Conflict is part and parcel of every life. Any two people can hold different opinions on most anything. We disagree over driving directions (even with our GPS), over the use of money, over decisions, and even over favorite sports teams. We even disagree on ministry and church life. Paul is in prison when he writes about two groups that are in conflict (Philippians 2:15-18). The focus of this disagreement is Paul himself. One group is supportive of Paul and his ministry. The other group is not. Yet both are upholding the truth of the gospel and making an impact on people’s lives. Paul rises above the fray when he says, “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” May we be like Paul and rise above the fray and proclaim Christ.
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We all face difficulties. These challenges take us by surprise and discourage us in significant ways. We see our plans crumble, our family begin to fracture, and our jobs deteriorate. We wonder if perhaps God has forgotten about us or whether his plan and purposes have ceased in our lives. In Philippians 1:12-14 Paul writes about his imprisonment, his captors, and the trumped up charges hanging over him. Yet he sees that God is still at work causing the gospel to go forth. Paul realizes that God is always at work and can use the most difficult circumstances to advance his gospel.
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Paul prayed for the believers in Philippi and the content of that prayer is captured for us in verses 9-11. His genuine concern was that they grow in love and in loving actions. He wanted them to grow in genuine love for God and also in consistent and authentic love for one another. But how can we truly love? How do we find the strength to love God and others consistently? It is not from human origin or effort, but comes out of growing relationship with God. As we allow God to fill our hearts, we will love as we truly want to and as God designed us to love.
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As was the apostle Paul, so we, as Christ-followers, are commissioned to share the Good News of Jesus’ grace with people. But we can get distracted from this mission or discouraged along the way. But we’re in this mission together. We can renew our sense of calling and we can enhance our effectiveness on our mission by reflecting on our connectedness: Emotional connection (1.7- ‘have you in my heart’), Practical connection (1.7- ‘partnership in the gospel’), and Christian connection (1.8- ‘long for you with the affections (guts) of Messiah Jesus- Immanuel).
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There are times and circumstances in life that may overwhelm us. As Christ-followers, we can stand against the potential of discouragement and cross the finish line, not just somehow, but joyfully triumphant… By cultivating habitual gratitude, being intentional about joy, fostering a missional outlook and holding to a confident expectation.
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As we move throughout our days, we call out many greetings - “Hello!” “What’s up?” “Good to see you!” Most of these greetings are instinctive, but not thoughtful. Paul’s greeting to the church in Philippi was not only thoughtful, but theological and encouraging. Let’s be more like Paul!
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Join us Christmas Day at 9 a.m. in Edina and 10:30 a.m. in Eden Prairie and celebrate God’s good gift of his Son, who lived with us, died for us, rose to new life as our Savior and forever loves us!
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The Magi arrived late—perhaps two years late. Christmas was long gone and the manger was back to feeding livestock. The baby was already a boy.
Those Magi were unlikely candidates for the Christmas story. They were superstitious Gentile pagans. Jesus was born a Jew to save his people. And the way they found Jesus was equally strange—they received directions from a king who wanted Jesus dead.
What trumped everything was that they were seekers. They took the smallest hint—a strange star—and commenced a search that took them on a very long journey. They asked anyone who could give directions. They arrived as soon as they could. They followed their gut-instincts and fell down in worship of a little boy who was the Son of God and Savior of the world. They had no doubt that Jesus was worth the journey and worth the search.
Let us all be seekers. Do anything and go anywhere to Jesus. He’s worth it. Jesus is the best and greatest Christmas gift of all.
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Don’t you love it when you hear the big news first? Most of us feel important and powerful when we are present for the big event or are the first to receive the phone call. And what do we usually do when we know something important that others haven’t heard? We are quick to come or call and see for ourselves and to tell everyone else.
That’s the way it was for these otherwise unimportant shepherd—those who were usually the last to hear anything really important. This time they were first. Not even the king knew what they knew. And their immediate response was to run and tell.
We know the Christmas story that millions of others have never heard. We are honored and privileged by God. Now it is our joy to tell others.
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We all like to decide our futures for ourselves, or at least be consulted. When others make decisions and then tell us after those decisions are made we can feel left out and unimportant. Nobody consulted with Joseph until after Mary was already pregnant. He must have thought that he should have been forewarned—after all, Mary received advance notice so why didn’t he?
Joseph had already thought and prayed through his plan and was all set to divorce his fiancé. Then God sent an angel and told him to change plans. Again, Joseph wasn’t much asked he was told.
Joseph was amazingly wise and gracious as he accepted God’s will and way. He married Mary and adopted Jesus to be raised as a biological son.
When we’re left out of decisions and when God tells us to change our plans let’s remember Joseph and trust that God is good and knows what he is doing.
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Mary thought her life would follow the usual path for a teenaged girl in Nazareth—marriage; babies; struggles; joys. Then God sent an angel with words changing everything. She was troubled by the words because they cast her into a sea of uncertainties. We usually prefer to know what’s ahead even if it’s not exactly what we want. Mary responded as we should respond to the plans and promises of God—“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
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Mary thought her life would follow the usual path for a teenaged girl in Nazareth—marriage; babies; struggles; joys. Then God sent an angel with words changing everything. She was troubled by the words because they cast her into a sea of uncertainties. We usually prefer to know what’s ahead even if it’s not exactly what we want. Mary responded as we should respond to the plans and promises of God—“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
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Leith and Charleen Anderson have faithfully served Wooddale Church for 35 years. Join us as we celebrate the impact of their ministry on Wooddale Church and beyond.
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Let’s make a mental list of all the things we are grateful for and all the things we are ungrateful for. There are two ways to measure the list—by length and by weight. Some people are wired for positive thinking and their grateful list is longer; some people are wired for worry and the ungrateful list is longer. But when it comes to weight, the Christian’s grateful list is always heaviest because God, salvation, blessing, providence, protection, promise and all of God’s “good and perfect gifts” (James 1:17) out weigh everything else in life. That’s how we can and should “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
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Let’s make a mental list of all the things we are grateful for and all the things we are ungrateful for. There are two ways to measure the list—by length and by weight. Some people are wired for positive thinking and their grateful list is longer; some people are wired for worry and the ungrateful list is longer. But when it comes to weight, the Christian’s grateful list is always heaviest because God, salvation, blessing, providence, protection, promise and all of God’s “good and perfect gifts” (James 1:17) out weigh everything else in life. That’s how we can and should “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
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Praying continually doesn’t mean that our lips are always moving (although some monastics have tried to keep praying around the clock, including while they are asleep). It is more like texting (some teens send tens of thousands of text messages). Think of God as your best friend on Facebook or your constant connection on Twitter. Praying constantly is staying in touch with God about everything.
