In the book of John, Jesus begins to stretch and challenge perceptions and pre-conceived ideas of what God is like…and He talks to his disciples about working for food that lasts. What if the truth offends your sensibilities? Who will you serve?

What do you do when God calls you to do something that is way beyond your resources or abilities – and you know that apart from a miracle it is not even remotely possible?

Are you obedient to the calling – or are you distracted, discouraged, or doubting?

Peter uses two illustrations in his sermon to emphasize his point. One was the mannequin, and the other was basketball. From these we explored the idea of a Body being made up of many essential but different parts and the idea of actively contributing to a team effort. What can we do to contribute as participating members of the Body?

The disciples went from arguing about power, popularity, and position, to having Jesus teach them about humbly serving, to watching the suffering and death of Jesus. As a result, Brett said, "they changed – they learned – they were different after that day! They repented… They learned that lesson – through failure! Their confidence that was misplaced – their desire for greatness that was focused on the wrong areas – changed that day!" Is there a change needed in your life regarding serving others for God’s sake – as a form of worship to Him?

The final prophecy in Amos provides us with one of the most important lessons necessary for cross-cultural ministry and global mission work. It calls us to careful consideration of what is Gospel – and what is cultural. It calls us to discern God’s activity among cultural groups – and the missional discernment of how the Spirit is reflecting the image and likeness of God through someone’s cultural heritage. Where does the Gospel affirm the culture – and where does the Gospels challenge the culture.

Brett points out that God’s laws given through Moses – and specifically Leviticus – gives repeated warning to His people if they turn from Him and begin to misrepresent Him with sin. There will be consequence. "When we are not experiencing injustice firsthand – we can become anesthetized to its impact.

When “I’m” not going through something – I can become complacent to it – and overlook it – because the status quo is working in my favor. …That’s just ‘human nature’!

But let’s remember – ‘human nature’ is also ‘sinful nature’! It’s not the spirit of Christ!

On Easter Sunday, we gathered together to celebrate Jesus, the resurrected King! Pastor Brett shared with us that,

""On Good Friday they put on Him a crown of thorns!

But on Easter Sunday He rose triumphant wearing a crown of gold!!

On Friday they mocked Him in a purple robe!

On Sunday He is wrapped in gold!

On Friday – the soldiers ridiculed Him, spit on Him and beat Him!

On Sunday – they trembled and fell dead before Him!

On Friday – they gave Him the title King of the Jews!

On Sunday He demonstrated that He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

He is the King over death and disease!

The King over sin and the grave!

The King before which every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord of all!

The pairing of justice and righteousness (Mishpat & Tsedekah) happens repeatedly in Amos. "Biblical Justice is rooted in [God’s] righteousness! It’s not just a pursuit of justice that is untethered! But rather one that is anchored in His righteous moral character! Martin Luther King Jr. pursued justice in a way that reflected the righteousness of God! And when God’s righteousness confronts injustice – it reflects and reveals just how utterly unjust the oppressor is!" The pairing of justice and righteousness (Mishpat & Tsedekah) happens repeatedly in Amos.

The Word “lament” is becoming more popular and allows us to explore a way to unload and upload the heaviness and concerns of our heart to God. Amos’ name actually means Burden-bearer! "The danger is – that we are constantly redefining good and evil in order to justify why it’s okay to harm others. What makes us able to do this to other human beings? One of the products of the Fall – was the tendency to ‘other’ people who are different than us."

We are bombarded with the idea and the pursuit of happiness through media, advertising, novels, self-help books and podcasts, ideologies and philosophies thrust upon us by social media… Brett calls it “the gospel of Happiness.” Why does the world hold up ‘happiness’ as the ultimate state to attain? Where do you hear it most? Are you aware that you are hearing it? How have you experienced ‘happiness’ in your life?