Today we look at David's handling of the consequences of Saul's sin. There is much to discuss and learn in this chapter.

What does Christian love look like? What makes it unique? In this challenging paragraph we consider the object of the love the Lord requires, its nature, and its motivation. We also look at the practical help offered, as well as the examples of Jesus and Stephen.

Today we focused on Psalm 121, and Westminster Catechism 18–21, 30. Join us as we consider the Lord's good providence in all things.

A return to Jerusalem; a new coup; a powerful general; a wise woman; a list of officials. What do we make of a chapter including such diverse materials? How does it bring David’s story to a conclusion of sorts, and how do we assess the ending? How does it link both backwards and forwards? Join us as we consider 2 Samuel 20.…

How would Jesus transform our response to adversity? Where can we find the strength to show the meekness he calls blessed? Join us as Jesus confronts our confusion of justice and revenge, as we explore the meekness he requires, and as we look to him as our example and so much more.

Join us as we consider the Westminster Larger Catechism Q's. 11–17.

Absalom’s coup has failed and David’s son is dead, but David continues to be caught between his role as father and his role as king. How can he and the people move forward? Will he resume his reign over the nation, or will it continue to fracture and rebel? And where is God in this picture? Join us as we continue in 2 Samuel!…

Join us as we look at Psalm 19 and begin our adventure through the Westminster Learger Catechism.

What would it look like if we consistently loved the truth in thought, word, and deed? In this passage Jesus puts his finger on the problem of broken word and broken oaths, lays bare the aggravation of mincing words and finding loopholes, and calls upon us to love the truth in thought, word, and deed, even as he who is the way, the truth, and the l…

Will the kingdom of heaven be inhabited by pirates, with eye patches and hooks for hands? Jesus has strong words for us on adultery, lust, the fight against sin, and divorce. Join us as we consider the seriousness of sinful desires, our duty to fight sin, and the role of God’s mercy.

2 Samuel 18. Forces of father and son meet on the battlefield. Yet the father stays behind in ways that recall earlier scenes. Does this bode well or bode ill? A devouring forest, a sacred? terebinth, a son of David suspended between heaven and earth, a pierced side, a cursed burial. So many echoes of a different son of David, yet sideways, upside …

What hope does Jesus offer angry people? And what hope do we have when the problem is in our hearts? Join us as Jesus demolishes our self-righteousness, reveals the depth of the law’s requirement and the extent of our sin, shows the urgency that anger presents, and then in himself satisfies God’s wrath against our sin.…

Absalom’s coup continues. David makes his way to the Jordan following encounters with two people connected to Saul’s house. Once he arrives, our attention moves back to Absalom as he enters Jerusalem. Counselors come into play as Absalom takes Hushai into his service and seeks advice from Ahithophel. What will become of the insurrection? How will D…

As Jesus turns to the body of the Sermon on the Mount he heads off objections to his teaching and says something that leaves disciples in shock to this day: unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. What are we to make of this difficult saying and the paragraph that accompanies it? …

Join us as we continue in 2 Samuel 15, where betrayal, power struggles, and the pursuit of a kingdom collide in a dramatic tale of loyalty and deceit. As David flees a fortress city become a trap, a series of encounters reorients his heart and mine, and the quick-thinking, God-reliant David resurfaces (though yet with faults). What will become of G…

Jesus calls his disciples the salt of the earth and the light of the world, but what do these images mean for us, and how do we make sense of the enigmatic warnings that come with them? This morning we examined the usefulness of disciples, the temptation of persecution, and the outcome of our discipleship. Join us as we continue to make our way thr…

The fallout of David’s non-reconciliation begins as Absalom massages the people’s egos and steals their hearts. His conspiracy is broad and deep, and David must respond swiftly for his own safety and that of his followers. In the midst of so much human action, the most unlikely interaction—with a Philistine mercenary!—will reawaken David’s faith an…

As Jesus begins the most famous sermon ever preached he begins by meeting objections his teaching will raise, asserting blessing for his disciples, and offering us three windows: into the character of his disciples, into the content of the kingdom, and into the persecution of believers. Join us as we consider these Beatitudes and the comfort that p…

