Lenexa Baptist Church

The story of Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, is a remarkable story. He and his wife were newly married but found themselves increasingly frustrated and disappointed with the course of their lives. In the midst of that time, Bill sensed God calling him to surrender his life totally and completely to Him. Bill and his wife obeyed. They made a list of all their dreams, plans and goals and signed them over to God. Apart from salvation, it was the greatest decision of their lives. It began what Bill would refer to as the “Great Adventure.” This adventure would come with a cost. Bill sold his company and left his courses at Fuller Seminary. There was great uncertainty, many risks and various trials, but God was always there to protect, provide and guide. As they laid down their dreams, they found that their dreams paled in comparison to God’s dreams. In our passage this weekend, we find David in the midst of his adventure of following God. His adventure, like the Brights, had many ups and downs, difficulties and dangers. However, God was always there bringing him into a brighter day in the fulfillment of a plan that was bigger than what he could ever have imagined. I pray you will join us for worship this weekend as we consider the grand adventure of following Christ! — Pastor Chad

Years ago, a mathematical formula was developed to determine the odds of all the appropriate factors necessary to create and sustain life. The determination was that it is virtually impossible. In other words, there are a lot of scientific coincidences that are sustaining your life right now. If you believe that life is a product of time and chance, then you will likely be an evolutionist. If you believe, however, in a personal God who is sovereign over creation and orchestrates everything for His glory, then you will be a creationist, regardless of whether or not you physically see His hand. In our text this week, David will face all kinds of circumstances, both good and evil. While we don’t physically see the hand of God, and we may not even see His name, God is orchestrating it all. God is behind all of it, bringing it all together towards the completion of His perfect will. This is a critical lesson and principle for our lives. Like David, you will face all kinds of situations and circumstances, and you must decide before those things occur. Does life hinge upon a bunch of luck and coincidences? Or is there a personal, almighty, holy God who loves you and is sovereign over every aspect of your life, orchestrating every event according to His plan for His glory? When we come to a place of trusting in God and believing in His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins, we are then able to trust God’s heart even when we can’t see His hand. I pray that you will join us this weekend as we look to God and His Word and rest in His sovereign grace. — Pastor Chad

Have you ever found yourself in a place of deep, emotional pain with the realization that you are responsible for the circumstances? In 2 Samuel 15, we find David at the lowest point in his reign. His family is a mess. His son has betrayed him and led a coup against him. His closest adviser has helped to engineer the rebellion. Everything that he loved and gave his life for was crumbling right in front of him, and what made it worse was the realization that he was responsible. Have you ever been to a place like this — a place of emotional pain and betrayal with a full awareness of your own sin? At some point, we will each find ourselves there. It is part of living as sinners in the midst of a fallen world. The valleys of life remind us that we are sojourners, and we have not yet arrived. We are saved, but that salvation is not fully realized. We have been redeemed from Egypt, but we are not yet in Canaan. David gives us hope, though. In fact, we get to read not only the details of David’s circumstances, but we have his prayer journal. Psalm 3 is the accompaniment to this point in David’s life. David encourages us that he made it through the valley, and so will we! I pray you will join us this weekend as we worship the One who is our shield, our glory, and the One who lifts our heads. — Pastor Chad

Have you ever found yourself in a place of deep, emotional pain with the realization that you are responsible for the circumstances? In 2 Samuel 15, we find David at the lowest point in his reign. His family is a mess. His son has betrayed him and led a coup against him. His closest adviser has helped to engineer the rebellion. Everything that he loved and gave his life for was crumbling right in front of him, and what made it worse was the realization that he was responsible. Have you ever been to a place like this — a place of emotional pain and betrayal with a full awareness of your own sin? At some point, we will each find ourselves there. It is part of living as sinners in the midst of a fallen world. The valleys of life remind us that we are sojourners, and we have not yet arrived. We are saved, but that salvation is not fully realized. We have been redeemed from Egypt, but we are not yet in Canaan. David gives us hope, though. In fact, we get to read not only the details of David’s circumstances, but we have his prayer journal. Psalm 3 is the accompaniment to this point in David’s life. David encourages us that he made it through the valley, and so will we! I pray you will join us this weekend as we worship the One who is our shield, our glory, and the One who lifts our heads. — Pastor Chad

