Solomon’s Wisdom on the Power of Words
Proverbs 10
It has been said that the “pen is mightier than the sword.” In a day in which we see and hear about the horrors of war on a daily basis it may be difficult to believe that little saying, but if you will stop and really consider the thought then you will be able to [...]
The Day of Decision!
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
The day of decision is quickly approaching for many Americans. New Year’s Day is the one day, out of the 365 days of the year, when the most decisions are made by more Americans than any other day of the year. The decisions are categorically lumped together into what has come to be known as [...]
Giving Thanks In The Day of Distress
Psalm 77
Our Thanksgiving celebration has a long history. In our day we have lost touch with much of the meaning of Thanksgiving. Today Thanksgiving has been largely reduced to indulging in lots of delicious food and watching football games with our families or friends. For those first folks who gave thanks many years ago, they did [...]
What’s Your Next Move?
2 Chronicles 20:1-12
Not one of us will escape it. We will all experience it at one time or another. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor you are still going to feel it. Regardless of whether you are black, brown, yellow, red, or white you will know it the moment it hits. What am I [...]
Real Peace in a Really Chaotic World
Isaiah 26:3
Once upon a time in a land far away, (that’s the way all good stories begin), there was a man who was deeply troubled. He was a brilliant man. A man with a wonderful wife, precious children, good health, and a great job. The man’s troubled soul resulted not from family turmoil or financial pressure, [...]
Destruction and Restoration
Amos 9
We have now come to the end our study of the prophet Amos’ message to God’s people living in the Northern Kingdom. As we come to the end of our study we also draw nearer to the end of the nation. God had made His people so many promises throughout their history as His covenant [...]
The Day is Coming
Amos 8
There is nothing like a stroll through Farmer’s Market. The baskets of ripened fruit line row after row and entice you to reach out and take a bite of a big juicy peach, delicious plum, or a plump strawberry. If you have ever visited the Farmer’s Market then you know exactly what I am talking [...]
Do You Measure Up?
Amos 7:7-17
Most everyone I know wants to feel good about themselves. We want to feel like we are going somewhere, moving forward in life, and accomplishing something. We want to feel good about ourselves. Even though this is true about most of the people I know, the reality is that most of us don’t feel like [...]
The Intercessor
Amos 7:1-17
There is lots of talk over the airwaves, in corner coffee shops, corporate Board rooms, and neighborhood living rooms. The topic of conversation is, “Is there any hope for America?” The stream of conversation varies depending on the company you keep, but regardless of the crowd, there is real concern for the future of our [...]
Mothers: Making Their Mark on the World!
A young boy rises like a rocket to stardom. People from all over the world will do almost anything just to get a glimpse of the man who is bigger than life. Kids all over the country want to wear the same shoes he wears. His team becomes the talk of the town simply because [...]
“It’s All Good!”
Amos 6:1-14
This is our eleventh study in the little prophesy of Amos. When we were winding down our study of Romans I began praying about what book of the Bible I would study next. I was reading and praying, reading and praying, and waiting. I knew that eventually, if I would continue to read, pray, and [...]
Worship That Pleases God
Amos 5:18-27
The First Church of Holiness met each Sunday at The Sanctified Sanctuary. People came from near and far, all across the city, to be a part of the most talked about worship going on. Their music was heavenly. It was electrifying. Many of the people who filled the sanctuary described it as “anointed.” The worship [...]
“Seek Me and Live!”
Amos 5:1-17
The people who had gathered at the steps of the king’s sanctuary had no idea that they had come to hear their funeral sermon. They were under the impression that everything was going well. The economy was booming. The military was thriving. The streets were filled with children singing songs and playing games. The churches [...]
Pain and the Presence of God
Amos 4:6-13
Last week we began our study of Amos 4, but we didn’t cover the second half of the chapter so that we could devote our full attention to those verses this morning. I want us to use our Scripture this morning as a launching pad to discuss one of the most unsettling questions that people [...]
“Prepare To Meet Your God!”
Amos 4:1-13
As you read through the Bible you will find people who unexpectedly met God and they never forgot that moment for the rest of their lives. I can only imagine what it would be like to suddenly be summoned by God. To be minding your own business and then suddenly see a bush on fire [...]
No Greater Love. No Greater Responsibility.
Amos 3:1-5
All of the cheering and shouting that minutes earlier could be heard all over Bethel, at the king’s sanctuary, had suddenly been transformed into utter silence. Absolute stunned silence. Slowing, one by one, those who had been enthusiastically standing in approval, slumped into their seats in disbelief at what they were hearing. Amos had announced [...]
“Uh Oh!”
Amos 2:4-16
The prophet Amos arrived in Bethel, at the king’s temple, and began his sermon. It was not a “feel good” sermon although it probably did make the people of Israel feel really good as they heard about the judgment that God had planned for Israel’s enemies. They nodded their heads when they heard that God [...]
“Are We Our Brother’s Keeper?”
Amos 1:9-2:3
There is a tragic story in Genesis 4 about two brothers, Cain and Abel. We are all too familiar with sibling rivalry, but Cain went way too far. Cain got mad because God looked with favor upon Abel’s offering, but not his own. In his anger, Cain killed Abel. He killed his own brother! God [...]
“Go Get ‘Em Lord!”
Amos 1:2-8
The man from the sticks showed up on the steps of the temple in Bethel and began handing out flyers announcing an open air revival. He handed out flyers to those who passed by, nodded, and said, “Yall come!” He wasn’t wearing clerical robes or a priest’s collar. He looked like he had just come [...]
Amos: A Common Man With An Uncommon Message
Today, we are going to begin a new study on the life and times of a man named Amos. I would venture to guess that many of you have never heard of Amos. By most people’s measuring stick he was an insignificant prophet. He’s even placed in our Bible in the section we know as [...]
The Time is Now
Nehemiah 2:11-18
I sent out an email this past week asking you what your goals are for 2011? I wanted to know so that I can pray for you throughout the year as you pursue what is important to you. “What would you like to do? What changes do you sense need to be made? What is [...]
The Refiner’s Fire
Malachi 3:1-6
Wow! What a journey it has been walking with the Minor Prophets. I hope that during our study you have grown in your understanding of the history of the waywardness of God’s people and the faithfulness of God to those same people. This week we will take a look at Malachi, the last of the [...]
Thankful Reminders
1 Chronicles 16
For the past many weeks we have been studying the Minor Prophets. When we began our study with Hosea the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah were still intact, the priests were performing their priestly duties at the temple of God, and God’s people could not even imagine the hard times [...]
Are You Going Through the Motions?
Zechariah 7
We are nearing the end of our study of the Minor Prophets. The last prophet we took a look at was the prophet Haggai. Well, this morning we will be spending our time with Zechariah. Zechariah and Haggai prophesied in Jerusalem during the same period of time. They are both “post-exilic” prophets, their ministry was [...]