God-Hearted #9 — 1 Samuel 23 — Hearing God’s Voice
Teaching notes on 1 Samuel 23
Nate HoldridgeMarch 18, 2018
Become United To The Reality Of His Riches (Ephesians 1:18)
Now we come to Paul’s second prayer for the church, that we would know of the inheritance God has given us. Paul referred to the inheritance as “riches” six times…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 15, 2018
God-Hearted #8 — Transformed By The Secret King (1 Samuel 22:1-2)
Belated notes from last Sunday (3/11/18).
Nate HoldridgeMarch 14, 2018
Calling All Writers, Isaiah 55.11
In my early years as a Christian, I came across a book by Alan Redpath. It rocked my world and helped frame my future...
Nate HoldridgeMarch 13, 2018
The proverb above shows us a reality of our world. In this world, riches enable someone to treat others roughly, but those in poverty are forced to plead for mercy,…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 10, 2018
United To Reality — His Calling, Ephesians 1:18-19
Paul continued his prayer for revelation with three specific requests. Three realities stood out in Paul’s mind. He believed that, if the church knows these realities — deeply, inwardly — the…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 8, 2018
Some things ought not to be broadcast. Secrecy and privacy are often the best alternatives. Not everything has to be lived out in the open. Not every story must be…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 6, 2018
230 God-Hearted #7 — 1 Samuel 21-22 Pursued
Theme: We often forget, as David did in our story, that God loves us, is able to help us, and has a plan for our lives. But God does not…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 4, 2018
United To Reality — Through Enlightenment, Ephesians 1:15-18
When the Syrian army encamped against Elisha’s home, his servant saw them first. Trembling, he ran to Elisha. Elisha exhorted him, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 1, 2018
Humans are amazing creatures. With our hands, we can build. With our minds, we can invent. With our mouths, we can communicate. And with our hearts, we can deceive ourselves...
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 27, 2018
God-Hearted #6 — 1 Samuel 20 — Preparation Of The God-Heart— Into The Undesirable
Theme: *God would go with David, allow David to be stripped of everything, and invite David to move forward, all of which would prepare David — just as they prepare…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 25, 2018
Know God’s Name And You’ll Run To Him More, Proverbs 18:10
One day, in need of wisdom regarding a financial decision, I found a friend of mine who is an expert in that realm...
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 24, 2018
United To Blessings — Location And Purpose, Ephesians 1:3-14
Before moving to the next portion of Paul’s letter, we must ask two questions of the blessings Paul has already spoken of (see Ephesians 1:3-14). First, where are they located?…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 22, 2018
As usual, the Proverbs demand a choice. Which do you prefer: a clean manger or abundant crops? The proverb teaches that you cannot have both...
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 20, 2018
God-Hearted #5 — 1 Samuel 19 — Protected
Teaching Outline:1 Samuel 19
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 18, 2018
United To Blessings — From The Spirit, Ephesians 1:13-14
Each of the blessings Paul lists in Ephesians 1:3-14 can only be understood from a spiritual vantage point, for they are spiritual blessings. Fortunately, one of the greatest blessings God…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 15, 2018
The Cool Spirited Know What’s Up — Proverbs 17:27
Restraining your words does not mean you have knowledge. It might just mean you’re shy. A cool spirit does not mean you have understanding. It might just mean you’re reserved...
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 13, 2018
Dave hated being at church. It wasn’t the music or even the preaching; it was the people...
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 10, 2018
United To Blessings — From The Son, Ephesians 1:7-12
Next, Paul moves from the spiritual blessings from God the Father to the spiritual blessings from God the Son. The first blessing believers have received from the Son is that…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 8, 2018
It is easy to think God shoves His people into the deep end without any training or preparation. He does, after all, use the weak things of the world to…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 6, 2018
United To Blessings — From The Father, Ephesians 1:4-6
Here, Paul runs on with his sentence of praise regarding the blessings which come from God. He first focuses on blessings from God the Father, next the Son, and finally…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 1, 2018
Some biblical characters — Moses, Paul, David — are well known. Others, like our man Epaphras, enter the scene for mere second and are gone. Similar to a movie extra,…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 30, 2018
1 Samuel 17 Preparation Of The God-Heart — Borrowed Victory
Teaching notes for Sunday, January 28, 2018. Theme: Just as Israel ran in David’s victory, so do we run in Christ’s. By observing David, let us observe Christ, that we…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 28, 2018
Turn From The Hills Of Delusion — Jeremiah 3:22-23
Have you ever watched a child settle for a nickel when they could have had a dime? If you have, you’ve seen a little of what God sees.