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To be a Christian is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. And, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to make more disciples of Jesus Christ. It’s what a Christian does. This doesn’t mean we all go overseas as missionaries but that we all have a clear and active part in making disciples. Money is an important and necessary part but never think that we can hire others to do what we are supposed to do. Everyone of us can and should be active disciple-makers at home and around the globe.
Join us for Worldwide Week featuring guest speaker Steve Douglass, President of Cru.
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Joy is deep stuff. It is different from happiness. Happiness is more superficial and short term; joy is more pervasive and long term.
Christians have a past and future basis for joy that reaches into the present. In the past God sent Jesus to save us, we believed and have had our sins forgiven and have a personal relationship with God. In the future we have a sure hope of eternal life in the presence of God. Salvation and hope are so big and so strong that they anchor us forever and give us an overriding joy that gets us through the ups and downs of current circumstances.
We have a choice to live out our present emotions and relationships on the basis of current circumstances or on the basis of eternal joy. St. Paul is telling us to choose joy—“Be joyful always.”
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Kindness was not a primary ethic in the Roman world. But it was a clearly Christian ethic (Romans 12:17-21; 1 Peter 3:8-9). Apparently there were Christians in Thessalonica who practiced revenge and were unkind to one another and to everyone else.
Frankly, some Christians have the same problem today. Their personal preferences and politics have become more important than their Christian faith and biblical obedience. They are unkind and revengeful to others in the stories they tell, the statements they make, the money they give and their use of the Internet.
Some may want to insist that they should be kind to fellow Christians with whom they agree but it is okay to be unkind to unbelievers or those with whom they disagree. However, the Bible clearly says “always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”
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Forgiveness is a wonderful gift, a sobering responsibility and a fundamental part of living like Jesus. It is perhaps the greatest gift we can give someone and yet we often refuse to give this gift. Why are we slow to forgive? What do we need to remember in order to learn to forgive?
What is the impact of forgiveness in our lives and in the lives of others? Peter asked his honest question… we each need to hear Jesus’ challenging answer!
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It is easy to forget some of the most important people in life. Even separated lovers sometimes say, “I hope I recognize him when I see him.” When the miles are many and the time is long, our lives fill with busyness that crowds our once vivid memories.
Jesus asked us to never forget him. But, knowing the frailty of our human memories he gave us two pictures to repeatedly revisit—the bread (his body) and the cup (his blood). He wanted us to make memory more than a thought so he invited us to remember with action—eating and drinking.
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Most of us would like to change—our weight, our job, our car or our nose-shape. God would like to change us too. God wants us to be less shaped by the patterns of the world around us and increasingly shaped by his patterns. Romans 12:1-2 is among the Bible’s better known texts but is challenging to understand and even more challenging to do.
St. Paul explains that spiritual transformation starts in our heads—“Be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Let’s understand what that is, how it happens and practical actions we can take to have mind renewal.
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Attitude shapes all of life and relationships. We all know the difference between a bad attitude and a good attitude. But, the Bible calls us to a higher standard than even a good attitude—that we should have a Christ attitude.
Our response to the words of action in Philippians 2:1-12 is three fold: 1.) inventory our present attitude; 2.) understand the Jesus-attitude; 3.) adjust our attitude to be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
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God requires us to be humble. But humility is hard to define and often faked. Humility is primarily in our heads—it is the way we think of ourselves and of others.
The humble person is a thoughtful person. Not an ideological hothead. Not a quick tempered know-it-all. Not a self-assured demagogue. The humble person wants to hear the other person’s point of view even if it is very different and uncomfortable. The humble person assumes she can learn from others. The humble person thinks before talking, prays before emailing, pauses before accusing—all of which reflect an inside attitude of heart.
Humility can be faked, especially in the eyes of those with a superficial relationship. But it cannot be faked to someone who knows us intimately. The truly humble person who has his heart and head in the right place “walks humbly with your God.”
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Charles Darwin has enormously influenced our country and culture with his notion of “survival of the fittest.” Some have taken his physical applications and carried them over to social relationships. They favor the rich and powerful over the poor and weak. This is far from the consistent teaching of the Bible and especially of Jesus who was a hero to the poor and weak of his generation.
God requires his followers to “love mercy”—to have a heart to protect the weak. Who are the weak in our generation? They are those with the least education, the unemployed and underemployed, the uninsured, the disabled, the unborn, the falsely imprisoned, the orphan, the poor single parent, the frightened alien and others on the lowest rungs of the social ladder. God requires us to have a heart for them. To want to protect them. To love mercy in the Name of Jesus.
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To understand “act justly” in Micah 6:8 requires a reading of God’s severe criticism in Micah 3. Judges are supposed to love good and hate evil but there were unjust judges in Israel who loved evil and hated good. They allowed the rich and powerful to grind down the poor and marginal until they were like skeletons. The judges refused to listen to the pleas from those who were oppressed. God speaks simply and directly to anyone who asks what God requires of us all. We are to act justly.
This does not refer to the U.S. Constitution, American law or current politics. It refers to the basic notion of what is fair and right and good, especially for those who have the least. So, if we want to know what God wants of us, he wants us to always be on the side of justice—not law but good. There are bad laws and good laws, oppressive laws and empowering laws. As Christians we always side with what is fair and good for those who cannot fend for themselves.
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Earthquakes are terrifying but the prison guard in Philippi was probably more afraid of what the Roman authorities would do to him if his prisoners escaped in the earthquake rubble. Suicide may have been on his mind.
When he saw Paul and Silas he blurted out an emotional question to anyone who would listen—“What do I need to do to be saved?” He never says whether he is asking how to be saved from the earthquake or the Romans. Paul skips the shaking earth and Roman threat and spins the question around to the more important concern of the guard’s eternal destiny. He tells him how to save his soul not his skin. “Believe in Jesus!”
What happened? His skin and his soul were both saved.
Paul’s words apply equally to all of us. Whether asking for salvation of skin or soul, “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”
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The Ten Commandments were given by God through Moses to a people whom God loved and had just rescued from four centuries of slavery in a pagan country. The people of Israel were saved but didn’t know how to live as a saved people. So, God gave them ten simple rules to live by.
