Sermons

Jesus was sent to serve others. He did not come to be served. His life was not about what He could get from others. His life and ministry was about how He could serve others. This was no more evident than when He washed the disciples’ feet.

Jesus came to heal the hurting. In doing so, He was a light in the world - a light which reflected the work of the Father. When broken lives are healed, God’s work is displayed through that restored vessel. Jesus was sent to heal so that God could be glorified.

Jesus’ sole desire was to do the will of His father. His mission was to finish the work of the Father.

Palm Sunday is a day when we see the will of Jesus becoming the will of the Father. As Jesus descends into Jerusalem, He descends from his will to accept God’s will. We are called to live less for ourselves and more for God, as we are called to be sent to the outsider, the poor and the oppressed.

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus overcoming sin and death to reclaim creation for Himself. Jesus has come not to condemn but to save and restore. He calls us to live the resurrected life, not to condemn those around us but to save the world.

The people have been wayward and dishonoring in their relationship with God. They have exasperated the living God, yet there is a word of hope. God will never again uproot his people. They will be ROOTED in the love, grace and mercy of God. God will restore their land and their lives!

The vision of judgment comes to Amos as a summer gift basket. This symbolizes that the harvest is over. The time has come for judgment. God is tired of the way Israel treated others for their gain. They forgot that the gift basket was given to them and it was not theirs in the first place. We remember that all that we have been given, all that we experience, and all that we enjoy has been given by God and we must not abuse it.

In the midst of their disobedience, the Israelites continued to carry out their spiritual rituals. God was not accepting of their sacrifices. Their worship was heartless. It was meaningless and did not carry into the presence of God.

Amos was a prophet in a time when Israel was prospering. Israel began to hoard all its wealth, even to the detriment of those in need.

God is greatly displeased with how His people continued to treat one another, especially the impoverished and marginalized. This is the main offense of Israel, which brings judgment unto their nation.