Category: 2021 Sermons

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Android | Podcast Index | RSS

Sermon Audio: David Hears of Saul’s Death
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Samuel 1:1-16
Duration: 26:36
Size: 18.2 MB

The Life of David
David Hears of Saul’s Death
II Samuel 1:1-16

The end of First Samuel describes the death of King Saul. The beginning of Second Samuel describes David hearing of Saul’s death.

David was another person whose life was dramatically changed by the news of a death.

As we begin to learn about the reign of King David in 2 Samuel, we are led to believe that God’s king will at last rule over God’s people in God’s way.

I. The Problem with Telling Lies (II Samuel 1:1-10)
He knew that the Philistines had an overwhelmingly powerful force, and that the Israelites were facing a formidable and powerful enemy.

He embellished his story by saying that he had killed Saul, thinking that David would be pleased and reward his action.

II. The Appropriateness of Expressing Grief (II Samuel 1:11-12)
Some may think that David would have been glad to see Jonathan dead, because that would erase any opposition to David acceding to Israel’s throne.

We live in a world that is hostile to God and the people of God, and true shepherds and believers grieve for the people of God who suffer at the hands of God’s enemies.

III. The Necessity of Having Fear (II Samuel 1:13-16)
There is such a thing as a healthy fear, a godly fear, a fear that preserves us from sinning.

Do I always tell the truth?
Do I express grief over the loss of others?
Do I have a godly fear of displeasing my heavenly Father?

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Android | Podcast Index | RSS

Sermon Audio: The Death of Saul
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: I Samuel 31:1-13
Duration: 28:23
Size: 19.4 MB

The Life of David
The Death of Saul
I Samuel 31:1-13

The author of First Samuel could have concluded chapter 31 by saying, “And now you know the rest of the story.”

In other words, at exactly the same time that David was striking down the Amalekites and rescuing his people from “the enemies of the Lord”, Saul was being attacked by the Philistines 100 miles to the north of David, with a very different outcome.

I. The Defeat of God’s People (I Samuel 31:1-3,7)
Presumably, the men of Israel moved on to Mount Gilboa to escape the chariots of the Philistines. But, there were far too many Philistines, and the army of the Israelites was defeated on Mount Gilboa.

II. The Certainty of God’s Judgment (I Samuel 31:4-6)
Saul was mortally wounded. He was dying. He knew that he was dying, and perhaps he also knew it might take hours or days before he died.

Meanwhile, 100 miles to the south, David’s success was in stark contrast to Saul’s defeat and death.

III. The Dishonoring of God’s Name (I Samuel 31:8-10)
God’s name is dishonored whenever we surrender to the idols of pride or lust or despair or greed or anger or any other violation of God’s Law.

IV. The Help of God’s Men (I Samuel 31:11-13)
“Saul’s reign began with his deliverance of Jabesh and ends with Jabesh’s ‘deliverance‘ of Saul.”

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Android | Podcast Index | RSS

Sermon Audio: David’s Wives Are Captured
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: I Samuel 30:1-31
Duration: 22:36
Size: 15.5 MB

The Life of David
David’s Wives Are Captured
I Samuel 30:1-31

Chapter 30 tells us what happened when David and his men arrived back in Ziklag.

I completely lost the sense of God’s presence. God was silent. And he remained silent for two years.

I. God’s Servant Is Distressed (I Samuel 30:1-6a)
Once they arrived in Ziklag, they discovered that the city had been burned, and no bodies were there.

Do you feel that things cannot get any worse? And then they do?

II. God’s Strength Is Provided (I Samuel 30:6b-10)
But, when his back was against the wall, when he was in significant distress, he went to his heavenly Father.

III. God’s Providence Is Indispensable (I Samuel 30:11-15)
God’s providence is indispensable in turning tragedy to triumph.

IV. God’s Grace Is Recovered (I Samuel 30:16-25)
A works-oriented view says that we get blessing for ourselves.

A grace-oriented view says that we receive God’s blessing only by his grace.

V. God’s Generosity Is Shared (I Samuel 30:26-31)
And I opened my mouth as I wept aloud, and I was surprised at what I heard coming out of my mouth. I heard, “I love you Jesus.”

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Android | Podcast Index | RSS

Sermon Audio: Saul and the Medium of Endor
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: I Samuel 28:3-25
Duration: 23:21
Size: 16.0 MB

The Life of David
Saul and the Medium of Endor
I Samuel 28:3-25

Today’s lesson is about Saul and the final hopelessness of a person who thought he was right with God but in fact he was not.

I. The Desperation (I Samuel 28:3-6)
Now, however, Saul desperately wanted some spiritual guidance, but Samuel was no longer alive.

II. The Defiance (I Samuel 28:7-14)
He literally had to go around the Philistine army to get to Endor.

In his defiance against God, Saul was seeking guidance from the spirit of someone who had died.

III. The Danger (I Samuel 28:15-19)
This clearly was not what Saul wanted to hear. He was hoping to get some relief for his distress.

IV. The Despair (I Samuel 28:20-25)
Now he eats his last meal, prepared by a witch, and goes forth to certain death.