The Twelve Prophets #7: Hosea and Faithfulness - August 22, 2010

"The Twelve Prophets #7: Hosea and Faithfulness"
Text: Hosea 1-3
Continuing on our journey through the Twelve (Minor) Prophets, Pastor Jon looks at Hosea and his relationship with Gomer as a picture of God's chesed (lovingkindness or extreme faithfulness).  Though she did nothing to deserve it, Hosea chose her... and though she did everything to deserve condemnation, he redeemed her and renewed the covenant with her.  This "Second Greatest Love Story Ever Told" gives us a clear picture of the "Greatest Story Ever Told."

The Twelve Prophets #6: Amos and Complacency - August 15, 2010

"The Twelve Prophets #6: Amos and Complacency"
Text: Amos 6:1-7
This sermon takes a second look at the book of Amos, this time exploring the spiritual complacency that came from the wealth and luxury experienced by the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  This spiritual complacency occurs when we center our lives around the things of this world, and relegate the Kingdom of God to the outside.

The Twelve Prophets #5: Amos and Justice - August 8, 2010

"The Twelve Prophets #5: Amos and Justice"
Text: Amos 5:18-27
It was the best of times... Under Jeroboam the Second, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had experienced unprecedented growth, security, and wealth.  As we learn from studying the prophet Amos, this caused the people to become spiritually complacent, perpetuating injustices against the poor and innocent.  Amos says, "Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord," indicating that the people of Israel were on the wrong side of God's justice.

The Twelve Prophets #4: Joel and the Locusts - August 1, 2010

"The Twelve Prophets #4: Joel and the Locusts"
Text: Joel 2:1-32
Joel uses a locust swarm to warn the people of a great judgment that will come if they do not repent.  And this must be a true repentance of the heart, not simply being sorry because they got caught.  Pastor Jon continues our 16-week journey through The Twelve Prophets, commonly called The Minor Prophets.

The Twelve Prophets #3: Obadiah - July 25, 2010

"The Twelve Prophets #3: Obadiah"
Text: Obadiah
Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, contains a prophetic oracle against the nation of Edom.  Pastor Jon offers some thoughts on how Christians today ought to be careful of falling into the same sins committed by the people of Edom.

The Twelve Prophets #2: Jonah and the Great City - July 18, 2010

"The Twelve Prophets #2: Jonah and the Great City"
Text: Jonah 3 & 4
Pastor Jon continues our survey through Jonah by looking at the way the narrator repeats the word 'great.'  Jonah is called to do the work of God in the Great City of Ninevah, and yet is angry when his ministry is successful.  As he gets angry about the growing vine, we are reminded that our problems and concerns often seem great to us, but may not be as great as what God intends to accomplish.

The Twelve Prophets #1: Jonah Gets Down - July 11, 2010

"The Twelve Prophets #1: Jonah Gets Down"
Text: Jonah 1 & 2
Today we embark on a 16 week journey through The Twelve Prophets (commonly referred to as The Minor Prophets).  Pastor Jon looks at the first part of the book of Jonah as an image of our tendency to run from God, instead of going to the places that He calls us to.  And yet, even when we get to the bottom of the deepest pit, we are reminded that God's arm is long enough and His love is strong enough to bring us back up.