The Ten Commandments has become the most famous moral code ever written, universally guiding people of all cultures to moral and ethical behavior. It is a central core to the laws of our land and our lives. When in doubt about what to do we go back to the Ten Commandments for direction.
While stated mostly in negative commands the Ten Commandments are clearly a map to positive righteous living.
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Christians are a combination of “who” and “do”—who we are (born again sons and daughters of God through Jesus Christ) and what we do (live faithfully and righteously as followers of Jesus).
At the top of every Christian’s “to do” list is to love God completely and to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Law of Love is at the heart of what it means to live out the Christian life. God first and then others.
The opposite is to love ourselves first and make all decisions based on what we want and what best serves us. As followers of Jesus we are to passionately and wholeheartedly love God. But, how can we show and tell if we really do love God? In our love for our neighbor.
Join us for a weekend of stories and adventure as we celebrate how God is impacting our global partners around the world.
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People believe there are numerous spiritual paths to the top of the mountain of faith. Doesn’t every religious teacher say, “Love their neighbor?” Did Christ really teach anything different than others?
Religious books are a dime a dozen. Does the Bible differ from other spiritual books? Don’t all soo-called revelations say essentially the same thing?
Suffering challenges every human being. Does the reality of evil disprove God? Does the fact that people suffer mean that God really doesn’t love after all?
The Bible tells a simple but powerful story: God created a good world which has gone desperately off kilter. In response, God literally became a human person through Christ. He is literally restoring his creation to its former luster. This story is personal to us all. It confronts each of us with only two choices. Either we accept that story, join in with God, and commit our lives to Christ as he works to restore all things. Or we reject that story, flee from God, and commit our lives, through a million daily decisions, to some other, lesser agenda. How should I choose to live? What is my most reasonable option? How should I invest my one and only life?
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Some Bibles print the words of Jesus with red ink while all other words are printed in black ink. That means that there is a lot of red in the four New Testament Gospels but almost no red ink in any other books of the Bible. It’s a little surprising when we read Acts 20:35 and discover a quote from Jesus that appears nowhere else in the Bible. This fits the description of the last lines in the Gospel of John that there were so many things Jesus said and did that if they were all written down the world could not contain the books. Some of the few extra words of Jesus that we have appear in Acts 20:35. So, it must be very important when we hear Jesus say, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” It is more of the upside-down kingdom-of-God logic of Jesus. If we get it we are in for some of the greatest blessings of generosity.
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Just as Proverbs 31 describes the biblical view of a righteous wife and mother so Psalm 112 describes the biblical view of a righteous husband and father. He is blessed by God and he is a blessing to his children. The very best gift any man can give to his children is to live a righteous life as their father.
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“Blessing” refers to the special favor and goodness of God on someone or something. Some Bible translations use the word “happy” instead of “blessing.” Jesus taught an eight-part list of those who are specially blessed and receive special happiness from God. What’s so interesting is that the blessings are on those who wouldn’t seem happy at all. Here we are taught that God gives particular favor when we are in particular distress but also that there are blessings in our worst of circumstances.
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James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
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As human beings, it's natural to look and hope for a special purpose in life- some good that just 'you' were meant to do. Esther, a young teenage girl made queen, wasn't necessarily looking for her purpose when it was revealed. She did, however, respond well and left her mark on the Christian faith. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could do the same thing?
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We all face setbacks in life that make us confused. We pray and seek to make wise decisions, but hardships come. A new job does not work out. A sure fire venture that was so promising, is now running aground. There is a great story in Mark 4 where the plans of the disciples seemingly begin to crumble… literally drown. They grow fearful and desperate and challenge Jesus.
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Controversies and interpretation disagreements over Jesus’ words in Matthew 16 have caused too many Christians to miss the main point and great encouragement of Jesus’ declarations that “I will build my church.”
The church of Jesus Christ is supernatural, universal and being built by Jesus. Yes, we are part of what Jesus is doing—just like Peter. But it is Jesus who is building the church and it is his church. We are privileged to live in a chapter of history when Jesus’ church building is greater than ever before. We are blessed to be counted in the church’s greatest generation.
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The blessing of God is the wonderful affirmation and outpouring of God’s good in our lives. It is most important. But, it is also very encouraging to be blessed by others who are most important to us. When we bless others we are acting like God in affirming and pouring out goodness. When we are blessed by others we are affirmed and encouraged. Beyond the blessing of God the two greatest blessings a mother can receive are from her children and husband.
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What will we be like after we die? The short simple answer is that Christians will be like Jesus in his resurrection. More encouraging details are given in 1 Corinthians 15 than anywhere else in the Bible. We will still be ourselves—we’ll recognize one another—but we will also be very different. We’ll have bodies that are clearly connected to our present bodies but also very new.
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When Jesus’ friends came to his tomb early Sunday morning they wanted his body to be there—they planned to honor him in his death. They didn’t get what they wanted; they got much better. They wanted him there but he was not there—he had risen from the dead and come back to life. He was on the move again and that was the best news they could ever hear.
It’s just like God to give us better than what we ask for. We want long life and he offers eternal life. We want religion and he gives us Jesus. We want to nail Jesus down and he is on the move. What was very good news then is equally good news now: “He has risen! He is not here.”
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Romans 5:8 - “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
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God’s amazing grace is our supernatural encouragement. Our salvation is not based on our good works but on God’s infinite generosity. No matter who we are or what we have done we may receive God’s grace. So, say yes to God—receive his salvation, enjoy his goodness, be surprised by his gifts and be encouraged by his grace.
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We often face challenges in life that remind us of our limits in strength, wisdom, resources and health. Those times need not be cause for depair but instead reminders of the active power of God that is at work in our lives, doing more than we can even ask or imagine! Among all the other reasons, God’s powerful provision is cause for us to worship and celebrate God and his active love.
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Life isn’t easy or simple. It is often hard and complicated. We all have trouble figuring out where to go and how to get there. In our cars and on our mobile phones we use GPS—“Global Positioning System” powered by satellites high in the sky and out of sight. As Christians we trust in God (our “God Positioning System”) in heaven and out of sight. We are encouraged to know that when we trust in him he shows us the way to go and when we delight in him he causes our hearts to desire his will and way.
What do you pray when you don’t know what to say to God? What if you truly can’t decide if it is best to go or stay, marry or remain single, take the job or wait for another? What if it is a matter of life and death? Be encouraged that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. We can turn our uncertainties over to the Holy Spirit with the assurance that he will passionately take up our concerns to accomplish God’s will in our lives.
