A Thief in Heaven

Luke 23:39-43 - One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

From Barrenness and Sorrow to Fruitfulness and Worship

I Samuel begins with the story of Hannah – a barren woman whose husband apparently took on a second wife so that an heir could be produced. In her misery she cries out to God who hears and answers in a glorious way.

But I Samuel 1 is not merely Hannah’s story. It is the story of Israel in the days of the Judges – barren and fruitless, divided, oppressed by the Philistines. Hannah’s son does not merely deliver her from her predicament. More importantly, Samuel is the prophet and kingmaker who will anoint the great king who will lead Israel to her greatest earthly glory. The deliverance which begins with Hannah’s story points to a greater deliverance which would take place over 1000 years later - when a prophet who resembles Samuel would point us to the Son of David who will reign forever.

Spiritual Warfare

In this sermon John Crotts, pastor of Faith Bible Church in Atlanta, examines what the New Testament teaches us about spiritual warfare.

Introduction to I Samuel

Today we begin a series of Expository messages from I Samuel. A great theme of I Samuel is the need of Israel to find the right leader. As our nation is also seeking to choose a leader we will consider the parallels and the contrasts between our situation and theirs.

Our text for this morning is Genesis 1 - Malachi 4 as we do a survey of the Old Testament which will show where I Samuel fits into the history of God’s people.