Central CoC Stockton

Video of Bible class at Central for November 7, 2021. We finished 1 Samuel 23. We also discussed the decrees and providence of God; the difference between God's revealed will (Micah 6:8); and God's hidden will (Deuteronomy 29:29); and Gospel words to encourage one another, like Jonathan encouraged David with God's promises (Matthew 11:28; John 6:37; 10:27-28; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 1:9; Romans 8:38-39).

1 Samuel 23:15-29, pt 2

In Sunday School, we used to sing: "Father Abraham had many sons … I am one of them, and so are you. So let’s just praise the Lord!" In these verses, Paul takes us back to Sunday School, and puts Abraham up on the flannel graph to explain how we are his children, and why we should praise the Lord for that.

Father Abraham Had Many Sons (Galatians 3:5-9)

Bible class at Central Church of Christ in Stockton, CA for September 26, 2021. 
 
When David was on the run from King Saul, he went to visit the priest Ahimelech to beg for bread. In this lesson, we discuss the lie David told Ahimelech, and why he told it; the bread Ahimelech gave David; and how Jesus is now the bread of life for all believers.

Bible class at Central Church of Christ in Stockton, CA for September 26, 2021.

When David was on the run from King Saul, he went to visit the priest Ahimelech to beg for bread. In this lesson, we discuss the lie David told Ahimelech, and why he told it; the bread Ahimelech gave David; and how Jesus is now the bread of life for all believers.

1 Samuel 21:1-6

Video of Bible class at Central for 9-19-21. 
 
King Saul's heart now seems to be fully bent on killing David, and not even Saul's son Jonathan can straighten it out. Jonathan breaks this sad news to his best friend David, and sends him on his way, sadly. David makes a solemn vow to show kindness to Jonathan's household when he is elevated to the throne. We also talked about new moon festivals and how they point us to our need for Christ.

Video of Bible class at Central for 9-19-21.

King Saul's heart now seems to be fully bent on killing David, and not even Saul's son Jonathan can straighten it out. Jonathan breaks this sad news to his best friend David, and sends him on his way, sadly. David makes a solemn vow to show kindness to Jonathan's household when he is elevated to the throne. We also talked about new moon festivals and how they point us to our need for Christ.

1 Samuel 20:24-42

Video of Bible class at Central Church of Christ in Stockton, CA for August 29, 2021. 
 
- We looked at Psalm 59, which David wrote about the events of 1 Samuel 19:11-17. We saw how David's sufferings foreshadow the sufferings of Christ, and how his deliverance foreshadows Christ's victory over our enemies (Satan, sin, and death). In Christ's death and resurrection, every believer is victorious. 
 
- We saw that Samuel presiding over the company of prophets foreshadows Christ and His church. When David fled to Samuel and the company of prophets, this is a foreshadowing of weary sinners finding refuge in Christ and His church. (1 Sam. 19:18-20) 
 
- Finally, we talked about how, by God's Holy Spirit at work among the company of prophets, David's enemies were thwarted. This gives us a glimpse into how God continues to work in, among, and through His gathered church (1 Sam. 19:20-24) 
 
We will have more to say about this strange and thrilling passage during Bible class next Sunday.

Video of Bible class at Central Church of Christ in Stockton, CA for August 29, 2021.

- We looked at Psalm 59, which David wrote about the events of 1 Samuel 19:11-17. We saw how David's sufferings foreshadow the sufferings of Christ, and how his deliverance foreshadows Christ's victory over our enemies (Satan, sin, and death). In Christ's death and resurrection, every believer is victorious.

- We saw that Samuel presiding over the company of prophets foreshadows Christ and His church. When David fled to Samuel and the company of prophets, this is a foreshadowing of weary sinners finding refuge in Christ and His church. (1 Sam. 19:18-20)

- Finally, we talked about how, by God's Holy Spirit at work among the company of prophets, David's enemies were thwarted. This gives us a glimpse into how God continues to work in, among, and through His gathered church (1 Sam. 19:20-24)

We will have more to say about this strange and thrilling passage during Bible class next Sunday.

1 Samuel 19:18-24 (& Psalm 59)

Paul defended the Gospel he preached by telling his own story. The Gospel he preached was the same Gospel that had saved him. Jesus transformed Paul from the church’s greatest adversary, to her greatest ally. It was a miracle; but it’s no less miraculous when anyone is saved.

From enemy to evangelist (Galatians 1:13-17)

Video of Bible class at Central Church of Christ for July 25, 2021. 
 
Unfortunately, we lost the first ten minutes of audio, so discussion picks up in the middle of an answer. 
 
0:08: How does David's period of persecution under Saul foreshadow Christ? 
 
1:58: Saul's jealousy (vv6-7) 
 
4:21: How the song of the Israelite women betrays Israel's sad spiritual state (Exodus 15:20-21) 
 
7:23: How easy is it to become like Saul in this story? 
 
10:54: How easily we forget to acknowledge God 
 
12:50: David and Harry Potter 
 
14:39: A king like other nations, skinny jeans, and TED talks 
 
17:18: Saul's growing contempt for David as he sees the kingdom slipping from his grasp (vv8-9) 
 
19:15: On mortifying the sin of envy (Romans 8:13) 
 
26:01: Saul's sinful jealousy vs. David's godly jealousy 
 
29:55: Less obvious ways to take the Lord's Name in vain 
 
34:11: Good and righteous anger 
 
35:55: Why Moses was NOT a murderer

Video of Bible class at Central Church of Christ for July 25, 2021.

