1st And 2nd Samuel (2015)

How does a study of how God dealt with the creatures that became symbols for pagan mythological religions help us today? Listen to this lesson to learn that God’s omnipotent power crushes anything that opposes Him. Hear about the demonic forces behind the Pharaoh of Egypt when he refused to free the Israelites and see how God controlled that situation. Find out that snakes, dragons, and the sea are all used to describe sources of evil and chaos. See that we are to always have tremendous confidence that God will fulfill His plans.

Were fire-breathing dragons literal creatures in ancient times or only parts of myths and legends? Listen to this thoroughly gripping message from the Book of Job where God questions him about a creature called a leviathan. Find out about a cataclysmic cosmic battle between God and the forces of evil before the creation of man and how it relates to the terrible adversities that Job suffered. Learn that legal terms are used to describe Satan’s attendance at a convocation in Heaven where he is given permission to test Job. As you hear this message, come to a new appreciation of God’s sovereign rule over all His creation.

Think of all the strange mythological creatures you’ve seen in movies and books. Would it surprise you to learn that they are actual creatures created by God and have been used by pagan religions to portray their gods and goddesses in rebellion against God? Listen to this lesson to learn about their descriptions in the Bible and about a great battle that took place in eternity past. See that the forms of these creatures were incorporated as a part of the creation of man and animals in Genesis. Find out the role of fire in the angelic realm. Lesson includes a presentation by J. T. Ford, who will shortly be going to Peru on a missions trip with CRU. Please contact Dean Bible Ministries for information on how to support J.T.

Have you ever wondered why dragons are a part of many ancient mythologies? Listen to this lesson to learn that from Job to Revelation in the Bible the devil is often referred to as a dragon or a sea creature. Hear twelve compelling points contrasting human viewpoint with divine viewpoint and see how ancient mythologies were unbelieving mankind’s attempt to explain the phenomena around them. Understand that although evil is real, believers have nothing to fear because God’s plan is to ultimately crush all evil.

Do you have confidence that God will answer your prayers? Listen to this lesson to hear a number of biblical reasons for trusting God. Hear King Solomon’s prayer where he exercises the Faith-Rest drill. Continue in Psalm 89 as Ethan calls on God’s attributes and praises God just as the angels who surround God’s throne do. As you pray, praise God’s wonders and His uniqueness and remember that God is so powerful that He can fulfill every promise He had made to us,

What determines a country’s culture? Listen to this lesson to learn that how people view God is the most important element. Hear a psalm that is written for Israel as the people have turned to idol worship and are no longer trusting God. See different crises that occurred in their history and which one the psalmist is referring to here. Find out the solution for their problems and learn that it is the same for us today involving trusting God, remembering His character, and obeying His Word.

When faced with the godless society surrounding us, how can we find stability and peace? Listen to this lesson to hear a psalm that assures us that we can rely on God’s unchanging character which never wavers no matter what is happening. See that the only rock-solid truth in the world is found in God’s Word. Find out about God’s lovingkindness, faithfulness, and loyal love. Hear the three components of the faith-rest drill and the means to use it in your time of need.

Have you ever wondered if there is a right way to pray to God? Listen to this lesson to learn about a prayer of King David’s which shows us thought-provoking elements of prayer. See the need for confession of our sins in order to cleanse ourselves. Find out the necessity for understanding God’s authority and our role as God’s servant. Consider what posture we should assume when we pray and if the Bible prescribes one. Know that we can bring the promises of God to Him in prayer and ask that they be fulfilled in our lives and the lives of others.

How does God use people who seem utterly insignificant as far as this world is concerned? Listen to this message to hear about David’s background and see that he came from an obscure father who considered David as the least of his children. Find out that the Davidic Covenant God made assures David he will always have a descendant ruling over Jerusalem. Hear many Old Testament prophecies about the covenant’s future fulfillment. Realize that no matter how insignificant we may be, if we trust in Christ as our Savior we can serve God.

Why are so many people angry with Jews and Christians in the world today? Listen to this message to learn that this results from people who have rejected God’s sovereign rule over His creation and are living in spiritual darkness. Hear about the prophet Isaiah when he confronted King Ahaz of Israel and was told by God to take his young son with him as an object lesson for what the king needed to hear. When faced with frightening news, find out that we can always trust that God is in control and that He provides for His people.

