Messages
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In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Thessalonians 4-5. These chapters cover the Day of the Lord and the resurrection of the saints. Paul clearly outlines the order of events at Jesus’ second coming to encourage the church to overcome the fear of death, for themselves and their loved ones. This message is filled with hope and encouragement.
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Thessalonians 3-4. Paul wrote this letter shortly after planting the church and his desire was to check on their spiritual condition. Timothy gave news that the church was healthy and fruitful, but a few key areas needed addressing. In these chapters, Paul address the issue of sexual immorality and the daily life of a Christian.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, Marshall reminded us that Paul wanted the church to know that Satan is always at work trying to thwart the work of God in His people and in His church. We must be aware and guard ourselves with the full armor of God. If we don’t, we will see our lives getting out of control and falling easily into sin. When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing you do? If it isn’t prayer and getting into God’s word, then the world gets in and the enemy uses that to distract us and keep us from what the Lord is trying to do in us and through us. If this has not been your priority, please take the time to reprioritize the start to your day and see what happens.
Paul also reminded the church that it is the bride of Christ. The church is not a social club or a self-help group. We are to be about preparing for Christ’s return, and we are to be ablaze for Christ – pure, spotless, full of hope and joy. When Christ returns, what kind of bride will he find you to be?
In Chapter 3, Timothy returns with encouraging news. The church in Thessalonica is filled with faith and love. This is comforting news to Paul. A healthy church lifts burdens, (i.e., discipleship, financial, hospitality, ministry, etc.) A church filled with faith and love is a healthy church and is exactly what the world needs. Paul prays for this church, and we should be doing the same for our church and the churches in our community, country and world. Read over Paul’s prayer and make that a part of your daily prayers for your family, Red Hills Church, missionaries and other churches/believers in our world today.
Paul is glad that the church is growing and doing well. However, he is concerned about one issue – sexual sin. The Gentiles were bringing old customs into new churches which involved sexual immorality. Most men in this culture had mistresses, slaves, concubines, harlots, temple prostitutes and a wife. Paul reminds them that they are to live holy in their sexuality. Anything beyond one man and one woman in biblical marriage is sin. If you are a Christian, you are expected to live a sexually pure life. If this is an area of sin you struggle with, repent, seek the Lord and if needed, seek help from a leader in our church.
Paul goes on in chapter 4 to encourage believers to show brotherly love even more than they already were. He tells them to live quietly, minding their own affairs and work. We should not be loud and obnoxious, being nosey, gossiping, or a burden financially to others. Why are these things important? Because these things will affect our witness to others. Please read the “conclusion” in Marhsall’s notes. Take the time to read over 1 Thessalonians 3-4 and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. May you be blessed this week!
In this message, Pastor Sean teaches from 1 Thessalonians 1-2. These chapters address the faith of the young Thessalonian church and the impact of their testimony on the region. Paul address the nature of his character in ministry, using the language of parenthood to describe his care for etc people. He thanks God for the Thessalonians, because they received the Word of God, and the Word had produced fruit in their lives.
How does Paul's commitment to spreading the gospel inspire your faith journey?
Can you think of a time when you felt a deep passion for sharing the message of Christ with others? The transformative power of the Holy Spirit becomes evident when individuals embrace the gospel. When we share Jesus with others, we rely on the Holy Spirit to illuminate their understanding and persuade them of their need for salvation.
Are there specific people you can share the gospel with in your life?
In what ways does Paul's affectionate tone toward the Thessalonian church challenge you to love and care for fellow believers?
Reflect on the concept of being "in God" as described in Colossians 3:3. How does this idea of being hidden with Christ in God provide comfort and security in your faith?
As we reflect on 1 Thessalonians 1 and Paul's passion for the gospel, his love for the people, his approach to evangelism, and his desire to instill values and character in the early church, let us also seek to imitate these qualities in our faith journey. May we be inspired to share the gospel boldly and love one another deeply.
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Samuel 23-24. These chapters cover David’s final reflections on leadership and the consequences of taking a census. These chapters help us see the wonderful blessings that godly leadership brings to God’s people as well as the warning to not idolize leadership. The warning exposes the temptation of leaders to look to people for answers and the temptation for people to put all their hope in leaders.
