This is the story of God's dealings with His rebellious children of Israel, after their grand exodus from Egypt. It was not long before reality set in and they soon discovered that freedom from bondage was not what they had expected. And because they fought against their circumstances and their God at every turn, they were robbed of His joy in the process. This series, is a journey with the Israelites into the wilderness, covering Exodus 12-40 and Numbers 11-21. There are so many parallels with our Christian lives in their story! Learning the Hard Way deals with the struggles of everyday Christian living and leadership. It is a life of warfare! We can expect battles with the devil, with the world and with ourselves. Our faith will be tested and stretched, strengthened, and tested again. But we are promised that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold, that He is with us in it, promising to supply all that we need if we will only trust and let Him be God.

1) Coming From a Place of Strength

    Exodus 13:17   

2) He Makes Bitter Things Sweet

   Exodus 15:22   

3) Crossing the Red Sea

   Exodus 14:10   

4) Manna Provided: What is Our Part?

    Exodus 16:1   

5) Rivers of Living Water

   Exodus 17:1   

6) Conflict Follows Victory

   Exodus 17:8   

7) God's Holiness vs Man's Sin

   Exodus 19:1   

8) Too Much of a Good Thing

   Numbers 10:11   

9) The Spies Search Out Canaan

   Numbers 13:1   

10) God's Response to Rebellion

   Numbers 12:1, 11:1, Lev 10:1   

11) A Plague and Pestilence

   Numbers 16:41   

12) Human Nature Apart from God

   Numbers 20:1   

13) Fiery Serpents: Alternative Medicine

    Numbers 21:4   

14) Balaam and the Talking Donkey

    Numbers 22:1   

15) Three Lessons From Balaam

   Numbers 23:1   

16) Moses' Unselfishness

   Numbers 27:1   

This series of messages considers four books of the Old Testament: The historical writings of Ezra and Nehemiah and the prophecies of Zechariah and Haggai. We look at them not so much academically, but as to what God is saying to us through their actions… Why are they in the Bible in the first place? This is a story of building, a story of lives in progress, a story of triumph over odds; where discouragement is overcome and victory is gained through the power of God. In these accounts, God spelled out for the people the blessings and provision promised to them if they would walk under his guidance and under his lordship from day to day. And certainly, this is the same for us in our spiritual lives…

1) God’s Ground Rules for Freedom

   Leviticus 25:2; Leviticus 26:2-12  

2) God’s Deliverance and Design

   Ezra 1:1-3; Jeremiah 25:8-9   

3) Ezra’s Altar…a Shadow of Pentecost

   Ezra 1: 35-70, 3:1-6; Acts 2   

4) The Enemy from Within

   Ezra 3:8, 11-13, 4:1-2   

5) The Enemy from Outside

   Ezra 4:1-5, 11-14, 23   

6) The Symptom of Discouragement

   Ezra 4:23b-24, 5:1-2; Haggai 1:1-11   

7) The Healthy Partnership of Fear and Faith

   Haggai 1:12-15   

8) The Fallacy of Partial Sacrifice

   Haggai 2:10-19; Ezra 6:14   

9) A Completed Work and Dedication

   Ezra 5:14-22   

10) The Role of the Royal Priest

   Ezra 7:1 - 10:44   

11) The Four Laws Under Which the Believer Lives

   Ezra 7:11-28   

12) The Completion of Ezra’s Commission

   Ezra 8:32-36; Ezra 9:1-15   

Our purpose in the Old Testament Survey is to trace the eternal plan of God throughout the scriptures to its conclusion. This study takes us, chronologically, from Genesis through Malachi; showing how the Word of God is put together and fitting each book into its proper place. It is helpful to fly over this span of time, to grasp the message of the Bible as a whole, and to know what God is saying to us through its pages. As with any ‘overview,’ inevitably we will pass over some deeper truths in order to focus on the central theme; so this synopsis may open new questions for further personal study.  

