November 24, 2013 “I myself will gather my people”: “Christ is before all things and in him all things hold together”

This is our last Sunday in the series of Hearing from the Prophets.  And on this last Sunday the warning is directed at the "shepherds of God's people."

Often as pastors, we think ministry hinges on our leadership, our competency - and because we do believe this, this warning is appropriate for us.

Actually, the One who leads is the Lord for God is the One who gathers God's people.  And we are gathered together as the body of Christ - being held together by Christ.

Christ being before us and being held together by him is how we are called to live in this world - to be led by the Spirit, rather than being led by we who are pastors who think more highly of ourselves than we ought.

Link to message:  "I myself will gather my people"

November 17, 2013 Promise of Healing - Promise of Life: Revering God's Name

Many of us reading the prophets hear words of judgment, words of the destruction of the wicked.  But who are the wicked?  Maybe not as many as we think.  In the midst of the prophet Malachi talking about the destruction of the wicked we hear God promising life to all who revere his name.

What does that mean in light of the meaning of God's name?  If God's name bears striking resemblance to the Hebrew verb for "being," for "life" could God be saying - all who revere who I am and what I am are filled with life?

Something to consider . . .

Link to message:  Promise of Healing - Promise of Life: Revering God's Name