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CURRENT SERIES - After God's Own Heart |
September 5 -Has He? Or Hasn't He?
2 Samuel 16:5-13; 19:15-23
Forgiveness may be one of the most difficult things for any of us to really do. And our journey through the story of David reveals even more of that challenge. David is faced with a decision about whether he'll forgive a man by the name of Shimei who showers David with curses as he flees Jerusalem, but then asks for grace when David returns triumphant. David's response raises some interesting questions about what forgiveness really is and how challenging it is to truly do. We'll take a look at those questions today around the theme "Has He? Or Hasn't He?"
August 29 - Click to download mp3Busted! Decision time.
2 Samuel 12:1-17
While David may seem to have succeeded in covering his tracks with regard to his sin, God is not to be fooled. The Lord sends His prophet Nathan to confront David who finds himself caught. He must make a decision now. How will he respond to God's convicting charge? His choice becomes for us an example of what to do when we are faced with the reality of our own sin. We'll take a closer look at his response today with the theme "Busted! Decision time."
August 22 - Click to download mp3A Clear and Present Danger
2 Samuel 11:1-27
Given what we've seen in the life of David so far we might be tempted to think him incapable of failure. Perhaps David thought so himself. But, as today's story makes clear, the moment we begin to think that, we find ourselves in dangerous territory. From David's experience, we learn a great deal about the nature and power of temptation as well as the consequences of our sin. This morning, we'll take a closer look at some of those lessons as we consider "A Clear and Present Danger."
August 15 - Click to download mp3A Portrait of Faithfulness and Grace
2 Samuel 9:1-13
In the midst of a story filled with harsh battles and palace intrigue we see a tender moment when David shows faithful kindness to a vulnerable man from Jonathan's family. In some ways, it seems a bit disconnected from many of the other subplots, and yet it reveals so much of David's heart. It also reveals a great deal about a God who shows each of us that same loving kindness. This morning our series on the life of David continues with a glimpse at "A Portrait of Faithfulness and Grace."
August 8 - Click to download mp3When God Says No
2 Samuel 7:1-29
It seemed like such a great idea, and one which would certainly please the Lord. David dreamed a grand dream for the construction of a beautiful temple. And yet God's response had to be surprising. It was a "no." Is that really possible? Would God say "no" to something so good? And what do we do with that? How do we respond to such a thing? Are we willing to yield to something other than our own dreams? Those are all tough questions, the answers to which may be found in David's life. We'll unpack those answers this morning as we look at what we do "When God Says No."
August 1 - Click to download mp3Not the Reaction He Expected
2 Samuel 1:1-27
Saul and his army end up heading into battle against someone other than David. Sounds good? Not so much. Saul ends up mortally wounded as a result. Sounds bad? Perhaps. but if you're eager to see David ascend now to the throne, you might believe that it would be welcome news. So thought the Amalekite messenger in today's story. But David's response reveals even more of his heart. And it's that heart we'll examine today as we look at a messenger who is surprised at a response that is "Not the Reaction He Expected."
July 25 -My Call? Or God's?
1 Samuel 26:1-25
Okay. so it may have been impressive that David passed up an opportunity to take Saul's life... once. But what happens when another opportunity presents itself. Could it be that he missed God's signals the first time around? Or could it be that this is a test of character to find out whether or not he really believed what he said about it being God's call on when he becomes king? This morning we'll take a closer look at yet another defining moment in the life of David when he must answer the questions: "My Call? Or God's?"
July 18 - Click to download mp3Whew! That Was Close!
1 Samuel 25:1-44
Ever had a moment when you lost your temper with someone because of what they had done to you? Maybe did some things in retaliation? Wished you could have it back? David came dangerously close to just such a moment in the story we'll be looking at this morning. When a wealthy man refused to show kindness and generosity to David and his men, it took wise intervention on the part of a lady named Abigail to prevent David from taking actions he clearly would have regretted. This morning, we'll learn from both her and David as we consider the fact that "Whew! That Was Close!"