1) Genesis Part I

2) Genesis Part II

3) Job

4) Exodus Part I

5) Exodus Part II

6) Exodus - Leviticus

7) Numbers Part I

8) Numbers Part II

9) Deuteronomy

10) Joshua

11) Judges Part I

12) Judges Part II

13) Ruth

14) I Samuel 1-16

15) I Samuel 17-31

16) II Samuel

17) I Chronicles, I Kings, II Chronicles

18) Proverbs Part I

19) Proverbs Part II

20) Song of Solomon

21) Ecclesiastes

22) The Divided Kingdom

23) Elijah, I Kings 15

24) Elijah/Elisha

25) Elisha Part I

26) Elisha Part II

27) Joel

28) Jonah

29) Hosea

30) Amos

31) Isaiah Part I

32) Isaiah and Micah

33) Isaiah Part II

34) Isaiah Part III

35) Nahum - Zephaniah

36) Jeremiah Part I

37. Jeremiah Part II

38) Habakkuk

39) Daniel Part I

40) Daniel Part II

41) Daniel Part III

42) Daniel Part IV

43) Ezekiel Part I

44) Ezekiel Part II

45) Ezra Part I

46) Zechariah

47) Ezra Part II

48) Esther

49) Nehemiah Part I

50) Nehemiah Part II and Malachi

The characters of the Bible are fraught with the same weaknesses, fears and frailties that trouble us today. In Abraham’s life, those weaknesses become the backdrop upon which God's divine creativity is displayed. The divine call struck at the very roots of all that he had known up to that point. It involved upheaval, a change of lifestyle and a new direction. In effect, God is asking, “will you view Me as your security… will you look to Me as your satisfaction, your comforter and guide? Will you turn to Me alone for your significance?” As believers, Abraham's life is a source of much encouragement to all of us who long to grow in our faith.​

1) Genesis 11:31- 12:3

2) Genesis 14

3) Genesis 15:1-6

4) Genesis 15:7-21

5) Genesis 16:1-16

6) Genesis 17:1-27

7) Genesis 18:1-15

8) Genesis 18:16-19:38

9) Genesis 20:1-18

10) Genesis 21:1-34

11) Genesis 22:1-24

12) Genesis 23:1-24:23

After Solomon's death, the nation was polarized into two camps. Israel’s ten northern tribes and Judah’s two southern tribes glowered at the other across their borders... There was a significant battle between Jeroboam, the king of Israel, and Abijah, the king of Judah in which Judah’s subsequent victory was great. The basis for that victory was quite simple; in one word, it was faithfulness—faithfulness to God. And as a result, God gave them a victory which they could not possibly have won otherwise. We are going to consider the good reign of King Asa, king of Judah on a number of issues. Although the secret of their success was quite singular, it included principles which are necessary in our Christian lives.

1) How to Handle Ease or Tranquility

    II Chronicles 13:10-17; 14:1-6  

2) How to Handle Conflict

    II Chronicles 14:9-12  

3) How to Handle Success

    II Chronicles 15:3-7  

4) How to Handle Challenge

    II Chronicles 15:1-16  

5) How to Handle Failure

    II Chronicles 16:1-10  

While in captivity, God prepared Daniel, as He did Joseph, for the unique role of being God's mouthpiece. Through night visions and the interpretation of those dreams, Daniel was uniquely gifted to receive revelation from God. In Daniel 1:20-23, he humbly directed all the praise to the One to Whom it belongs. “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness and light dwells with Him. I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might and have now made known to me what we asked of You…”. Without the book of Daniel, it would be almost impossible to understand the prophetic Scriptures as a whole. It is key to unlocking the mystery of the ages and is a foundation for all Bible prophecy.

1) Daniel 1:-21

2) Daniel 2:1-49

3) Daniel 2:35-49, 3:1-30

4) Daniel 4:1-37

5) Daniel 5:1-31

6) Daniel 6:1-28

7) Daniel 7:1-28

8) Daniel 8:1-27

9) Daniel 9:1-27

10) Daniel 10:1-21

11) Daniel 11:1-35

12) Daniel 11:36-45, 12:1-13

From David's humble beginnings, to his stormy reign upon the throne of Israel, the life of David is a wild and wonderful story! Within those years, he encountered Goliath, endured the relentless pursuit by King Saul, witnessed Jerusalem’s capture, the Ark’s restoration and grieved over the civil war, caused by His son’s rebellion. Though he is recorded for his bravery, the Life of David was not one of flawless perfection. His historical blunders and sin are also laid out within its pages. It is to David’s humanity, that we can best relate. While taking us through a man's volatile life, this series finds parallels to our own miscalculations and failures. It traces the hand of our loving God, Who uses each situation for His purposes and for our growth.

1) The Anointing of God's Choice

   I Samuel 8:1-9; 16:1-13   

2) The Principle of Representation

    I Samuel 16:14-17:1-51   

3) Inner Family Conflict

    I Sam 18:1-12   

4) Flesh Declares War on all Obstacles

   I Sam 18:12-19:18   

5) The Consequences of Leaving God's Protection

    I Sam 20:1-22:19   

6) Trusting the Lord in the Consequences

   I Sam 22:1-23:29   

7) The Peril of Human Reasoning

   I Sam 24:5-26:25   

8) Prayerless Planning

   I Sam 27:1-30:20   

9) God's Timing of David's Anointing

    II Sam 2:1-5:10   

10) Allegiance to Which King?

