These are my sermon notes for Sunday morning, July 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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Introduction

• Chapter 26 ended with David walking by faith.
• Chapter 27 opened with David walking by fear.
• Fear led to compromise. Compromise led to a dilemma.
• By the end of chapter 28, David appears trapped.
• He cannot fight against Israel. He cannot betray Achish.
• Yet before David ever realizes it, God is already at work.
• When our failures leave us in impossible situations, God’s providence faithfully protects His people, preserves His purposes, and prepares the way forward.

God Works Through Opposition – vv. 1-5

David Arrives at the Battlefield

• The Philistine armies gather at Aphek.
• Israel camps at Jezreel.
• David marches with Achish.
• The crisis has finally arrived.

The Philistine Commanders Object

• They recognize David.
• They remember his past victories.
• They refuse to trust him.
• Their concern is military, but God is accomplishing something much greater.

God Protects David

• David never asks for deliverance.
• God uses unbelieving Philistine commanders.
• What appears to be rejection is actually divine protection.

God’s providence often works through opposition. What appears to be rejection may be God’s protection.

God Works Through Unexpected Decisions – vv. 6-10

Achish Defends David

• Achish believes David is loyal.
• He repeatedly defends David.
• Ironically, David’s enemy speaks well of his character.

The Commanders Overrule the King

• Their decision frustrates Achish.
• Their decision relieves David.
• Without realizing it, they accomplish God’s sovereign will.

God Directs David

• Every person acts according to his own desires.
• Yet behind every decision stands the sovereign hand of God.
• God redirects David through the decision of a pagan king.

God’s providence often works through the decisions of those in authority. What feels like a setback may actually be God’s redirection.

God Works through Ordinary Circumstance– v. 11

David Returns to Ziklag

• The Philistines march north.
• David marches south.
• God has positioned David exactly where He wants him.

Chapter 29 Prepares Chapter 30

• David does not yet know what awaits him.
• God already knows.
• God’s providence has gone before him.

God Prepares David

• What appears to be an ordinary journey is God’s preparation.
• The road home becomes the path to David’s restoration.

God’s providence often works through ordinary events. Today’s ordinary steps may be God’s preparation for tomorrow’s opportunities.

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The What Now

• Trust God’s hand when life doesn’t make sense.
• Follow God’s leading one step at a time.
• Believe God is already preparing what comes next.

God’s providence prevails. He works through opposition, authority, and ordinary events to accomplish His perfect will. Even when we cannot see His hand, we can trust His heart.

My Bible study notes for Wednesday night, July 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 6:30-56

Intro

• The disciples return from their first mission and report to Jesus.
• They have preached, served, and experienced the power of Christ at work.
• Yet they still have much to learn about who Jesus is and what it means to trust Him.
• Mark moves from a hungry crowd to struggling disciples, revealing the compassion, provision, and presence of King Jesus

His Compassion — vv. 30–34

• Jesus sees the crowd as “sheep without a shepherd.”
• “Compassion” (splagchnizomai) is deep mercy that moves to action.
• Jesus meets their deepest need by teaching them truth.
• Jesus sees people in their spiritual need.
• Learn to see people through the compassionate eyes of Christ.

His Provision — vv. 35–44

• The disciples see an impossible problem. Jesus says, “You give them something to eat.”
• Five loaves and two fish reveal their insufficiency.
• Jesus takes what is insufficient and provides abundantly.
• “Satisfied” (chortazō) means fully filled.
• Our insufficiency is never a limitation to Christ’s sufficiency.
• Obey Christ and trust Him with what you cannot do.

His Presence — vv. 45–56

• The disciples are “making headway painfully” against the wind.
• Jesus sees their struggle and comes to them.
• “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
• They still “did not understand about the loaves.”
• Their problem was not a lack of evidence. They had not fully grasped who Jesus is.
• The presence of Christ is greater than the circumstances we face.
• Do not let today’s struggle cause you to forget what Christ has already revealed about Himself.