All through the ages people have dreamed of a perfect utopia. Will there ever be a true utopia on this earth? Listen to this lesson to hear about God’s plan involving the Millennial Kingdom that begins as a perfect society. Find out that Isaiah prophesied about a descendant of David, the Messiah, who would rule on David’s throne during that future Kingdom. Hear the background for the prophecy concerning the virgin birth of Jesus as a sign to King Ahaz. Be assured that God always keeps His promises and all the prophecies in the Bible will be fulfilled at the right time.

What covenant was in effect when the Lord Jesus Christ was born? Listen to this lesson to learn that Christ is a descendant of David and the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. See the importance of intertextual connections by hearing David’s prophecies about the Messiah in the psalms. Find out their intertextual connections in Acts. Understand the significance of Christ being the Son of God.

What is the connection between the Davidic Covenant and biblical prophets? Listen to this lesson to see a chronological chart of the prophets. Follow Hosea, Joel, and Amos who all had negative messages about Israel’s condition to deliver in their day but always ended with hope in the future days when Israel would return in repentance and the Davidic Covenant would be fulfilled. See that their message of God’s forgiveness no matter how much Israel sinned is ours to claim today and that it’s not dependent on us but on God’s faithfulness.

Why do we need to learn about the covenants in the Bible? Listen to this lesson to learn that the covenants tell us God’s promises through which the whole world will be blessed. See that the Davidic Covenant is referred to many times by the prophets and that it is an eternal covenant which can only be fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ who is a descendant of David in His humanity. Find out why it is to be interpreted literally. Enjoy the assurance and confidence that these covenants provide us that God always keeps His Word.

Why was David blessed with an eternal covenant? Listen to this lesson to learn that David, like Abraham, served God loyally. Hear seven stipulations of the Davidic Covenant and a number of confirmations in the Psalms and the prophets. See a comparison of the many similarities between the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants and learn that the Davidic Covenant will not be fulfilled until the Second Coming of Christ. After hearing this message we should ask ourselves if we are loyally serving God with our lives.

How can we trust that God will fulfill His promises to us? Listen to this lesson to see that from the beginning of human history God has made covenants with mankind which are legally binding. Learn what the definition of a covenant is and hear about eight biblical covenants. Find out details of the New Covenant and who it applies to and when it will be fulfilled. See the comparison between a Suzerain-vassal covenant and a Royal Grant. Rest in the assurance that God’s promises to us will be fulfilled just as the covenants are being fulfilled.

What makes Israel different from all other nations? Listen to this lesson to learn that God has covenants with the Jewish people that have specific elements that He has with no other peoples on the earth. Learn that there are at least eight biblical covenants, beginning with three with Gentiles that start in the first chapter of Genesis. Then hear about five covenants with Israel which have elements in them yet to be fulfilled. Find out that the Davidic Covenant refers to the House of David, which is fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then hear Dr. Chris Cone discuss Calvary University and Seminary and its mission to prepare Christians to live the spiritual life and to serve Christ in the church and in the world.

What did David learn from his first attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem? Listen to this lesson to understand that in order to please God things must be done God’s ways. Find out that after a man died after touching the ark, David took time to find out God’s precise directions which He had revealed. Hear the events surrounding the thrilling arrival of the ark in Jerusalem as it was honored as God’s dwelling place. This should make us ask ourselves whether we are submitting to the authority of God in our lives or whether we are trying to do things our way as we submit to our sin natures. Dr. Dean mentioned a book entitled A Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles during this Bible study.

What does the New Testament say about how Christians are supposed to worship? Listen to this lesson to learn that not as much is said about worship as is found in the Old Testament. Hear the Greek words that are used for worship. Learn that Jesus lived on this earth at a time when the Jews were apostate but He made a habit of attending synagogue and the Temple. Hear how he warned people against worshiping in a way to gain approval from others rather than to praise God. Learn nine aspects of biblical worship for believers as a summary of this mini-series.

How did the Jews worship God during the times they were under discipline and out of the land? Listen to this lesson to hear about what happened during the times of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Ezra. Hear the part Cyrus, the King of Persia, played in this. Find out the mindset of the prayers of confession as they acknowledged why they were being disciplined and the decisions they realized they needed to make. Hear about the inter-testamental period and how they became zealous for the Law. Believers can follow the principles of the patterns of worship the Jews followed which involved organization and structure.