A nation rocked, a family torn asunder, a father and son estranged, a royal heir in exile. Thus 2 Samuel 14 begins. And though David’s heart inclines toward his son, his actions do not. Will the machinations of David’s court bring about reconciliation? Or will we see the parable of the Prodigal Son by way of contrast? Join us as we are frustrated b…

As Matthew turns to the first major block of Jesus’ teaching we encounter a two-verse preface. Easy to overlook, this preface nevertheless orients us to what follows with important reminders and observations. As we consider it this morning we are reminded that Jesus teaches for the world, Jesus teaches his disciples, and Jesus teaches with authorit…

The last chapter of Genesis draws us to a close of sorts, and yet contains a to-be-continued feel. God’s faithfulness to bring Abraham’s family to this moment points to future faithfulness yet to come, though some elements of the promise are not yet fulfilled. Join us as we reflect on the book and discuss the reflex of faith that causes both Jacob …

The rape of Tamar and the murder of Ammon. A dark tale, a difficult text, an intense look at the depth and extent of human depravity as the consequences of David’s sin begin to work themselves out in his household. How does a text like this work in tandem with Romans 8 and Psalm 23 to reveal to us the beauty of God’s sovereignty? How does the black…

How does the beginning of Jesus’ ministry provide us with a foretaste of the new creation? Join us as we see Jesus call his first disciples, preach and teach, and heal every disease and affliction among the people in Galilee and reflect on what it means for us in the midst of our suffering as we anticipate the new heavens and the new earth.…

As we approach the end of Genesis, with the death of Jacob looming, we encounter two scenes of blessing in chapters 48 and 49. In a careful narration we are reminded of scenes before, and while the deception is removed, surprises remain. Grandsons are placed among sons in inheritance; blessing and prophecy join hands; the promise to Abraham carries…

What David did displeased the LORD. But the next chapter begins with grace, as the LORD takes initiative and sends Nathan the prophet to David. How does a consideration of God’s ways with David help us to frame our own reflections on sin, its consequences, and our response to conviction? Join us as we consider 2 Samuel 12!…

After three and a half chapters of preparation Matthew brings us to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, only for us to find Jesus withdrawing back into Galilee. Yet this move is in fulfillment of prophecy, and shines the light of the gospel into a dark and forgotten corner of the world. As Jesus the king begins to preach, the first word of the…

Today we were blessed to hear from Stuart Mills and his family concerning their workin Peru and the new chapter the Lord is opening up for them moving forward.

David the consummate diplomat, leader, and general: loyal to allies, sensitive to his men, alert to the enemy, successful in war. David the consummate politician: suspicious of loyal servants, corrupt in his dealings, unbridled in his passions. David at his best, David at his worst. What will become of God’s king, and of his people? Join us for 2 S…

The voice from heaven at Jesus’s baptism joined together the David Messiah and the Suffering Servant. Now as the Spirit leads Jesus out into the wilderness to be tested the Devil sees it as an opportunity to tempt the Son of God. But more is at stake than a model for us! As Jesus succeeds where Israel failed we begin to see the depth of the stakes:…

How will Israel be provided for in the midst of a famine affecting the whole world? What transpires in Egypt more broadly? And how does this all connect to promises already given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Join us as we begin to wrap up Genesis, looking at how Joseph feeds the family and their flocks, and as Jacob looks back to the land of Canaa…

David, a ruler out of Judah, provides security and reigns justly over a united kingdom, subduing Israel’s enemies on every side. Though some of his actions rightly give us pause, the clear message is that David, flaws and all, is a king after God’s own heart, who shepherds his people and gives him the glory. More than this, it is through David here…

Who is this Jesus who appears and wants to be baptized by John? Why would he want such a thing? And what does Matthew tell us about his identity? Join us as we consider Jesus as the one who follows John, as King and Christ, and as God himself.

Genesis 46: The Fulfillment of Promises. Witness the culmination of the Lord's unwavering promises as Jacob is guided to safety in Egypt, reunited with his beloved son, and assured of a future where his legacy and his bones will return tp the land of Canaan. Jacob's journey echoes with the resounding certainty that God's word never falters.…

Join us in a riveting discussion as we explore the Bible's most fascinating turn of phrase in 2 Samuel 7. What begins as a noble desire to build a house for the Lord takes an unexpected turn as God flips the script, promising an everlasting dynasty for David. Consider with us the profound significance of this covenant, the anticipation of an eterna…

John the Baptist prepares the way by preaching repentance, proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven is near, and facing off with the Pharisees and Sadducees. Anticipation builds: if this is Elijah, who is to follow? Join us as we consider John’s challenge and its connections to Jesus’ later preaching.

