Join us as we explore Jesus as a prophet.

Jesus understood himself as a prophet, and as the fulfillment of the prophets of the Old Testament.

The prophets were known for calling God's people to come back to God. In this sermon we explore the temptations Jesus faced (Matthew 3:13-4:11) to take his attention/affection/trust/service away from God.

How do those same temptations impact us?

May God continue to form all of us as we continue to make God's love the core of our identity & motivation to serve.

Join us as we explore Jesus as a prophet.

In Luke 4 we read that Jesus understood himself as a prophet - "I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his hometown" - and the fulfillment of what the prophet Isaiah had written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."

The prophets of the Old Testament called people back to God from living lives of idolatry and injustice. In the scripture we read today, Jesus calls his hometown to let go of thinking of themselves as insiders and others as outsiders.

May God continue to form all of us as we meditate on God's love and faithfulness to all people.

Join us as we explore the prophets of the Old Testament.

Today we look at Hosea. Many of the prophets were asked by God to do things that would appear foolish to the crowd that observed their behavior. Hosea is at the top of that list.

Through his words and his own life, Hosea paints God as the abandoned one. While God keeps trying to love his people, they keep running to other things/gods with their interest/affection/trust.

"I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings." This was God's call to his people. Not just to know information about God. But to be intimate. Connected.

May God continue to form all of us as we meditate on God's love and faithfulness to his people.