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Mark 10.35-45 _Who is the greatest? How can it be me? _ These are the last questions we’d expect to hear the disciples were asking Jesus ... or at least we’d hope they wouldn’t. But they did ask them, and those questions are often on our minds, too. This week, as we begin our sermon series called _Diakonos_, we’ll hear Jesus’ answer and see the beautiful truth that HE is the greatest servant, “who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

This Sunday, we’ll bring our sermon series, "God’s King", to a close as we complete the Book of Samuel. When the book began, God’s people were being led poorly and desired a king like the nations. As the book ends, though a broken man himself, God’s King David is on the throne, confessing his sin, saving his people, and there’s a promise ... a promise that he’d have a son, God’s True King, who will rule God’s kingdom eternally for the people’s good.

Mark 16.1-8 Early on Sunday morning, the Sunday after a Friday filled with the shocking, brutal, and gruesome death of Jesus followed by his burial ... and after a Sabbath filled with a certain confusion and sadness, the same women who looked upon Jesus at his death went to his tomb. As they spoke of the need to roll the stone away, they noticed it was already there and heard news that changes everything, "He has risen." This Easter Sunday, we'll celebrate this great news that changes everything

Last words are important and telling. More specifically, they tell what a person thinks is important. In this Sunday’s sermon, we’ll hear David’s final words ... words that God spoke to him and through him as God’s King. As a king who has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, King David’s last words will point us to a crucial reality that a just ruler is a blessing to his people.

The Melrose staff talk about Good Friday, Easter, a checkers game controversy, upcoming sermon series we will hear on Sundays, a typo about the Spring Cleaning and Work Day, April's Connections Breakfast, an upcoming Women's Retreat in New Hampshire,  and how a new Goodreads feature could help some our staff. Listen to get up-to-date and laugh with (and at) us! Deacon of Care Info: https://www.sevenmilemelrose.com/deacon Women's Retreat Info and Sign Up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-wH-dTCz8IR-rvN8Km20sm95bcVRkBCNyHwOFFYZg39ZbWw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=117628007985786467489  

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. Over and over in the book of Samuel, we have seen how the Lord God delivered his chosen king from every battle, assassination attempt, coup, and rebellion Because of that, David praises the God who saved him from all his enemies. To a greater extent, the Lord God not only saved King Jesus from the cords of death but, through him, saves us from all our enemies as well. Because of that, we can also say I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies

2 Samuel 21-22.1 What have we done? How do we defeat our enemies? These two questions loomed large in the minds of God's people as David became king and they didn't stop. These questions were there before David and the answers marked much of his reign. Yet, as he nears the end of his life what stands out most isn't that he answered them, but that God delivered him. God delivered his king ... and his people!

We have no portion in David With these words, Sheba initiates a rebellion against David and divides his kingdom. David’s kingdom can only be fully re-established with the defeat and death of Sheba, signaled by the trumpet blast of Joab. This Sunday, we will see that in this moment, Israel’s unity comes at the cost of one rebel’s life. This points us to the greater reality of God’s grace to us in Christ, who defeated his enemy by giving his one precious life for all rebels who come to him in faith.

What have I done? How can I come back from that? What happens now? These questions flow through the minds of God’s people as the rebellion against King David failed. They are concerned with who the King is, but also how he will feel about them ... especially if they opposed him in any way. This Sunday, we’ll see how David responds to those who were near him and those who were far off. Even more, we’ll see how he points us to Christ’s peace. 2 Samuel 19

Listen this month for a special episode all about the upcoming Marriage Retreat! You'll hear what to expect from the sessions, why we are excited about it, who should register, and how to get your ticket!  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pursuing-a-god-honoring-marriage-retreat-at-seven-mile-road-church-tickets-1982386908608?aff=oddtdtcreator

2 Samuel 18 David’s kingdom is divided. His own son Absalom has raised an army to take the throne. In the chaos, the question is unavoidable: who is really in control? This Sunday we will see that God secures His Kingdom even through our uncertainty, sin, and grief

Have you ever wondered what happens with our prayers? Does God answer them? If so, how does he answer them? This Sunday, we’ll see God answer the prayer that David prayed when he was first on the run from Absalom’s coup. God’s powerful move was David’s only hope, but God heard him and answered ... and he hears and answers our prayers, too. 2 Samuel 16.15-17.29

How do I endure the hard consequences of my sin? What helps me endure unjust treatment from others? David is on the run because of the downstream consequences of his own sin. Despite this, God provides nourishment to sustain David so he can endure the Lord’s fatherly discipline. Like David, Christ endured by faith through unjust slander, reviling, and false accusations that led to his death. Unlike David, he did so for the sins of others according to God’s fatherly plan. As those who belong to Christ, we can endure all things by trusting in the character of God revealed to us in the gospel.

2 Samuel 15 _Whose favor will I seek? Who will decide what seems good in my life?_ These are big questions that decide a lot about how we live in relation to one another and to God. In this week’s sermon, we’ll see Absalom, back in Jerusalem, making himself seem good as a righteous judge before the people ... all the while, he’s really making a move for the throne against God’s King, David. As King David hears the news, he leaves Jerusalem weeping and resting his hopes on God’s favor to bring about a return. Either way, David is ready to embrace whatever seems good to God.

Listen to hear all about the life of Seven Mile Melrose this month!