Jeff Mikels

…biblical Christianity without conservative idolatry…

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The Pursuit (1 & 2 Samuel)

In the book of Samuel, everyone is chasing something. Some find what they are looking for and some don’t. Whether they find what they are pursuing depends entirely on what they are pursuing. What about us? What about you? What are you after?

Most Recent Message in this Series

Aug 28, 2022

The Pursuit Part 27 :: Summary + Q&A

In this message, Pastor Jeff gives us a summary of the entire book we call 1 & 2 Samuel and then opens it up to another Live Question and Answer session. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1-2 Samuel

All Messages in this Series

Feb 13, 2022

The Pursuit (1 & 2 Samuel) Part 01 :: Introduction

In this message, Pastor Jeff shows us how the book of Samuel fits in to the overall story of the Old Testament. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: Various

Feb 20, 2022

The Pursuit Part 02 :: Broken Beginnings

In this message, we cover the first three chapters of 1 Samuel to see the brokenness that starts the story and the ways God shows up in the midst of it all. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 1-3

Feb 27, 2022

The Pursuit Part 03 :: Out of My Control

We can’t control God even though many times we try. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 4-7

Mar 6, 2022

The Pursuit Part 04 :: What We Want

We often want what’s bad for us, and what’s more, sometimes God gives it to us. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 8-10

Mar 13, 2022

The Pursuit Part 05 :: Moments Like This

For one brief shining moment, everything was right with the world. In this message, we learn what it takes to make moments like that. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 11-12

Mar 20, 2022

The Pursuit Part 06 :: Backfire

Our efforts often backfire on us. Specifically, when God’s involved, you’ll find that trying to save yourself ends up with loss, but pursuing God’s glory ends up with greatness for you too. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 13-14

Mar 27, 2022

The Pursuit Part 07 :: God is Both

God is bigger than we think. Time and time again, he reveals to us that he is a God of BOTH judgment and grace! Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 15-16

Apr 3, 2022

The Pursuit Part 08 :: Giants Fall

In this message, we see the power of God at work in the story of David and Goliath. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 17

Apr 10, 2022

The Pursuit Part 09 :: When God Moves

If you experienced a work of God, would you receive it or reject it? Don’t be so sure. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 18-20

Apr 17, 2022

The Pursuit Part 10 :: His Law Is Love

We use 1 Samuel 21:1-9 as a jumping off point to something important Jesus taught us. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 21:1-9

Apr 24, 2022

The Pursuit Part 11 :: Under Pressure

Both David and Saul face the pressure of fearing for their lives, but they handle it far differently. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 21-22

May 1, 2022

The Pursuit Part 12 :: God’s Will or Mine

How can you tell when something is really God’s will or your own? How can you tell when it’s your time to act or to patiently wait? Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 23-24

May 8, 2022

The Pursuit Part 13 :: What’s Your Story

In this passage, a very wise woman has to respond to two very foolish men, but only one of them learns the lesson well. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 25-26

May 22, 2022

The Pursuit Part 15 :: Failure Double-Down

We close out 1 Samuel with the tragic end to King Saul, and we learn the lesson all over again that when you only care about preserving yourself, you end up losing everything. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1 Samuel 28, 31

Jun 12, 2022

The Pursuit Part 16 :: Rejecting Enemies

This week, Pastor Jeff slows things down to dig into 2 Samuel 1. What will happen when David finally hears that his enemy Saul is dead? Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 2 Samuel 1

Jun 19, 2022

The Pursuit Part 17 :: Handling Power

Special Note: The audio is different in this message because Pastor Jeff had been exposed to COVID the previous week and chose to wear a mask throughout our worship gathering. What are you like when you get a little power? In this message, we get challenged with that question in light of how king David […]

Jun 26, 2022

The Pursuit Part 18 :: Who’s In Charge Here

As David begins to take control of the whole kingdom, he experiences great victory and is determined to give credit to God. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 2 Samuel 4-5

Jul 3, 2022

The Pursuit Part 19 :: The Covenant

2 Samuel 7 is the story of God’s covenant with David. Pastor Jeff takes the opportunity this week to show us 6 major covenants in the Bible and how this Davidic Covenant still applies today! Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 2 Samuel 7

Jul 10, 2022

The Pursuit Part 20 :: Fully Present

The text says God gave David victory wherever he went… but what happens when David doesn’t go? Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 2 Samuel 8-10

Jul 17, 2022

The Pursuit Part 21 :: Abuse of Power

Perhaps the most troubling moment in David’s time as king is this encounter with Bathsheba. It’s a raw example of a powerful man abusing his power. May we learn better lessons from his example. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 2 Samuel 11-12

Jul 24, 2022

The Pursuit Part 22 :: Chasing Reconciliation

David goes deeper and deeper into a hole of failed leadership all while God is chasing him for reconciliation. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 2 Samuel 13-14

Jul 31, 2022

The Pursuit Part 23 :: Leadership Vacuum

Absalom claims the kingship, and David runs away. What does life look like when there is no true king? What does life look like when the true king isn’t following God? Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 2 Samuel 15-20

Aug 7, 2022

The Pursuit Part 24 :: Mighty Warriors

This week, we consider the long list of mighty warriors surrounding David to realize that he has never been on his own… and neither should we. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 2 Samuel 21 & 23

Aug 14, 2022

The Pursuit Part 25 :: Justice and Mercy

As we near the end of the books of Samuel, our narrator wants us to know one highly important characteristic about king David. He’s a king who makes things right whether they were his fault or not. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 2 Samuel 21:1-14 & 24

Aug 21, 2022

The Pursuit Part 26 :: Prophet King

In our final passage from 2 Samuel, we get to hear David’s final words, and a very important song he wrote. Plus, we see a glimpse that David was far more than a king. he was also a prophet. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:7

Aug 28, 2022

The Pursuit Part 27 :: Summary + Q&A

In this message, Pastor Jeff gives us a summary of the entire book we call 1 & 2 Samuel and then opens it up to another Live Question and Answer session. Speaker: Jeff Mikels :: Passage: 1-2 Samuel

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