Category: 1 Samuel

  • Foul Mouths and Jesus’s Message

    Foul Mouths and Jesus’s Message

    “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” is a lie. Words have, many times, done more damage than sticks and stones. There are some major sins that have to do with our words. As we have walked through the story in 1 Samuel the last couple of weeks, we…

  • One Cannot Love Without Also Hating

    One Cannot Love Without Also Hating

    Saul has been accusing David unjustly. Last week, we saw David ask Jonathan to observe the evidence on his behalf—effectively accusing Saul. We looked through the Old and New Testaments to see how Jesus actually instructs us to judge our neighbors justly. In fact, that is what it meant for someone to love his neighbor…

  • How To Be A Bully

    How To Be A Bully

    God delivered David from Saul’s hand again, and David now accuses Saul before Jonathan, Saul’s son. I simply want to take the opportunity given in this narrative to consider the difference between Biblical and unbiblical accusations. Are Christians able to offer accusations against kings, rulers, pastors, or one another? What ever would be a circumstance…

  • Even God’s Enemies Encounter the Holy Sprit and Confess Christ

    Even God’s Enemies Encounter the Holy Sprit and Confess Christ

    “I don’t need to go to church to worship Jesus.” I have heard this comment quite often throughout my life. I think I made this comment when I was much more immature in the faith. Biblically speaking, it’s technically a true statement. People can go into the woods, sit on a beach, go to a…

  • Law vs. Gospel: An Unnecessary Conflict

    Law vs. Gospel: An Unnecessary Conflict

    There is a church I know that is still meeting even though it’s bad for the people in our current COVID-19 season. What’s worse, they are making people feel bad about not going. They preach and teach that a person is saved by grace, but must do something. Every Fundamental Baptist Church I have engaged…

  • On Killing Sin

    On Killing Sin

    I love my biological father. He was fun. He really tried to provide for his family. He taught my brothers and I to be strong and to have a good work ethic. He was also an abusive, angry drunk who repeatedly cheated on my mom. I recall my father making promises, “I promise I won’t…

  • Oh, Things Aren’t Supposed To Be This Way?

    Oh, Things Aren’t Supposed To Be This Way?

    There are many people who harden their hearts when they hear God’s word or see God’s work. I have known many of them in the church and have considered them to be my brothers and sisters. Then one day, they are gone because things are not the way they are supposed to be. If God…

  • If God is Good, Why Did He Send Coronavirus?

    If God is Good, Why Did He Send Coronavirus?

    The battle between David and Goliath is over. David made a point to go into battle unequipped and untrained. God alone would deliver Israel, and He would do so for His own glory—that all the earth may recognize Him (See 17:26, 46). After the battle, Saul did not recognize God. He glorified David, then turned…

  • Distinguishing Sincere and Suspicious Love

    Distinguishing Sincere and Suspicious Love

    What is Biblical love? Everyone claims to love others. Every person seems to think he or she has a handle on what love is. There is not a single person I know who thinks him or herself to be unloving, but almost every person seems to intuitively know who, other than self, is unloving. I…

  • Why Can’t I See God Working?

    Why Can’t I See God Working?

    David has killed Goliath. The battle we have deeply anticipated over the previous four weeks got so little attention. The victorious blow has come and gone. Now, we see the aftermath of the battle God won for His own glory. There is no doubt David was insufficient to fight the battle, let alone win. God…