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What do you pray when you don’t know what to say to God? What if you truly can’t decide if it is best to go or stay, marry or remain single, take the job or wait for another? What if it is a matter of life and death? Be encouraged that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. We can turn our uncertainties over to the Holy Spirit with the assurance that he will passionately take up our concerns to accomplish God’s will in our lives.
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God is not silent. He has spoken and continues to speak to us through the Bible. God uses the Bible to keep us tuned up—sort of like our car computers that tell us how the engine is running and when the oil needs to be changed. Only this is personal and supernatural not mechanical and digital. When we want to live the right kind of life, when we want to be encouraged and when we want to hear from God—listen to the words of scripture.
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Nehemiah was a good man who was severely criticized. His motives were maligned. His integrity was attacked. His safety was threatened. Nehemiah didn’t always respond the same way—sometimes he prayed; sometimes he defended himself; sometimes he ignored his critics. There were serious setbacks but he persevered and eventually succeeded.
Jesus even offered a special blessing for those unjustly criticized: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (Matthew 5:11). How we handle criticism may be our best opportunity to live Christianly.
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Carrying unforgiven sins is like keeping a toxin inside our bodies that is poisoning us. The very good news is that God has provided a means for the poison of sin to be cleaned out of us and we are completely purified. It is through confession—agreement with God about what we have done wrong. Today is a day to confess and be forgiven. Leave here purified from all unrighteousness.
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God wanted the people of Israel to be different from the unbelieving pagans so he gave a set of sexual boundaries that marked them as holy and distinct. Sexual behavior always distinguishes a Christian. Boundaries for Christian sexuality include what we think, who we touch, how we dress and fulfillment of the sexual design of God in our lives.
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We all need help. Sometimes we are so self-sufficient that we think we can handle everything in life on our own. Sometimes we know we need help but refuse to admit it. Sometimes we assume that all the help we need comes from money, job, doctors or other modern resources. Then we come to the place where we realize the inadequacies of ourselves and others. We need God. We turn to him for the help none other can provide. While it would always be best to begin with God rather than seek his help as a last resort, be encouraged that our help comes from the Lord who made the heaven and the earth.
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Jesus taught more about money than almost any other topic. He wanted his followers to act like Christians in their money management. His principles included: 1.) Choose God over money (Luke 16:13); 2.) Plan ahead (Luke 3:28-30); 3.) Invest wisely (Matthew 25:14-30); 4.) Give regularly (1 Corinthians 16:2); Provide for your family (1 Timothy 5:8).
How far should we go to evangelize? It all depends on whether we believe all religions are equally valid and whether the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only truly “good news.” St. Paul believed both and said, “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.”
Christians who care for others will do extraordinary things to persuade unbelievers to commit their lives to Jesus.
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We all pray for God’s blessing but sometimes forget how much God wants to bless us. God himself gave the words to be used to bless his people. They are words of goodness, protection, face-to-face relationship and peace. In other words, God desires to give us the best of blessings.
His brothers hated him and tried to murder him. His employer accused him of crimes he did not commit. He was sold into slavery, sentenced as a felon and alienated from his family. Joe had every reason not to forgive but refused to get even and chose to leave the issues to God.
There is no time we are more like Jesus than when we forgive like Joe. There is nothing more distinctively Christian than refusing to get even.
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John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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We all have a deep fear of abandonment, that we will be left completely alone. None of us wants to be lonely. No one wants to die alone. Christians need not worry. God will never leave us nor forsake us. He will always be there even if family and friends turn against us or we outlive them all. Jesus promises to be with us always, no matter what happens.
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The basic formula for Christianity is simple: (1) God loves us; (2) We love God and others. The Bible is blunt in telling us that the visible proof of our love.
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Joseph’s brothers conspired to sell him as a slave. Dark days of slavery and imprisonment quickly followed. It looked like evil triumphed. Then God used intended harm for great good. Joseph became the prime minister of Egypt and saved thousands of lives from famine.
Let us be encouraged that when others seek to harm us God intends to spin their evil around to accomplish his great good. Even when we can’t see the good coming we can know that he is working in all things to fulfill his purpose in our lives.
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We face many struggles and setbacks as we walk through life. People disappoint, reality doesn’t match expectations. Often these things surprise us and weigh our hearts down. In Psalm 138 David wrote a poem giving thanks to God and challenging others to do the same. In spite of setbacks and disappointments, David praised God. He perceived and understood something about God that he wants us to see. David looked at this life and weighted it against what he knew of God and found God far exceeds. This Psalm challenges us with David’s incredible faith and enthusiasm in God who is worthy!
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The opening words of the Bible are among the simplest and most profound ever written. God was before the beginning. God is the First Cause of everything. Without God there is nothing. God knows us better than we know ourselves because God designed us. All this leads us to believe in God, depend on God and create like God. Let us be encouraged that God is God and that he has everything under his ultimate control.
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Often we carry around the guilt and insecurity of our past, choosing to define ourselves by our mistakes and others’ labels. Theses burdens make us feel unlovable and defeated. Jesus’ life-changing words have the power to help us empty the heavy bucket we have been carrying. We can then watch in amazement as he transforms our burdens in powerful ways.
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Join The Gathering Sunday at 6 p.m. for a message by Mark Warder, Wooddale's Senior High Pastor.
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The same thing seems to happen each Christmas season – we receive so many gifts and, initially, we’re elated. The sweaters are so soft, the games so exciting, and the tools so manly. Then, January comes & goes and most of those gifts are forgotten. Our affections and wants turn toward other things we don’t have yet. Is it simply human nature or is there something we can do to change it?
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Refugees and immigrants have characterized every generation. Some move for opportunity but most move out of necessity famine; war; threat; unemployment. Most would rather stay home. Most immigrants are poor and most say they are going to go home as soon as possible. Jesus was a toddler when he became a refugee. Our earth turned out to be a dangerous place for the newly incarnate Son of God. Bethlehem wasn't a peaceful place on earth for very long. Government policy forced Jesus and his family to flee. It was one more piece of Jesus identifying with the poor and oppressed.
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We easily visualize Jesus the baby and Jesus the man. But we don't usually think of Jesus taking his first steps, learning his first words, playing outside until bedtime or hanging out with his teenage friends. Christmas was his birthday followed by his infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood. He was part of a family that followed the religious traditions and cultural practices of 1st century Israel. Jesus grew and matured in a devout godly family. Just as Jesus grew and matured in family and community so we have opportunities for growth.