Joseph sets a test for his brothers; have they changed, or are they the same men he knew at 17 years old? An awkward chapter break notwithstanding, we finally come to the climax of the Joseph story as he reveals himself to his brothers. Dismay, terror, joy, weeping—all the feels, as they say! And yet he is able to comfort his brothers with the know…

In a dramatic twist, Joseph encounters his estranged brothers in Genesis 42–43. As the brothers bow before him, the tables turn, and a profound test of character unfolds. Joseph, now in a position of authority, navigates the line between testing their characters and exacting revenge.

Who is Herod, really, and what is at stake in his struggle to put the Christ child to death? And how do we make sense of Matthew’s use of the Old Testament to explain who Jesus is? Join us as we unmask Herod and peer over Matthew’s shoulder into the depths of salvation history.

As David continues to consolidate his new reign, he attempts to move the ark to his new capitol. But an aborted first attempt that reminds left and right of the Philistines ends in disaster! How will the new king respond to God’s wrath? Does he repent and walk in new obedience, or do we have Saul 2.0?…

Led by a star, Gentile sages arrive in Jerusalem seeking a newborn king of the Jews. In a chapter filled with wonder and consternation in which prophecies of the Messiah come to pass, Matthew focuses our attention on responses to Jesus. What will we do with the news of his arrival? Will his birth elicit anxiety, hostility, apathy, or joyful submiss…

In Genesis 41, we witness an astonishing turn of events as Joseph is catapulted from the literal pit of prison to a position of immense power and influence. In God’s providence Joseph will play a crucial role in the destiny of Egypt and the well-bering of the world. Join us as we discuss this exciting chapter!…

In 2 Samuel 5 David is finally recognized as king by the northern tribes. Though deep divisions remain and shadows of future sin fall across the page, the dominant note is a recognition of God’s faithful presence with David and with the nation as the Lord blesses David for his people’s good. A new capital is established and the Philistines are fina…

Join us as we delve into the captivating chapters of Genesis 39–40, exploring another low point in Joseph's journey from the pit to an eventual position of great power. Despite the false allegation that led him to imprisonment, Joseph's story reminds us that we cannot extrapolate one’s faithfulness to the Lord from their circumstances. Even in the …

Having brought of his treasure something old, Matthew now draws out something new as he presents to us the unexpected manner of the Messiah’s birth, shrouded in scandal and mystery, rooted in promise, bringing salvation, and for as much as for the people of Judah. How will we respond to the news that Matthew brings?…

This morning we unveiled the uncomfortable as we discussed Judah and his interactions with Tamar in Genesis 38. This often-overlooked chapter may not make it into children's Bibles, but it's a crucial part of God's inspired word. Join us as we delve into the complexities, discomfort, and divine sovereignty embedded in this narrative. What truths do…

Each gospel begins in a unique way; Matthew begins with a genealogy demonstrating that Jesus is the Christ, the son of David, the son and of Abraham. But what is the significance of this ancestral line, and how does it connect Jesus to the Old Testament? Join us as we follow Matthew’s explanation to answer the question: what child is this?…

Tonight we close a chapter on David’s long rise as the last of his rivals for the throne of Israel are removed. In the thick of schemes and statecraft, polygamy and politics, conspiracy and murder, the grand sweep reveals God’s careful and decisive providence in moments when his absence seems most keenly felt. But cracks in the new administration a…

This morning as we enter into December we reflect on Genesis 3, the entrance of sin into the world, and the announcement of the gospel that accompanied God’s coming in judgement. Lord, come quickly!

Julian Zugg from MINTS shared an exciting update on how the Lord is using MINTS to equip and train ministers around the world.

Saul has died, but David’s path to the throne is far from clear. How will David navigate the delicate politics and what will guide his decisions? How will Abner, commander of Saul’s army, respond? How will the Lord orchestrate the protection of his people and the fulfillment of his promises to David in the midst of it all? Join us for 2 Samuel 2!…