Coquina Is A Rock, But Also A Metaphor

This past Sunday, we started our observance of Advent with the lighting of the Hope candle. Joey then spoke to us on our unseen hope found in both the groans and glory of our faith. Looking at Romans 8:18-25, Joey unpacked that, despite our groanings in today's life we have hope for what is to come in Jesus Christ's return. It is in this hope that we are saved, and so we rejoice!

This past Sunday, Steve wrapped up our study of 1 Samuel. After giving a quick recap, Steve unpacked 4 points for why we went through 1 Samuel which ultimately was to see how Jesus is represented. In unpacking all this, Steve gave us 4 points. First, the bible is the story of Jesus, the story of a savior. Second, 1 Samuel advances towards Jesus in Hannah's prayer and examples of bad and good human leadership. Third, even though Jesus as a man does not come to us until the New Testament He is previewed to us in this book, as well as accompanying Psalms. Fourth and final, we should be telling the story of Jesus in our lives.

This past Sunday, Justin took us through 1 Samuel 31,  the last chapter of this book. In this final chapter, we see the Philistines attacking Israel. Saul's sons fell in battle and he was badly wounded. When his armor-bearer would not kill him Saul chose to fall on his sword to not become a prisoner. Philistines then took the bodies of him and his sons and desecrated them, but the bodies were then rescued by the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead. This happened because of the legacy Saul had left with them when he saved them from Nahash the Ammonite. While looking at this dark ending to the book Justin spoke to how despite the mistakes made by Saul, his legacy with Jabesh-gilead stayed intact. Justin went on to speak on how Jesus' legacy is greatly different from the legacy of Saul. He also made the important point of asking us what our legacy would be. 

This past Sunday, Joey spoke on 1 Samuel 30. In this chapter, David and his men have found that a raiding party has kidnapped all the women and children at Ziklag, including David's two wives. With God's permission, David and 600 of his men pursued and overtook them. They rescued everyone as well as everything the raiders had taken as spoils. David then made a statute that shared all the recovered spoils with all the people, as well as sent it to all the places where he and his men had roamed. Looking at this section, as well as what has happened throughout 1 Samuel in the life of David, Joey looked at how David consistently found his strength in God.  Joey then gave 4 points as to how we can also find and live in the strength that comes from God.

This past Sunday, Joey spoke on 1 Samuel 29. In this chapter, we find David after he has lived for quite some time amongst the Philistines. King Achish of the Philistines has been very pleased with David and his men to the point he had decided they would join in the battle against Israel. Some of the Philistine leaders however disagreed with this so King Achish told David to take his men and leave in peace. While speaking on what took place in this chapter, Joey unpacked how God's faithfulness is shown in the life of David and also gave four points to how God shows His faithfulness to us.

This past Sunday, Steve spoke to us on 1 Samuel 28. In this chapter, King Saul is very afraid of the Philistines. So much so that he seeks out a medium, known as the witch of Endor. Steve went on to speak on how Saul had to do this under the cover of night because he was not only near the Philistine camp, but also because he had previously outlawed all mediums and sorcery. By swearing on the name of the Lord Saul convinces the medium to summon the spirit of Samuel despite the fact Samuel had stopped speaking to him long before he passed away. Saul then asked the spirit of Samuel if Israel would beat the Philistines. Samuel not only reminds Saul that God had already given a prophecy that Saul would lose his kingdom to David, he then added that Saul and his sons would die. In unpacking all of this, Steve speaks to how God can use something that is wrong for good. He also gives us the reminder that unlike the works of so-called mediums, God's will and prophecy are true. We see from this to be so in the stud

This past Sunday, Justin spoke to us on 1 Samuel 27 and David's decision to go to the Philistines to get away from King Saul's constant pursuit of him.  Successfully ridding himself of Saul, David goes on to perform raids and then lie to the King of the Philistines who thinks of him as a benefit. While explaining all that transpires, Justin highlights how in this section of scripture David, one who is known for seeking God's counsel, instead looked to himself and his own means. In unpacking all of this, Justin presented 3 important truths; do not fear to seek God's counsel, God will protect His People, and God will make secure His inheritance.

This past Sunday, Joey spoke on 1 Samuel 26. In this chapter, we see Saul again gathering his men and searching to kill David. We also find David once again having the opportunity to kill Saul, but saying the Lord forbids it. While going through this section of scripture Joey looks to the afflictions David had to live through while running from Saul. He also shows us other examples of God's people in the bible living through afflictions, and still being great followers of God. Pulling from David's life and the other examples, Joey offers us 5 points of how God works with our afflictions and shows us why we should trust God amidst the afflictions of life.

This past Sunday, Joey finished up 1 Samuel 25:1b-44. Focusing on the section where David hopes to get aid from Nabal, Joey spoke to how truth and love can lead to confrontation in relationships. Angered by how Nabal denied and then turned away his men, David had blood on his mind as he set out with 400 men to attack. Abigail, Nabal's wife intercepted David on the way. She confronted him with truth and love which convicted David to stand down. Unpacking all that transpired, Joey shared 3 points that took place; a fleshly struggle, a merciful rebuke, and a spiritual triumph. He also spoke to the reality that the Christian life is full of hard conversations. We can avoid, or we can be like Abigail and rebuke in truth and love.

