Jesus, The Greatest Gift - Luke 1v26-38

Join us this week as we take a short bereak from our teaching of 1 Samuel.  As we're all preparing for Christmas, let's take a moment to reflect on the greatest gift of all time!

Love Believes The Best - 1Samuel 18v6-9

Join us this week as we go back and re-examine more closely a passage from last weeks teaching.

Behave Wisely - 1 Samuel 17v55-18v16

Join us this week as Saul and David return victorious from the battle with the Philistines, and we witness the continued downfall of Saul.

Rally In The Valley Part II - 1 Samuel 17v38-51

Join us for the dramatic Part Two of the David and Goliath showdown.

Rally In The Valley Part I - 1 Samuel 17v1-37

Join us this week for Part One of the famous showdown between David and Goliath. 

The Power of Worship - 1 Samuel 16v14-23

Join us this week as David enters into Saul's service and we explore the power of worship.

David: God's King - 1 Samuel 16v1-13

Samuel travels to Bethlehem seeking the next king of Israel, Saul's successor.  Join us this week as we are introduced to the young shepherd David.

Killing Agag - 1 Samuel 15

Saul was given specific instructions from the Lord via Samuel, but failed to fully follow these instructions.  Join us this week as we look at the consequences disobedience.

Put the Shovel Down - 1 Sam 14:24-46

Pride can make us do some crazy things, like digging a hole deeper and deeper until we can't get out.  Sometimes we need to put the shovel down.

Graveyard Spiral - 1 Samuel 14v24

"Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies."  Join us for an abbreviated teaching this week as we continue our study of 1 Samuel.

Fearless - 1 Samuel 13v15-22

Today we'll be introduced to a young man who believes God, and is not afraid to put that belief to the test. While his dad Saul sits under a tree, Jonathan goes up to face the Philistines with only his armor-bearer at his side. There is only one word to describe this young man, Jonathan: Fearless!

What Could Have Been - 1 Samuel 13v1-14

Whatever God is asking of you, it's not about what He wants from you. It's what He wants for you.  And you can have it, if only you will...

Church Update - Oct 2011

Last January i shared the vision for our church for 2011.  How are we doing?  On this Sunday I gave an update on where we have been, and what God has for us as we finish out the year!

Life After Failure - 1Samuel 12

We may not be able to erase the mistakes of our past, and we may have to live in the reality of that choice for the rest of our life on earth.  That husband or wife may never return.  That person we wronged may never forgive us.  But if we will turn to the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all of our hearts, He will give us new life that will glorify Him.  I don't know about you, but that is a promise that gives me hope!

God is Able - 1 Samuel 11

Is there hope when we have blown it, made the wrong choices, and are trapped and surrounded by the enemy?  Will God come for us when we call?  The answer is a resounding YES - God is able, and willing to come to the aid of His people.

The Cost of Compromise - 1 Samuel 11v1-3

Sometimes comprise is a good thing; we meet in the middle.  But some compromises have a cost that does not become apparent until much later.

A Better Plan - 1 Samuel 9v1-24

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were looking for one thing, and found something else?  Something that was completely different? Something that was better?

I want it... NOW! - 1 Samuel 8

Have you ever really wanted something, even begging God for it... and when you got it, it didn't turn out as well as you thought?  The nation of Israel wanted a king, and so the Lord is going to give them one.

The Power of Repentance - 1st Samuel 7

Repentance is a scarce thing these days, with "The Art of Spin" being perfected in every corner of life.  But did you know there is power in repentance? True story.

The Unfortunate Death of a Godly Heritage - 1 Samuel 2:12-36

Each one of us is born with a purpose and a plan for our life, uniquely designed by God, a godly heritage. The ultimate question is "will we live out that purpose, or will we allow it to die?" God will always fulfil His plan, whether through us or someone else.

Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? - 1st Samuel 6

The Philistine's have had quite enough of the ark of God, terrible painful hemorrhoids and rats would get anyone's attention. As well, the men of Beth Shemesh suffered 50,070 men dying as a result of peeking into the ark.  Indeed, who can stand before this holy LORD God?

"PWNED" - 1st Samuel 5

After the terrible outcome in the battle between Israel and the Philistines chronicled in 1 Samuel 4, it would seem that Israel was done for. But in the midst of this terrible situation, something rather incredible is about to happen...

God is a Box - 1st Samuel 4

Often I’ll hear people say “don’t put God in a box”, meaning we should never attempt to limit what God can do in a situation. But there is another perspective of the metaphor “God in a box,” and that would be to view God as some spiritual resource that can be called upon when needed.

When God Speaks - 1st Samuel 3v1-19

“Have you heard fromGod?” Hearing from God – its a term that is bandied about quite a bit inChristian circles, but what does it really mean to hear from God, and how do we do it?

The Birth of a Prophet - 1st Samuel 1 & 2

This week we will be opening our study of Samuel with the account of the birth of the prophet Samuel.

The Rise of the Kings - Intro to I Samuel

This week we're opening up a new study at Calvary Chapel of Wilmington:  1 & 2 Samuel.  These two books (which were originally one work) chronicle the transition of the nation of Israel from a theocracy, or a nation led by God, to a monarchy, being led by a king.

