Life's Not Fair, Maybe - "Life's not fair" is a theme we hear often.  Joseph's life was very much like that, and we can learn a lot from it.  Young people especially need to learn to expect the twists and turns of life.  Sometimes it's good, and sometimes you don't get what you deserve.  However, when God is with you, He will see you through it all.

Jesus referred to Himself as "the bread of life" and "the living bread."  But He also spoke about "living water."  What was He talking about?  Was this another reference to Him or was this something else?  Who was this "living water" for?  What might it do for a person?  And how does one get it?  Is this something that's been somewhat overlooked? 

In a few years' time, the early disciples were accused of upsetting the world and proclaiming "another king, Jesus."  How had they "turned the world upside down" in such a short period of time?  What had they done?  What was the driving force in their lives?  And was Jesus really a King?  Is He still a King?

Filling in for Jeff this week is fellow Shadyside Church of Christ member, Bob Moore with his sermon titled...Pictures. Enjoy!

Jesus taught that His people were the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world."  We understand those metaphors for what they are, but how do they translate into practical living?  Jesus mentions our "good works," but what are these?  Are we to fill an arena with 30,000 and preach the gospel to them?  Are we to head up a relief ministry which feeds thousands a day?  Just what does Jesus mean?

It is quite easy to turn the Christian faith into a rule-keeping exercise.  "Do this, and don't do that."  Certainly there are things to do and not do, but at the center of it all stands a person - Jesus Christ.  He is the reason for and the focus of the Christian faith.  He is alive at the right hand of God and intercedes for us even now.  And the end of the journey is to be where He is.  Do you love Jesus?

After Nineveh repented, and Jonah saw that God relented of bringing disaster on the city, Jonah got angry.  He went to the east of the city, made himself a little shack and waited to see if the Lord would really not destroy the city.  But using a plant, a worm and a scorching east wind, God tried to teach Jonah a lesson about compassion.  We hope Jonah learned the lesson.  What about us? 

After Nineveh repented, and Jonah saw that God relented of bringing disaster on the city, Jonah got angry.  He went to the east of the city, made himself a little shack and waited to see if the Lord would really not destroy the city.  But using a plant, a worm and a scorching east wind, God tried to teach Jonah a lesson about compassion.  We hope Jonah learned the lesson.  What about us? 

After being thrown overboard from the floundering ship, the great fish swallowed Jonah.  Jonah had tried to flee from the presence of the Lord, so the Lord found him a good place for that - dark, lonely, uncomfortable, scary.  So, what do you do in such a place?  Jonah reflects, remembers and prays.  What does He learn?

The Lord gave His prophet Jonah an assignment which he didn't want to do, so he tried to run from the presence of God.  He ended up in a very dark and lonely place.  Not a way to spend your life.  Has something like this ever happened to you? 

Scriptures:  Jonah 1:1-3;  2 Kings 14:25;  Jonah 1:4-6;  Jonah 1:7-9;  Jonah 1:10-12;  Jonah 1:13-14;  Jonah 1:15-16;  Jonah 1:17