Journey Church SC

Journey Church

5.0 (10)
Religion & Spirituality
Updated Biweekly

The Journey Church in Summerville, South Carolina exists to create disciple-makers of Jesus Christ. Messages from Lead Pastor Chris Fowler, as well as other teachers and guests, are published weekly. We also publish video versions and other resources at JourneyChurchSC.org.

4d ago

Trusting God in the Wilderness: David on the Run

This powerful exploration of 1 Samuel 30 takes us into a moment of crisis in David's life that reveals profound truths about spiritual warfare and community. We find David at his lowest point, facing not only the kidnapping of his family and those of his men, but also the threat of being stoned by his own followers. Yet in this desperate hour, we discover a pattern for spiritual resilience: David strengthened himself in the Lord. The passage challenges us to recognize that we're all engaged in spiritual battle, but not all in the same way simultaneously. Like migrating geese that rotate positions to share the burden of headwinds, we take turns on the front lines of ministry while others support from behind. Some of us are called to evangelism, leadership, or missions in this season. Others are faithfully staying with the supplies, serving in nurseries, prayer teams, or quiet acts of hospitality. The revolutionary principle David established was that those who guard the baggage share equally in the victory with those who fight. This transforms how we view our role in God's kingdom work, reminding us that faithfulness matters more than visibility, and that God measures our hearts, not our prominence.

32 min
Jun 14

When God's Anointing Waits: David Spares Saul

This powerful message takes us deep into 1 Samuel 24, where we witness an extraordinary moment of mercy that foreshadows the ultimate mercy of Christ. We see King Saul, consumed by fear, hatred, and jealousy, pursuing David with 3,000 chosen warriors. Yet when David has the perfect opportunity to end his tormentor's life in a cave, he refuses. What makes this story so transformative is understanding that David's mercy wasn't rooted in weakness or even loyalty to Saul himself—it flowed from his deep reverence for God's authority. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts: Are we driven by passions like Saul, or are we pursuing the right desires with passion? We're reminded that we should ask God not to give us the passions we desire, but the desires we should pursue with passion—a deeper love for God, love for one another, and growth in holiness. The most stunning part of this account is how David's supernatural mercy transforms Saul's heart, moving him to tears and repentance. This points us directly to Christ, who showed us ultimate mercy while we were still His enemies, transforming us through His sacrifice on the cross.

35 min
Jun 7

David's Flight From Saul: God's Provision, Protection, and Guidance

This powerful exploration of 1 Samuel chapters 21-23 takes us into the wilderness with David as he flees from King Saul's murderous pursuit. We discover three profound truths that speak directly to our own seasons of difficulty: the Lord provides in the wilderness, the Lord protects His purposes, and the Lord guides those who seek Him. David's story isn't one of immediate triumph after his anointing as king. Instead, we see fifteen years of running, hiding, and surviving with a ragtag group of outcasts—the distressed, the indebted, and the bitter in soul. Yet in this unlikely setting, God shapes a future king. The bread of the presence and Goliath's sword become symbols of divine provision when we have nothing. The survival of one priest, Abiathar, demonstrates how God protects what matters for His purposes even when evil seems to triumph. Most remarkably, we see David repeatedly inquiring of the Lord—even asking whether he should risk his life to save a city that would later betray him. His psalms from this period reveal a heart that thirsts for God even in a dry and weary land. The parallel to Jesus in the wilderness after forty days of fasting reminds us that our King of Kings also trusted the Father for provision, protection, and guidance. When life feels like wilderness—when we're isolated, pursued by difficulties, or uncertain of the next step—we're invited to trust the same God who sustained David and who gave us His own body and blood as the ultimate provision.

33 min
May 31

Building Up the Body of Christ

What does it truly mean to be the church? This powerful exploration of Ephesians 4 reveals that we are not mere spectators in a Sunday gathering, but vital members of a living body with Christ as our head. The passage challenges us to move beyond consumer Christianity toward genuine contribution and commitment. We discover that the church's anatomy is intentional: Christ directs us as the head, while apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherd-teachers equip us—the saints—for ministry. The goal is not building bigger programs or meeting preferences, but growing into the fullness of Christ's maturity. This happens through speaking truth in love, staying anchored in sound doctrine, and each part working properly. In our age of information overload and constant winds of cunning doctrine, we need more Bible, not less. We need deeper roots, not shallow connections. The call is clear: stop drifting, stop consuming, and start contributing your unique gifts—your time, talent, and treasure—to build up the body in love. Because Christ's body was broken for us, we too are called to pour ourselves out for one another.

