Eternal Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Eternal Church
Welcome to the official Eternal Church Podcast. Our vision for the church is to love God and love people, according to the scriptures. Listen to sermons from Eternal Church as we walk through different books of the Bible and explore various theological topics.
David was no stranger to grief. The Psalms are full of his accounts of grief, sorrow, and lament. This is to be expected of a man who lived the kind of life that David did. But what about the people of God today? How are we to respond to hurt in our lives? How are we to respond when people who have hurt us experience their own hurt, pain, or even death?
As we prepare to close the book on this journey through the writings of Samuel, I encourage you to turn the page to 2 Samuel 1 and look at how a man after God's own heart responded to the news of the death of Saul, the first king of Israel.
This weekend we return to the story of Saul, the first king of Israel. Chapter 28 invites us into the final hours of Saul's life and one final act that will ultimately define Saul's legacy. This is a strange story that includes an overwhelming army, a desperate journey into sorcery, and a theological conundrum about forgiveness, repentance, and rejection.
"Then David said in his heart…" These opening words of 1 Samuel 27 introduce a time in David's life when he relied on his own wisdom and chose a path that seemed right to him, but it led him further away from the identity God had given him. Only through God's relentless grace will David be reminded of who he truly is and the purpose God has for his life.
As we prepare to dive into God’s Word, take a moment to reflect on areas in your own life where you've relied on your own wisdom and strayed from the identity God has given you. Come ready to worship and be encouraged, knowing that God is a giver of grace and a restorer of the brokenhearted!
This week in I Samuel 25, the narrative takes a break from the Saul-David conflict and instead describes an interaction between David and some of the people of Israel he has been anointed to lead, including a wealthy kinsman of David’s, Nabal, and Nabal’s wife, Abigail.
Each of them will take on an identity in one of the most compelling relationship triangles in all of the Bible.
In the past several weeks we've seen David on the defensive.This week is different. He literally catches Saul with his pants down, and he has a choice to make:
Does my enemy live or die?
How would you respond to such an opportunity? Given Saul's wicked conduct the previous few chapters, it might seem like an obvious choice. But David isn't your average guy. He is seeking God's will and God's heart. So what would God want him to do?
Read all of 1 Samuel 24 before Sunday and come ready to be blown away by God's great mercy!
This week in 1 Samuel 23, David hears back from Yahweh (unlike Saul). Some of what he hears is comforting…but there’s also confusion. Just because God speaks, it doesn't mean that David necessarily understands it or agrees with it. The same could be said for us.
Do you hear from God? What does He say? How can you know His will for your life?
On Sunday we’ll see what David depended on to hear from God. And we’ll see how that foreshadowed the Better David. And we’ll see what that means for how we can hear Him and know His will, today.
When we read 1 Samuel, it might be tempting for us to reduce Saul and David to two-dimensional characters;
Saul = bad guy; David = good guy.
Don’t be like Saul. Be like David.
But humans are a lot more complex and complicated than that.
Although history and geography may lead us to feel distant from David’s life, this week we'll see some similarities (and not great ones) between David’s choices and our own. He’s more relatable and this passage is more relevant than I expected at the start. And I'm not sure if I like that!
As we prepare to gather and worship Jesus this Sunday, I encourage you to read 1 Samuel 18-20, paying careful attention to how God works to accomplish His purposes. While we plan to cover a lot of ground, I believe we will discover one overarching story of God's provision overcoming human intentions. And yes, we will discuss the "evil spirits" sent by Yahweh!
Goliath has fallen, the people of God are saved, and a young shepherd from the hill country of Judah becomes an overnight celebrity: the messiah of Israel! Yet creeping through the shouts of celebration is an enemy far greater than any giant on a battlefield. As the hearts of Israel turn towards David, the heart of Saul turns against him.
As we approach 1 Samuel 18 this weekend, I invite you to read over the text and prayerfully ask this question: How do I respond when the Messiah arrives?
"With courage like David, you too can face Goliath!"
