There is an unexpected joy found when we let go of a lie… and grab on to a truth.  We see this maxim lived out in the history of David’s later years, specifically when he turns over the reigns of kingship, leadership and temple building to his son, Solomon.  In this text we see the leaders and people of Israel realize a very unexpected joy when they let go of the lie that they are what they have… and when they grab hold of the truth that God is all in all.  It is releasing white knuckles from falsehood and placing white knuckles on truth and freedom.

Second Samuel 7 is a massive chapter theologically speaking.  It contains the promise God gave David concerning his kingdom, name, throne and influence.  And the occasion for this promise is perhaps the most instructive for us practically.  Inside of a significant misunderstanding we realize that David’s mistake is ours as well.  But the danger of success dissipates when we attach both our success and affliction to God’s goodness and glory.  We are always in trouble, always desperate, always in need.

In our LIFEstory series we come to the middle of the David saga.  As a way of looking back through this incredible narrative, we study Psalm 78, the second longest song in the Psalter.  Psalm 78 was written by David’s worship pastor and he uses David as the songs final, and most unexpected, illustration.  So, as a way into the song, we actually study it backwards, starting with David and ending with the explicit application of the Psalm in the first few verses.

Rejoining our LIFEstory series in Week 15, we find ourselves near the beginning of the David saga.  From youngest-brother-shepherd-boy to warrior king, this detailed narrative is captured in several books of the Old Testament.  Perhaps the most striking facet of this saga is the parallel lines of narrative and song, on the one hand watching the life of David like a movie and on the other peering into the heart of David as he cries out and worships God.  It with this unique perspective that we come to Psalm 27.

Continuing our LIFEstory series we finally finish the Pentateuch and come to the Book of Joshua.  How do you communicate a first-hand faith to a second generation people?  God seems to care about this idea and leads Joshua, Israel’s new leader, to remind His people of the glory of their past.  With a second chance to enter the Promised Land, this time in order to live the life of faith that God intends for them, Israel must leave the fantasy of “safe” behind them and take a step.  So must we.

This chapter at the end of the Pentateuch inspired the prophets of Israel, started the movement that led to the Pharisees and reveals God’s gracious character yet again.  Immediately after three full chapters full of lists of catastrophic curses and rich blessings, Deuteronomy 30 reveals God’s gracious desire to restore His people and care for them as a Father should.

We are building a legacy every moment of every day. Perhaps one of the greatest passages of the Old Testament shows God’s great interest and love of legacy.  Deuteronomy 6 contains the great Shema of the Jewish people, the central statement of faith and confession, quoted by Jesus and New Testament authors often.  In it we see a magnificent way forward and what it could mean to love God will all that we are.

Continuing through Week 9 of our LIFEstory series, we come to the very beginning of the last section of the Pentateuch which chronicles the wilderness wanderings and rebellion of Israel.  This week we pay particular attention to Numbers 14, where we see the nation grumble yet again, this time right after the twelve spies return and the majority gives a bad report of what lies ahead.  In this text we see a warning about our grumblings and an example of godly leadership.

As we continue in our LIFEstory series we come to the first chapters of the Book of Exodus. In them God reveals His strategy to communicate His supremacy over all of the false gods of Egypt. This display culminates in a death, a meal and a victory.  The first Passover meal was on a very dark night and almost 1500 years later, on a similarly dark night, Jesus and his best friends celebrated that same meal with brand new meaning.

Continuing our LIFEstory series, Lead Pastor Scot Pollok takes us to the end of the Book of Job, perhaps one of the most relevant and missing messages in our church and culture today.  As we examine Job’s response to God, we are reminded about the whole force, structure, plot and theology of the book.  According to the text, Job was the greatest man on earth and from his story we see the character of a God that can be trusted, even from the darkness of undeserved suffering.

Continuing our LIFEstory series, Student Pastor Mark Cornelison finishes the Student Ministry Disciple Now weekend by teaching an amazing passage from Job chapter nine.

Week three of our LIFEstory series brings us to the great narrative of Joseph.  Understanding Joseph’s place in Genesis is important, but gaining a grasp on his role in the life story of Israel is even more important.  What Joseph shows us in Genesis 45 is that God’s gentle hands are strong enough to transform adversity and suffering into wisdom and strength in those that trust Him.

Can you trust God? This week, Teaching Pastor, Scot Pollok leads us through the scriptures as we learn what it means to trust God and understand His commitment to the promises He has made. God is a keeper of His covenants and we can find our eternal assurance in the unfailing, trustworthy word of a promise keeping God.

As we begin our LIFEstory series, Teaching Pastor Scot Pollok launches out of Genesis 3 into the big story of God’s Word.  The destructive power of sin and corruption begin here and set the plot for the sweeping narrative of God’s redemptive work among mankind.  Only our magnificent God could bring such endless beauty and mercy out of such rebellion.