What is the role of a King? In this chapter, we see that God requires a King to deliver people by defeating their enemies, and also uniting them together. Whilst Saul defeats Ammonites, Jesus defeats the great adversary of sin and death. Jesus also unites His people under the cross.
We see God affirming Saul as King through private anointing and accompanying providences, and also a public declaration. How much more is Jesus Christ confirmed and publicly declared as King of all!
When Israel asked for a King like the nations, God gave them what they wanted. Saul is introduced as looking impressive but with underlying character faults which will haunt Israel in coming chapters. Thankfully, we are graciously given a King who may be unattractive to the world, but has a character pleasing in God’s sight.
People ask God for many things, but when people reject Him and ask for a replacement, what will God do? In 1Sam8, we see that God will warn them about their request, but ultimately fulfil their desires. This leads to hard lessons for Israel, but great blessing in the coming of Jesus Christ 1000 years…
The ark of God has returned but Israel remain miserable because of their sin. What are they to do? Samuel challenges them about true repentance and offers a way for them to return to God through blood sacrifice.
After declaring his innocence and job done, Paul commends the elders to watch themselves, the flock and for danger from wolves. This is a daunting task for the young Ephesian elders, and so they must also entrust themselves to the Great and Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Paul knows this will be his final address to the Ephesian elders. What will he say? What will he emphasise? In this speech, Paul marks out 5 aspects of his ministry that reflect gospel faithfulness. Faithful ministers are known, serve humbly through trials, do not hold back God’s Word, minister to all and entrust their…
In this section, Paul travels through Macedonia and Greece to encourage the churches. We also see a band of brothers who support and encourage Paul’s ministry, and witness an amazing life giving miracle in Eutychus.
We are reminded that Christians should expect opposition to the gospel if they are to live faithfully. In particular, we see that those that attack the gospel often employ a threefold strategy – they shout loudest & proudest, they intimidate believers and then de platform the truth. Thankfully, our Lord & Saviour has already crushed…
Some people are very skeptical of miracles whilst others embrace all “miracles” without any discernment. In this message, we see that God does perform extraordinary miracles by the hands of his Apostles, but false miracle workers arise to try and exploit the gullible. These cheap imitations are embarrassing but true miracles encourage repentance and faith,…