Sound familiar? For many, the story of David and Goliath has been reduced to a children's Sunday school lesson or a metaphor for sports and personal challenges. While we love a good underdog story, when it comes to facing the 'giants' in our lives, we often seek more than slings and stones to solve Goliath-sized problems. But what if this story is more than a metaphor for dealing with hard things? What if you and I aren’t the hero of the story?
I invite you to open your Bibles to 1 Samuel 17 and take a fresh look at the age old story of a very unlikely champion.
This week we renew our 1 Samuel series “The Problem with Crowns,” picking up the story where we left off; Saul is out as Israel’s king, and God says he has found Himself a new and better version. He sends Samuel on a dangerous mission to identify and anoint a new king, even while the old king is still on the throne. Samuel thinks he’s found the right guy, but God tells him not to trust his eyes. He tells him, “The LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
What is God looking for in a king? What is he looking for that everyone else (and even Samuel) seems blind to? And what are we supposed to learn from this dramatic scene to help us follow Jesus?
Can’t wait to pick back up this Old Testament scroll and see how God uses it to speak to us in fresh new ways!
Last week we saw Paul look back at his past, B.C. (Before Christ).
This week we look at his life, post conversion, in the present, A.D. (After the road to Damascus).
But his secret to living in the present is by focusing on the future.
“For to me to live (present) is Christ and to die (future) is gain."
Philippians 3 is all about Paul's past, present and future. And it's true for us, too.
Come and see your story in light of who you were, who you are, and who you will be, because of Jesus Christ.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Jacob
Chapter 3 of Philippians starts with "Finally, my brothers..." but Paul isn't wrapping up yet. Instead, he emphasizes the simple yet profound message of the gospel as a "safeguard" for the Philippian Church.
"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..." (Phil. 3:8, ESV).
Join us this Sunday as we revisit the simple message of grace, approaching it with humility and resisting the urge to complicate the gospel.
Pastor Josh
As we come to the halfway point of Paul's letter to the Philippian church, we are interrupted with what seems like a couple of travelogues. Timothy's future plans, Paul's hopes, and instructions about welcoming home the otherwise unknown Epaphroditus. While personal updates and instructions aren't abnormal in Pauline epistles, it is a little strange that Paul places them right in the middle of this communication to the Philippians. This should cause us to pause and ask: why? Why does Paul seem to break from one train of thought to talk about two fellow believers? But what if this is not simply a travel update, but the final point of Paul's exhortation for radical unity among the Philippian believers? What do Timothy and Epaphroditus have to do with Christ-imitating humility among the church?
This week we continue chapter 2 in Philippians and consider how The Gospel is…Witness.
Funny thing about this title…witness is not mentioned in last week’s scripture, nor in this week’s passage.
Christians often talk about the trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). But the word “trinity” isn’t found in the Bible. The concept is present even when the word is absent.
The same is true about the word witness this week; the concept is present even though the word is nowhere to be found.
Read ahead in Philippians 2:12-18. Where do you see the concept of witness at play?
This week we begin chapter 2 in Philippians and consider how The Gospel is…Humility.
I have followed Jesus for over half my life. I like to think that I understand the concept of humility. I like to think that I demonstrate it regularly.
I read this week, “Humility is one of those things that if you think you have it, you don’t.”
Ouch.
Spoiler Alert:
We all need it more than we think we do. Not just for our personal growth, but as we’ll see on Sunday…for the good of unity in the Body of Christ.
Read Philippians 2:1-11 and pray that the Spirit of God would cultivate humility leading to unity…starting in me.
“Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God.” - Sam Storms
The themes of joy and rejoicing are ever present in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. This joy is not based on Paul’s current situation, but on his hope in what he knows, what he expects, and what he longs to see.
The Gospel is… Worth It
One day, a group of unassuming travelers entered a city with a simple mission: to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After several days, two miracles, and a few salvations, the travelers left at the request of the city officials. What they left behind would go on to have an impact on the future church movement across all of Europe and beyond. What was left behind? The Church of Philippi.
Join us this Sunday as we begin our study of Philippians and see how the Gospel is... a community partnership.