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The What Now

• Trust His compassion when you see the need.
• Trust His provision when you are insufficient.
• Trust His presence when the struggle is difficult.

The disciples kept looking at the need, their limitations, and the storm. Jesus was teaching them to look at Him. See Jesus clearly. Trust the King.

John C. Maxwell famously said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” Winning programs, healthy cultures, and lasting influence all begin with the leader. Before you can build a great team, you must first build yourself.

Every day you are building something. Every practice, every conversation, every decision, and every response shapes the lives of the athletes God has entrusted to your care. Coaching is about more than developing athletes. It is about building people.

This Leadership Study is part of For The Coach, a ministry dedicated to encouraging and equipping coaches to Press On and Lead Well. Whether you’re reading this before our Leadership Roundtable, following along during our discussion, or reviewing it afterward, my hope is that it challenges and encourages you to become the leader your players need.

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Build Yourself

Before you can build a team, you must first build yourself.

Be the Example

• Live what you expect.
• Leadership begins with the leader.

Never Stop Growing

• Grow spiritually, personally, and professionally.
• Great coaches never stop learning.

Set the Standard

• Your habits shape your culture.
• Character sets the ceiling for leadership.

Proverbs 4:23;  1 Timothy 4:12

“Leaders of character produce organizations of character because character… is infectious.” — Albert Mohler

Build Your Team

You coach a sport, but you build people.

Give Them Your Best

• Coach every rep.
• The little things become the big things.

Be Fully Invested

• Grow where God has planted you.
• Give your best to the players you have today.

Be Intentional

• Every player matters.
• Every conversation matters.
• Every moment is a teachable moment.

Proverbs 16:3; Colossians 3:23

Build Your Legacy

Legacy is built one faithful day at a time.

“One coach will impact more young people in one year than the average person does in a lifetime.” — Billy Graham

Win the Day

• Be faithful today.
• Every moment matters.

Do the Next Right Thing

• Who you are speaks louder than what you say.
• Model the culture you want to build.

Trust the Process (Trust God with the results.)

• Building people takes time.
• Faithfully plant seeds that will outlive you.

Proverbs 27:17

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Culture isn’t built by slogans. It’s built by leadership.

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14 (ESV)

Most people say they want to grow in their walk with Christ. The challenge isn’t knowing we need to grow, it’s knowing where to begin.

We often try to change everything at once. God calls us to something much simpler: faithful obedience today.

Here’s a simple path that helps me keep the main things the main things.

Dependence — Walk with Christ

Everything begins with your relationship with Jesus.

• Spend time in God’s Word.
• Pray before you start your day.
• Let Christ shape your heart before the world shapes your mind.

Discipline — Obey Christ

Spiritual growth is measured by obedience, not just knowledge.

• Obey what God has already shown you.
• Build daily habits that honor Christ.
• Choose faithfulness over convenience.

Diligence — Keep Going

God grows faithful men one day at a time.

• Don’t quit when the day gets hard.
• Trust God in the ordinary.
• Keep pressing on.

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The What Now

Today…

• Walk with Christ.
• Obey Christ.
• Keep going.

Change Starts today!

Press On. Win the day. Lead Well.

My Bible study notes for Wednesday night, July 8. 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 6:1-29

Intro

• Jesus has revealed His authority over nature, demons, disease, and death.
• Mark 6 shifts from Christ’s miracles to the response His ministry receives.
• This passage reminds us that following Jesus includes both the joy of serving Him and the reality of opposition.
• Every disciple must decide how they will respond to the King.

Expect Rejection — vv. 1–6

The World’s Response to Christ

• Jesus returned to His hometown, but His own people rejected Him.
• Familiarity with Jesus became an obstacle to faith.
• “Unbelief” (apistia) means a refusal to trust despite sufficient evidence.
• Jesus marveled at their unbelief.
• Knowing about Jesus is not the same as believing in Him.
• Guard against becoming spiritually familiar without growing spiritually faithful.