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 27, 2018
United To Blessings — Spiritual Blessings, Ephesians 1:3
Paul begins Ephesians with a long song of praise to God, for praise is what is meant by the word “blessed.” God is to be blessed. Paul aims to worship. His…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 25, 2018
I love prayer but often struggle in it. I can feel my lack of zeal, my sloth, my distraction, while in prayer. Prayer is a battle. Prayer is often a…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 23, 2018
God-Hearted #2 — 1 Samuel 16:14-23 Preparation Of The God-Heart — Pillars
Teaching notes for Sunday, January 21, 2018 — God-Hearted #2 — 1 Samuel 16:14-23 Preparation Of The God-Heart — Pillars
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 21, 2018
The Author, Ephesians 1:1-2
Paul was custom made by God to bridge the Old Testament Scriptures to the New Testament church. He was called “the apostle to the Gentiles.” Billions of non-Jews have been blessed…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 18, 2018
One error that floated around the Roman Empire was men should have three women in their lives — a wife, a soul-mate, and a mistress. The Song of Solomon paints…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 16, 2018
God-Hearted #1 — 1 Samuel 16.1-13 Preparation Of The God Heart — In Secret
Teaching notes for Sunday, January 14, 2017.
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 14, 2018
When Plans Magically Come Together — Proverbs-16:1
As I sat at a table full of pastors, my plan was set...
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 13, 2018
The Heart Of Ephesians
Before his death, Moses had to sing. Before the people of Israel embarked on their journey into the Promised Land, Moses wrote and recited a song for them. He knew…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 11, 2018
One of the main reasons I love the book of Proverbs is the scattered nature of its organization. For much of the book, one line does not bleed into the…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 9, 2018
United For Unity #12 — United In The Fight (Ephesians 6.10-24)
Teaching notes for Ephesians 6:10-24, Sunday 1.7.18.
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 7, 2018
The Distracted Face — Proverbs 17:24
The question: do you think? I do not ask, “What do you think?” But, “Do you think?” For thinking is a lost art in a reactionary digital world. Focus is hard…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 4, 2018
How I Design My Daily Devotional Time
Quiet time. Devotional life. Morning solitude. The names vary, but the idea is the same. Believers who want more of God will often attempt some kind of morning or evening…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 2, 2018
Wall Dancin’
There is a time for wall-dancin’, but you’ll never get to it if you don’t have a vision for it...
Nate HoldridgeDecember 26, 2017
The Gospel Gives Us What We Need
The gospel gives every human what they need. It is the answer. James saw this truth. Every person is walking through the issues of life. Every person needs truth to…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 21, 2017
The halfway point of any work for God is a dangerous place. Nehemiah and the people who had a mind to work got to their halfway point rather quickly. But…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 19, 2017
Nehemiah quickly responded to the news from Hanani, the news of the brokenness of the city, with his own inward brokenness. The conditions in and around Jerusalem began to mirror…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 13, 2017
The close of Nehemiah’s prayer is one of my favorites in all of Scripture. Up until this point in the narrative, Nehemiah’s position in the Persian kingdom is unknown, but…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 12, 2017
United For Unity #11 — United In Home & Work (Ephesians 6:1-9)
Teaching outline for Ephesians 6:1-8.
Nate HoldridgeDecember 10, 2017
Rebel With Mordecai
Mordecai, a Jewish man, would not bow to him. Haman had the king’s authority behind him, and the king had told everyone to pay homage to Haman. Still, Mordecai would…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 7, 2017
Nehemiah’s Response (2 of 3)
Nehemiah quickly responded to the news from Hanani, the news of the brokenness of the city, with his own inward brokenness. The conditions in and around Jerusalem began to mirror…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 5, 2017
United For Unity #10 — United In Marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33)
Teaching notes for Ephesians 5:22-33, United In Marriage
Nate HoldridgeDecember 3, 2017
Benefits Of Paul’s Walk To Assos
Leaving Troas, Paul decided to take the land route to Assos. His team would need a boat for the rest of the missions trip, but the first part of the…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 30, 2017
God is intensely concerned with people. This should be evident by observing the natural order, things like the seasons or the finely tuned human body, but should be most evident in…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 28, 2017
United For Unity #9 — United To Your Father (Ephesians 5:1-21)
Teaching notes for 11.26.17 teaching.
Nate HoldridgeNovember 26, 2017
Power. Might. Strength. There is a brand of power that is human. There is also a power that belongs to God. Our text calls it “surpassing power.” I am born…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 23, 2017