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There was the miracle of virgin conception—unexplained and supernatural. Then there were all the usual human experiences with nine prenatal months of growing fingers and toes, heart and lungs, eyes and ears, brain and face. Other than the stable delivery room there was nothing unusual about this baby’s birth. You see it wasn’t the obstetrics that made Christmas special; it was the person. This was God in the dark womb and the stable manger.
Christmas brought God into our world the same way we came into our world. God became one of us in Jesus the baby.
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Death was near and the old king prepared his final advice for his son and successor. Like so much of David’s life, his final words were the best and the worst.
In the lofty words of a righteous man, David challenged Solomon to walk in the ways of the Lord and to set a godly example for future generations. Perhaps it would have been good if David died before he said more.
The dying monarch pulled out his short list of those who had hurt him years before. Although he had publicly moved past the offenses long ago he continued to harbor resentment in his heart and challenged his son to get even for him. It was not a noble way to finish.
Some say that when we are old we are the same as we were when young only more so. That’s the way it was with David—a mix of the marvelous and the miserable.
Let us imagine how we will finish and become today the way we want to be at the end.
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David was seventy—an old man in the tenth century B.C. His body and mind were failing and those around him conspired to gain political position and power. Royal sons, ambitious friends, an ambitious mother and a conspiring prophet all competed to control the throne of Israel. At last there was a succession without a revolution and Solomon became the next king of Israel.
How do we understand the relationship between human sin and divine providence? Both are powerful realities. Amazingly God uses all circumstances to accomplish his ultimate purposes. That doesn’t mean that conspiracy, deception, ambition and sin are ever right but that God can and does use every circumstance to reach his goals.
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Every ten years the United States of America has a constitutionally mandated census. It is a tradition that goes back to the Bible where counts are reported from the tribal populations of ancient Israel (Exodus 30:12; Numbers 1:3) to the explosive growth of the first century church (Acts 2:41).
But sometimes counting can become an expression of arrogance and pride. In spite of counsel not to count the people David did so anyway and incurred God’s anger. In a story that is hard to understand in our modern world, David is given a choice of punishment.
The important lesson for us is that we are not just individuals but part of a community and what one person does affects all of us.
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God sent his Son to redeem us from sin. Jesus called his followers to tell others the good news of salvation for eternity. Is that all there is to the gospel?
When Jesus preached he gave special attention to the poor, the sick and the marginal of society. His news was good for this life as well as for eternity. This includes living righteously and loving our neighbors but also involves special outreach to those who are poor, sick, hurt, alone and desperate. It is the whole gospel for the whole of humanity.
The Optics and Metrics of a 21st Century Missional Church with guest Speaker Sam Rodriguez.
Join us at Eden Prairie for "Amazing Grace!" by guest speaker, Roy Taylor, and at Edina for "Say Wow to Grace!" by Edina Campus Pastor, Gary Clark.
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Wooddale's Young Adults Pastor tells the top ten lessons she's learned in her Christian life.
The world seems troubled and perplexed about so many things. Our foundations have been threatened by uncertainty. In the midst of this, where does one find a recipe for lasting peace? That answer can be found in three words: Remember - Relax - Rely.
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Former Wooddale interim Young Adults Pastor tells the top ten lessons he's learned in his Christian life.
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Wooddale's Junior High Pastor tells the top ten lessons she's learned in her Christian life.
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David was one of history’s great leaders—poet, politician, general, prophet and king. But we probably never would have heard of him if it were not for his mighty men. They were the elite of his army. They were marked by loyalty, skill, courage and faith. They were brave against formidable enemies and were sensitive to the smallest whims of their leader. They exemplified all we want to be as faithful followers of God.
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Bill Arnold shares the top ten lessons he's learned in his Christian life.
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In the appendix of David’s biography the historian copies pages from the king’s diary. David was a poet and songwriter. He wrote about half of all the psalms recorded in the Bible including these that are outside the Old Testament book of Psalms.
Listen to David’s words with your heart. It’s not most about history but about emotions. David looks back at battles won, problems solved, dangers averted—and he sees the blessings of God.
Do you keep a diary or journal? Is it most about problems coming or about blessings given? Take a page from David’s journal and praise God for his goodness. Test
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Wooddale's Senior High Pastor shares the top ten lessons he's learned in his Christian life.
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There was a famine. David asked God why. The reason was King Saul’s murder of Gibeonites. David tries to make it right and ends by offering seven descendants of Saul who were subsequently murdered by the Gibeonites. Then the famine ended.
We try to make moral sense of this story from 2 Samuel 21:1 that it was because of Saul and his bloodstained house—perhaps pointing to Saul’s sons and grandsons as guilty parties.
One principle that stands in this out in this story is the high value God places on covenants—even old ones. It is a powerful reminder that God expects us to keep the covenants we make in marriage, business, politics and faith.
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Anyone who thinks that political problems are new needs to read the story of King David’s reign over ancient Israel. Some fawned over David as if he were a god. Others turned against him as if he were a devil. A respected leader murdered his competitor to keep his job as General of the Army. A woman negotiator offered to behead a man in her town in order to win a peace settlement. Not that any of this was all that unusual. Actually, it was government, life and politics as usual.
It makes us wonder why every government doesn’t just melt down and why anarchy doesn’t rule. The answer is that God gives government as a means to order human life and peace.
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Civil war is the worst kind, dividing families and friends. The kingdom of Israel was divided between King David the father and King Absalom the son. Anyone could have predicted that tragedy was coming no matter what happened.
Absalom was killed in battle by Joab, one of David’s closest friends and officers. This was very good military and political news for the rule of David and the reunification of the nation. But, David’s heart broke when he learned that his son Absalom was dead. His grief was so deep and profound that it silenced the victory of David’s loyal army and made them ready to quit. Someone had to confront the king and tell him to snap out of his grief and rise to leadership before all was lost. Joab, who had just killed Absalom, took the doubly difficult assignment. He confronted the king. David listened. The kingdom was saved.
Our lives include unspeakable tragedies. Yet, we must go on. In the midst of pain and loss we must rise to God’s call.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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It all came on one day—blessing and curse. How does anyone know whether your friends or your enemies are right? Loyal friends can make a man proud. Rock-throwing critics can make a man want to quit.