July 4 - Click to download mp3God-Given Opportunity or Unholy Ambition?
1 Samuel 24:1-22
Ever since the crowds shouted their praises, David has been on the run, a refugee forced to flee his own people. He has been constantly pursued by Saul, who aims to eliminate what he understands to be a serious threat to his dynasty. And suddenly an opportunity seems to arise for David to quickly and easily kill Saul. Is this a God-given opportunity, as his men see it? Or would it be wrong for David to seize the moment? What will guide how David lives. and ultimately leads? Today our series on the life of David continues as we seek to understand how David tackled this important question.
June 27 - Click to download mp3"If I Just Touch!" Praying
Mark 5:24-34
"If I Just Touch!" praying is a form of prayer born of frustration, persistence and faith. When life's unanswered needs go on for years, the example of a lady who encountered Jesus may be just what you are looking for. To lead us through a deeper understanding of this topic, today we welcome Dr. Bill Hossler as our guest preacher while Pastor Keith is away. Dr. Hossler serves as President of the Missionary Church denomination. We're honored that he and his wife Margaret are members here at Avalon, and we're grateful to have him here to share the Word this morning!
June 20 - Click to download mp3Taking on a Giant
1 Samuel 17:1-58
There may be no better known story in all of Scripture than that of David facing down the giant named Goliath. It's a story filled with drama, suspense and the thrill of victory for the underdog. More intriguing - and more important - is what lies behind the confidence that the unlikely victor shows in this battle. It's a lesson that's relevant for each of us. It's a lesson that can give us assurance and strike down fear for any of those moments when we are "Taking on a Giant."
June 13 - Click to download mp3An Unlikely Choice for Oily Hair
1 Samuel 16:1-13
The old adage says that "you can't judge a book by its cover." Never was that more true than it was for a man named David, a man who would go on to become Israel's greatest earthly king and someone the Scriptures describe as a "man after God's own heart." God saw something in David that the prophet Samuel couldn't. This morning we begin a character study of David by looking at what God looked for: character. We'll find that only for humans was David "An Unlikely Choice for Oily Hair."
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June 6 - Click to download mp3You Said What?
During the early months of this year Pastor Keith sat down with small groups of folks from Avalon for what we called Conversations. As a follow-up to our previous vision workshop, it was a chance to share about how we've experienced God working through the ministry of our church and to dream together about the opportunities for ministry in such a time as this. Today Pastor Keith will share a summary of what he heard from the people of Avalon at these gatherings with a report he's calling: "You Said What?"
May 30 - Click to download mp3Snapshots from Around the World
Acts 14:26-28
Over the past few months Avalonians have been in a number of different countries on short term mission trips. This morning, we have the opportunity to hear about their experiences in places like Bulgaria, Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua. When Paul and Barnabas and their companions returned from their travels, folks at the church in Antioch eagerly gathered to hear their accounts of what God had done. Today, we have a chance to do the same as we look at "Snapshots from Around the World."
May 23 - Click to download mp3Shaped to Serve
1 Peter 4:10-11
Over the past couple of weeks, we've seen clearly how purposefully God has shaped each of us with personality characteristics, talents, abilities, passions, interests and spiritual gifts. The questions that remain for each of us are: "What is that purpose?" and "How am I employing my gifts to serve that purpose?" The challenge of God's Word is to unleash our gifts in service to others and God. This morning we wrap up our SERVE! series by looking more closely at the fact that each of us is "Shaped to Serve."
May 16 - Click to download mp3Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gift
1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 27-31
Believe it or not, Christmas and birthdays aren't the only time you receive gifts. The Word tells us that when God's Spirit comes to live within you, He gives you at least one if not more special abilities that aid you in serving His purposes for your life. Do you know what yours is? Are you actively and intentionally using it in service? This morning we take a closer look at how God equips His people for service as we consider the important task of "Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gift."
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