    II Sam 5:1-25   

11) The Ark and Presence of the God

   II Sam 6:1-23   

12) A Longing to Exalt God's Name

    II Sam 7:1-29   

13) Upon the Merit of Another

    II Sam 9:1-13   

14) What is Friendship with the World?

   II Sam 10:1-19   

15) Human Depravity Apart from God

    II Sam 11:1-27   

16) David's Repentance

    II Sam 12:1-24   

17) The Healing Balm of Divine Forgiveness

   Ps 32:1-11; Ps 51:1-19   

18) The Consequences of David's Forgiven Sin

    II Sam 13:1-39   

19) Balancing Justice with Mercy

   II Sam 14:1-15:23   

20) Intermediaries God used in David's Life (Part 1)

   II Sam 15:24-16:14   

21) Intermediaries God used in David's Life (Part 2)

   II Sam 16:15-18:18   

22) The News of Absalom's Death

   II Sam 18:19-19:30   

23) The Elusive Peace of God

   II Sam 19:31-20:26   

24) Spiritual Drought

   II Sam 21:1-14   

25) Facing the Giants of Aging and Pride

    II Sam 21:15-24:25   

26) Lessons from the Life of David

   I Kings 1:5-5:5   

27) A Man After God's Own Heart

   I Sam 13:14; Ps 89:20-37   

Gideon was a man who shied away from visibility and did not presume to be a leader of men. Yet, God selected him to be used powerfully in freeing his people from their bondage to a foreign power. Found in the book of Judges, Gideon’s story begins with a people out of place, a nation oppressed by their enemies. The Lord worked patiently with this man of God, as he sought step by step, to understand the specifics of the role that God had chosen for him. When it came to the battle, God diminished Gideon's resources, to the extent that there was no doubt in anyone’s mind, Who had fought for them! Through Gideon's story, there is rich application for our own. The battle is the Lord’s and to Him alone must go the glory!
Note: The audio of several messages is muffled due to age.

1) Liberty Lost

   ​Judges 6:1-10   

2) The Way God Sees Us

   Judges 6:11-24   

3) The Best Place To Begin

   ​Judges 6:23-3  

4) Taking A Stand

   Judges 6:28-40  

5) No Grounds for Boasting

   ​Judges 7:1-21  

6) Strength in Weakness

   Judges 7:9-23   

7) Public Relations

   Judges 8:1-34   

8) Avoiding the Pitfalls

   Judges 8:22-35   

Isaiah is a beautifully poetic book, unveiling God’s character of love and His desire for relationship with His people. Along with the artistry of this writing, the symmetry of Isaiah is also remarkable. It has been called “the Bible within the Bible”. It’s 66 chapters mirror the 66 books of the Bible. Paralleling the Old and New Testament divisions, Isaiah also has two main sections, with the first 39 chapters containing promises, warnings and history; while the following 27, deal primarily with salvation through the promised Messiah. Rather than going verse by verse, we are focusing upon the themes of this rich writing and how the Lord, our Prince of Peace, relates to us personally and lovingly at our individual points of need.

1) Isaiah 5:1-7

2) Isaiah 6:1-10

3) Isaiah 7:1-14

4) Isaiah 1:1-4

5) Isaiah 1:10-15

6) Isaiah 2:1-4

7) Isaiah 7:17-8:8

8) Isaiah 8:20-9:7

9) Isaiah 9:6-7

10) Isaiah 11:1-5

11) Isaiah 13:1-26:2-3

12) Isaiah 28:9-16

13) Isaiah 30:1-34:4

14) Isaiah 32:1-35:10

15) Isaiah 36:1-37:38

16) Isaiah 38:1-39:1-8

17) Isaiah 40:1-2

18) Isaiah 40:3-8

19) Isaiah 40:10-11

20) Isaiah 40:12-31

21) Isaiah 41:10

22) Isaiah 41:11-42:4

23) Isaiah 42:5-9

24) Isaiah 44:24-47:13

25) Isaiah 51:1-13

26) Isaiah 52:7-53:6

27) Isaiah 54:1-55:1-7

28) Isaiah 55:8-13

29) Isaiah 58:1-9

30) Isaiah 59:1-60:21

31) Isaiah 61:1-2

32) Isaiah 61:10-65:25

In his younger days, Jacob was a schemer, a deceiver and an opportunist, yet God had His hand upon him. This character study is an encouragement to us all, because we see God turning the basest materials into the richest of prizes. Because Jacob had many of the human weaknesses common to us all, he is one to whom most of us can relate. Jacob doesn’t come across as “having it all together” as do Daniel or Joseph! No, Jacob’s flaws were right out there for us to see. Throughout this study, the two great themes to hold in tandem, are the wonders of God’s nature, His beauty and grace and the contrasting unworthiness of our own. II Co 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