Sometimes the most painful hurts we encounter in life come from those who are closest to us. Certainly, this was the case between Absalom and David. Absalom murdered David’s eldest son, Amnon, to avenge his sister’s rape. Can you imagine the emotional pain that David must have felt? It is hard to imagine how anyone could care perfectly for their family in the midst of that kind of relational heartache. Despite all the pain, David brought Absalom home, established boundaries, and eventually welcomed Absalom with a kiss. How did Absalom respond to his father’s kindness and forgiveness? He conspired to overthrow his father’s kingdom. He slandered his dad and forced him out of the nation. It is the sad commentary on the sinfulness of man and the cost that is brought to bear in our lives when we don’t forgive and repent of our sins. There is much to learn in our scripture passage, and I pray that you will plan to join us this weekend as we worship the Lord in song and the study of His Word. In Christ, Pastor Chad

What a great Easter weekend! It was so good to meet and greet so many new faces in all our worship services. Thank you for inviting your friends and family members to worship with us. I pray that every guest was pointed to the wonder and glory of Christ who lived, died and rose for our redemption, salvation and reconciliation. This weekend, we will turn our attention back to 2 Samuel 14. Our passage is a difficult text and probably not one that you will find in the Little Golden Book of children’s stories. But make no mistake, this passage has real relevance for our lives. Both David and Absalom demonstrate the need for forgiveness and reconciliation and the danger when they are not achieved in a biblical way. If you have no conflict in your life and never sin against anyone, feel free to take the weekend off. For the rest of us, I look forward to seeing you this weekend as we seek to align our lives to the plumb line of God’s truth in His Word. — Pastor Chad

How essential is the resurrection to our faith? Is it possible to be a Christian and not believe in the resurrection? What do we lose if we lose the resurrection, and what do we gain in the resurrection? This weekend, we will invite the apostle Paul, on the basis of his words to the Corinthians, to instruct us on the most important questions and the essential nature of the resurrection. I pray you will join us at one of our many worship opportunities this weekend. Invite a friend, a family member, or co-worker to join you as we worship the resurrected Christ! He is risen! He is risen, indeed! — Pastor Chad

On the very first palm Sunday, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, there was a lot of excitement. People were waving palm branches. They were quoting scripture. There was so much nationalistic excitement. But I believe if you had asked someone on that day what was happening there, I think they would have said, “I’m not really sure.” I think they probably would have said, “I’m not really sure.” They were excited, and they could quote scripture, but they had a total misunderstanding of why Christ came. This week as we look at the triumphal entry in John 12:12-19, we will find that Jesus makes plain why He came. This is so important. All of our study of Scripture and Christ’s life is meaningless if we don’t understand the purpose for which He came. I pray you will make plans to join us this weekend at one of our services or at one of our campuses as we worship Christ in song and in the study of His word. — Pastor Chad

Join us this weekend as we continue to look at David's life and the lasting consequences of sin. It's going to be a great weekend at LBC.

