Three Crosses Church

Why do we suffer? When disaster strikes, we might ask, “What did I do to deserve this?” Or perhaps, “Where was God?”

In Amos 4:4–13, God confronts Israel with a series of disasters intended to call his people back to him. But does this mean that every tragedy is God's punishment for someone's particular sin?

Drawing on Amos and Jesus' teaching in Luke 13, Tom Richards explores how we should understand suffering, God's sovereignty, and his coming judgment. Far from showing that God is absent or uncaring, the tragedies of this world remind us of our need to turn to him and find forgiveness and hope in Jesus Christ.

Seven questions. One subtle change. A devastating conclusion.

In Amos 3:3–6, a seemingly insignificant change in the pattern of questions turns familiar observations into an unsettling warning. In this episode of Behind the Sermon, we explore the literary artistry of Amos and how the prophet gradually pulls the rug out from under an audience convinced of their security.

We live in one of the wealthiest societies in the world, but how does God view our prosperity? In Amos 3:9–4:3, God exposes the false security of the wealthy people of Samaria, the injustice behind their prosperity, and the judgment that awaits them. Tom Richards explores what this ancient prophecy means for us today through three searching questions: What is our prosperity costing others? What good could we be doing with it? And what is our prosperity doing to us? This sermon challenges us to see our wealth through God's eyes and to use it with justice, generosity and gratitude.

God knows Israel—and therefore he will punish them? That surprising statement in Amos 3:2 raises an important question: shouldn't God's special love protect his people?

Tom Richards peels back the layers of God's judgement in Amos 2:6–16. After drawing Israel into agreeing with God's judgement against the surrounding nations, Amos turns the accusation on Israel itself. Their injustice, oppression and unfaithfulness stand in stark contrast to God's goodness towards them. But the judgement doesn't stop with Israel. As each layer is peeled back, we discover that God's judgement confronts us too. Tom explores how we can find salvation from judgement through Jesus Christ, and why even those who belong to Christ must live in reverent awe of God, loving him and the people he has created.

The order of the eight prophecies in Amos 1–2 is far from random. In this episode of Behind the Sermon, we explore the surprising geographical and literary patterns behind Amos’s oracles against the nations, revealing how they build towards an unexpected climax—and why it matters for understanding God’s message to Israel.

Tom Richards introduces the Book of Amos through its opening two verses, showing that we should read it from two perspectives. Like the people of Judah, we are to hear God's warnings against injustice, corruption and false worship, and examine our own lives rather than simply condemning others. But we also read Amos as those living under the new covenant in Jesus Christ, who has borne the curse of the law for us and called us to live as members of his kingdom, reflecting the character of our King.

Our guest, Martin Ricquebourg, preaches from Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

In the culmination of our family series, we see that while earthly family is foundational, it is not ultimate—Christ is. Through Christ and by the Spirit, we are brought into the family of God: God is our Father, Christ is our brother, and fellow Christians are our brothers and sisters, sharing together in the privileges, obligations, suffering, and glory of belonging to him.

Mike Fischer, our missionary to Peru, preaches from Psalm 96 on Declaring God’s Praises.