David faced both. Ziba was a faithful friend who risked his life to protect and provide for David. Shimei was a vengeful critic who threw stones and shouted curses. David responded to both with grace and humility, blessing Ziba and giving Shimei the benefit of the doubt.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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Every leader has critics and opponents. Some even face traitors who try to overthrow them. David’s pain and problem were even worse—the traitor was his own son.
Absalom was handsome, charismatic and popular. David decided that flight was better than fight and abandoned his capital city of Jerusalem so King Absalom could take his place. It couldn’t have been worse—all the dreams, all the hopes, all God’s promises seemed lost. David wept as he walked away with bare feet and head covered.
Should he have stayed to fight? Perhaps. Yet David was a leader in bad times as well as good and he had decided that the circumstances called for retreat. The kingdom was more important than the king. As hard as his decision was to make it was wise and good.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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David was a king but also a father and he often struggled to fulfill his different roles. His son Absalom committed fratricide and was exiled for his crime. David had lost two of his sons—one to death and one to distance. Grief weighed heavy on his heart.
Joab was David’s subject and friend. He wanted David and Absalom to reconcile and used a trick to convince the king. It worked, sort of. David brought Absalom home to Jerusalem but refused to see him face-to-face. After more years of estrangement father and son finally reunited. It was a bittersweet reunion—they were together physically but still apart relationally.
Fathers and sons have a bond and relationship unlike any other. Stubbornness usually deepens alienation. Both sides need to give until they meet somewhere near the middle.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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David had family problems. Lots of wives. Lots of children. Lots of troubles. It was another example of a starter sin that multiplied beyond initial imagination.
Amnon lusted for his half-sister Tamar. Jonadab was Amnon’s friend who dreamed-up a scheme for rape. Amnon bought into the scheme and raped his own sister. Absalom plotted revenge for two years before her murdered Amnon and skipped town to avoid prosecution. David and the family were shocked and filled with grief.
None of this ever should have happened. David’s family seems the least likely for such intrigue, conspiracy and capital crimes. Sin is terrible and hurts the innocent as well as the guilty.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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It wasn’t like David didn’t have women in his life. He was the king with a harem of wives and concubines. But lust is not about what someone has but what someone wants. David wanted Bathsheba and he didn’t care who he hurt to get what he was after. It started with a stare, turned into adultery, escalated to murder and hurt an entire nation.
David was a good man with a heart for God. If he was vulnerable to sin and stupidity then the best of saints should always be on guard.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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It started with an act of kindness. David wanted to be nice to the children of a man who had been nice to him. But, the Ammonites didn’t trust kindness and responded with offensive disrespect. When people are disrespected they often want to retaliate—whether it’s road rage on the interstate or war between nations. Everything escalated. Other nations were sucked into the conflict. Before long more than 40,000 were killed. It didn’t have to happen.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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No one ever deserved to be served more than Jesus. And yet no one has ever been a servant like Jesus. As people forgiven by Jesus and called to follow him, what can we learn from his example about how we can better serve others? What do we need to know and decide in order to live as effective servants, and what will the impact of our service be on the lives of those we serve?
Speaker: Geoff Bohleen, Outreach Pastor
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One of the most offensive things a Christian can say today is that Jesus is the only way a person can find forgiveness and peace with God. This exclusive claim, originally made by Jesus, is offensive to many and considered arrogant, naïve and foolish. But why did Jesus make this claim? What did it cost Jesus to make this claim true? And how can we lovingly help skeptics see that Jesus’ exclusive claim is meant to lead to one of the most inclusive gifts ever offered?
Speaker: Geoff Bohleen, Outreach Pastor
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We often see artists’ portrayals of Jesus as a serene, kind young man with long, flowing hair. We read about his love and gentle interactions with children and the outcasts of society. Jesus was that kind of man. But we need to remember he also is almighty God, creator of the heavens and the earth, the firstborn over all creation. We need to remember that all things were created for him and all things hold together through him alone. The loving Jesus is also the supreme Jesus!
Speaker: Geoff Bohleen, Outreach Pastor
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Mephibosheth was orphaned and disabled—not a happy combination in ancient cultures that often assumed your problems were your own fault.
King David demonstrated compassion and wisdom in reaching out to Mephibosheth. He treated him with respect, stood up for his rights and provided an appropriate way for Mephibosheth to earn a living.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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War is always awful. In the 10th century B.C. war was brutal. Most battles were fought in hand-to-hand combat. Winners lived. Losers died. David fought Israel’s battles the way ancient wars were fought. The Bible reports the harsh reality of slaughter.
And, God gave David and his army favor to win. It was part of God’s overall purpose to bless the nation so that the nation could bless the world. When God is on your side it’s hard to lose.
David was careful not to claim credit for victories won. As a believer he acknowledged God rather than bask in greed. As a leader he sought to do right by the people he governed.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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God and David talked to each other—although God spoke through his prophet and David did most of the talking. It is a fascinating conversation that gives us insights into God and our relationship with him.
David was feeling guilty about his nice palace while God didn’t have a temple in Jerusalem. So, David offered to build one. God declined, at least for then. God is not so much about temples and holy places as he is about covenants and relationships. God promised David that he would establish an eternal kingdom through his line. While David probably thought that was a long line of sons and descendants on the throne in Jerusalem God was really pointing toward his Son, Jesus.
Although God did not give David the answer he anticipated, David responded with worship and adoration and loyalty to God.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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The Ark of the Covenant represented the presence and power of God in the nation of Israel. Unlike his predecessor, David wanted God to be the center of life and worship for his people. So, he brought the Ark to the capital city of Jerusalem.
The journey was riddled with important spiritual lessons. The power of God was real and must be treated with constant respect (like a 220 volt electric line). Worship of God is primarily for God to see—he is the “Audience of One.” How we worship God can come between husband and wife (the estrangement between David and Michal meant that she never bore a potential successor to the throne who would have been a direct descendant of both Saul and David).
When we worship let us center on God and God alone.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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Wooddale Church is committed to solid, practical and biblical teaching. This weekend Discipleship Pastor Shawn Winters speaks on the Eden Prairie campus and Edina Campus Pastor Gary Clark speaks on the Edina campus.
The world is all about ‘numero uno.’ It places high importance on standing out, being the best, the greatest, the most powerful. Jesus teaches a different point of view: Greatness comes from being nothing. Importance comes from serving, not being served.
