There is tension in Judah about Saul. David has been anointed but what might come next? Saul himself is growing deranged. No longer helped by God’s Spirit, Saul suffers at the hands of another spirit who brings trouble upon him.
Looking for better
Saul has become like the kings of the world and has been rejected by God. Samuel is now sent to find a replacement but fears for his life in doing so. Nonetheless, through the very fitting subterfuge of hiding behind
Perhaps
Jonathan could have been left downhearted by his father’s sin and the trouble it’s brought to him. But he actually acts boldly, going quietly with one servant to challenge the enemies of the nation. It looks hopeless. One sword against
The heart of a man
Israel’s self-confidence that she can fight her own battles is exposed for the folly it is. Under the strain of Philistine intimidation, Saul’s heart gives way and he disobeys his orders from God via Samuel. Saul then follows this failure
Test your mind (HCTW 25)
He Changed The World – for an introduction to this series of talks, please click the title. Mark 7:20-23Using the player above you can listen to/download the talk, which also includes the Bible being read out. Once you’ve listened, take
Putting down others; falling down ourselves
Jesus lists examples of the wickedness we can generate inside. What’s included? Slander is there, where we use the amazing power of words to dishonour other people unfairly to benefit ourselves. Arrogance is there, where we proudly think too highly
It’s not the food (HCTW 24)
He Changed The World – for an introduction to this series of talks, please click the title. Mark 7:9-19Using the player above you can listen to/download the talk, which also includes the Bible being read out. Once you’ve listened, take
Thoughts which lie, shame and resent
Jesus lists examples of the wickedness we can generate inside. What’s included? Deceit is there, where we use our cunning to manipulate others to our benefit, without a concern for truth. Lewdness is there, where our thoughts become indecent even
A mind which takes and hates
Jesus pulls no punches as he speaks of the wickedness of the human heart and its evil thoughts. His list of examples started with sexual immorality. Next he speaks of theft and murder. The temptation to satisfy ourselves and not
What’s inside?
Jesus is speaking plainly about the sinful human heart, to counteract his opponents’ self-righteousness. We aren’t made bad by our environment but by what’s wrong inside all of us. Thoughts rise up from within, often occupying our minds, which are