These are my sermon notes for Sunday morning, April 19. They’re not a full manuscript—just a listening guide to help our Tabernacle Church family to follow along. I encourage you to add your own notes as you listen each week. The service will be available on YouTube by Sunday afternoon. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, our Prayer List, and more on our church website.

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1 Samuel 21:1–22:5

Intro

• David has just parted from Jonathan in chapter 20.
• Saul is now openly seeking David’s life.
• David is the anointed future king, yet he is homeless, hunted, fearful, and uncertain.
• These chapters begin a long section in David’s life where he lives as a fugitive.
• God has promised David the throne, but David must learn to trust God in the waiting.
• Much of this section teaches us about God’s providence in difficult seasons.

The Lord’s Provision – 21:1–9

• David comes to Nob empty, weary, and afraid.
• Ahimelech gives David the consecrated bread.
• God meets David in his weakness and supplies his daily needs.
• David receives Goliath’s sword.
• The weapon connected to a past victory now becomes help for a present trial.
• David was not strong or deserving, yet the Lord still cared for him.
• God often provides exactly what His people need in seasons of fear.

The Lord’s Deliverance – 21:10–15

• David flees to Gath, Goliath’s hometown.
• The Philistines recognize him and remember his victories.
• David becomes afraid before Achish.
• His own plan quickly falls apart.
• David pretends to be insane.
• Achish dismisses him as harmless.
• God rescues David, not by strength, but through humbling providence.

David Later Praised God for This Deliverance — Psalm 34

• David later looked back on this moment and praised the Lord.
• “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
• “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles” (Psalm 34:6).
• David did not praise his own cleverness; he praised God’s faithfulness.
• What felt like panic in 1 Samuel 21 became praise in Psalm 34.
• God can turn our fear into worship and our trials into testimonies.

The Lord’s Leading  – 22:1–5

• David comes to the cave of Adullam.
• His family and others in distress gather to him.
• God begins forming David’s future kingdom out of broken people.
• David takes his parents to Moab for safety.
• Through Ruth, God had already arranged a place of refuge.
• What looked like wandering was really providence.
• Gad tells David to return to Judah.
• God leads David by His Word and directs every step.

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The What Now

• Trust the Lord to provide in seasons of weakness. David came to Nob empty, afraid, and uncertain, yet God supplied exactly what he needed.
• Trust the Lord to deliver when your plans fall apart. David’s own efforts failed in Gath, but God still rescued him through unexpected providence.
• Remember God’s faithfulness in past trials. What felt like panic in 1 Samuel 21 later became praise in Psalm 34.
• Follow God’s leading even when the path is unclear. David’s journey seemed uncertain, but God was directing every step through His providence and His Word.

My Bible study notes for Wednesday night, April 15. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.

Mark 3:31–35

Intro

• Jesus’ family comes looking for Him while He is teaching.
• Jesus uses the moment to teach about true discipleship.
• Spiritual family is deeper than earthly family.
• Those who belong to Christ are those who do the will of God.

Jesus’ Family Stayed Outside – vv. 31–32

• Mary and Jesus’ brothers arrive.
• They stay outside and send for Him.
• Mark contrasts those outside with those sitting around Jesus.
• The issue is not location, but spiritual response.

Jesus Redefined True Family – vv. 33–34

• Jesus asks, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”
• He points to those around Him.
• True family is made up of those who follow Christ.
• A spiritual relationship is greater than a biological relationship.

Jesus Called for Obedient Faith – v. 35

• “Whoever does the will of God” belongs to Jesus.
• True discipleship is marked by obedience.
• Salvation is by grace, but obedience reveals genuine faith.
• God’s family is open to all who repent, believe, and follow Christ.

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The What Now

• Remember that the deepest family bond is not earthly, but spiritual.
• Put Christ above every other relationship and priority.
• Treasure the church as your spiritual family.
• Ask yourself: Am I merely around Jesus, or am I truly following Him?
• Those who do the will of God belong to Christ forever

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Digging Deeper

Doing the Will of God: Marks of a True Disciple

I. True Disciples Hear and Obey

• Love for Christ is shown through obedience (John 14:15).
• True disciples continue in Christ’s Word (John 8:31).
• Hearing without obeying is not true discipleship.

