This week we continue our New Days series in 1 Samuel. Listen as we wrestle with one of life's hardest questions: If God is sovereign and all-powerful, why does He allow evil?

The answer unfolds through the dramatic story of 1 Samuel 11, where a timid Saul is transformed by God's Spirit into a deliverer of His people. When the Ammonites threaten the city of Jabesh Gilead, promising to gouge out everyone's right eye, Israel's new king must choose: will he lead or hide?

This sermon draws powerful parallels between the darkness at the end of Judges (where "everyone did what was right in their own eyes") and the new kingdom under Saul's leadership. We explore:

• God's sovereignty vs. human responsibility for evil • Progressive revelation throughout Scripture • Why love requires choice (even the choice to reject God) • How Jesus fulfills God's plan revealed over thousands of years • The difference between Jesus as Savior and Jesus as Lord

The sermon concludes with a challenging question: Will people say that Jesus was the most important thing in your life?

Scripture: 1 Samuel 11:1-15, with references to Judges 19-21, Genesis 6:5-6, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 3:5

"Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." These famous words of Jesus to a wealthy, successful religious leader named Nicodemus still echo today. In our series finale, Pastor Sam challenges the materialist worldview that says we are just physical machines.

If you're feeling spiritually dry or like your life is missing that core sense of meaning, come discover why your spiritual vitality matters. This wee, we discuss how faith isn't about fixing yourself, but about receiving a new life through the love of God. Learn how to stop trying to birth yourself and start resting in the identity Christ has already won for you.

"My mind is like a dangerous neighborhood. I don't go there alone." For many, this quote describes the daily reality of anxiety, depression, and the "noise" we use to drown out our thoughts. But what if your mind was designed to be a powerful tool for God’s Kingdom? Using the story of Daniel’s exile in Babylon, Pastor Sam discusses how our physical choices and spiritual habits create a "renewed mind." Learn how to stop numbing out and start living with the clarity and purpose God intended for your intellectual and emotional life.

Are you more than just your thoughts? This week, Pastor Sam kicks off our "Who Am I?" series by diving into the theology of the body. In a world that tells us to define ourselves through digital curation, Psalm 139 offers a different path. You can be fully known and fully loved by a Master Builder. Whether you struggle with body image, anxiety, or simply feeling at home in your own skin, this sermon explores how embracing your physical identity leads to a life of significance and peace.

Why does the resurrection of Jesus actually matter? This Easter we explore how Christ rising from the dead addresses humanity's deepest longing for justice against death and offers real hope for eternal life.

From 1 Corinthians 15, discover why Christianity stands on historical claims, not abstract philosophy, and how the resurrection proves God's love in action. Whether you're questioning faith, feeling spiritually distant, or seeking to grow closer to Christ, this message offers a compelling invitation to encounter the risen Savior.

What's covered:

• Why death feels morally wrong and what that reveals
• The biblical evidence for Jesus' resurrection
• How Christ's victory becomes our victory
• God's extraordinary love through the cross and empty tomb
• An invitation to discover or return to faith in Jesus

Perfect for Easter reflection, seekers exploring Christianity, or believers needing fresh encouragement.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-26

#Easter #Resurrection #Jesus #Gospel #ChristianFaith #EasterSunday #Faith

This Palm Sunday sermon explores the profound implications of Jesus' kingship through the lens of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Drawing from John 12:12-19, the message examines three distinct responses to Christ's authority: the Pharisees who didn't want a king and guarded their own autonomy, the crowds who wanted the wrong kind of king focused on temporal deliverance rather than spiritual transformation, and the disciples who failed to recognize they were walking with the King of Kings. The sermon challenges believers to examine areas where we resist Jesus' complete authority, where we've crafted a king of our own making to serve our desires, and where we fail to recognize His constant presence in our daily lives. By contrasting Jesus' humble first coming on a donkey with the powerful second coming described in Revelation 19, this message prepares hearts for Easter by calling us to surrender every realm of our lives to our sovereign Lord who is both our servant Savior and our reigning King.

In this powerful message from 1 Samuel 10, we explore how God works through our failures, fears, and faithlessness to accomplish His perfect plan. Pastor Sam walks us through Israel's demand for a king and Saul's reluctant leadership, revealing how we often fall into the same traps—envying worldly solutions, operating from fear instead of faith, and placing our hope in human leaders rather than God. The good news is that you're simply not powerful enough to short circuit God's good trajectory for your life. Even when we hide like Saul in the luggage or reject God's timing like Israel, our sovereign Father weaves our broken stories into His redemptive plan. This sermon offers hope for anyone who feels like they've messed up God's plan, reminding us that through Christ, our best days are truly yet to come. Whether you're struggling with fear, comparing your faith journey to others, or feeling like you've failed God, this message will encourage you that God's grace is bigger than your mistakes.

In this powerful sermon from our "New Days" series in First Samuel, Pastor Craig explores how God interrupts our ordinary lives for His extraordinary kingdom purposes. Walking through 1 Samuel 9-10, we discover the story of Saul's unexpected anointing as Israel's first king while he was simply searching for lost donkeys. This message challenges us to examine areas where we've become passive in our faith and reminds us that God is sovereignly at work even in the mundane moments of our daily lives. Pastor Craig unpacks the profound truth that our God is a God of assurance who transforms hearts, provides detailed guidance, and uses imperfect people for His glory. Whether you're feeling spiritually passive, struggling to see God's hand in your circumstances, or wondering how He might be interrupting your life right now, this sermon offers biblical encouragement to live with active faith before the face of God. We explore themes of humility, surrender, God's sovereignty, divine compassion, and the mystery of His will to unite all things in Christ. Join us as we learn to recognize God's gentle hand on our shoulder and respond to His kingdom purposes with hearts wide open.