This past Sunday, Steve spoke to us on 1 Samuel 25:1a. While this is only 1 verse, it is an important one that tells of Samuel's death. Steve explained how monumental this was for the people of Israel, all of whom it is said gathered for his funeral and burial. From there Steve reflected on the story of Samuel, beginning with how his birth was a gift from God to Hannah. He then went on to retell Samuel's life and the many great things that God did through him. In this, Steve made a point in showing how Samuel is a great example of God using people to carry out His work. Going deeper, he shared that we are the hands and feet of God who look towards being counted in the great cloud of witnesses with Samuel and others. Steve also emphasized the importance of being in a community with other believers if we are to successfully finish the race that is sharing the good news.

This past Sunday, Justin spoke to us on 1 Samuel 24. In this section of scripture, Saul is again seeking to find and kill David, who is hiding out in the caves. While hunting Saul takes to a cave to relieve himself not knowing that David is hiding within. Seeing this as the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver Saul into his hands David sneaks up behind him. Even though he would have been seen as rightful in killing him, David chooses instead to show mercy by only cutting a piece of Saul's garment. Once Saul left the cave David revealed himself stating how he had chosen to spare Saul's life. This revelation caused Saul to have a change of heart as he declared David the rightful king. Justin then broke this down stating how David was able to follow God's lead in not killing Saul because he was responding to the spirit. He then shared how the bible teaches us that we heap burning coals on others when we repay their evil with good as David did with Saul. Justin then wrapped it up in showing

This past Sunday, Joey spoke on 1 Samuel 23. In this chapter we see David follow God's instruction to go and save the city of Keilah from the Philistines. From there we see David betrayed by Ziphites as they told Saul where David was hiding. David and his men ultimately escape Saul when Saul gets called back to defend Israel from another Philistine attack. Looking at all that took place for David in this chapter Joey speaks to how David overcame these hardships and found comfort; he sought God, gave comfort to others, and believed in God to provide. 

This past Sunday, Joey continued speaking from 1 Samuel 22:6-23. In this section of scripture,  we see Saul's anger lead to calling for the death of Ahimelech and 85 priests of Nob, fulfilling God's curse on Eli's descendants. This was immediately followed by every man, woman, ox, donkey, and sheep in Nob being put to the sword. One man, Abiathar, escaped to David for protection. Looking at these very dark events, Joey speaks of the schemes of the devil that were working in the lives of Saul and others during this time. 

This past Sunday, Steve spoke on 1 Samuel 21:10-22:5, and David's existential crisis. In this section we see David running in fear of Saul to Gath, the hometown of Goliath. After being recognized by King Agish as the giant's killer, David became afraid and pretended to have lost his mind, and ultimately escaped to the Cave of Adullam. Comparing this behavior to how David approached facing Goliath with great faith in God, Steve unpacked the lack of faith David displayed on the run. He then went on to show how in humility David returned to faith by looking at the Psalms he wrote during this time. In response to this renewed faith, many are drawn to David as a man relying on God. Looking at all that transpired in David's lack of faith and then humbled return to God, Steve gave 4 great truths of God for us to live by.

This past Sunday, Justin spoke to us on 1 Samuel 21:1-9. In this section of scripture, we find David going to the temple because he knows this is where the presence of God dwells. We also see David meeting the priest Ahimelech, who he lies to about why he has come to the temple. Despite his lies, David is treated with mercy by Ahimelech as he is given the holy bread at the temple. Speaking on this, Justin shines a light on how Ahimelech displays both obedience and mercy in how he treats David. 

This past Sunday, Joey spoke to us again from 1 Samuel 19-20, this time looking at the traumatic events taking place during David's life at this time. With David as the example, Joey spoke to how our lives are also full of different pains and sufferings, overall trauma. He then went on to speak to the common ways many react to trauma that can be detrimental as well as recommended truth on how we as faithful believers should respond to the trauma we experience, both individually and most especially within the community.

This past Sunday, Joey spoke to us on 1 Samuel chapters 19 and 20. In these chapters, we continue to see the relationship grow between David and Jonathan, while the hatred Saul has towards David increases as well.  While summarizing what happens in this section of scripture Joey speaks to 4 means of grace that we can see portrayed in the life of David.

This past Sunday, Steve spoke to us on 1 Samuel 18:17-30. In this section of scripture, we see that despite Saul's growing jealousy of David, he offers his daughter Michal in marriage. While discussing all that transpires, Steve also shines a light on David's charisma and leadership that the people of Israel are so drawn to, as well as 3 theological truths that exist for both David and followers of Christ.

This past Sunday, Caleb spoke to us on David and Jonathan as they are presented to us in 1 Samuel 18:1-16. Speaking on the differences between father and son, Saul and Jonathan, Caleb shows us how Jonathan lived a life of faith, honor, and humility that would likely have led to him being a great king. Unlike his father, who we see become jealous of David, Jonathan showed love for God's anointed. He even went as far as becoming less in the eyes of the Israelites by publicly lifting David up as more than just a shepherd. Caleb goes on to show how in the New Testament there is a parallel to this with John the Baptist saying he must decrease so Jesus' ministry can increase. 

This past Sunday, Joey continued the story of David and Goliath found in 1 Samuel 17. Speaking on this section of scripture we see how Goliath mocked Israel, David, and God. In contrast to this, Joey shows us how God's glory is not only challenged,  but affirmed and displayed in David's defeat of the mocking giant. He then goes on to remind us that the glory of God is ultimately seen in Jesus.