Proclaim Repentance — vv. 7–13

The Mission of Every Disciple

• Jesus sent the Twelve in His authority and power.
• They preached repentance and called people to turn to God.
• “Authority” (exousia) refers to delegated authority given by Christ.
• They trusted God’s provision and left the results to Him.
• Some received the message; others rejected it.
• Christ’s mission continues through His people.
• Our responsibility is faithfulness, not controlling the response.
• Live and speak the gospel with humility, courage, and dependence on Christ.

Remain Faithful — vv. 14–29

The Cost of Following Christ

• John the Baptist faithfully proclaimed God’s truth without compromise.
• Herod feared John but refused to repent.
• Herodias hated the truth and silenced God’s messenger.
• John’s death reminds us that faithfulness may be costly.
• Following Christ is not measured by popularity but by obedience.
• God’s truth is worth proclaiming, regardless of the cost.
• Stand firmly on God’s Word with courage, integrity, and perseverance.

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The What Now

• Examine your heart for unbelief.
• Faithfully proclaim the gospel wherever God has placed you.
• Trust Christ when your faith is tested.
• Remain faithful, even when obedience is costly.

These are my sermon notes for Sunday morning, July 5 . 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 Samual 27:1-28:2

Intro

• David ended chapter 26 walking by faith.
• Chapter 27 begins with David walking in fear.
• His circumstances had not changed. God’s promises had not changed. David’s perspective had changed.
• The Progression
  • God had promised David the kingdom.
  • David forgot God’s repeated faithfulness.
  • David feared Saul more than he trusted God.
  • David acted on that fear.
  • David became entangled in his decisions.

David’s Fear – 27:1–4

• David reasons within himself instead of seeking the Lord (v.1).
• Fear overshadows God’s promises (v.1).
• David flees to Achish and finds temporary relief (vv.2–4).
• Fear causes us to forget what we once believed.
• Guard your heart before making decisions.
• Proverbs 3:5–6; Isaiah 26:3–4; Philippians 4:6–8; Psalm 42:5–11

David’s  Compromise – 27:5–12

• David settles in Ziklag (vv.5–7).
• David deceives Achish concerning his raids (vv.8–12).
• Achish believes David has turned against Israel (v.12).
• Compromise usually begins one step at a time.
• Choose conviction over comfort.  Walk by faith. 2 Cor. 5:7
• God remains faithful even when we falter. 2 Tim. 2:13

David’s Dilemma – 28:1–2

• Achish expects David to fight against Israel (v.1).
• David’s compromise places him in an impossible situation (v.2).
• Today’s fearful decision can become tomorrow’s crisis.
• Proverbs 14:12; 16:9

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The What Now….When You Have Drifted

• Own your past. – 1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)
• Return to the Lord – James 4:7–8  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (ESV).
• Do the next thing right. – Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV) James 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (ESV)
• Be patient with the process. – Galatians 6:1-10 (READ) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (ESV)
• Walk with God’s people. – Hebrews 10:24–25  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV))
• Press on in faith. – Philippians 3:13–1 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (ESV)

These are my sermon notes for Sunday morning, June 7 . 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 26:1–25

Intro

• God has been preparing David for the throne by developing his faith and character.
• Each trial has taught David another lesson in following the Lord.
• The wilderness has become God’s classroom, and David has been God’s student.
• Now David faces another familiar test—not to reveal what God knows, but to reveal what David has learned.
• This chapter teaches us what it means to live by faith.
• Faith trusts God’s promises, follows God’s ways, and rests in God’s timing.

Stand with Conviction – vv. 1–12

Faith Chooses Obedience Over Opportunity

The Test is Repeated (vv. 1–5)

• The Ziphites betray David again.
• Saul pursues David with 3,000 chosen men.
• David wisely confirms Saul’s location.

The Opportunity (vv. 6–8)

• David enters Saul’s camp.
• Abishai urges David to kill Saul.
• The opportunity appears to be from God.