Sin always has consequences. While David has been forgiven and his sins put away, the effects will continue to be felt for generations, starting with his eldest son, Amnon. Few stories in the Old Testament demonstrate more fully the depravity of man and the deceitfulness of our hearts. I pray you will read 2 Samuel 13 in preparation for this weekend’s message. NOTE TO PARENTS: I would also like to issue a word of warning to parents. The text addresses content that you might not be ready to address with your children. Please know that I always do my best to be aware that children are in the audience and make the message appropriate for all audiences. However, because of the nature of this text, I wanted to give you a heads up. With this in mind, I pray that you would make every effort to join us this weekend at one of our campuses as we see again how God, even in the midst of sinful circumstances, points us forward to our perfect Savior, King Jesus. — Pastor Chad

The nation of Israel had never been so spiritually alive. God kept every promise to David, and the nation flourished. The nation was politically stable, unbelievably wealthy and militarily powerful, and at the peak of this unprecedented prosperity, David was on the precipice of spiritual disaster. How could this be? How could he have resisted so many temptations in dangerous, difficult days, and then yield at the height of success? The greatest enemy of our souls is the selfish pride at the core of our fallen natures. If we look deep enough, this is what we will find feeding the strong sinful cravings of our appetites, and this is why prosperity can be so spiritually dangerous. Adversity keeps us humbly desperate for God, but seasons of success can be our most perilous because we are so easily deceived into thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. I pray this weekend you would join us as we learn to walk in humble desperation for God so that we might glorify Him in every season. — Pastor Chad

There are many ways to effectively #liveoutward, but sometimes we miss seeing some of the most obvious opportunities that are so close we could reach out and touch them. In Acts 28, Paul was dealing with more distractions than are even imaginable. He survived a shipwreck, survived his captors, survived a deadly snake bite. Paul somehow kept his focus on the opportunities around him, and God opened the door for him to minister and share with the people of Malta. This week we will look at a very unique and important opportunity to #liveoutward and learn some basic skills of our LBC Cares Ministry.

When Jesus gives us instructions regarding making disciples, he intentionally gives baptism a place of primary importance. Beyond this, Jesus, Himself, was baptized. At the birth of the Church in Acts, 3,000 people repented of their sins and were baptized. One cannot read the New Testament without being impressed by the significance of baptism to Christ and the Church. Even with such a high priority, however, there is often so much confusion regarding baptism. When should baptism occur? What does it mean? Who should be baptized? This weekend we will look together at God’s Word to see what He has to say about baptism, and, as always, we will evaluate our lives based on the plumb-line of His Word. I pray that you will not miss this weekend. I am praying and trusting that we will see God move in a very powerful way. I encourage you to pray with me. We are trusting God for big things because we serve a big God!

In 1982 God led Brother Andrew, the founder of an organization called “Open Doors,” to launch a seven-year campaign for the opening of the Communist Bloc. Seven years later in 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. A door was opened for religious liberty and the spread of the gospel into Eastern Europe and even the Soviet Union. In Revelation 3:7-8, Jesus says to the church at Philadelphia, “I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” God is able to open doors that no one can shut and close doors that no one can open. What doors of ministry are you praying that the Lord would open for you? Please plan to join us this weekend as we study God’s Word, learn more about open doors for ministry, and seek to #liveoutward for the glory of Christ!

The teaching and discipleship ministry is to the church what an engine is to a car. You can have a beautiful car with a perfect paint job, immaculate interior, and the best technology, but without a working engine, the car is useless. It is nothing more than a showpiece. When a church fails in the area of discipleship, we are nothing more than a showpiece. This is so critical to the success of our church and to our individual walk with Christ. I pray you will join us this weekend as we look at the essentials of discipleship. You will be encouraged and challenged. I also encourage you to invite someone to join you. We may focus on discipleship, but we can’t focus on discipleship without also focusing on the greatness of the gospel. Don’t forget we also have a Saturday night service at 5 pm in the main sanctuary. You can also watch on online or join us at Reach Paola, Reach Raytown, and Reach De Soto! — Pastor Chad

Why has God left us here? Why didn’t He just take us home at the moment of salvation? Why not just hold a person under the water and send them to glory at the moment of baptism? The answer is simple. It is found throughout the pages of God’s Word. It is the conclusion to every gospel written, and for good measure, it was added at the front end of the book of Acts. We call it the Great Commission. This is the one area in which God has called us both individually and corporately to succeed. As C.S. Lewis once said, “If you are not involved in the Great Commission, then you and God are eternally out of step.” It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned saint, a new believer, or just an interested outsider, this weekend’s passage is for you. Please make plans to be in church this weekend as we gather around the truth of God’s Word. — Pastor Chad

