Elmira Christian Center

In this sermon pastor Joel considers Absalom's return to Jerusalem and his plans to become king, reminding us that our way ends in lies and death and that only Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Ultimately, we can be encouraged to know that Jesus is a king who does not flatter, who does not fail his people, and who does not flee.

In this sermon, Pastor Keith examines Joab's scheme, Absalom's return, and David's hesitant kiss, exposing the tragic results of manipulated mercy, sentimentalism, and unresolved sin. Through a fake parable, a forced return, false beauty, and a feeble kiss, we see that every shortcut to peace—without repentance and justice—only results in greater division. Pastor Keith urges us to seek true restoration not in human schemes, but in the righteous and gracious King Jesus, who alone brings peace with God and men through the cross.

In this sermon, Pastor Keith expounds the tragic aftermath of Amnon's sin and David's silence, resulting in Absalom's vengeful murder of his brother. He exposes the fallacy of revenge without righteousness. We are exhorted to entrust judgment to the Lord rather than taking matters into our own hands, and to wait for a King who will render righteous vengeance, which is the hope we have with the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Judge of all the earth.

In this sermon, pastor Keith looks at the consequences of King David's sin, found in the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar, and exposes the destructive and disgusting nature of sin. We learn about Amnon's untamed desire and Jonadab's deceit which leads to a disgraceful and outrageous act that is left unresolved and leaves the innocent Tamar in shame. He exhorts us to put to death the desire of the flesh lest it lead us to disgrace, and encourages us to look to Christ, the faithful redeemer and the fearful judge, who does not remain silent in the face of injustice.

In this sermon on Pentecost Sunday, guest preacher Josh Jenkins (from Del Cerro Baptist Church in La Mesa, CA) looks at the second half of David's psalm of repentance, reminding us that the goal of true repentance is not merely forgiveness or restoration, but transformation. And this transformation is only made possible by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In this sermon, pastor Mitch considers David's response to being confronted by Nathan in Psalm 51 and reminds us that repentance is the way to life for both ruined and redeemed sinners. The only way out of humanity's downward spiral into sin begins with repentance, for this is where God in Christ has promised to meet us, to save us, to heal us, and to set us free.

In this sermon pastor Matt helps us see a truth revealed throughout all Scripture, that God's grace brings new life out of death. And this he does for the sake of his name and the blessing of his people. 

As we continue on with the fall of David in 2 Samuel 12, it should be no surprise to find that after taking Uriah's wife, and trying to cover it up with the “fig leaves” of Uriah's death, Yahweh now comes to David. And just like he came to Adam and Eve, he comes to David here in judgment. We've seen that even great kings like David fall like Adam, and that no sin can be hidden from God's sight. In this sermon, as the word of the Lord comes to David through the prophet Nathan, pastor Matt helps us see another simple but profound truth: the Lord will judge those who despise him.

In this sermon, pastor Matt continues to look at David's tragic fall and reminds us that no sin can be hidden from god's sight. Despite every attempt to cover up our selfish and rebellious choices, our omniscient God searches and knows all hearts

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that even great kings like David fall like Adam. No one is immune from temptations to sin, and those who think they are standing strong must take care lest they fall. But because God is faithful, our sin does not have to have the last word.

In this sermon, pastor Matt shows us that to reject God's kindness is to receive his severity. Those who refuse to respond to Christ with loyal love, but choose to continue in defiant unbelief, will only have themselves to blame when he comes to defeat his enemies.

In this sermon on Easter Sunday pastor Matt considers the story of David's lovingkindness to Mephibosheth and shows us that God's covenant love seats the unworthy at his table. Our God delights to lavish the riches of his grace up on his enemies that we might enjoy communion with him as part of his family, and he has made this possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

In this sermon, pastor Joel reminds us that, through tragedy and triumph, God faithfully provides for his beloved people. God faithfulness in the past guarantees his faithfulness in the future, and even in the heartbreak of the "not yet" we can cling to the promises of resurrection and new creation.

As we conclude our time in this mountain peak passage in the OT, we see David's response to God's word. In this sermon, pastor Matt shows us that the right response to the word of God is humble praise and expectant prayer. Great grace compels great gratitude, and rejoicing in God's covenant promises will ignite our faith as we wait for Christ's kingdom to come.

In this sermon, pastor Matt continues to unpack God's covenant with David, reminding us again that God's gracious promises to his chosen king guarantee a glorious future for his people. And the good news is that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all these promises because he is the Son of David, the Builder of the house, and the Son of God .

2 Samuel 7 is a mountain peak of the OT. It is here that all of the promises and patterns of Scripture since Genesis 1 are gathered up and filtered into God's covenant with David. It is here, at this mountain peak, that we find God doing what he does best: making promises and keeping promises, surprising us with his goodness and grace. In this sermon, pastor Mitch reminds us that God's gracious promises to his chosen King guarantee a glorious future for God's people, and that these promises to David of a glorious future for God's people, become ours in Jesus Christ.

In this sermon, pastor Matt shows how God's king brings the blessing of God's rule to his people. This is the good news of the kingdom. And like David, we too must humble ourselves before the King of kings and recognize the place where he belongs—enthroned over our lives as the source of our joy.

