gives them the victory.

The loss of the Ark from Israel anticipated the way of approaching God through Christ and also warns against faith that is merely outward conformity.

After a time of little communication with his people, God spoke again through his prophet Samuel, and he has spoken most clearly through his own Son.

The chief priest could not control his wicked sons, so God removed them all and raised up the one who could intercede between humans and himself.

After the dismal failures of Israel during the time of the judges, the restoration began with the birth of a son to a barren woman.

Disorderly members can wreck a church, but a firm and loving response by other members can save them and the church.

After relating terrible events that must happen before Christ’s coming, this text leaves believers with a simple message – Stand Firm!

The Thessalonian Christians show us what it looks like to live out God’s grace under persecution.

Although not exactly a parable, the judgment scene that concluded Jesus’ public teaching in Matthew brings together important themes of his parables of the kingdom.

The Parable of the Banquet illustrates the various responses to the generous invitation of the King.

Two parables directed against the religious leaders indicated why they would lose their management of the kingdom, and why others would take their place.

The early church produced several creeds that continue to exercise great influence over what Christians believe about Jesus Christ to this day. ( Here is an accompanying presentation.)

To be ready for Jesus’ coming, we need to be doing what he has already told us to do.

Although we work for the growth of the kingdom, it grows mysteriously in ways that we cannot understand or control.

The parable of the workers in the vineyard reminds us that entering the kingdom of God is not about our work but God’s generosity.

Four short parables point to the surpassing value of the kingdom of God and the need to find it now.

Although the Kingdom of God started imperceptibly small, it will cover and fill the whole earth.

The parable often called the Wheat and the Tares gives hope that one day all will be made right.

This first parable from Matthew provides the key to understanding all the parables and to entering the kingdom of God.

Christians need to learn to speak with joy, listen with discernment, and grow in grace.