Over the past few weeks, we have considered the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament law and prophets create a door frame through which only one man can enter. He is the anticipation of Adam and Eve after the fall. He is the hope of David. He is the focus of Isaiah. Then…He comes. In a world held in darkness and sin, the Savior arrives. The event is supernatural. He is virgin-born. The explanation is just as important. Why did God become a man? Why must Jesus be the virgin-born Son of God? This is the greatest question of Christianity. We can’t afford to miss in this area of life because the consequences are eternal. I hope and pray that each of you will join us for one of our Christmas Eve services this weekend. Remember, our schedule this year is a bit different from previous years. We will have two “Eve Eve” services on Saturday: 5 pm & 7 pm. Then on Sunday morning, Christmas Eve, we will have services in the K-Hall and the Worship Center at both 9:30 am and 11 am. All services will be candlelight and communion Christmas Eve services. Plan to worship with us. If you are not able to join us for one of these times, an edited version of the service will be available on all our platforms on Sunday afternoon. I hope to see you this weekend and pray that each of you have a Merry Christmas! — Pastor Chad

We live in a day that might rightly be described as dark. Culturally, morally and politically we see an ever-encroaching darkness. The prophet Isaiah lived in a similar day. Not only was it a time of economic, moral, and political darkness, but the people themselves had become darkened by sin and idolatry. In the midst of this darkness, Isaiah writes to offer hope: not the hope of the world, but a biblical hope and a confident expectation that God would fulfill all His promises. It’s not an immediate and earthly hope, but an ultimate and eternal hope in God’s salvation, that amid their darkness, LIGHT was coming. Hope was on the horizon. This hope would not come in the form of a revived economy, a strengthened military, or a new political system, but in the form of a Jewish Son who would be born to them. This is the hope of the world. This is the reason we celebrate Christmas. I pray you will join us this weekend as we continue our Prophecy Fulfilled series and look to the hope of the world and what many have described as the Hallelujah Chorus of God’s Word. — Pastor Chad

As you come to the end of each of the gospel accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, you find the world coming together against Christ. Jews, Gentiles, Pharisees, Herodians, the religious and even criminals gathered in rejection of Christ. The diversity of the world united in one thought: they didn’t want Christ as their King. They rejected Him and killed Him, and it begs a question. This question is one that they had to ask themselves, and at some point, each of us must ask ourselves: who is Jesus? This week as we continue our series “Prophecy Fulfilled,” we will turn our attention to Psalm 2. This psalm is a coronation psalm for a king, and according to all the New Testament writers, it finds its fulfillment in one person. I pray you will join us this weekend as we look to the King of kings and the Lord of lords, Jesus Christ!

In Galatians 4, Paul says, “But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” Jesus did not just happen upon the world. He came in accordance with the perfect plan of God. The entire Old Testament anticipates the coming of Christ. The Bible is a book about Jesus, and if we really want to understand His appearing, we must go back to the beginning. I pray that you will worship with us this weekend as we look at the earliest prophecy of Christ’s appearing and rejoice in the wonder of prophecy fulfilled.

Have you ever had an act of kindness backfire on you and under your breath you were repeating that old phrase, “No good deed goes unpunished?” This weekend King David will again extend kindness. This time, however, his kindness is rejected and the consequences for the Syrians and the Ammonites are disastrous. You and I experience God’s kindness every day. Every breath we take and every beat of our heart is a gift of God’s kindness and grace. God’s expressions of kindness in our life are too numerous to count, and His kindness towards us should lead us to repentance and faith (Romans 2:4). That was the response of Mephibosheth. He responded in humility, faith, and repentance, and he knew the king’s blessing and salvation. For others, they presume upon the kindness of God and their hearts grow hard to Him. How we respond to the kindness of God has eternal consequences. This is a very serious matter. I pray that you will join us this weekend as we consider the kindness of God, and prayerfully our response will not be like the foolish Ammonites. Let us gladly receive our kind and patient King with thankfulness and joy!

