Draw Me Close: Podcast - A Ministry of Whitestone Christian Fellowship, with Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Paul’s second chapter of Romans brings home a point that God wants us to recognize, and have it lay in our hearts permanently...

This week, we are looking at verses 18-32 of Romans chapter 1.  The title of this morning's message is, "The Road to Idolatry."   Idolatry  is worshipping something other than the True GOD in the True Way (Leviticus 19:4). Idolatry is the product of rebellion, not confusion. While hearts and minds darkened by sin can’t find God on their own apart from His Word, the apostle Paul makes it clear that...

As we begin the Epistle of Paul to the Romans today, we must acknowledge that it is a letter to The Church in Rome. Written about 60 A.D., it is a Christian Church in its infant form during the Roman Empire. Later on, the church would grow in its influence and administration. Then 1,000 years after this letter, pride had entered into the Church, and the first split in the Church occurred. 

When it comes to the most full, direct, comprehensive, and majestic explanation of the gospel, there is no other book in all of Scripture quite like Romans. While we believe all Scripture is breathed out by God; that the Bible is perfect, clear, and totally sufficient for life and godliness; and that every single page reveals the glories of Christ and the good news of salvation by grace through fa...

As we begin the Epistle of Paul to the Romans today, we must acknowledge that it is a letter to The Church in Rome. Written about 60 A.D., it is a Christian Church in its infant form during the Roman Empire. 

The Book of Amos is about the Lord’s expectation of righteousness straight and true – His expectation of righteousness in our individual lives; His expectation of righteousness among the people who know His salvation; and His demand for righteousness and justice in our society at large. This morning, we are going to look at the end of the book, which contains the final words of the impending judgm...

Think of God’s vantage point from His lofty Throne in Heaven. He sees everything in His Creation, including the several layers of “heavens” in the universe. This is the view God gave to Amos in Chapter 9: The "Long View" of God’s plan for all His creation. 

This week our study begins in Amos chapter 8. Amos 8  is a solemn reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and embracing corruption, injustice, and false religious practices. While the judgment pronounced is severe, the underlying message is one of divine justice and a call to righteousness. It underscores the importance of maintaining our spiritual integrity and ac...

God’s Word to Amos comes as a lightning bolt. Israel was not prepared for it. It came suddenly and without warning. However, Amos’ previous 7 chapters should have been enough warning. They should have known that there would soon come a change in the weather. . .

This week our study begins in Amos chapter 7.  The chapter opens with two symbolic visions received by Amos. In the first, a locust swarm threatens to devour the newly sprouted crops, symbolizing famine and devastation. In the second, a consuming fire engulfs the land, representing the potential destruction of Israel. In both instances, Amos intercedes through prayer, and God relents, sparing Isra...

The Prophet Ahijah appeared suddenly from Shilo with a message from God for King Jeroboam about 985 BC, 200 years prior to today’s passage in Amos 7, But in Amos 3:7, it says,  “Surely the Lord will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.”  The prophecy of which we speak in Amos 7, is found in our reading this morning, of 1 Kings 11. Like the title of today’s messag...

Amos 6  is a somber reminder that complacency, pride, and indifference towards the suffering of others are not traits of God's faithful people. As believers, we are called to live humbly, seek justice, and maintain a compassionate heart, keeping our focus on God and not on materialistic pleasures or self-glorification. These verses call out those who are at ease in Zion and secure on Mount Sam...

Today we learn of those that lived in Zion, living  “at ease.”  But from a Biblical perspective, they might as well have “fallen out.” They were not living circumspectly, but for their own personal pleasures. The walls were either not watched, or the alarms went unheeded. 

An age of luxury and excess reigned, with commerce flourishing and riches overflowing. Both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah lived in peace with the surrounding nations. Instead of fighting with their enemies, their wealth and energy were used to build and develop their kingdoms. Their cities expanded with their newfound prosperity, yet injustice ran rampant and mor...

“Hypocrites!”  Jesus called out. He called them whited seplkers, only half-heartedly living the Law; blind guides they were, unclean, and engaged in building great tombs to the prophets that their forefathers had killed, and they themselves garnishing the tombs of the righteous. Jesus described them as straining at a gnat yet swallowing a camel. He called them serpents, and a generation of vipers...

This week, our study begins in Amos chapter 5.  Amos 5 is a timeless call for repentance and loving God, obedience, and authentic worship and personal holiness.  To hate evil and love what is good.  It admonishes against complacency in religious rituals, underscoring the need for a genuine and deep-rooted commitment to God's commandments and principles. Despite the imminent judgement, God'...

God’s admonishment towards all Israel continues as we go through Chapter 5 of Amos; and it comes with encouraging words and direction. 

Amos 4 opens with a scathing address to the “cows of Bashan,” a metaphor for the arrogant and self-indulgent women who exploit the poor. Amos condemns their luxurious lifestyle built upon the suffering of others. He warns them that their wealth and comfort will be stripped away, and they will be carried off into exile. The focus then shifts to the nation’s widespread idolatry. Amos criticizes thei...

The word “kine” in the Bible are the cows and heifers of God which graze on a thousand hills. And Baw-shawn is the region east and north of the Sea of Galilee. It brings to mind a pastoral scene of peace and tranquility. Today’s passage however brings a different image to mind from the peaceful country scene we might have imagined. While the cattle are grazing and getting fat on their diet, Amos s...

Amos 3 stands as a stark reminder of the responsibility that comes with being chosen by God. It calls us to consider the consequences of our actions, the importance of obedience to God's word, and the value of heeding prophetic warnings. Although it highlights divine judgment, it also underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness. God reminds the Israelites of their...

In John 15:15, we read the words of Jesus to His Apostles:  “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” Amos 3 holds a surprise for us in verse 7 of today’s chapter. “… God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.&qu...

This week, we are in chapter 2 in the book of Amos.  Amos chapter 2 continues the prophecies against the nations around God’s People, but God quickly turns His attention towards His own people who will not escape His wrath for their many horrific sins. Notice that the language from Amos 1 continues… the metaphor about “three transgressions… for four” and the use of “fire” when speaking about God’s...

The judgments continue and come home to roost upon Judah in chapter 2 of Amos. But before we get there, the chapter begins with the three transgressions of Moab. . .

Amos is a shepherd and a fruit picker from the Judean village of Tekoa when God calls him, even though he lacks an education or a priestly background. Amos' mission is directed to his neighbor to the north, Israel. His messages of impending doom and captivity for the nation because of her sins are largely unpopular and unheeded, however, because not since the days of Solomon have times been so...

Amos’ prophecy is addressed to the Northern Tribes. In Israel’s west bank, we find a town named Balata, a suburb of Nablus in the disputed Palestinian territory. It is in Balata that we find the Well of Jacob. It has been a Holy Site since the days of Constantine, protected under the walls and ceiling of a Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Only Christians and Jews refer to it as Jacob’s Well, for the Pale...