Lenexa Baptist Church Pastor Chad McDonald

In December of 2022 at an Australian wedding, guests enjoyed food and dancing in celebration of the newly married couple. Within minutes the celebration turned sour as two men got into a fight that eventually involved a larger number of guests and spilled out into a street outside the venue. You talk about spoiling a party! It is amazing how quickly jealousy, envy, accusations and pride can turn celebratory events into very sour moments.

David’s entrance back into Judah and crossing the Jordan marked an incredibly joyous occasion in the life of the nation. The war was over and there appeared to be unity in the nation. That unity would not last long. Just like at the wedding party, jealousy, envy, pride and accusations will turn a joyful moment into a sour situation. David’s kingdom is incredibly fragile, and the hope for a united people of God quickly fades. This week we will discover some practical principles related to unity among the people of God. At the same time, we anticipate the only great King who can bring true unity and peace among the people of God — the greater son of David, King Jesus! Please make plans to join us this weekend as we worship together in both the study of God’s Word and singing His praises.

— Pastor Chad

President Lincoln did what no president has ever done. He led the nation into a war against fellow Americans. After that war had concluded, his greatest and most difficult work was in front of him. How would he treat those people who had rebelled? It was a crucial time of reconstruction and reconciliation. David now faces a similar dilemma. David has prevailed in this civil war. The enemy has been defeated. His son has died. But what will become of those who rebelled? How will they respond to David? How will David treat them? How will those who have rebelled against the Lord’s anointed be brought back into fellowship with their rightful King? David’s response will again point us to Christ. David will not force himself and his authority upon the people. He will come to the edge of the nation and stand politely at the door and knock. Through his grace and mercy, he will extend an invitation and win back his enemies by making them his friends. Make plans to join us this weekend as we gather around God’s Word and worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords, King Jesus! — Pastor Chad

A love for a child is immediate and unconditional. There is nothing like it in all the world. Your child is brought into the world, and you love him. You would give your life for him. How many of you would be willing to give up your child for a good man? How many of you would give up your child for a sinner and an enemy? This is exactly what God did for us in the giving of His own Son to die for our salvation. God’s love is absolutely unique. In fact, Paul says that in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates HIS OWN love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This week, as we continue our study in 2 Samuel, we will see that as great as David was, there is a glaring contrast between his love and the love that God has demonstrated in the giving of His Son for our salvation. David did not want to give up his Son, but God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. I pray you will join us for worship this weekend as we celebrate the love of our Heavenly Father demonstrated in the giving of His Son for our salvation. — Pastor Chad

Be sure to read 2 Samuel 18 before our services this weekend. Prepare your heart and mind for what God has for you, and be sure to invite someone to join you at one of our services this weekend: Saturday at 5 pm and Sunday at 9:30 and 11 am.

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