Nothing warms the heart more than when you see another person show a random act of kindness to another. During this time of the year, those actions tend to be more prevalent as Christmas draws near. This weekend our study in 2 Samuel 9 takes us to one of the most touching illustrations of tender mercy, when King David honors the memory of Jonathan, his trusted friend, by taking care of his son Mephibosheth. Not only did David return to Mephibosheth all the land of his Grandfather, Saul, but he invited Mephibosheth to have a seat at the table of the king himself. This is a reminder to us all that, one day, all who follow Jesus will also have a seat at the table of The King. Compassion reveals the heart of a person, join us this weekend as we study the heart of God through His word and this beautiful example of mercy.

In our pledge of allegiance, we repeat a phrase at the end that is near and dear to our hearts, “…one nation, under God with liberty and justice for all.” This was the desire of our founding fathers. A nation where liberty and justice prevail. America has been a wonderful beacon of hope for this ideal, but America is not perfect. Liberty and justice don’t always prevail. This week as we turn our attention to 2 Samuel 8, we find God establishing His kingdom under David. In v.15 it says, “David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.” David ruled with justice and righteousness. He showed no favoritism. It was beautiful. It wasn’t perfect, but it was probably as close to perfect as it has ever been under a human king. This is the longing of man: a kingdom where justice, righteousness and liberty prevail. America has not achieved it. Israel under David will come close but will fall short. One day, however, a kingdom will be established in perfect righteousness and justice under the King of kings and Lord of lords, King Jesus. I pray you will join us this weekend as we look to the establishment of David’s kingdom that ultimately points us forward to King Jesus.

Sometimes, in our parenting, we need to tell our kids “No” because there is a bigger and better plan for their future. Last week, we saw that David’s good intention of building a house for God wasn’t what God had in mind. Still, in His graciousness, God showed David His plans for David’s entire lineage. This week we dig deeper into what God has done and what God is going to do for David. But His goodness stretches beyond David and into our own lives. When was the last time you really pondered the goodness and grace of God in your life? Prior to worship on Sunday, I would encourage you to read Ephesians 2. Then, sit down in prayer and praise. In doing so, you might get a taste of what David experienced in 2 Samuel 7:18-29. I pray you will join us this weekend as we worship the God who has overwhelmed us in the grace demonstrated through the giving of His Son Jesus.

In 2 Samuel 7, King David finds himself in a place of comfort now that peace has come to Israel. David says to Nathan, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.” He is concerned the Lord does not have a proper dwelling place and wonders if he should construct one. This is a kind thought, however, God has a different path for the construction of a future temple and David’s role in it. King David’s journey offers insight for us today when we find ourselves trying to discern good from best. Join Pastor Chad this weekend as he takes us through a study of God’s Word and navigates the truths of this text.

Mad, sad and then glad. That is the progression of David as he leads the ark to Jerusalem. He is initially upset and angered by the Lord’s discipline. He will then have a time of separation from God in sadness, but as we will see this weekend, David will know the joy of a changed life and fellowship with the Lord. If you walk with the Lord long enough, you will have the same experience. It’s the goodness of the Lord who loves us too much to leave us where we are. I pray you will join us this weekend.

It was to be the most joyous day of David’s new reign. The ark was coming home. It was an amazing celebration with singing, dancing and instruments, but suddenly, the party stops. The party stops because a man is lying dead. Nothing like a dead body to ruin the fun. Why is he dead? He reached out to prevent the Ark from falling to the ground and God struck him dead. The party stops, King David is angry and the ark is set to the side. This is one of the most difficult and often misinterpreted texts in the book of Samuel. But make no mistake, there is an incredibly significant truth that God must teach David. Beyond this, there is a very practical and significant truth that God desires to teach us. I pray that you will make plans to join us this weekend as we learn more about the holiness of God and what God requires of those who desire to worship Him.