Godly leaders, who fear the Lord are compared to the sun on a clear sky morning. Worthless leaders are compared to thorns which no one wants to touch. When David was following God’s leading, Israel was blessed. When he was full of disobedience, Israel suffered. As you reflect on this, take inventory on what kind of leader you are in the areas of influence you have.
What areas of influence and leadership has God placed you in? (Family, friendships, workplace, church and community.) What kind of atmosphere do you cultivate in these areas by your choices of conduct? Do you lead with godliness, justice, equity, compassion, mercy, etc.? Do you lead with harshness, selfishness, impatience, greed, etc.? Are you more concerned with how circumstances will affect you rather than how they impact others?
What kind of leaders do you follow? One of the mistakes we can make is idolizing or worshiping leaders. As leaders, we can also fall into the pit of desiring and enjoying the worship of others. Both are dangerous! Human leaders fail. The only One truly worthy of following and worshiping is Jesus! Marshall reminded us today that if Christ is not working through us, then the enemy is! If we aren’t aspiring to being a godly leader, then we are a worthless one!
We see the leaders in David’s army and their achievements recorded in chapter 23. This serves as a reminder to us that our names are recorded in the Book of Life if we have made the decision to follow Christ. We have an inheritance! Like these soldiers, we will be rewarded. We must hold fast to our faith, never give up and take courage – even when things are challenging and difficult. We must stay faithful to our God!
In chapter 24, David is once again tested and falls prey to putting his trust in the size of his army rather than in God. This causes the consequence of a plague killing 70,000 of his men. When we put our trust in anything or anyone over our trust in God, be aware that God may remove that very thing or person we have put our confidence in.
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Samuel 21-22. These chapters cover the influences in David’s life as well as the influence David had over Israel. The story invites us to consider our influences and how they shape our behavior. The story concludes with a song of worship as David reflects on God’s influence in his life.
Read 2 Samuel 21
In the pages of 2 Samuel 21, we encounter David's life in a rebuilding season in Jerusalem. Marshall pointed out today that David's journey in this passage mirrors the phases we go through: being influenced by others, influencing others, and then reflecting on our choices. We must pause and ask ourselves: What is influencing us today? Is it the world, the opinions of others, or the voice of God?
In this instance, David's decision led to the death of seven men, as he gave the Gibeonites the power to exact revenge. Are you, like David, making decisions based on the influence of others or the guidance of God? It's easy to be swayed by the opinions of society, friends, or even our own desires. However, when we fail to seek God's wisdom and align our decisions with His will, we may find ourselves on a path of unintended consequences.
David's story teaches us the importance of seeking God's counsel in every aspect of our lives. As Marshall said, nothing is off the table. Let us not be hasty in our decisions but seek His face through prayer, meditation on His Word, and seeking godly counsel. Will you spend time in prayer today, asking what is influencing you? What do you need to let go of?
Read 2 Samuel 22 & Psalm 18
Will you spend time meditating on who God is, referring to the passages in Marshall’s notes? He is our rock, refuge, fortress, deliverer. He is compared to a lion, eagle, lamb, light, torch, fire, and fountain. Don’t rush through these passages. Let them sink to your very core, let them change the lens through which you see.
And finally, this week, will you spend time reflecting on the question Marshall posed today; Do you interpret your life through scripture? Is scripture guiding how you will get through the season that you are in? Will you end your reflection time each day in a time of worship? Will you enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise?
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Samuel 19-20. These chapters cover the return of King David and his tribulations with his commander, Joab. David and Joab have very different ways of solving problems and the author contrasts their leadership styles for personal reflection. When rebuilding after failure, do you approach situations with humility like David or with arrogance and pride like Joab?
We see David and his family suffering the consequences of his sins. Even though we repent and are forgiven of our sins, there are some consequences we must endure that can be very costly – to us and others. David chose the path of humility and reconciliation. How do you rebuild after a failure?
In this passage we see the stark contrast between David and Joab. David chose humility and Joab chose vengeance and violence. What is your initial reaction when faced with an injustice? Is it anger and the need to get even or forgiveness and a desire for reconciliation?