How do you know whether you are living according to God’s standard as a true spiritual leader? In today’s text, we will focus on three specific situations where King Saul behaved as a false spiritual leader. During the sermon, we will discuss a biblical standard for discerning whether you are living as a true or false spiritual leader.
Ask God to show you what you need from Him to shine as lights in this crooked and twisted
generation.
This Sunday we will be introduced to a new character who will continue to shine through the pages of scripture as another man after God's heart. One who will be true and loyal and seemingly without vice in every situation he is presented to us. His name is Jonathan.
And in I Samuel 14:1-23 he will be given to us so we can compare/contrast him with his father Saul. What does faith look like and what does it not look like?
In I Samuel 13 our King Saul is finally ready to step into obedience and clear the Philistines out of the Promised Land. It starts out very well, and he goes to Gilgal to wait 7 days on Samuel as directed.
Maybe Saul is our guy after all!
But what happens when things get worse after obeying God? What happens when Samuel doesn't arrive in a timely fashion? What happens when his troops begin to desert him?
In I Samuel 12 we experience the height of Samuel's priestly ministry to God's people. Samuel explains God's faithfulness and brings the Hebrew nation to their knees in repentance and regret. But it's what he shares with them after this moment that will give them (and all of us) hope for a flourishing future beyond, and maybe even because of their (our) past sins.
Samuel has anointed Saul and announced him to the twelve tribes as Israel's first king. "Long live the king!" But last week's passage ended with an ominous cliffhanger:
But some worthless fellows said, "How can this man (Saul) save us?"
Chapter 11 begins with an enemy invasion of one of the young kingdom’s outlying territories. This passage provides a real-time answer to that rhetorical question....but the answer isn't obvious.
Saul will get a second chance to embrace God's call and commission. Will he make the most of this do-over, or will he make the same mistake as last week?
Saul has been called and identified to kingship by the prophet of God.
So now Samuel shares a path with Saul that will bring him more personal confirmation of his calling, and also provide an opportunity to initiate his role of protector, captain and savior of his people.
Will Saul embrace his role, or will he avoid and abandon his calling?
"God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform; he plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines, of never-failing skill; he fashions up his bright designs, and works his sovereign will." William Cowper
I Samuel 9 is all about the unfathomable providence of God. Donkeys go missing, and Israel finds her King. In a series of disconnected, random and normal events, we will see through to the other side of the tapestry, and notice that they are connected, planned and miraculous.
In chapter 8 of I Samuel the people and the leaders of Israel come to Samuel and request a King to rule over them. Samuel doesn't like this request. God doesn't seem to like it either. And yet, God tells Samuel to obey the voice of his people and give them a King.
And so, the monarchy begins in this ambiguous and enigmatic way.
Maybe this chapter is about something else bigger altogether?
Maybe this is yet another story that God keeps telling us over and over again all through the Old Testament.
The Ark has been traveling and creating a debris field of trouble, among both the Philistine and Israelite people. The idea is to hide it away and go about life.
But that doesn't work either.
So, Israel begins to lament into repentance.
Chapter 7 is our turning point for the nation of Israel and Samuel.
There is a way to be close to God and not die in the process!
And Samuel is just the one to show them how to do it.
The God of Israel has been conquered because His people have been defeated and the Philistines have His place of mediation, the Ark of the Covenant.
But God has not been defeated, and it will become clear over the next 7 months that the Philistines will want nothing to do with the Israelite Yahweh. They won't be able to subdue or appease Him and God runs wild over their land with disease and pestilence.
This is a humorous story if you are an Israelite, but a terrifying story if you are not.
What is God trying to tell us with this story?
Please come prepared to be transformed by the Word of God,
Pastor Don
In 1 Samuel 4:12-22, we get the concluding portion of the stolen Ark narrative, and the response of the people of Israel, and specifically Eli and his daughter-in law, to that horrible news.
But the awful and horrifying response, in our context, feels a bit overstated and exaggerated. So, it would do us well to slow down and try to understand what the Glory of God means, and why His central place in Israel meant everything to their identity.
God's Words are more than words. They are actions.
When we say words, they may have emotional impact, but they don't have the power to act. If you have ever walked into a room and said, "let there be light," you have discovered that you still have something to do.
