Fellowshipmtz

Psalm 85 (part 1): Restoration . . . Distress . . . Restoration

Psalm 85:1-9
The pattern in this psalm typifies Israel's experience, the believer's experience:
1) Initially, there is a profound experience (and celebration) of God's favor, deliverance
2) At some point afterward, "life happens" and distress sets in.  The believers calls out for revival, restoration.
3) Finally, the believer anticipates full and final favor, deliverance.

But how?  The answer comes in part 2 next Sunday.

2 Samuel 18:19-33 - The Struggle of Mercy & Justice

2 Samuel 18:19-33 -- David's son, Absalom, is dead.  Joab knows he must send a runner to report the news from the battlefield to where David waits.  The narrator very  s l o w l y  draws out how that actually takes place.  When David finally learns the truth, he is devastated and overcome with sorrow like he has never before experienced.

2 Samuel 18:1-18

2 Samuel 17:24 - 18:1

The drama (and conspiracy) that has been building for quite some time finally comes to a head.  Absalom's larger army of civilians gathered from all over Israel meets David's army of mercenaries on the battlefield.  David's army wins a decisive victory, but it is the demise of Absalom that the author details.

Psalm 1 ~ New Year’s Blessing!

Psalm 1 -- 

Were you aware the book of Psalms contains quite a handful of "beatitudes" (pronounced blessings)?  Psalm 1 (along with its companion psalm 2) fittingly introduces the reader to the book of Psalms (prayers & songs).

When GOD Visits! (Psalm 8, especially)

A short two week series based upon Zechariah's prophecy in Luke chapter one:
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people"

What happens when GOD visits?  Why does GOD visit?  Is it possible for Him to visit and miss its significance?

Luke 1:67-80 / Zechariah’s Prophetic ”Song”!

WE ARE BACK "HOME" IN OUR OWN BUILDING!!  (We have used rented space since mid-August while our own building was under some construction & renovation.)  At any rate, today's message considers the significance of Zechariah's prophecy after the miraculous birth of their one and only son, John (who became known as, John the Baptist).

2 Samuel 16:5-14 - Shimei Curses David

The (somewhat veiled) gospel in the First Testament.  David's faith in God's power to restore and save shines plainly!
(The audio has a few hiccups, but is mostly good.)

2 Samuel 15:30 -- 16:4 ; David’s Encounters As He Flees Jerusalem (Part 4)

NOTE:  Because of construction on our own church's building, we are currently gathering on Sunday evenings at Faith Baptist Church of South Shores (Decatur, IL).  For whatever reason, the audio board there generally does not produce a good recording -- but most recently, on November 26, it did!

2 Samuel 11-13 - Sin’s Consequences

We are taking a brief break from "Ephesians" to consider some lesser understood incidents from King David's life,  After David's sin with Bathsheba and subsequent killing of her husband, Uriah (2 Samuel 11), the next five chapters demonstrate the fulfillment of Nathan's prophetic words of consequence.

Ephesians 5:22-33 - Christ & the Church!

Ephesians 5:22-33

As important as it is, the marriage relationship between husband & wife points to something MUCH BIGGER and MORE IMPORTANT: namely, the relationship between Christ and HIs Church.  Paul calls the disclosure of this truth a "profound mystery" (verse 32) and for very good reasons!