II. True Disciples Put Christ First

• Christ must come before every other relationship (Matt. 10:37).
• Following Jesus requires self-denial (Mark 8:34).
• Every area of life must be surrendered to Him (Rom. 12:1).

III. True Disciples Pursue Holiness

• God’s will is sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3).
• Obedience is a growing pattern, not instant perfection.
• Genuine believers increasingly desire holiness.

IV. True Disciples Display Genuine Faith

• Grace produces good works (Eph. 2:10).
• Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
• Obedience reveals that we truly know Christ (1 John 2:4).

V. True Disciples Belong to God’s Family

• Jesus defines His family by obedience (Mark 3:35).
• Those who do God’s will belong to Christ.
• The church is the spiritual family of faithful disciples.

Spring football is about laying a foundation.

You are building culture, effort, discipline, and identity long before the season begins. The work you do now will shape what happens later.

The same is true spiritually. No coach drifts into strong leadership. Faithfulness is built through daily devotion, discipline, and diligence.

Devotion

• Walk with Christ before you try to lead others.
• Spend time in God’s Word.
• Pray consistently.
• Lead from overflow, not exhaustion.

Discipline

• Stay faithful in the small things.
• Stay committed to prayer and Scripture.
• Stay involved in your church.
• Lead your family well.

Diligence

• Keep trusting God when the season gets hard.
• Do not quit when you are tired.
• Do not drift when life gets busy.
• Stay faithful in the little things.

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The What Now

• Build your walk with Christ now.
• Strengthen your daily habits now.
• Lead yourself before you lead your team.
• Build what matters now so you can lead well later.

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

These are my sermon notes for Sunday morning, April 12. They’re not a full manuscript—just a listening guide to help our Tabernacle Church family to follow along. I encourage you to add your own notes as you listen each week. The service will be available on YouTube by Sunday afternoon. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, our Prayer List, and more on our church website.

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1 Samuel 20:1-42

Intro

• Samuel anointed David because the Lord had rejected Saul.
• David then entered Saul’s service and quickly proved faithful and successful.
• After David killed Goliath, his reputation and popularity grew.
• Saul became jealous because he saw David as a threat to his throne.
• Jonathan, however, loved David and made a covenant with him.
• By chapter 20, Saul’s opposition is no longer subtle. David now knows that following God’s purpose will be costly.
• As the chapter unfolds, we see faith seeking the truth, sin exposing the heart, and loyalty bearing the cost.

Faith seeks the truth – vv. 1–23

• David asks what he has done (v. 1)
• David sees how near death is (v. 3) “there is but a step between me and death”
• David appeals to covenant kindness (v. 8)
• Jonathan swears loyalty before the Lord (vv. 12–13)
• Jonathan submits to God’s purpose for David (vv. 14–17)
• The Lord stands witness between them (v. 23) “the LORD is between you and me forever”

Sin exposes the heart – vv. 24–34

• David’s empty seat exposes the tension (vv. 24–27)
• Saul’s anger exposes his jealousy (vv. 30–31)
• Jonathan’s question exposes Saul’s injustice (v. 32)
• Saul’s spear exposes his violent heart (v. 33)
• Jonathan’s grief exposes the cost of sin (v. 34)

Loyalty comes with a cost – vv. 35–42

• Jonathan gives the warning sign (vv. 35–37)
• David receives the message (vv. 38–40)
• David and Jonathan weep together (v. 41)
• Jonathan sends David away in peace (v. 42)
• The covenant stands before the Lord (v. 42)

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THE WHAT NOW

• When life feels unfair, do not quit obeying God. Stay faithful.
• Thank God for the people who help you walk in truth and follow Him well.
• Guard your heart from jealousy, comparison, and the need to control everything.
• Trust that God is still working, even in painful seasons.
• Remember that obedience may be costly, but it is never wasted.
• Jonathan gives us a beautiful picture of covenant love, reminding us of God’s covenant love toward His people, declared from the beginning and displayed perfectly in Christ.

