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During the season of Lent we will be looking at the poem of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah 53.  But before we start in the poem itself, first we need to learn a bit about the man who wrote this poem, and the historical situation he ministered in.  Join me as we learn about Isaiah, the prophet of the Suffering Servant.

The Suffering Servant, Part 1: Isaiah, Prophet of the Suffering Servant (Isa 1:1-4, 18-20)

Unfortunately, over the last several years there have been several well-known preachers who have had catastrophic moral failures. This is not unique to our own time. When I was growing up, there were several famous televangelists who had similar problems. The fact is, because we are sinful people, this sin often affects the leaders of God’s people, and if they do not take careful measures to protect their integrity, they can become a blight on God’s people rather than a blessing. 
 
As we move into Lamentations 4 this week, we will see how Jerusalem’s priests and prophets are largely responsible for leading the people into greater forms of wickedness. As Jeremiah looks around at the devastation that God has allowed to take place in Jerusalem, he wants to know who is responsible for this happening? Regrettably, those who should have led the people of God in righteousness have instead become leaders in sin. When the prophets and priests become corrupt, how does a person discern truth? 
 
Join me as we observe Jeremiah’s fourth lament and reflect on the importance of integrity in godly leaders.

Unfortunately, over the last several years there have been several well-known preachers who have had catastrophic moral failures.  This is not unique to our own time.  When I was growing up, there were several famous televangelists who had similar problems.  The fact is, because we are sinful people, this sin often affects the leaders of God’s people, and if they do not take careful measures to protect their integrity, they can become a blight on God’s people rather than a blessing. 

As we move into Lamentations 4 this week, we will see how Jerusalem’s priests and prophets are largely responsible for leading the people into greater forms of wickedness.  As Jeremiah looks around at the devastation that God has allowed to take place in Jerusalem, he wants to know who is responsible for this happening?  Regrettably, those who should have led the people of God in righteousness have instead become leaders in sin.  When the prophets and priests become corrupt, how does a person discern trut

Lamentations, Part 5: Who is Responsible for This? (Lam 4:1-13)

Jeremiah had a unique calling upon his life. From a young age, the Lord had called him to be his preacher and declared about him that through his preaching he would uproot and tear down kingdoms. But this calling was hard on Jeremiah. To be faithful to God cost him personally and at times it got the best of Jeremiah and he cried out to God. 
 
In Lamentations chapter 3, the climactic poem of the book, we will see Jeremiah cry out because of the things he has seen. The burden of preaching doom has weighed heavily on him as he has seen punishment fall upon his people for failing to repent. And yet, because of the things that God had shown him in his ministry, deep inside Jeremiah was a hope that his people would one day see better days. God would not cast off his people forever. 
 
In this lesson we will explore Jeremiah’s journey to hope. From his call as a young man, to his difficulties in mid-life, all the way to his anguish at the fall of Jerusalem, we will walk these steps with Jeremiah, and learn how he had the grit to hope even in the midst of despair. Perhaps his life can teach us about hope in our own lives.

Jeremiah had a unique calling upon his life.  From a young age, the Lord had called him to be his preacher and declared about him that through his preaching he would uproot and tear down kingdoms.  But this calling was hard on Jeremiah.  To be faithful to God cost him personally and at times it got the best of Jeremiah and he cried out to God.  

In Lamentations chapter 3, the climactic poem of the book, we will see Jeremiah cry out because of the things he has seen.  The burden of preaching doom has weighed heavily on him as he has seen punishment fall upon his people for failing to repent.  And yet, because of the things that God had shown him in his ministry, deep inside Jeremiah was a hope that his people would one day see better days.  God would not cast off his people forever. 

In this lesson we will explore Jeremiah’s journey to hope. From his call as a young man, to his difficulties in mid-life, all the way to his anguish at the fall of Jerusalem, we will walk these steps with

Lamentations, Part 4: A Journey to Hope (Lam 3:1-3, 10-15, 19-24, 31-33)

Jesus once warned that there is a choice of two roads before us. One is the broad road that leads to destruction, and according to Jesus, most people take that road. The other is the narrow way that leads to true and everlasting life. 
 
As we move into the first chapter of the book of Lamentations, we will observe how Jeremiah mourns over the city of Jerusalem which has taken the broad road to destruction. “How desolate lies the city once so full of people,” Jeremiah begins by saying. The scene of destruction that lies before him devastates his heart. 
 
What can happen to cities and nations can also happen to individuals when we do not obey God. We were created to be glorious creatures, but when we come to ruin, the devastation can be catastrophic. I invite you to join me this as we explore this opening poem of Lamentations, and reflect on the two roads that lie open before each one of us.

