Where Is God?

Chris Risley

1 Samuel 4-6

The incident where the Israelites tried to use the Ark of the Covenant as a magical talisman in order to win a battle against the Philistines demonstrates the reality that God cannot be controlled by anyone. He is in control even when it does not seem so. God uses pain and suffering to get our attention so that we will turn to him. He does not want any to perish but wants all to receive eternal life.

The Lowest Point

Dennis McCallum

1 Samuel 4-7

The story of the Ark of the Covenant being lost to the Philistines is the story of God repudiating the idea that man can use spiritual magic to control God. The Israelites tried to use the Ark as a magical item to attain victory in battle but God did not honor that use of the Ark. The Israelites were badly defeated and had the Ark stolen by the Philistines.

God's Glory

Mike Sullivan

Ezekiel 3:12-11:20

Through a vision, God reveals to Ezekiel the ways that Israel has stopped glorifying Him and instead has turned to idolatry.

The Psychological Self

James Rochford

Ezekiel 3:12-11:20

The Heart of the Matter

Jim Leffel

Jeremiah 2:1-6:30

God condemns the Israelites for turning away from Him and attempting to fulfill themselves with meaningless things. Jeremiah calls for Israel to return to God based on His love for them, not based on their worthiness. This passage point to God's character of love and his future plans to us to be reconciled to Him through Christ.

The God Who Makes Us Wait

James Rochford

Exodus 32:1-34:35

As the Israelites grew impatient, waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain, they demanded Aaron make them a golden calf to worship. God often makes us wait to hear from Him. The pressure of waiting can lead to spiritual growth or it can lead to idolatry.

The Breakdown of Faith

Conrad Hilario

Exodus 32-34

When God makes us wait, it raises big questions such as "Can I trust God?" This testing of our faith can cause it to grow just as exercise causes muscles to grow.

When Faith Breaks Down:The Golden Calf

Dennis McCallum

Exodus 32-34

While the people waited for Moses to come down from the mountain where he was talking with God, the people faltered in their faith and cast a golden calf to worship instead of God. The gold that God compelled the Egyptians to give to the Israelites that was to be used in the fashioning the ark of the Covenant and the tabernacle, the people used to form an idol because they were tired of waiting on God.

The God Who Is Ethical Part 1

James Rochford

Exodus 20:1-11

The Ten Commandments teach us that we need God to exist in order for objective morality to exist. God's moral design for us is good. We don't break God's laws;They break us! God wants us to begin by focusing on Him, focusing on what he has done, and then resting while repeating the first two.