In the beginning God did not say, "Let there be light," and then make light.
His words have their own power. In the saying everything was created.
In chapter 4 of I Samuel we get to see God's Words acting upon a nation. The words He spoke to Samuel have their own power, and they never fall to the ground.
This Sunday we will look at the rest of I Samuel 3, and the call that God has placed upon his life to deliver His Words to Eli. What is happening here in Samuel's life and why is this so significant for Israel. And just as importantly, what is this section telling us about messengers and the Word of the LORD?
This Sunday the sermon is about God’s Call to Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:1-10. We will explore the progression from the LORD not speaking and revealing Himself to Samuel to Him standing near and speaking to Samuel.
Since Samuel was not familiar with the LORD’s voice, he depended on Eli, the priest, to provide guidance. Even though he was unfamiliar with the LORD’s voice, Samuel continued to carry out his responsibilities as a priest-in-training. After the LORD called Samuel’s name five times, Samuel answered Him by asking him to “Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.” Then our loving and patient LORD not only spoke to Samuel but also stood near him.
In I Samuel 2:27-36 we will see that the Word of God finally speaks over the sins of Eli and his detestable sons. The grace of God over Eli's life has been generations in the making, and the judgment of God will extend, likewise, to generations in the future.
God is indeed on the move to rescue His people, but first He must go to the center of faith and authority and clean His house.
Our story takes a dark turn this week as we begin to see the full effects of a people who have drifted so far from God that they have become rotten to the core. At the very center of worship where a relationship with God is possible and mediated, there is horrific corruption and abuse.
But in the midst of all this darkness there is a little shaft of light.
His name is Samuel and he is growing in the house of the Lord.
Hannah gives away her child, and she praises the Lord.
She isn't praising the Lord because her child has been taken. She is singing because she has discovered something about her God...about our God!
She wants everyone to listen, and all through history those who have had an ear to hear, can hear it.
It's an eternal note that points a beam to The Messiah.
She has found a secret about God that less have discovered and most have overlooked.
Will we hear her song? Will her notes of praise create in us a song of deliverance?
Hannah has worked through her lament and then a baby will soon arrive.
This is what she had been hoping and waiting for her entire adult life, what she dreamed about as a little child. It's one thing to make promises to God, but it's another to keep them...especially when it involves giving her child away.
We will be discussing what God has for us in I Samuel 1:3-18.
What is going on here with Hannah? Why is she in such a critical emotional, spiritual and mental state?
God's Word will ask us to understand and empathize with Hannah's lament, and then be witnesses to how God heals her heart once and for all.
I am excited to enter into our next book in the Bible, 1st Samuel.
This is one of the most important books in the Bible as it transitions Israel from tribal states led sporadically and temporarily by Judges, to a Monarchy and the 1st (Saul) and 2nd (David) kings to lead the people of Israel.
What are we going to learn as we walk through this book? What should we be looking for? And what are the theological themes that will be important to notice?
I can't wait to begin this journey with you!
When Jesus begins to change, reinterpret and seemingly dismiss the Sabbath as a day worthy of honor and great attention, He initiates an attack on the very foundation of God, and a nation of God in an obedient covenant relationship with Him. Why would He do that? The better question is what is He actually attacking?
We will be covering the 2 controversial stories of Sabbath found in Mark 2:23 - Mark 3:6. Please read ahead and begin to ruminate on God's Holy Word.
Jesus IS trying to kill something...but it's not God, and it's not even the Sabbath. What is it?
Due to technical issues with our Livestream broadcast this past Sunday morning, we were unable to provide the full sermon online. Our speaker, Dan Gray, was kind enough to re-shoot a video of his full sermon.
This week we will be exploring Act 2 in Jesus Parable of the Prodigal. We will be talking about the older son, the one who stayed. Why does Jesus include him in this story? What are the similarities between the behaviors of these two seemingly opposite sons, and what can we learn from this son about our relationship with our Heavenly Father, and His feelings toward us? I hope you are able to spend some time in this passage and continue to ask the question of where you are in the story?