Stay loyal to God’s purpose, resting in His covenant love, even when obedience is costly.

Mark 3:22–30

INTRO

• Jesus’ ministry and influence were rapidly growing
• Opposition from His family and the religious leaders was increasing
• The scribes could not deny His miracles, so they accused Him of working by Satan’s power
• Jesus is stronger than Satan, rescues sinners from darkness, and warns against rejecting the truth.

Jesus Refutes the Charge Against Him — vv. 22–26

v. 22 — The scribes accused Jesus of being empowered by Satan

• Beelzebul refers to Satan, the ruler of demons

vv. 23–24 — Jesus answered with the picture of a divided kingdom

• A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand
• Satan is evil, but he is not foolish
• Jesus’ miracles prove He is opposing Satan, not helping him

vv. 25–26 — Jesus used the picture of a divided house

• Satan does not work against himself
• Jesus is proving that Satan’s kingdom is being defeated
• The coming of Christ marks the beginning of Satan’s downfall
• Genesis 3:15; 1 John 3:8

Jesus Reveals His Authority Over Satan — v. 27

v. 27 — Satan is the strong man, but Jesus is the stronger man

• The word “bind” means to restrain or overpower
• The word “plunder” means to take captives or spoils
• Jesus came to overpower Satan and rescue sinners
• Every transformed life is evidence of Christ’s victory

Satan is bound in the sense that:

• He cannot stop the spread of the gospel
• He cannot prevent Christ from saving His people
• He cannot keep the nations in darkness as before
• Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 2:14–15; Revelation 20:1–3

Jesus Warns About Rejecting the Holy Spirit — vv. 28–30

v. 28 — Jesus begins with a statement of grace

• All sins can be forgiven through Christ
• No sinner is beyond the reach of God’s mercy

v. 29 — Jesus warns about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

• “Blaspheme” means to slander or speak evil against
• This was not doubt or confusion
• This was deliberate, hardened rejection of Christ
• The unpardonable sin is persistent, final rejection of Christ
• Hebrews 3:12–13

v. 30 — The scribes saw the truth clearly and still rejected Him

• Their problem was not lack of evidence but unbelief
• Acts 7:51; John 16:8–9

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The What Now

1. Remember: Jesus is bigger than the “Boogeyman.”
2. Satan is a defeated enemy. Quit letting him win.
3. Be careful not to deny or dismiss the work of the Holy Spirit.

Easter is more than a special Sunday. It is the declaration that Jesus Christ is alive. The empty tomb is the foundation of our hope, salvation, and faith.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, grace is available. Lives can change. Hope is possible. The risen Christ still saves, still changes hearts, and still gives new life today.

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Jesus Rose from the Dead – John 20:1–18

She came in sorrow – v. 1

• Grieving. In darkness
• Without expectation

She Found an Empty Tomb – vv. 2–10

• Stone moved. Grave clothes left
• Death defeated

She Met the Living Christ – vv. 11–18

• Called by name
• Sorrow turned to joy
• Sent to tell

Jesus Demonstrated True Grace – Acts 9:1–19

Saul was an enemy of Christ – vv. 1–2

• Opposing the gospel. Persecuting believers
• Blind to his true condition

Jesus Stopped Saul in His Tracks – vv. 3–9

• Heaven broke into his rebellion
• Christ confronted his sin
• Saul bowed before the risen Lord

Grace Made Saul a New Man – vv. 10–19

• His eyes were opened
• His sins were forgiven
• His life was forever changed

Jesus Gives New Life Today – 1 Corinthians 15:1–11

Christ must be received by faith – vv. 1–2

• Receive the gospel
• Believe in Christ
• Stand in true saving faith

Christ died for our sins – v. 3

• He took our place
• He paid for sin
• He fulfilled Scripture

Christ was buried and raised – v. 4

• His burial proved that He died
• His resurrection proved He lives
• His resurrection secured salvation