Love One Another - Acts 2v42-46

In John 13v34-35 Jesus told us, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Keeping It Real - Hebrews 13v1-25

So we come to the end of Hebrews...  All through this incredible book we have sailed the heights of theological imagery, learning how the events and circumstances of this physical world bring us into direct connection with the spiritual realities of the heavenly realm.

Our God Is A Consuming Fire - Hebrews 12v18-29

Since God is in fact a consuming fire, we must come to Him on His terms.  We cannot approach Him on our terms. God is God, we are not, and He sets the terms, and the only terms by which we can approach God is the unmerited approval that we have in Jesus.  Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).  All who come to the Father through Jesus Christ are free to approach the throne boldly.  All who are outside of that sphere will be consumed.

Rising Above the Fray - Hebrews 12v3-11

Trials can be a powerful tool in the hands of a loving God to put us back on course when we stray. Trials also are a testimony to the world.  Join us this week as we continue our study of Hebrews. 

When Things Look Tough - Look to Jesus - Hebrews 12v1-3

Last week we talked about the great heros of faith, bus some of those hreos underwent terrible trials.  This week we'll discuss how they persevered through failth, and how we can apply this to our lives today.

We can be Heroes - Hebrews 11:30-12:2

The “Faith Hall of Fame” clearly displays the past saints as overcomers.  They were heroes! But the point here is not to look at these people and hold them up as unique heroes who were capable of doing things that we cannot. God is the same now as He was then. Faith is the same now as then God can do great things though you and me today. By faith we can be heroes!

The Affliction of Faith - Hebrews 11:23-29

Faith sometimes means making a decision – a faith decision – to step into a tough situation, choosing to go somewhere that you know it will be difficult. The only way we will make that choice is if we believe that God is, and that He will reward those who seek Him!

The Heritage of Faith - Hebrews 11:17-19

That one of the most crucial things we can pass on to our children is a HERITAGE OF FAITH. Living a life where our children can witness that faith is RESTING in the promises of God, BELIEVING the promises of God, and WALKING in the promises of God.

The Sacrifice of Faith - Hebrews 11:17-19

Faith sometimes calls us to step into something that looks, on the surface, like a sure loser. But faith is believing so powerfully in the word of God that he knew that God would, if necessary, raise Isaac from the dead in order that He might fulfill His word, "Through Isaac shall they seed be called."

The Reality of Faith - Hebrews 11:1-16

Faith is believing that there is another dimension to life other than that which can be touched, tasted, seen or felt. Faith is believing in the invisible spiritual kingdom of God, and that our destination is in that kingdom.

The Introduction to Faith - Hebrews 10:23-39

Getting saved was just the beginning of our journey, not the end!  We entered into a new identity, a new relationship, a new standing, and a new reality – but that does not mean that our road will be easy.  As a matter of fact, our journey will likely be harder.

A New and Living Way - Hebrews 10:15-25

The sacrifice of Christ was a  reflection of something deeper; our lives as Christians, in the church, our fellowship, it is a testimony of the relationship that God wants us to have with Him. He doesn’t want us to worship Him from afar, He doesn’t want us to worship Him through ritual. He wants us to enter into His presence freely, without hindrance, and experience the fullness of the New Covenant.

A Perfect Sacrifice - Hebrews 9:16-10:14

The shedding of blood in the Old Testament sacrifice was a picture of an event that was to come, that which was imperfect a shadow of that which would be perfect. Christ came and offered His body, His blood, to fulfill the will of God, and make a permanent atonement for the sins of man.

To Serve the Living God - Hebrews 9:1-5

At the crucifixion of Christ, an event occurred in the physical realm, a man died.  But a parallel event occurred in heaven, in the eternal realm. Jesus Christ entered into the real Holy of Holies, and sprinkled His blood on the alter. Through that act we have been called to serve the Living God.

God’s Incredible Gift - Hebrews 8

This new covenant that was declared by the prophet Jeremiah, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, is not just a new ‘religious rite” that replaces Judaism. The new covenant ushers us into a new reality that our hearts and spirits have yearned for since the dawn of time: The reality of oneness with God.

A Better Hope – Hebrews 7

We live in a fallen world where things change, people change, the economy changes, our bodies experience entropy. But there is one covenant that will NEVER CHANGE – Who Jesus is / What He has done / What He has for us.

The Promise - Hebrews 6:13-20

What's in a promise?  Can we believe the promises of God? Should we? Why is it important?

Better Things - Hebrews 5:11-6:12

Can a Christian 'lose' their salvation? How does free will enter into the equation? Hebrew's 5 & 6 delve into this hot topic!

Our Great High Priest - Hebrews 5:1-10

Jesus is not just a man that died 2000 years ago, He is not  just the Son of God. The Lord Jesus Christ has a specific purpose and calling, specifically relating to mankind as our King, and our great High Priest!

Naked before God - Hebrews 4:1-13

The word of God is living and powerful, and in the hands of the Holy Spirit it has a two-fold action of stripping off falsehood, and exposing the truth of the human condition.

Faith Today - Hebrews 3:7-19

Is there a way I can be assured of my salvation? The bible teaches us that there is - Faith today!

The House of God - Hebrews 3:1-6

Many times when we say "the house of God" we are talking about the church, but really the house of God is US!