In the sermon King David demonstrates how to be successful as a king in Israel by obeying God fully. He humbly and lavishly celebrates the presence of God as he brings the ark into the new capital of Israel. Yet it is God who will bless David through his promise to build his “house” into an everlasting kingship bringing blessing to his people. David’s ensuing strength, wisdom and justice give prompt testimony to the faithfulness of God’s promises.
Read the Bible Text – 2 Samuel 7
– Dave Swan
In this sermon we hear about how Judah lays claim to David as their king while Saul’s crafty former general promotes his own puppet king. Through brutal blood lusting battles, betrayal, murder and revenge, opportunists swirl around David. This is contrasted against David’s honourable actions as he becomes more and more powerful because the Lord almighty was with him.
– Dave Swan
Read the Bible Text – 2 Sam 2:1-5:16
In the historical book of 2 Samuel from the Old Testament in the Bible, we enter the world of King David as he ascends to the throne of Israel as God’s chosen King. We see both his wisdom and foolishness, his pride and his humility, his amazing strength and hopeless weaknesses. We see a truly human leader who desperately needs the God who is with him.
This sermon shows that amidst the distress of Israel’s defeat and the death of their king, David does not seek to profit from the death of Saul his enemy. Rather, David’s public lament shows the depths of his love for Jonathan and respect for God’s anointed. We see David more concerned for the honour of Israel than his for his own honour, giving us hope of a good and humble king.
– Josh Ord
– Dave Swan
Read the Bible Text – 2 Samuel 1:1-27
Ken “unboxes” the Christmas story – and gives three reasons why Christmas is so special and three reasons why Christmas makes our life better.
Preacher: Ken Noakes
Read the Bible text Isaiah 7:13-17, Isaiah 9:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 and Colossians 1:15-23
Workings and Script for this Christmas Talk – Isaiah 7 and 9, Matt 1, Col 1
The “pattern” in Judges of God appointing a “judge” to deliver Israel is broken by Abimelek who sets himself up as a king, who rules not for God but for himself – with disastrous consequences for all watch/listen to Des Smith as he uses this story to teach us some lessons for church leadership today.
Preacher: Des Smith
Read the Bible text – Judges 8:29 – 9:21 and Mark 10:35-37, 41-45
English Support Handout – Judges 8:29 – 9:21 and Mark 10:35-27 , 41-45
Many of us “know” the story about Gideon -how he successfully defeated the massive Midianite army, confusing them with trumpets and hidden torches. But do we really understand what happened? Listen to Ken Noakes, has he helps us understand from the book of Judges what Gideon was really like and what we need to learn about trusting in our sovereign God and not relying on human wisdom.
Preacher: Ken Noakes
Read the Bible text – Judges 6:33 – 7:25 and 1Corinthians 2:1-5
English Support Handout – Judges 6:33 – 7:25 and 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
How do we honour God and how will God respond if we don’t? Des Smith looks at the result of a judge of Israel who fails to “trust and obey” the Lord God.
Preacher: Des Smith
How’s your prayer life? Perhaps you pray “plastic surgery” prayers – that look and sound OK but cover up how you are really feeling. In Psalm 22, Simon Marshman takes us to a ‘raw and real’ prayer of King David, to help us learn to rely upon our faithful God even though we may be struggling through difficult times.
Preacher: Simon Marshman
Read the Bible text – Psalm 22
English Support Handout – Psalm 22
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