It has been said that the best things in life are a long time coming. David has been waiting on the fulfillment of God’s promise to make him king. The nation has been waiting on the fulfillment of God’s promise that the land would be completely theirs. David has been waiting for 15 years with the obstacle of King Saul and his house standing in his way. The nation has been waiting for 300 years to finally rid the land of the Jebusites and finally take Jerusalem with the fortified walls of the city standing in their way. David and the nation will learn two very important truths in 2 Samuel 5 that are necessary for us to remember as well. One, the barriers that are seemingly keeping us from the fulfillment of God’s promises are not obstacles but opportunities for the Lord to demonstrate His power. Second, time and distance never diminish the promises of God. Please join us this week as we worship our Savior and turn our attention to the God who always keeps His promises.

There is an unlikely tale about the brilliant Renaissance artist Michelangelo. He was asked about the difficulties that he must have encountered in sculpting his masterpiece, David. He replied with an unassuming and comical description of his creative process: It is easy. You just chip away the stone that doesn’t look like David. In our study this week, after approximately 15 years of pain, trial and difficulty, David will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Over half his life has been an upward ascension towards the fulfillment of God’s promise to him. In the process, he has achieved what probably feels like a PhD in Pain. But God has changed him. God has been chipping away at all the parts of his life that don’t look like Christ. The problem was never making David king. God could have removed every obstacle and established David as king immediately. The ultimate goal, however, was not just to make David king, but to make David look like Christ. What God did in David’s life is not unique to him. God works in a very similar way in our lives. He gives us promises and His Word and then goes to work chipping away at all the parts of our lives that don’t look like Jesus. The process can be painful, but the byproduct is beautiful. I pray you will join us this weekend as we look to the Word of God and the One who divinely sculpts our lives for His glory.

The events of 2 Samuel 3 are incredibly messy. Sin pervades this chapter of civil war in Israel, and you are left wondering, “What good could possibly come from this?” And yet, if we look closely, I think we will see that so much of this chapter reflects our own lives. We make messes. We sin. Our sin matters, and it has consequences that are painful and even leave us in tears, and we, too, are left wondering, “Lord, what good could possibly come out of this?” The encouragement of this text is that God is at work! God is still working despite the messes and even through the messes. God is still building His Kingdom. God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. And everything that happens to David is pointing us forward to the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords, Jesus Christ. One day, as Revelation 11:15 states, “The kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” I pray that you will join us this weekend as we focus our attention on King Jesus, the One who brings good news to the afflicted, binds up the broken hearted, proclaims liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.

This weekend as we turn our attention to the latter portion of 2 Samuel 2, we will see a first in Israel, civil war. Israel had no guidelines, rules, or laws from God as it pertains to civil war because it was never part of the design. In the sinfulness of man and the deceitfulness of Satan, however, civil war will break out and it will be ugly. Death is the overwhelming theme of this chapter and where does it start, a bad politician. Abner refuses to submit to David as King. It is a mutiny against the Lord and His anointed. And in this mutiny, we see a vivid commentary on the nature of politics and war and even more we are reminded of the only great King who will bring unity to God’s people, King Jesus. I pray you will make every effort to join us. The corporate gathering of God’s people is a sacred moment. Our gathering and your attendance builds up the body of Christ, sends a message to the world, and glorifies Christ. I pray you will join us!

