Wrong, Right, & Woke: The Mountains Will Drip Sweet Wine
Throughout history, those who have captured the attention of their heroes have often described a dream in the midst of sometimes painful reality. These two things thrill us: an acknowledgment of the pain and yet a description of the promise. Amos has done exactly that.
Wrong, Right, & Woke: Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters
At the time of Amos, God's people had the most amazing worship experience— dynamic with wonderful music, extraordinary sacrifices, and drama. But God said: I hate it. Our worship should be shaped by what the Bible teaches about who and how to worship. We need to have the Word, prayer, the ordinances—we need gospel-shaped worship.
Wrong, Right, & Woke: Seek Me and Live
In the time that Amos is writing, not only were they not filling themselves up with God, they were filling themselves up with idols. It would be a little bit like going to the gas station to fill up your car and instead of putting gasoline in, putting in diesel. Things would not go well.
Wrong, Right, & Woke: You Only Have I Known, Therefore...
What God says through Amos is: you only have I known of all the families of the earth. Therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities. This is an extraordinary statement, so we must do the work of understanding the Bible in its original context, but also apply it to it's contemporary context.
Wrong, Right, & Woke: For Three and For Four
Our society is showing symptoms of disease—massive divisiveness, injustice. But why? On that there is little agreement. The book of Amos speaks to today's societal ills. Today we'll hear about the power of God's Word.
Steps to Blessing: Step 6: Want, Part 2
The reason why Pharisaism is always popular is because we think it's possible to follow rules. "I can clean the outside of the dish but I can't clean the inside. I can't change my nature—it's hard-wired." But God can.
Steps to Blessing: Step 6: Want, Part 1
Jesus tells us, against everything the world suggests to us, that the root to extreme happiness is by way of holiness, purity, and integrity. The result of all these things is an incredible vision of God himself.
Steps to Blessing: Step 5: Give, Part 2
Our healing comes both eternally and now in this present life through a restored relationship with God where we receive mercy. That is the path to healing and the nature of our redemptive experience.
Steps to Blessing: Step 5: Give, Part 1
We need to be people who are proponents of fairness and justice. When it comes to our relationship with God, however, what we really need is mercy. What would a culture of mercy look like in our country?
Steps to Blessing: Step 4: Desire
Our whole western society is set up to encourage us to seek happiness. But happiness is one of those things that cannot be obtained by seeking it for itself. The only way to get happiness is by seeking something else.