Speaker: Wayne Pederson (President, HCJB, Colorado Springs, Colorado)
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David’s path to the throne of Israel was long and rocky. After ruling only part of the country for 7½ years he finally became the king of all the people. The humble shy shepherd did what many powerful leaders do; he accumulated extensive personal wealth and power—including multiple wives and concubines.
We may wonder why God kept blessing a man who was less than ideal. There is no simple answer. In God’s mercy and grace he blessed David in spite of David. The king captured the reputedly impregnable city of Jerusalem and defeated formidable enemies.
The lesson for us is not that we sin so grace will increase (Romans 6:1-2). The lesson is for us to be amazed by God’s mercy and grace that is greater than our weaknesses and sins.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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Family trees tell us about where we came from. Most Americans welcome the opportunity to explain their roots in Europe, Asia, Africa or the Americas. In many ways we are the product of our parents in past generations.
Israel’s King David had some very interesting women with some scandalous stories in his heritage. Tamar was impregnated by her father-in-law (Genesis 38). Rahab was a heathen prostitute (Joshua 2). Ruth was from a people with a curse (Ruth 1-4). All these women had loads of baggage but left a heritage that produced David and Jesus.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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Every generation has enemies. Sometimes they are nationalities, sometimes they are religions, sometimes they are races, and sometimes they are leaders. Hatred for enemies isn’t hard to hear. Some take delight when an enemy dies, no matter how it happens.
David was different. He had a respect for his enemies and insisted on justice when his enemies were wronged. His attitude gave a preview hint of the teaching from David’s most famous descendant who said a thousand years later, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45).
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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Different seasons and different events have different dress codes. We dress according to the necessity (weather forcast) or propriety (formal, informal, business casual) of an event. Paul urges the believers in Jesus Christ to dress appropriately every day in order to experience true joy. ‘Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…’ (Colossians 3:12) and ‘Over all these virtues put on…’ (Colossians 3:14). The dress code to truly enjoy our walk with Jesus is to live wholeheartedly for him. Letting our Christian values infect every aspect of life-business decisions, relationships, emotional responses, and worship.
Speaker: Shawn Winters, Discipleship Pastor
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Our motivation for living Christianly is based on the salvation Jesus purchased for us through the cross. Our goal as a believer in Jesus Christ is to live for him and his glory out of thankfulness and not obligation or guilt. The challenge that we face is to continue to live by grace- freely and thankfully living for his glory. Our natural bent is to succumb to obligation, guilt, or false expectations. We may spend a lot of time vacillating between a life marked by either legalism (lists of to-do’s) or license (excusing behavior/ attitudes, etc.). Paul challenges the Colossians, ‘God made you alive in Christ. He forgave all our sins, having canceled the written code… he took it away, nailing it to the cross’ (Colossians 3:13-14).
Speaker: Shawn Winters, Discipleship Pastor
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Words of liturgy are repeated in worship. In the Old Testament the priests and people repeated some statements more than others and the most familiar included: “The Lord is good and his love endures forever.”
There were too many times in Israel’s history when troubles were many and God’s goodness might be doubted. But, his people were anchored in the unshakable first premise that God is good and loves them. Circumstances were interpreted by this declaration of faith rather than the other way around.
When we begin with God, believe fully in his goodness and love, then we understand life and circumstances in a way that leads us to lives of continuous gratitude.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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What does the word “Easter” mean? Surprisingly the word Easter is not in the Bible. Nor is there a similar word in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, Italian or other languages. The Bible and other languages refer to “Passover” which is the Jewish name for the time of year when Jesus was crucified. Apparently the German word for Easter rolled over into English as a name of April when we usually celebrate Easter.
So, it’s not the name but what happened that makes Easter so all-important. It’s about life and death—for Jesus then and for us now. God wanted to save us from dying forever and Jesus was his plan. When Jesus was crucified and then came back to life he gave us the path to eternal life. It’s important. It’s a big deal. It’s forever.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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The title Son of David was not just a Palm Sunday notion. Matthew calls Jesus the Son of David ten times in the first Gospel of the New Testament.
The Old Testament prophecies pointed to Jesus and were fulfilled by him but Son of David was not enough for him to become our eternal Savior. Jesus was also, and more important, the Son of God (John 3:16) who came to take away the sins of the world.
Speaker: Shawn Winters, Discipleship Pastor
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It is quite easy for us to say we trust in Jesus. And yet, often our actions betray our words! We are often troubled by the circumstances of our lives. The choices we make seem to indicate that we are trusting in people or things other than Jesus, and our lives are only inconsistently marked by joy. Is there an option to being troubled by life’s challenges? Can we really trust Jesus with our daily lives? What reasons are there for us to place our trust in Jesus? And, what difference will it make?
Speaker: Geoff Bohleen, Outreach Pastor
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Most of us don’t walk through our days shouting to the masses, ‘Hey, everyone, I’m weak! Let me tell you about my weaknesses…’ But, maybe we should start to do just that! According to the apostle Paul, God’s strength and power is made perfect in our weakness. It is during those weak times that we most often turn to Christ for help and grace… and he gives it freely and in abundance. What a gift!
Speaker: Heather Flies, Jr. High Pastor
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Jesus taught through parables about the most important and troubling challenges of life. In Luke 12:22-34, he tackles the issue of worry. In this teaching he repeats the ‘do not worry’ statement many times. He encourages the hearer to look at the natural world around them, to look at history, to look at their own limitations and realize that worry does not change anything. He cautions us to be careful where we place our ‘heart.’ In this teaching he also gives encouragement to those who’s worry has become a full fledged fear. The real solution is to trust in God, to draw near to him, and to invest your life in eternal things, not temporal. Jesus reassures us that God sees us and that he cares for us. He warns about the distraction that worry can have on all of us. He also gives some great ideas for going on the offensive against worry.
Speaker: Shawn Winters, Discipleship Pastor
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Some parts of the Bible are difficult to read out loud in a family church service. The report of David’s rise to royal rule over Israel is full of bloody murders, intrigue, wife-stealing, lying and politics. It’s not a pretty picture.
The Bible tells us what actually happened. It doesn’t always explain how people with God can behave so godlessly. However, the Bible demonstrates how God relentlessly pursues his purposes and fulfills his promises through the maze of strange and sinful human behavior.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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There are some messengers you never want to meet—especially those who tell you a loved one has died. David faced a multiple grief. His nation was defeated in battle and his friends were dead.