David’s Conviction (vv. 9–12)

• David refuses to strike the Lord’s anointed.
• He trusts God to remove Saul in His own way.
• David leaves with Saul’s spear and water jug.
• 1 Peter 2:20–23; Acts 5:29; James 4:17

Never sacrifice biblical conviction for a favorable opportunity.

Rest in Confidence – vv. 13–20

Faith Leaves the Outcome to God

David Calls out to Saul (vv. 13–16)

• David exposes Abner’s failure.
• The spear proves David’s integrity.

David Appeals to Saul (vv. 17–20)

• Saul recognizes David’s voice.
• David declares his innocence.
• David entrusts justice to the Lord.
• “The LORD will strike him…” (v. 10)
• David doesn’t know how God will act. He simply knows God will act.
• Romans 12:17–21; 1 Peter 2:23; Philippians 4:6–7; Hebrews 10:30

Leave what you cannot control in the hands of the God who controls all things. Faith leaves room for God to do what only God can do.

Persevere with Hope – vv. 21–25

Faith Looks Beyond Today’s Circumstances

Saul’s Confession (vv. 21–24)

• Saul admits his sin.
• David returns the spear.
• David trusts the Lord to reward righteousness and faithfulness.

David Keeps Walking by Faith (v. 25)

• Saul acknowledges David’s future kingdom.
• David still does not become king.
• David continues walking by faith.
• Romans 8:24–25; Hebrews 10:35–36; James 1:2–4; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18

Hope rests in God’s promises, not today’s circumstances.

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The What Now

Stand with conviction – What should I do?

• Let God’s Word shape your decisions.

Walk with confidence – What should I do?

• Trust God’s sovereign care.

Persevere in hope – What should I expect?

• Remember that God always keeps His promises.

My Bible study notes for Wednesday night, June 24. 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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Mark-5:21-43

Intro

• Mark 5 continues answering the question: “Who then is this?” (Mark 4:41)
• Jesus has already demonstrated authority over nature and demons.
• Now He demonstrates His authority over disease and death.
• Two desperate people come to Jesus and discover that faith in Him is never misplaced.

Jairus – vv. 21-24

• Jairus was a synagogue ruler and respected community leader.
• His position and influence could not save his daughter… He was a desperate father.
• His twelve-year-old daughter was dying.
• He fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded for help.
• “Begged” (parakaleō) means to plead earnestly or urgently.
• Desperation drove him to Jesus.
• Human resources have limits, but Christ does not.
• Faith begins when we recognize our need and turn to Jesus.

The Woman — vv. 25–34

• A desperate woman… she had suffered for twelve years from a flow of blood.
• She had spent everything seeking help but only grew worse.
• Her condition left her physically exhausted and ceremonially unclean.
• She believed Jesus could do what no one else could.
• “Faith” (pistis) means trust, confidence, or reliance.
• Jesus not only healed her body but restored her dignity.
• He called her “Daughter,” assuring her of His care and acceptance.
• No one is beyond the reach of Christ’s mercy.
• Faith looks away from self and trusts Christ.

The Daughter – vv. 35-43

• News arrives that Jairus’ daughter has died.
• Jesus tells him: “Do not fear, only believe.”
• Fear focuses on circumstances; faith focuses on Christ.
• The mourners laughed when Jesus said the child was sleeping.
• “Talitha cumi” means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
• Jesus speaks and death obeys.
• The girl immediately rose and walked.
• Jesus has authority over death itself.
• What is impossible for man is possible with God.

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The What Now

• Bring your burdens and needs to Christ.
• Trust Jesus in seasons of suffering and uncertainty.
• Refuse to let fear have the final word.
• Rest in the power and compassion of King Jesus.
• Live with confidence in the One who conquered death.

Jairus teaches us to trust Christ in our desperation. The woman teaches us to trust Christ in our suffering. The daughter reminds us that Christ’s authority extends even over death. Faith in King Jesus is never misplaced.