David’s desire to lead with forgiveness and generosity is how our Heavenly Father deals with us. Our King came to pardon sin and forgive debts. This is what we see David doing. One of the reasons David is leading in this way, is because he is keenly aware of what sins he has committed and how generous the Lord has been with him. When someone sins against you, are you mindful of how much the Lord has forgiven you? It makes holding a grudge much more difficult. Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive?
As a leader – or shepherd, we must tend to the needs of the sheep and keep the wolves out. Whether or not you are a leader in your home, workplace, church or community, it is important to tend to the needs of the “sheep” the Lord has entrusted to you. Caring for others comes first and shutting down quarrels and rebellion is next. What kind of leader are you in the areas the Lord has entrusted to you?
We see Joab continue to try and solve problems with anger, brute force and vengeance. This only results in more trouble. Joab was rebelling against David’s wishes and causing more destruction. Interesting what lengths Joab went to in order to chase others who had rebelled against David. He was a rebel chasing rebels. We can often become hypocrites when we are going after someone for a wrongdoing, when we ourselves are also guilty of wrongdoing. God has showed us through His son, Jesus how to treat and love others even when they sin against us. The question is, will we listen and obey or chose to take matters into our own hands and make things worse?
In these chapters, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Samuel 16-18. These chapters pair with the previous three chapters with Absalom and David. God disciplined David because of his shepherding failures in Israel and at home. However, God loved David, and through his discipline and consequences for sin the Lord restored David. This story reminds us of the sobering reality that shepherding is serious business, but in our failures God is sovereign. The Lord will not waste a failure, He redeems our failures for His purposes.
Read 2 Samuel 16-18 daily
In 2 Samuel 16:23, we witness the profound influence of Ahithophel's counsel on both David and Absalom. However, we are left pondering why Absalom sought a second opinion despite his high regard for Ahithophel's wisdom. It is essential to recall David's heartfelt prayer from 2 Samuel 15:31, where he prayed, "Lord, turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness." It is at this moment that we realize the undeniable sovereignty of God. God, in His divine wisdom, raised up Hushai to counteract Ahithophel's advice, showcasing that nothing in this world exists outside the bounds of God's supreme authority.
This narrative imparts a profound lesson we can glean from David's actions: the importance of turning to God even when our past sins loom, and hopelessness threatens to engulf us. The adversary, Satan, often seeks to ensnare us in regret, attempting to keep us captive. Yet, in these moments, we must remember that God is our Redeemer, a beacon of hope that pierces through the darkness of our past mistakes.
God is at work and in every detail. As Pastor Marshall said, when we don’t know what to do, keep pursuing Christ, look to Him, hide His Word in our hearts, and sit at His feet. Jesus, our Redeemer, is sitting at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf. He has given us everything we need to accomplish the good works He has set out for us.
In these chapters, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Samuel 13-15. These chapters cover the consequences of David’s sin. David was called to shepherd Israel, but he took advantage of God’s sheep. Judgment fell on David’s house and the applications for us are abundant. The message looks at the shepherd as God’s ideal example for leadership, and the consequences that comes from neglecting our shepherding duties.
Read 2 Samuel 13-15 daily
Each day, as you read God’s Word, will you begin by asking the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to what He has for you?
Consider the type of leader you embody, reflecting on your various roles and spheres of influence. Who falls within the circle of your guidance? It may include children, employees, colleagues, friends, your wife, and other family members. Through your actions or inactions, what lessons are they learning from your example? As we observe in Scripture, particularly in 1 and 2 Samuel, our lives ripple through generations to come, leaving a lasting impact.
This week, will you devote time to prayer, introspection, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to confront these questions with honesty?
What kind of leader are you? Does your family witness you treating others with greater grace, forgiveness, respect, and love than they do? Do they see you obsessed with what you do not have, turning your focus from the goodness of God on your life and chasing after your desires that are not of God? True contentment is only found by aligning our desires with God’s Word.
Whatever the Holy Spirit reveals in this, will you repent, lay it all at the feet of Jesus, and ask Him to forgive you for not living as the shepherd He has called us to live and ask Him to teach you to put on the whole armor of God every day so that you may walk in obedience and His power to accomplish His will for your life.
