A Journey Through the Minor Prophets

Good morning!

As I mentioned on Sunday, our new sermon series over the next few months will be on the Minor Prophets. If you are doing a “Read the Bible in a Year” plan, you will come to the Minor Prophets just as we are wrapping up the series in mid-September! When we reach the Minor Prophets the temptation is to sort gloss over them so that we can get to the “good stuff” of the Gospels. We shouldn’t do that…there is plenty of “good stuff” in the Minor Prophets!

As a kid (and frankly, even as a young adult) I always thought these prophets were all saying the same thing (God is angry and coming to get you) and if you read one you read them all. But that simply isn’t true. Here is a very brief look at what message each of the prophets that we will look at in this series (we are only looking at 10 of the 12…Hosea and Jonah will be their own series down the road) is proclaiming to us:

Obadiah – God hates pride and will avenge His people when others act against them out of pride.

Joel – God is constantly calling on people to return to Him and when they do He is delighted to restore them.

Amos – God hates greed and expects His people to act compassionately toward others.

Micah – Sin is a big deal to God and he expects his people, especially his leaders, to be humble and just.

Nahum – God is not pleased when we repent of a sin and then return to it.

Zephaniah – Spiritual complacency when times are good is very dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

Habakkuk – God will deal with evil according to His timing and His purposes.

Haggai – God’s work comes first and we must make Him the priority in our lives.

Zechariah - God is not pleased when we are more concerned about looking good in front of others than genuinely trusting and following Him.

Malachi – God does not change. He has loved us in the past…He loves us in the present…and He will love us in the future.

So, although it may seem at first like the Minor Prophets are all saying the same thing, these are actually very unique prophecies that declare truths that we believers need to hear today!

Here’s what’s happening:

1. SUNDAY – Summer Coffee Fellowship begins this week. Join us at 9:30 for a light snack and a cup of coffee before the service.

2. VBS WEEK – It all starts this Monday night at 6:30! We are still in need of some volunteers…please see Elizabeth Barrett. Please pray for good weather and a great turnout! Adult class is Monday through Wednesday from 7 to 8.

3. July 12 – Double Nickels luncheon after the worship service.

4. July 12 – Youth Group Pool Party at the Brinton home at 4pm.

5. The Octorara Food Cupboard in Parkesburg is having a “Battle of the Boroughs” food drive. Christiana, Atglen and Parkesburg are each receiving food donations. See their respective Facebook pages for more information and drop off locations.

6. Save the Date: 8/29 – Youth Missions Project with Good Neighbors.

7. Save the Date: 8/30 – Baptism Service at the Hoover Pond in the evening.

We are starting our series with the shortest book of the Old Testament - Obadiah. Obadiah’s message is a short-but-powerful one. We’ll look at why God hates the sin of pride, what the sources of a lot of pride are today, and how we can avoid it!

Stay cool,

Scott