In this sermon, Pastor Keith examines David's failed attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, during which Uzzah, having disregarded God's holiness, is struck down for touching the untouchable. Pastor Keith argues that our Holy God must be approached according to His way and points out that God faithfully provided the way through the Law first, then in time graciously through His Son, Christ Jesus, the Way.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that God goes before his people to give them the victory through Christ. Despite relentless opposition from the enemy, we can rejoice in the gospel of his exalted king, trusting our God to always lead us in triumph until his kingdom comes on earth as in heaven

In 2 Samuel 5, the king whom Samuel had anointed years before to replace Saul is finally recognized as the rightful king over all Israel. David, the man whom God chose for himself, after his own heart, is exalted and enthroned. As always, we'll find that this story, like the whole story of Israel, anticipates the greater king God would one day raise up to wear the crown. This story is simply, as one author put it, “the gospel of the kingdom in its 1000 BC form.” In this sermon, pastor Matt shows us how God has exalted his shepherd king for the sake of his beloved people. This is the gospel of the kingdom of God, the good news of his promised salvation. For it is his Christ that has made it possible for his people to dwell in his place under his blessing.

In this sermon pastor Matt reminds us that our sovereign God is faithful to redeem his people out of every adversity. Instead of taking matters into our own hands, we must wait on the Lord, trusting he will deliver us, establish his kingdom, and bring all of his promises to pass

When Joab learned that Abner had made peace with David, he was not happy about, and decided to take matters into his own hands. 2 Samuel 3 not only recounts the tragic death of Abner, but also reveals the stark contrast between the heart of David and the heart of Joab. In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that the vengeance of man has no place in the kingdom of God. Those who belong to Christ will be marked by his love and his righteousness, by his readiness to forgive and his desire for peace, trusting that our God will one day put all things to rights.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that we must choose this day whom you will serve: God's king or our own. The good news is that God's king has been exalted and invites everyone to know his saving rule. The question is whether we will recognize and serve him faithfully, or reject him for a king of our making.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that lament is good and right in a world under death's dark shadow. We mourn the curse of sin. We weep over the reign of death. But because of the gospel, we need not grieve as those who have no hope.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds that, just like the beginning of 1 Samuel (with barren Hannah), even when all hope seems lost, death does not get the final word. The good news is that our God is in the resurrection business, and in his time and his way, his exalted king will deliver his people.

In this sermon, pastor Keith considers John 14:27 and reminds us that we do not have to be afraid because Jesus paid for our peace.

For our 2024 Advent sermon series, we will consider the four blessings traditionally associated with each week of Advent: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace, and we will do so using the Gospel of John. In this sermon, pastor Joel looks at John 15:11 and reminds us that we were created to find joy in God by receiving and giving his love.

For our 2024 Advent sermon series, we will consider the four blessings traditionally associated with each week of Advent: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace, and we will do so using the Gospel of John. In this sermon, pastor Matt shows us from John 15:9 that disciples of Jesus are to rest secure in his perfect love. We are called not only to come to Christ but to abide in him, to make ourselves at home in his love, that we may experience communion with the triune God and so bear fruit for his glory.

In this sermon, pastor Mitch reflects on the blessing of hope from John's gospel, where John declares that "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." This imagery of light shining in the darkness is the Christmas story; in this verse we find the hope of the believer and the hope for a weary and darkened world. This verse assures us that our hope is not a wish, it's not a daydream or a pipe dream, it's not unattainable or unrealistic. Our hope is a confident, expectation that we eagerly await. It's the hope that the light of God's glory and grace, which has been revealed to us in Jesus Christ, not only pierces the darkness but conquers it.

In this sermon on the death of King Saul and his sons, pastor Joel reminds us that we need a faithful king who will honor the Lord in life and death.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds of our blessed assurance: that God's king has won the battle that we might get the blessing. David shows us the kind of king that we need, one who is merciful and mighty, who takes the lead in faithfulness and generosity, who works salvation and reigns in grace.

In this sermon, as we consider Saul's climactic fall with the medium at En-dor, pastor Mitch reminds us that the most miserable and hopeless life is the one spent apart from God's all-sufficient word.

1 Samuel 27 sets up the final section of the book, where the reign of king Saul comes to an abysmal end. But the story here about David and the Philistines seems rather odd. It can be a difficult chapter to interpret, understand, and apply. But one thing is abundantly clear here (and in the chapters that follow): God continues to give success to his king. And through him, God's plan for his people Israel continues to unfold. In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that even in the darkest places, God is always at work to fulfill his purposes. And it remains God's intention to give his people success as we take the gospel of his kingdom into all the world, for the ends of the earth will be the inheritance of his King.

Psalm 54 was written by David when he was betrayed by the Ziphites. Twice these kinsmen from Judah betrayed him to Saul (1 Sam. 23:19; 26:1), but this was David's response. In this sermon, pastor Matt helps us see the reassuring truth that God is gracious and faithful to help his troubled people. We can call upon the name of the Lord in faith, knowing that he will uphold our lives and deliver us from all our enemies, and rejoice in his power to save.

