Calvary: the Hill Sermons

Freedom is not only a keyword in American politics, its also a keyword in Christianity. But how does American freedom differ from the Christian version? Christian freedom is deeper gives us the ability to be subject to every governing authority. Intrigued?

The final chapters of Amos are full of visions. Some that God relented from, some that have come to pass, and some that will one day be fulfilled. At the center of them is the plan of God that culminates in Jesus Christ, the savior not just of the Jews but of the whole world.

The first root we need to remove from Christianity is the will to power. Although coercion is a good aspect of government, it has grown primary in our political engagement and is not the way the kingdom will be brought or protected. It's time to dethrone and demythologize politics and pursue human flourishing with God's help instead.

The people of Israel in Amos' day were not just prosperous but very religious. However, Amos comes to warn them that their religion won't save them. Although they worship at the places of their forefathers, they do not worship as their forefathers did; theirs was a worship without change, without humility, without truth and therefore without hope.

What is the primary mark of being part of God's Family? Paul in his conclusion walks through the contours of the Old Testament to show the nature of God's family is the same as it has always been: through faith in the promises of God and his miraculous work.

Amos lays a trap for his audience by beginning with their closest neighbors (and biggest enemies!) before centering his sights on Israel. He calls them out for their injustice and the false religious veneer that keeps them from facing their impending fate. True, they are God's special people, but that doesn't make them untouchable, it makes them accountable.

For us to grow in our relationship in Christ, we need the help of teachers and parents in the Lord, but how can we make sure those we follow will lead us rightly? Paul here presents an example of what Christian leadership looks like and calls us to follow him as he follows Jesus.

Joel's big topic is the Day of the Lord, which he connects with the recent judgment of locust, the impending judgment of Babylon and the final deliverance of God's people. As we travel through time with him our understanding of God's character is transformed and we learn, as John does in Revelation to say "Even so, come Lord Jesus."

Because we have already been adopted to go back to the Old Testament way of relating to God is just like going back to idolatry. Although the law was God-given, it was given temporarily to a people awaiting God to work in the Messiah. Now that Jesus has come, we are no longer waiting but can enjoy our relationship with God in Jesus.

Since we as Christians are united to Christ we are the sons of God. Our status is complete and full in Christ, and we need not add to it in any way. This also means that there is no justification for division within the Church, because we are all sons.

Abraham encounters the final exam in his life-long education in faith. Called to do the unimaginable and sacrifice his son, Abraham demonstrates that his trust in God goes to the very core of his being. However, there is good reason for Abraham's faith, just as there is in our own dark nights and trials.

God's Power makes his character visible. For that to happen, God often blesses us in ways that are greater than our reason, our mistakes, and (obviously) our power. Like Abraham, we can respond to this reality through obedience.

As Abram faces the temptation of worldly wealth, he finds himself prepared because of the mysterious arrival of Melchizedek. Like Abram, God is our portion and provider so we need not be tempted by all that glitters in this world.

The blessed life for Christians looks different than the world would expect. Because we trust in God's promises we can go about our life as peacemakers and with meekness. Like Abraham, instead of choosing for ourself we can trust God's portion.

The life of faith trust that God will provide. We are always tempted to provide for ourselves, and when we do so we cut corners, take shortcuts, and hurt those close to us. A better way is to keep God in our moral calculus and know that we can obey his word, because he will keep his promises.

When the faithful God speaks his promises, the people of God place their faith in him and live faithfully in light of his words. Like Abraham we have a choice to live life based on what we see, or live life based on what God has said. Abraham discovered that God keeps his promises, and so will we.

Hosea's final chapters reach the highest point in all his major themes: the highest indictment against Israel, the highest vision of punishment, and the highest portrayal of hope. We also get one final window into the loving character of God who calls us, like Israel, wherever we are, to return to him.

A life of faith always begins with us surrendering to God’s plan. However, to do so we have to recognize that the way of faith is always an interruption to the status quo, that the way of faith means laying aside our own plans, and that the way of faith isn’t hindered by the impossible. Just like Abraham, God is still calling us to follow him in the way of faith.

Hosea's message of impending judgment ramps up to its highest level. He describes the sins of the Northern Tribes as consonant with Israel's worst historical happenings. He also points to all their false hopes which God is going to remove, one by one, culminating in the removal of Israel themselves from the land.

The way of faith is superior to the law. For starters, God’s promise predates the giving of the law, and even when it was given it was only for a temporary purpose. More importantly, the law was given not to make us righteous but show our need for a savior and point us to Christ. When we read the commands of God we must do so in a way that leads us back to what God has done for us in Jesus, encoun...

Hosea begins his message proper, although still in the spirit of a scorned faithful husband. As Gomer, we see that Israel has been consistently unfaithful. We also find that their supposed freedom is just slavery, blindness and death. However God has a plan that extends past judgment, and will lead to restoration.

The law is great, but it was never meant to be the means to the blessings of God; in fact, if you aren’t good at following directions to the tee, then you don’t get blessing from the law, but cursing. Jesus in his substitutionary death and resurrection has purchased us something so much better - a piece of the blessing promised to Abraham, righteousness and God’s Spirit in us.

Hosea becomes a living prophecy as he is called to marry (and re-marry) an unfaithful wife and name his kids after the impending judgment. Nevertheless we find that after the judgment comes a new honeymoon and God proves himself to be a love greater than our sin.

From the beginning God sought a blessing for humanity: that they would live with him and be his partners and representatives. What is required to participate in that blessing? That we, like Abraham place our faith in God and his promises.

As Ezekiel concludes his final vision we find not just a new temple but a new priesthood, new cultus and a new Israel. We discover that one day, God will fulfill his promise to Israel on earth, and after that will fulfill it in heaven.