33 min
May 24

Three Men & A Throne

This powerful exploration of 1 Samuel chapters 18-20 takes us deep into the lives of three men whose destinies intersect around one throne, revealing profound truths about insecurity, surrender, and faith. We encounter King Saul, trapped in a cycle of fear and disobedience, desperately trying to hold onto power he knows he's already lost. His story confronts us with a penetrating question: are we trying to earn our worthiness through our own efforts, or have we embraced the liberating truth that salvation is a gift of grace? The message challenges our tendency toward impatience and self-reliance, asking whether we sometimes take matters into our own hands rather than waiting on God's timing. Then there's Jonathan, the rightful heir who demonstrates extraordinary humility by recognizing God's Spirit on David and surrendering his entire future to align with God's plan. His example calls us to examine our own relationships and investments: are we surrounding ourselves with people who carry God's Spirit? Are we pouring our resources into kingdom purposes? Finally, David emerges as the shepherd-king who held the promise in his hand for twenty years yet refused to grasp it prematurely, trusting God's timing even while being hunted and persecuted. His patience and faith shaped him into a man after God's own heart, reminding us that our waiting seasons aren't wasted but are forming us into who God has called us to be.

34 min
May 17

A Tale of Two Giants: David and Goliath

The familiar story of David and Goliath takes on profound new meaning when we stop viewing it as merely a tale about courage or overcoming obstacles. This exploration challenges us to see beyond the surface narrative of a young shepherd defeating a giant warrior. Instead, we discover a powerful revelation about God's redemptive plan and the futility of trusting in human strength. The passage reminds us that most of our lives will be marked by obscurity, serving faithfully when no one is watching or celebrating our efforts. David's journey from the pastures to the battlefield wasn't about his personal glory but about demonstrating that salvation belongs to the Lord alone. We're confronted with the uncomfortable truth that we often resemble the fearful Israelite army more than the faithful hero, and that apart from God's grace, we're more like the rebellious giant than we'd care to admit. This message invites us to examine what false saviors we're trusting in our own lives, whether that's our appearance, abilities, resources, or reputation. The real battle isn't against our personal giants but against false worship and misplaced trust. When we grasp that David pointed forward to Christ, who stands as our true representative and fights the battle we could never win, we understand that the gospel isn't about our strength but about God's power working through our weakness for His glory.

33 min
May 10

The Heart God Sees: David Anointed

This powerful exploration of 1 Samuel 16 challenges our natural tendency to judge by appearances and reveals a profound truth about God's character: He sees what we cannot. We discover the story of David's anointing, where God passes over seven impressive sons to choose the youngest shepherd boy, the one his own father didn't even think to present. The central message pierces through our cultural obsession with outward success and charisma: while we fixate on height, strength, charm, and resume credentials, God looks directly at the heart. This isn't just ancient history about choosing earthly kings. It's a mirror reflecting our modern impulse to seek leaders, validation, and even spiritual experiences based on what dazzles the eye rather than what transforms the soul. The passage asks us uncomfortable questions: Do we want pastors who draw crowds or ones who sit with God? Do we admire spiritual leaders for their stage presence or their prayer lives? Most confronting of all, it reveals that if left to our own devices, we would never have chosen Jesus as our Messiah. He had no beauty that we should desire Him, no impressive credentials by worldly standards. Yet this rejected stone became the cornerstone of our salvation. We are invited to surrender our faulty selection criteria and trust the King who doesn't ask us to find Him, but who relentlessly seeks us.

33 min
May 3

The Rise and Fall of Saul: Saul's Anointing and Disobedience

This exploration of 1 Samuel chapters 9-15 presents a sobering comparison between earthly leadership and divine kingship. We encounter Saul, Israel's first king, a man who looked every bit the part with his height, handsomeness, and wealthy background. Yet beneath this impressive exterior lay critical flaws that would ultimately disqualify him from leading God's people. The narrative reveals how Saul's impatience led him to usurp priestly duties, his pride caused him to make rash vows, and his partial obedience resulted in outright disobedience. These aren't just ancient failures but mirrors reflecting our own struggles with control, deception, and selective obedience. The message challenges us to examine what sits on the throne of our lives. Are we grasping for control like Saul, or surrendering to God's timing? Are we offering God partial obedience while holding back in areas of comfort, security, or ambition? The contrast with Jesus is stark and beautiful: where Saul hid in baggage, Jesus stood before accusers; where Saul blamed others, Jesus took our blame; where Saul's kingdom ended, Jesus' kingdom has no end. This study reminds us that God looks at the heart, not outward appearances, and calls us to complete obedience rather than impressive sacrifices.

32 min

5

out of 5

10 Ratings

The Journey Church in Summerville, South Carolina exists to create disciple-makers of Jesus Christ. Messages from Lead Pastor Chris Fowler, as well as other teachers and guests, are published weekly. We also publish video versions and other resources at JourneyChurchSC.org.

Creator

Journey Church
Years Active

2018 - 2026
Episodes

614
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Journey Church SC
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Journey Church SC