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God’s will is identical with his being, his wisdom, his goodness, and with all his attributes. And it is for this reason that man’s heart and mind can rest in that will, for it is the will not of blind fate, incalculable fortune, or dark energy of nature, but of an omnipotent God and merciful Father”…

Intro Who’s going to lead God’s people? You may think of kings or leaders as a “necessary evil” like police. If there was no sin or evil in the world, we wouldn’t need police. However, remember that there was authority structures before the fall, and they were good. Even if there was no sin, we would…

Psalm 135 God is so high above anything that we know or experience. He is so much higher than us, we do not have any hope of knowing who God is, or what He is like unless He reveals it to us. Man cannot see the spiritual — it is all around us — everywhere around us there are spiritual forces warring…

Today we’re wrapping up our series in the book of Esther, a book as we’ve learned that never mentions God, though we can see his providential hand working in the background throughout the text. Throughout the text the storyline unwinds like a classic soap opera with the story line interwoven with stories…

In the previous chapters of 1 Samuel, we’ve read about the downfall of King Saul. Saul has been told his dynasty would be non-existent; the kingship would be ripped from him. He has disobeyed the Lord’s commands and has not followed the Lord. The Lord will choose a new king. His choice no doubt seemed…

1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own…

Rejected? Since the majority of Israel has rejected the righteousness of God by disbelief in the Son of God... Has God rejected Israel all together, as a whole? Paul’s answer is no, because of the remnant. If God rejected Israel as a whole, then no Israelites would be saved. No Israelite would believe.…

So far in this Christmas series we have looked at some of the people God involved in “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” But today we are going to look at a place, the little town of Bethlehem. In both Matthew and Luke the town of Bethlehem is mentioned as the birthplace of Jesus. 1 Now after Jesus was born…

Introduction People are chosen for a lot of things. Some are chosen ++For Teams ++For Activities ++For Assignments People are chosen ++Because of a skill ++Because of an experience Our Text 1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for…

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected for myself a king from his sons.” Samuel asked, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and…

Good morning once again and welcome to this gathering of Hope Bible Fellowship. At this time our children may be dismissed to our children’s worship time out the back doors of the sanctuary. I invite the rest of you to open your Bible to I Samuel chapter 16. For the last couple of weeks leading up to…

Tonight we are going to look at King Solomon. We are not going to do an all in look at Solomon and his writings, in this study we are looking at him from the Bible to see what it says about him historically. There is probably no greater man in Israel in his wisdom, power, and reach - but at the same…

Samuel Goes To Bethlehem to Anoint David The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” And Samuel said,…

The other night, the kids went to bed early, and Vanessa was resting as she was sick and so I turned on ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary on the 1998 Home Run Record Chase called “Long Gone Summer.” As a kid growing up in a suburb of Chicago - I remember this season pretty well. It was the season that I became…

Sometimes We Have to Wait When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. And he came to the sheepfolds by the…

Intro King who appoints workers to oversee different parts of his kingdom. What should he do when they get together and try to oppose the king? Recap Psalms - set songs and prayers for God’s faithful (set prayers are great!) The first few Psalms set the scenes for the whole book. These are like two guide…

Introduction Chosen, Have you ever been chosen for something? There are various scenarios where chosen plays out. Think back to the school days and gym class. For me those were terrifying times. You see, since I was the fine age of five, I wore glasses. I was small even for my age, and my athletic abilities…

Introduction It has been four year since Vashti was removed. Josephus says that when his anger was over he was exceedingly grieved that the matter was carried so far, and would have been reconciled to Vashti but that, by the constitution of the government, the judgment was irrevocable—that therefore,…

1 How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave. 2 Bitterly she weeps at night, tears are on her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends…

Psalm 2 Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the actions and plans of ungodly world leaders? Do you ever feel afraid, frustrated, or pressured by the policies they implement, especially those which undermine biblical, godly values? If so, then this psalm is for you. Psalms 1-2 introduce to the entire collection…

Lesson 4: The First King – Saul Part 2 The Kings of Israel & Judah 1 Samuel 13-31 Last week we started looking at our first king of Israel under the kingdom united as one. His name was Saul. We learned that he was definitely the right choice for the job. God would not choose someone that could not accomplish…

Welcome Good morning everyone and welcome. Last week we were introduce to Saul, who became the first king of Israel. Our passage described Saul as the ideal looking king. Good looking, tall, strong, everything you would look for in a king. But we got some hints that things would not be great with Saul…

We’re beginning our series on the book of Esther. Esther is a book in the Old Testament that reads like a novel. You have a hero, an adviser, a nemesis, a devious plot and more. As a literary book it piques one’s interest as part of Scripture there have been its proponents and its detractors. I do want…

19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.” Last week, we looked at the anointing of Saul as King of Israel.…

I want to begin with a fun document I found. Report from the Pastor Search Committee — did you ever wonder how great Bible characters would be rated by a typical church committee? Now, the truth can be revealed. We do not have a happy report to give. We have not been able to find a suitable candidate…