1) Genesis 25:21-28

2) Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-24

3) Genesis 28:10-22

4) Genesis 29:1-30; 30:1-24

5) Genesis 31:4-13

6) Genesis 31:4-42

7) Genesis 32:1-32

8) Genesis 33:1-20

9) Genesis 34:1-7; 35:1-15

The life of Joseph is an encouraging study in the overruling purpose and providence of God. The human cunning and deceit of men is transcended by the Lord, to bring about His perfect will. While it was going on in Joseph’s life, he was too close to the scene to know what God was doing, but his profound faith and trust in his heavenly Father directed the choices he made and enabled him to navigate the rejection, distress and suffering with wisdom. Throughout the process, God was guiding, strengthening and protecting Joseph. When bringing perspective to his remorseful brothers, in Genesis 50:20, Joseph summed it up well: "As for you, you thought evil against me...but God meant it for good, to bring to pass as it is this day, to save many people alive."

1) Genesis 37:2-10

2) Genesis 37:12-24

3) Genesis 37:25-36; 39:1-6

4) Genesis 39:7-23

5) Genesis 40:1-23

6) Genesis 41:1-46

7) Genesis 41:46-57, 42:1-38

8) Genesis 43:1-34

9) Genesis 44:1-34; 45:1-20

10) Genesis 45:21-28; 46:1-30

11) Genesis 46:31-34; 47:1-25

12) Genesis 49:33; 50:1-26

Joshua life is a healthy review of how God wants us to approach conflict. This man was tasked by God, after 40 years of wilderness wandering, to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. The land wasn’t taken easily, but required a desired blend of expectant prayer, reliance upon the Holy Spirit and obedience by faith. Throughout the many battles, a consistent pattern emerges: the victories were the Lord's and the defeats could be traced back to men! Pastor Ashley Day's life verse was "Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9

1) Exodus 5:1-9; Exodus 17:8-13

2) Joshua 1:1-9

3) Joshua 1:10 - 2:22

4) Joshua 3

5) Joshua 4

6) Joshua 5

7) Joshua 6:17-19, 7:1-26

8) Joshua 8

9) Joshua 9:1-27

10) Joshua 10:1-14

11) Joshua 10:15-27

12) Joshua 10:41 - 14:13

13) Joshua 14:18 - 19:47

14) Joshua 20

15) Joshua 22:1-34

16) Joshua 23 - 24

The story of Ruth is one of vulnerability and risk. There is tragedy, loyalty, courtship and marriage in the twists and turns of these four chapters. Yet firm decisions are made and actions taken which bring forth a fulfilling outcome. All the world enjoys a love story and when the bride comes from an obscure background and marries into a royal family, the interest is increased. This is actually a picture of the believer’s relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith inevitably has an element of risk in it. The safety of such a placement of trust, is always determined by the thing, circumstance or person in whom the faith is placed. This is apparent in the story of Ruth.

1) Ruth 1:1-6

2) Ruth 1:7-21

3) Ruth 1:22; 2:1-23

4) Ruth 3:1-18; 4:1-22

Samuel was a significant character of the Old Testament. He entered Israel’s history at a chaotic period; when the time of judges was drawing to an end, there was no king and “every man did that which was right in his own eyes”. During this tumultuous period, Samuel had an important role to fill. God’s purposes were evident early on in the unique circumstances of his birth. From his youth, Samuel faithfully served God, sometimes against all odds. This prophet was later led to anoint kings and direct a nation. This series of messages follows his life through the first 16 chapters of I Samuel.

1) I Samuel 1:1 - 28

2) I Samuel 2:1 - 3:18

3) I Samuel 3:19 - 7:14

4) I Samuel 7:15 - 10:1

5) I Samuel 10:17 - 12:24

6) I Samuel 10:8 - 15:23

7) I Samuel 15:16 - 35

8) I Samuel 16:1 - 28:20