Christ was seen, received, and proclaimed vv. 5–11

• The risen Christ still changes lives
• Grace still reaches the undeserving
• Grace still produces faithful messengers

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The Gospel Changes Everything

• The Gospel gives forgiveness to all of us…as sinners.
• The Gospel gives joy and hope instead of emptiness
• The Gospel gives the passion and purpose to follow Christ daily.
• The Gospel gives us the discipline and diligence to live a holy life
• The Gospel gives the desire to serve and minister to others
• The Gospel gives confidence and the conviction to share Christ with others.
• The Gospel gives the strength and courage to press on this side of heaven

The Gospel Changes Everything

• Know Christ
• Come to Christ
• Follow After Christ
• Daily Live for Christ

Isaiah 53:1–12

My Bible study notes for Wednesday night, April 1. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.

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INTRO

• Isaiah ministered during a time of rebellion, idolatry, and coming judgment, but later chapters shift toward comfort, hope, and God’s promise of salvation.
• By Isaiah 53, the great question becomes: How will God save sinful people?
• God’s Servant will come, not first as a conquering King, but as a suffering Savior who is rejected, condemned, and crushed for sinners.
• Isaiah 53 gives us the gospel beforehand, showing that Jesus suffered in our place so we could be forgiven and brought to God.

Jesus Was Rejected – vv. 1–3

• Many would not believe the message about Him.
• He came in humility, not worldly power.
• He was despised, mocked, and ignored.
• He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

Jesus Bore Our Sin – vv. 4–6

• He was pierced for our transgressions.
• He was crushed for our iniquities.
• The punishment that brought us peace fell on Him.
• The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus Chose the Cross – vv. 7–9

• He was oppressed and afflicted.
• He did not defend Himself.
• He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
• He was cut off out of the land of the living.
• Though innocent, He was treated like a criminal.

Jesus Satisfied the Father’s Wrath – vv. 10–12

• It was the will of the Lord to crush Him.
• Jesus became a guilt offering for sin.
• His death satisfied the justice and wrath of God.
• His resurrection proved His work was accepted.
• He now intercedes for those He has redeemed.

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The What Now

• Stop minimizing your sin.
• Trust in Christ alone to save you.
• Rest in His finished work, not your own efforts.
• Worship Jesus for what He suffered in your place.
• Live in grateful obedience to Him.
• Tell others about the Savior who was crushed for sinners.

John 12:12–13, 27; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

The King’s Entrance

John 12:12–13

• Large crowds gathered in Jerusalem for Passover
• Palm branches symbolized victory and deliverance
• “Hosanna” means “Save now”
• “King of Israel” was the right title
• The crowd wanted rescue from Rome, not rescue from sin
• They praised Jesus without fully understanding why He came
• They wanted a crown without a cross
• They celebrated a version of Jesus shaped by their own expectations

You can say the right things about Jesus and still miss who He truly is.

The King’s Sacrifice

John 12:27

• Jesus knew exactly why He came
• “Now is my soul troubled” shows His real anguish
• He saw the suffering of the cross before Him
• “For this purpose I have come to this hour”
• The cross was not accidental — it was God’s plan
• Jesus entered Jerusalem to become the Lamb of God
• He came not only to be praised, but to be pierced
• He came not only to wear a crown, but to bear our sin

The King entered Jerusalem to become the sacrifice for sinners.

The Lamb’s Remembrance

1 Corinthians 11:23–26

• The Lord’s Supper points us to Christ’s suffering
• Bread reminds us of His body given for us
• The cup reminds us of His blood shed for us
• Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)
• Salvation comes through His substitutionary death
• “Do this in remembrance of me”
• “Proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes”
• The table calls us to repentance, faith, and gratitude

The Lamb who was slain is the Savior we remember.

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The What Now

• Stop trying to make Jesus fit your agenda. Submit to Him as King, Savior, and Lord.
• Do not seek the blessings of Christ while ignoring the cross of Christ. Repent and trust His sacrifice for your sin.
• Come to the Lord’s Supper seriously and worshipfully. Remember His body, remember His blood, and proclaim His death until He comes.