As David begins his reign, he writes a song of personal grief. David grieves the loss of Saul and Jonathan. He remembers past days of faithfulness as the king and the nation walked in faithfulness to God and knew His blessing. He also grieves what has been lost in disobedience and sin. Saul started off so well but sin ate his latter years. Sin and disobedience took away his opportunity to reign. Sin took his son to death. Sin took the army into defeat and sin ultimately cost him his life. Sin always costs us more than we want to pay. Sin matters. And this lesson must be taught to the nation. That’s why David will make it a national song of lament. A song to be taught to their children. Why? Because David knew as the old saying goes, “Those who do not learn history are destined to repeat it.”

Most of us have thought at one time or another, “If I could just get through this, then everything will be smooth sailing.” For most of David’s journey, he literally had to run and fight for his life. Now, as we open to 2 Samuel 1, David will finally be anointed king. You would think that everything would settle down, but no. The first thing he faces is a dilemma between Judah and Israel. In our text, God gives us a clear picture of what can be expected in the Christian life: certainly trials and challenges, but also the fulfillment and hope of His glorious promises.

Johnny Manziel hit the High School football scene dazzling fans with his natural skills & ability. After being pursued by several colleges, Johnny landed at Texas A&M. In 2012, he led his team to beat the unbeatable, Alabama Crimson Tide, and earning the nick name Johnny Football and becoming the first college freshman to ever win the Heisman. As a sophomore in 2014, he was drafted by the NFL to go pro. His career took off like a rocket but fizzled out due to a series of bad decisions and lack of discipline. As we look to our study in 1 Samuel 31 this weekend, we’ll recall King Saul’s promising start, but ended in tragedy. His death, which is the focus of this final chapter, is a powerful warning to us all. A warning of the end of every person and the foolishness of trusting in anyone or anything other than King Jesus.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century, was martyred by the Nazi’s during WW2. While in a concentration camp, he wrote a hymn. One stanza says this, “And when this cup You give is filled to brimming with bitter suffering, hard to understand, we take it thankfully and without trembling, out of so good and beloved hand.” Bonhoeffer expresses a truth that every man or woman of faith has had to learn. Every single trial, affliction, loss, or pain that we experience in the kind and gracious providence of God is an investment in our lives to bear fruit in our service to Him. It is the example of Christ. Costliness and fruitfulness go hand in hand in God’s kingdom work. This week we find David again in a tight spot. He and his men have lost everything. They are experiencing deep pain and frustration yet God is at work. God is working to shape David. He is making an investment in David’s life that will make him even more fruitful in his service as king. In fact, the fruitfulness of his suffering continues in service to us today. What a wonderful truth. I pray this week as we turn our attention to God’s Word we could see that in the midst of our pain and affliction how God is investing something special in us that will bear fruit in our service to Him. And beyond this, at the end of chapter 30, we get a glimpse of God’s great and final victory. Don’t miss out on worshiping with us this weekend as we look to the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our afflictions.

August 6, 2023 Scott Dawson This week’s message comes from Philippians 1, which challenges us to focus our attention solely on Jesus. Paul offers clear instruction on living out our Christian faith in prayer through the love, knowledge, sincerity, and purpose found in Christ. Worship with LBC this weekend and consider bringing someone you know who needs encouragement right now.

For centuries, curiosity and intrigue has always surrounded the idea of speaking to the dead. In our text this weekend, from 1 Samuel 28, its noted that Saul seeks after a medium and learns what’s coming next. The news is quite disturbing. Does Scripture have more to say about engaging in this kind of activity? Is it demonic? What was Saul’s relationship with God at the time? You won’t want to miss this week’s message on whether you come on Saturday at 5pm or Sunday at 9:30 & 11am.

This week David finds himself in another tight spot. Will he risk another confrontation with Saul or flee for protection? On the surface, it’s easy to be critical of David’s choice. His choice is not unlike most decisions we face. The decisions we make in life are not always between good and evil, but better or best. In this passage, I will unveil some important principles to help guide our decision making. Together, we’ll discover the underlying truth about God that sustains us even when the decisions we make result in difficult consequences. These passages may be old historically, but they are fresh and new in their practicality for our lives today. I pray you will have an opportunity to join us as we study the enduring, eternal, infallible truth of God’s Word. See you this weekend, Pastor Chad McDonald.

