In the brine but not yet pickled (Jonah 1:17-3:3)
Sometimes we think we have gone too far astray and that we are not useful to God any longer. Jonah had to be thinking that all along. But he does the one thing we all can do, he prays. And the lesson he learns is that God is always there and always willing to give another chance.WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Aug 7, 2022In the brine but not yet pickled (Jonah 1:17-3:3)
In the brine but not yet pickled (Jonah 1:17-3:3)Sometimes we think we have gone too far astray and that we are not useful to God any longer. Jonah had to be thinking that all along. But he does the one thing we all can do, he prays. And the lesson he learns is that God is always there and always willing to give another chance.
- Jul 31, 2022You can run but you can’t hide (Jonah 1)
You can run but you can’t hide (Jonah 1)
Jonah is the one minor prophet most know about. That is because of the story of the great fish. But there is more to Jonah than a Fish Story. We will learn about God and his relentless pursuit of us, his grace to save us from ourselves, and his willingness to let us think we can make life work on our own. Until we can’t. - Jul 24, 2022The Foolishness of Pride (Obadiah)
The Foolishness of Pride (Obadiah)
In this shortest book of the Old Testament, God uses the prophet Obadiah to reveal his heart regarding pride. The nation of Edom is object of this prophecy. Although this nation traced its ancestry to Esau, the brother of Jacob that is where their kinship seemed to end. Their pride and animosity toward the descendants of Jacob became their down fall. We will examine how pride destroys we will also learn how to defeat pride in our own lives. - Jul 17, 2022Misconceptions About God (Amos 7-9)
Misconceptions About God (Amos 7-9)
In a survey of the final two chapter of the prophecy of Amos we will discover four misconceptions about God that seemed to be circulating 2800 years ago. What we will discover is that in 2022, these same misconceptions are still out there. But what we can learn for our own lives is the true balance of our God. He is Holy and Righteous and yet Gracious and Forgiving. He is a God of Justice and also a God of Lovingkindness. When we refuse to exchange the truth of God for the misconceptions of our culture, we find God being enough for us day in and day out. - Jul 10, 2022Words of Caution (Amos 5:18-6:14)
Words of Caution (Amos 5:18-6:14)
Sometimes we think we have come to the point where we can handle whatever comes our way. Amos continually warns the people to beware of their external worship and complacent hearts. God deals with pride, privilege, and injustice severely. We also need a reminder to not think that because things are going well in our lives we don't need to stay committed to God. - Jul 3, 2022A Simple Path (Amos 5:1-17)
A Simple Path (Amos 5:1-17)
On this Independence Day Sunday many of our thoughts are centered on our nation and the freedom we have. But all too often we put our dependency on human institutions, including romanticizing our own nation's past. Israel had done the same thing. In this section they are called to repentance. We as God's people need to take seriously any ways we have personally strayed from him and come back to following him. - Jun 26, 2022Prepare to Meet Your God (Amos 4)
Prepare to Meet Your God (Amos 4)
Are you really ready to stand before God? What about your life right now do you think God would be pleased with? What about your life is getting in the way of your relationship with God? What do you think God would ask you to change? All questions we really should be asking now. The people in Samaria were not ready to meet God. What about you and me?. - Jun 19, 2022Breaking Down Fortresses (Amos 3:1-15)
Breaking Down Fortresses (Amos 3:1-15)
On this Father's Day we will consider the fact that the best Dads help their children see reality and prepare for living responsibly. Amos outlines several "fortresses" that the people had built up. He reveals to them that they are simply living for themselves and ignoring God and others. Our only real guarantee in life is our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. - Jun 12, 2022A Regular Guy with a Powerful Message (Amos 1-2)
A Regular Guy with a Powerful Message (Amos 1-2)
Sometimes the most profound truths come from the least expected people. We expect soundbites from politicians or celebrities. But often it is the regular person with whom we have a relationship who speaks truth into our lives, or truth into a situation that has the greater impact. Amos was a regular guy, a farmer, but his words continue to have great importance. - Jun 5, 2022When Bad Things Happen: Survey of the Prophecy of Joel
When Bad Things Happen: Survey of the Prophecy of Joel
We don’t have to look to far in the past to recount some bad things that have
happened in our world. Natural disasters, a global pandemic, tragedies of
violence, and war are splashed in front of us daily. What are we to do? How
are we to respond? Where is God? Today we will discover a question that may
be uncomfortable: What could God be saying to us when bad things happen? - May 29, 2022Letters from a Loving Father (Hosea 11-14)
Letters from a Loving Father (Hosea 11-14)
In a unique approach we are going to view the final chapters of Hosea as letters written from a loving, yet hurting Father to a wayward child. One of the things that we will discover is that God’s heart is not a heart of angry punishment. He longs for all to see the error of their ways and to return to him. For those who choose otherwise, God painfully allows them to experience the consequences of sin. As a loving Father, God wants all his children to be close to him. - May 22, 2022The Flimsy Defense: Trusting One’s Own righteousness (Luke 18:9-14)
The Flimsy Defense: Trusting One’s Own righteousness (Luke 18:9-14)
In a brief parable in which we see the different approaches of two men who come to God in prayer we are reminded of a very important reality. We must always approach God from a heart of humility. Pride will always move us away from God and deeper into ourselves. God is never drawn to human pride. - May 15, 2022God as a Presiding Judge (Hosea 8-10)
God as a Presiding Judge (Hosea 8-10)
Following God may be hard in regards to challenges we face and ways God asks us to express our obedience. And yet it is also quite simple. Just keep one’s focus on God and strive to love him and others. As God passes down his sentence on the nation of Israel, we will find glimpses of God wanting more for his people. Even a good human judge would rather see a guilty person learn and change. - May 8, 2022God as a Prosecuting Attorney (Hosea 4-7)
God as a Prosecuting Attorney (Hosea 4-7)
God does not ignore our sin. God does not gloss over our sin. He calls out his people for their actions and their attitudes. And yet in the middle of his pointing out their failures, he continues to appeal for them to change their heart and their actions and to return to Him. God continually offers to us the opportunity to turn around and return to him. - May 1, 2022Response of a Wounded Lover (Hosea 1-3)
Response of a Wounded Lover (Hosea 1-3)
Sometimes we need to remember that the God who created our emotions, is a God of emotions. God rejoices and celebrates. God also is wounded by our actions and deeply saddened by our sin. Nowhere do we see this more dramatically portrayed than in the first three chapters of Hosea. In this section we will see God as a wounded lover who longs to restore and heal relationship.