Life is seldom simple. There are often complications and confusion. The messenger lied and claimed that he killed King Saul, thinking that would get him some kind of bounty from David. Instead, David accused him of murdering God’s anointed king and ordered the messenger executed. Only after the execution did David realize the man wasn’t a murderer after all. True stories are often a mess.
Like so many of us, David turned to music to express his grief. He wrote a psalm that never made it into the book of Psalms but did express David’s grief in the face of great loss.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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David is never mentioned by name in the final chapter of the first volume in his Old Testament biography. But, the sad and gruesome story of 1 Samuel 31 is an important part of David’s personal story because he lost his best friend and his mentor in one day. It was the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new dynasty with David as the sole leader.
The daring courage of this story of violent death comes not from David and his men but from the brave men in an obscure village called Jabesh Gilead. They decided to do what was right even through the danger was great and the personal benefits were none. Thank God for those willing to take risks to do what is right.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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David didn’t go to battle but the battle came to him. His home was ransacked and his family kidnapped. His comrades suffered the same losses and blamed David for their problems. David was discouraged and desperate. He turned to God for direction and hope. God sent him into an unexpected fight and an unprecedented victory.
David and his little army not only won the battle but also rescued their families, reclaimed their stolen possessions and walked away with loads of loot. What are we supposed to do with winnings like that? Keep them all for ourselves or share them with others? David decided to share.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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David faced an impossible dilemma. Even though he was a faithful and loyal Israelite his own king had turned against him. David and his small army fled to Israel’s enemy for safety. Now Israel and Philistia were headed to battle and David had to fight on one side or the other. Either way was trouble.
God gave David a gift through the collaborations of the Philistine generals who insisted that David and his soldiers retreat from the fight. One of the biggest and most important battles in their history was not to be David’s fight.
Sometimes our best choice is to stay out of the battle. We can’t fight every time and place. There are only so many battles in us. In God’s grace he allows us to retreat to fight again another day.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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Since God created and loves every person ever born, as followers of Jesus we have the privilege and responsibility to provide all people with access to all of God’s good gifts. It is unjust for some to have plenty while others do without, whether it is food, medical care, justice, clean water or the good news of new life through Jesus.
There will also be an explanation of the Hunger Initiative within the sermon.
Speaker: Geoff Bohleen, Outreach Pastor
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One day Jesus was asked by an expert in the law, ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ The conversation led to another question by a legal expert, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ In response, Jesus told a story we call the ‘Parable of the Good Samaritan.’ Jesus challenges everyone in this story to get beyond comfort zones and stereotypes, and give practical, oftentimes inconvenient loving care to anyone in need. The reason this is so important is that every person we see is made in God’s image, is loved by God and deserves our love and care.
There will also be an explanation of the Hunger Initiative within the sermon.
Speaker: Geoff Bohleen, Outreach Pastor
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Saul became a frightened and desperate leader who turned to dangerous and illegal behavior. In one of the Bible’s most bizarre stories we read how the king visited a witch to practice necromancy—calling up the prophet Samuel from the grave to ask for his advice.
It is hard to know exactly what actually happened. Did a dead man actually come back to talk to King Saul or was this some kind of an illusion? Either way, it was a bad thing to do. The Bible clearly forbids such practices (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:9-14). Saul was reaping the consequences of his personal and political decline. He was a desperate man without God.
The simplest and most direct moral to the story is for us to never get into such desperation. Trust and obey God before life’s hardest times come.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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Bette Midler sang about the God we know “from a distance.” That’s the way many people think of God. He is in heaven and we are on earth. He is busy with the universe and not much connected to our everyday lives. Actually, a lot of people like it that way. They prefer that God keeps his distance and leaves them alone.
Christmas is about God coming our way. Jesus is God who came to our earth and became human in one of our bodies. In other words, God condescended and came to be with us. It is the best news we could ever hear or have.
Jesus not only came to us but asks to stay with us. That’s what it means to be a Christian—to welcome Jesus into our lives and be with us forever.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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David’s name is more frequent than Jesus’ name in the Christmas story. Joseph and Jesus are both the “sons of David.” The difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethelehm was to make sure that Jesus was born in the “city of David.” Mary and Joseph were both from the “house and line of David.”
David’s name appears 896 times in the English Bible. Obviously David was important to God and central to the story of God’s relationship with humanity. But it is important to realize that the story is most about Jesus not David. David was the path to Jesus.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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Temptations have a way of coming around another time. That’s what happened with David. He sneaked up on Saul and his army and could have killed the man who was trying to kill David. But when the moment of decision came David chose life over death and right over wrong. It could not have been an easy decision. David turned down the easy path to removing threats against his life, coming home and becoming king. Right was more important than ease or success.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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David was an amazing man but sometimes he let his emotions eclipse his good judgment. When he was insulted and rebuffed by a rich man David decided to kill him and all the men around him. It was a shocking overreaction.
The rich man’s wife, Abigail, was smart, beautiful and exercised very good judgment. She figured out exactly how to handle the escalating conflict between David and her husband, Nabal. She saved the lives of many and prevented David from sinfully slaughtering innocent people.
Life often takes surprising twists and turns. Nabal soon died a natural death and David proposed to and quickly married Abigail.
Thank God for those who can stay calm and wise in situations with hot tempers and bad judgment.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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Saul was obsessed with killing David. He led 3000 soldiers on a manhunt to track down and kill his son’s best friend. The facts didn’t change his mind. He was a man on an evil mission.
In a stunning turn of events, Saul went into a cave to go to the bathroom. It was the cave where David was hiding from Saul. It was David’s opportunity to kill Saul, be safe and claim the crown of Israel. His comrades said this opportunity was a gift from God.
David could not bring himself to do it. Saul was chosen and anointed by God and David refused to attack God’s anointed no matter what Saul said or did. It gave a clear view of the integrity of David as a man of principle and godliness. God’s priorities were more important than David’s ambitions.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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Saul increasingly abandoned any guise of godly leadership. He ordered the execution of priests and then turned on families to be slaughtered. Remember that he was chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel to lead God’s chosen people. Yet he became the enemy of God and of the people.
Never think that politics, relationships and sins are simple or uncomplicated. At Nob there were righteous men who disobeyed military orders because they didn’t want to do what was wrong. But, there was one who put obedience to the king over doing what was right. And, why did all this happen? Well, if David hadn’t done all he did the situation wouldn’t have happened the way it did. Blame seems to be shared. Life and politics are complicated and messy.
Speaker: Leith Anderson, Senior Pastor
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