Despite his circumstances, David’s faithfulness and trust in the Lord enabled him to escape the threats he often faced. Two very different men, David and Saul, on a trajectory determined by God’s ultimate plan and the choices each would make to either surrender to God or pretend to know God. This week’s message will challenge believers and nonbelievers alike to consider their path and walk with God.

A Church for all generations. Weekly Sermons from Lenexa Baptist Church.

A Church for all generations. Weekly Sermons from Lenexa Baptist Church.

How do we respond when we are treated unjustly? Our natural response is anger and vengeance. God’s people must be marked in a different way. In this passage, the voice of God comes to David from an unusual source. When confronted with God’s Word, he will extend forgiveness, trust God, and move forward in faithfulness. It is a powerful and relevant lesson for all of us as we seek to imitate King Jesus. The ability to extend forgiveness and trust God must be a defining mark of those who follow Christ.

This week, in 1 Samuel 25, David sends his men to seek provisions from a man named Nabal. David’s men quickly discovered that Nabal was a bitter man who only cared for himself. David’s response was to bring harm to Nabal but, ultimately, God judged Nabal’s selfishness and also prevented David from doing something he might later regret. How we respond to those who wrong us requires that we wait upon the Lord and trust that He will deal with them in His perfect time.

In 1984, the movie Karate Kid was a huge blockbuster hit. One of the most famous lines from the film was, “No mercy,” which was the mantra of the Cobra Kai Karate School. In the end, it proved to be a poor example of what anyone should live by. This week, in 1 Samuel 24:1-22, David finds himself in a situation that could have brought an immediate end to King Saul’s life. Instead, David spared Saul’s life. This week’s message offers a beautiful picture of what Christ has done for each of us; He gives mercy.

As believers in Christ, we are called to persevere. It is the defining mark of a true believer. But how do we persevere? Our text this week gives us a practical view of how God supports His people to persevere through the dark days of life. Through a faithful friend, the Word of God, and an amazing rescue, God will support and strengthen David in every way, reassuring him that he has no need to fear because the story has already been written, and His promises never fail.

With the current landscape of society today, it’s sad that even the most heinous of crimes don’t shock most people anymore. This weekend in 1 Samuel 22, King Saul performs his darkest act yet, the brutal murders of 85 priests. How are we to respond when there’s so much evil in the world? This weekend’s message will help answer that question and direct us to the only true hope, a sovereign and Holy Savior.

Throughout 1 Samuel, David’s exploits, courage and dedication to the Lord have become renowned in all of Israel. Yet now, the one who’s named “a man after God’s own heart” has become timid and afraid. Whether everyone admits it or not, we all face times like this in life. What does God’s word say to us about returning to the only true source of strength? This week’s message will guide us to God’s truth.

When Jonathan realized his father’s intentions were to kill David, he was shaken. Saul was not the father Jonathan believed him to be. Brokenhearted, Jonathan reminded David of their covenant between each other and the Lord. Sadly, some people are not always as they seem, and it can be highly disappointing. In this week’s message, Pastor Chad helps focus our attention on the Savior, the One who can heal and work all things for our good and for His glory.

C.S. Lewis once stated, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” In 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan and David solidify their friendship through understanding of each other and a like faith based on God’s truth. There’s nothing better than having those you can trust, and they can trust in you. This weekend’s message will address this special bond between to godly friends and what God expects of us as followers of Jesus.

It probably never crossed David’s mind when he was anointed by Samuel to be king of Israel that he would find himself on the run. Instead of being accepted by King Saul, he would have to flee to protect himself. Life this side heaven often takes us down paths that seem we’re headed in the wrong direction, but in the sovereignty of God’s plan it places us right in the center of His will. Pastor Chad continues the series in 1 Samuel this week from chapter 19.