In this sermon, Pastor Keith traces Nabal’s foolish response to David, David’s rash response to Nabal, Abigail’s wise response to David, and David’s faithful response to Abigail to show us that God grants us restraining grace for our faithful response. By the way of contrast with David, Pastor Keith points to great David’s greater Son […]

In this sermon, pastor Harry Fujiwara (of First Baptist Church, NYC) reminds us that, when we find ourselves in a crisis, and life seems to be caving in, our cries will be met with God's comfort. Ultimately, as we look to the savior, Jesus Christ, we will find our greatest comfort and our only hope in life and death.

In this sermon, Pastor Joel uses Psalm 57 to provide a deeper look into David's heart behind this legendary confrontation. Though slandered and hunted, we see David's confidence in God's steadfast love and faithfulness unleash extravagant praise to God. Throughout all of scripture we see that God is glorified in the vindication of His beloved, which gives us comfort and courage to trust Jesus in the midst of our pain and peril.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that we must wait for God's kingdom to come in his way and his time. It is our Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32), to make his saving rule known in our lives and in his world. And this means we can entrust our lives to him while doing what is good.

In this sermon, pastor shows us that the Lord meets his people with strength in their time of need. He is our helper, the upholder of our life, the one who will never leave us nor forsake us, and so we can trust in him for guidance, for assurance, and for deliverance whether in life or in death.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that we must choose whether we will stand with Christ or against him. We will give our allegiance to either the Son that will reign or the Dragon that will rage. Yet the gospel is that in Christ there is both refuge and comfort as we await his promised salvation

In the first half of Psalm 34 we learned to savor the goodness of our Savior. Now in the second of this psalm, pastor Keith reminds that we are to walk in the fear of the Lord once once we have tasted and seen the goodness of God. For it is only as the church walks in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit that church will multiply (cf. Acts 9:31).

In this sermon on Psalm 34, pastor Keith examines David's response to God's deliverance from Gath and encourage us to taste and see God's goodness by seeking God's help, looking to God in His promises, crying out to God in prayers and fearing God by living to please Him in Christ. He shows us how experiencing God leads us to exalting God. So, when we savor the goodness of our savior in Jesus, we can sing of His goodness and testify His gospel in gladness.

After hearing about David's flight to Gath in 1 Samuel 21, we now turn to the psalm David wrote during this time, Psalm 56. In this sermon, Jared Wilson reminds us of the good news that God is for us forever in Jesus Christ, and if God is for us, who can be against us?

In this sermon, pastor Matt shows us how 1 Samuel 21 ultimately reveals the truth of the gospel, that Jesus is the king whom God has chosen that we must follow. Like David, he was sustained in life and delivered from death so that all who come to him in believing loyalty might find rest under his saving rule.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that there only two responses to the Son of God: devoted love or foolish hate. It is only those who choose Christ above all else, who swear allegiance to him and live for his kingdom, who know the blessing of his grace and peace. It's only those who "kiss the Son," as the Psalmist says, who find refuge in him.

After reading about Saul's plot in 1 Samuel 19—how he sent men to watch David's house in order to kill him—we are now going to look at the psalm David wrote in response, Psalm 59. In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that our God will keep us safe in the mighty fortress of his love. When we are threatened by the enemy, we must keep watch, believing that our God is both able and willing to deliver us; and we must sing loud, knowing that death's dark night will soon be over.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that the kings of earth may plot and rage, but God's anointed King will reign. No hostility or opposition can hinder the coming of his kingdom. Our God will thwart every intention of his enemies in order to preserve his king and all those who are loyal to him.

In this sermon, pastor Keith shows us from 1 Samuel 18 that the LORD prospers His King and that there are only two relationships to this king: one of love and the other of hatred. Love and loyalty to David was shown by Jonathan and the people of Israel as they saw David prospering in all his undertaking, because he was with the LORD. On the other hand, Saul only showed jealousy and hositility against David. But because David was with the LORD, Saul greatly feared David. Given the two opposite relationships to God's anointed King, pastor Keith asks whether you love God's prospering King Jesus or hate him.

In this sermon, pastor Mitch shows us that God's faithful king leads us in victory over our enemies. Before we see how we need to be like David, we must see what this text reveals to us about the faithful king that God has provided for us in Jesus Christ, and how we can share in his victory over our greatest enemy: the power of sin, Satan, and death.

In this sermon, pastor Matt once again shows us that God has chosen for himself a king to shepherd his people. As David enters Saul's service, he begins to prove that he is the man of God's choosing, the son with the Spirit of Yahweh, the king-in-waiting who will one day wear the crown. But we'll also see that this story, like all sacred Scripture, points us to the gospel of Jesus Christ. And just as he was anointed “king-in-waiting” at the outset of his ministry, so all those who have received his Spirit through faith now wait patiently for the day when we will reign with him

In this sermon, pastor Matt shows how Saul's responses reveal that insisting on our kingdom our way only invites God's judgment. Yet while the true King is grieved by our sin, he is never surprised. His purposes of grace remain, and all those who submit to God's kingdom God's way will know the blessing of his life-giving rule.