Unfortunately, we lost the first ten minutes of audio, so discussion picks up in the middle of an answer.

0:08: How does David's period of persecution under Saul foreshadow Christ?

1:58: Saul's jealousy (vv6-7)

4:21: How the song of the Israelite women betrays Israel's sad spiritual state (Exodus 15:20-21)

7:23: How easy is it to become like Saul in this story?

10:54: How easily we forget to acknowledge God

12:50: David and Harry Potter

14:39: A king like other nations, skinny jeans, and TED talks

17:18: Saul's growing contempt for David as he sees the kingdom slipping from his grasp (vv8-9)

19:15: On mortifying the sin of envy (Romans 8:13)

26:01: Saul's sinful jealousy vs. David's godly jealousy

29:55: Less obvious ways to take the Lord's Name in vain

34:11: Good and righteous anger

35:55: Why Moses was NOT a murderer

1 Samuel 18:6-9

Bible class at Central Church of Christ for 5-9-2021. 
 
00:01 - Samuel rains on Saul's parade (1 Sam. 12:16-18) 
08:20 - Israel's confession of sin (v19) 
23:20 - The need for a mediator between God and man 
24:20 - Christ is our great and perfect Mediator 
34:56 - Law and Gospel in 1 Samuel 12:20-25 
37:57 - 1 Samuel 12:20-25 as a model for praying for unbelievers, and for believers caught in sin

Bible class at Central Church of Christ for 5-9-2021.

00:01 - Samuel rains on Saul's parade (1 Sam. 12:16-18)
08:20 - Israel's confession of sin (v19)
23:20 - The need for a mediator between God and man
24:20 - Christ is our great and perfect Mediator
34:56 - Law and Gospel in 1 Samuel 12:20-25
37:57 - 1 Samuel 12:20-25 as a model for praying for unbelievers, and for believers caught in sin

1 Samuel 12:16-25

James 2:20-24 can be confusing, because it says that believers are considered righteous by our works—what we do. But much of the rest of scripture says that we are absolutely not counted righteous because of what we do, but through faith alone. How we resolve this apparent contradiction will make all the difference in how we live out our faith.

Not by faith alone? (James 2:20-24)

Last time we heard James’ instruction to be quick to listen to the word of God. He continues his thought in these verses: We must not only be quick to listen to God’s word, we should act on what we hear. The word of God, James says, is like a mirror that shows us what our condition is, and what we should do about it.

The Christian's Mirror (James 1:22-25; 2:8-11)

The Ten Commandments are not just rules to be obeyed, but a Law that must be fulfilled. And Jesus came to fulfill the Law in our place. Today’s message will focus on the Commandment not to bear false witness against your neighbor. Jesus has fulfilled this Commandment by coming to us full of grace and truth. He is Truth itself. His cross bears true witness to what our sins deserve—but it also proclaims forgiveness. Now our lives can bear witness to Christ, who is the Truth.

You shall not bear false witness (Exodus 20:16)

The Ten Commandments are not just rules to be obeyed, but a Law that must be fulfilled. And Jesus came to fulfill the Law in our place. Today’s message will focus on the command against against stealing. God requires His people to be unselfish, sharing and giving. Christ has fulfilled the Commandment. He takes nothing but the punishment our sins deserve, and gives us a living hope and eternal inheritance with Him.

You shall not steal (Exodus 20:15)

With Thanksgiving coming, we may wonder: How can I be thankful to my Savior? Hebrews  13:15-16 sums up all of our Christian life--our worship, and our witness--as thanksgiving offerings to God, offered up through Jesus.

The sacrifices that please God (Hebrews 13:15-16)

Hebrews 10:14 says both that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross has made believers perfect forever; and that we are still being made holy. The Christian life is lived in this tension. And a process called sanctification is how this tension is worked out.

Perfect forever--and still being made holy (Hebrews 10:14) [11-1-2020]

We have seen how COVID-19 has ground life in our cities to a halt. But that should remind us what Hebrews teaches us in 13:14-16. We are looking forward to the city that is to come. A city that will never be shaken by disease, death, or decay.

Looking for the city that is to come (Hebrews 13:14-16) [sermon 3-22-2020]

The church Hebrews was written for didn't feel safe in their city, and they were looking for shelter and refuge. But Hebrews told them they would not find ultimate safety or shelter anywhere in this world. "We are looking for the city that is to come," Hebrews says. That is our ultimate safety. During this time of uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are also looking for a place of safety and security. Safety is found in Christ alone, the author and finisher of our faith, who is leading us home to the City of God.

Looking for the City that is to come (Hebrews 13:14-16)

The Heidelberg Catechism emerged from a place and time where the Black Plague ravaged bodies and communities. It begins by saying that the Christian's only comfort in life and in death is that they belong completely to Christ. Today, there is a plague that is ravaging our culture and even our churches. It's a mantra that tells us: "You are enough." But when we are honest, we are acutely aware that we are not enough. Hebrews 7:18-28 is good news, because it assures us that even though we are not enough, Jesus is more than enough. He is able to save completely--body and soul, in life and in death--those who belong to him. This is truly our only comfort.

Our only comfort (Hebrews 5:7-10; 7:18-28)

Hebrews 3:12-13 tells believers to exhort, warn, or counsel each other daily along our journey home to the City of God. But if we all need counseling every day, who can counsel us? Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the "Wonderful Counselor." And Hebrews 4:14 - 5:7 explains that Jesus is the perfect counselor for us, because he is human in every way, yet journeyed perfectly through the wilderness of life in this world.

Central CoC Stockton Videos