Jesus once warned that there is a choice of two roads before us.  One is the broad road that leads to destruction, and according to Jesus, most people take that road.  The other is the narrow way that leads to true and everlasting life.  

As we move into the first chapter of the book of Lamentations, we will observe how Jeremiah mourns over the city of Jerusalem which has taken the broad road to destruction.  “How desolate lies the city once so full of people,” Jeremiah begins by saying.  The scene of destruction that lies before him devastates his heart.  

What can happen to cities and nations can also happen to individuals when we do not obey God.  We were created to be glorious creatures, but when we come to ruin, the devastation can be catastrophic.  I invite you to join me this as we explore this opening poem of Lamentations, and reflect on the two roads that lie open before each one of us.

Lamentations, Part 2: The Broad Road of Destruction (Lam 1:1-5)

Having introduced to us the letter of James in part 1, this week will start to make our way through the book. We will not examine every passage in James in detail, but we certainly cannot overlook the opening admonition of the letter, “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of various kinds.” 
 
Even though most of us recognize the truth of this, I doubt there are very many of us who would say that this is a favorite passage. Trials involve suffering and we do not like suffering. If we have any choice in the matter, we would rather avoid it. 
 
Happily, James is not telling us that our trials ARE joy. He is telling us to CONSIDER THEM as joy. What’s the difference? Quite a bit actually. While none of us likes trials, and we should do all that we reasonably can to avoid them, sometimes they simply can’t be avoided. As Jesus told his disciples, “in this world you will have trouble.” But he also tells them, “take heart, I have overcome the world.” 
 
It is this fact that allows us to face our trials with a certain kind of joy. It is because we have a firm conviction that God is taking us somewhere and is molding us and shaping us along the way, that we can endure our trials as a path to a happy ending (or will it really be just the beginning?). This will be very important to us in the days and years ahead, because as Christians increasingly lose their influence in our culture, our trials and challenges will increase. We may find ourselves in a position similar to the early readers of James. 
 
So join me as we start our way through the book. While the subject is difficult, its importance cannot be overstated.

Having introduced to us the letter of James in part 1, this week will start to make our way through the book.  We will not examine every passage in James in detail, but we certainly cannot overlook the opening admonition of the letter, “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of various kinds.”  

Even though most of us recognize the truth of this, I doubt there are very many of us who would say that this is a favorite passage.  Trials involve suffering and we do not like suffering.  If we have any choice in the matter, we would rather avoid it.  

Happily, James is not telling us that our trials ARE joy.  He is telling us to CONSIDER THEM as joy.  What’s the difference?  Quite a bit actually.  While none of us likes trials, and we should do all that we reasonably can to avoid them, sometimes they simply can’t be avoided.  As Jesus told his disciples, “in this world you will have trouble.”  But he also tells them, “take heart, I have overcome the world.”



James, Part 2: Considering Our Trials as Joy (James 1:2-18)

As the reality of the effects of the Corona Virus on our society has now settled in, we turn to the scripture to help us navigate how we deal with this new reality.  The prophet Habakkuk can offer us such help.  He once looked at his own society and asked God "why are you not paying attention to all that is going on here?"  God let him he know he was paying attention and had a plan to deal with it that would shock him to his core.  When Habakkuk learned this would mean hard times for his people, he was shaken.  But God reminded him that in such times, "the righteous must live by faith."  In other words, he must learn to trust him.  That is always the struggle in times of crisis...to learn to trust God.  But Habakkuk learned how, and perhaps he has something to share with us for our benefit.  Join me as we explore this Old Testament prophet who just might have a message that is relevant to us.

RiverWalk Church of Christ Videos

The Suffering Servant, Part 1: Isaiah, Prophet of the Suffering Servant (Isa 1:1-4, 18-20)

Lamentations, Part 5: Who is Responsible for This? (Lam 4:1-13)

Lamentations, Part 4: A Journey to Hope (Lam 3:1-3, 10-15, 19-24, 31-33)

Lamentations, Part 2: The Broad Road of Destruction (Lam 1:1-5)

James, Part 2: Considering Our Trials as Joy (James 1:2-18)

"God...This is Not What I was Thinking!" (Habakkuk 1:1-2:4; 3:16-19)

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RiverWalk Church of Christ Videos

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The Suffering Servant, Part 1: Isaiah, Prophet of the Suffering Servant (Isa 1:1-4, 18-20)

Lamentations, Part 5: Who is Responsible for This? (Lam 4:1-13)

Lamentations, Part 4: A Journey to Hope (Lam 3:1-3, 10-15, 19-24, 31-33)

Lamentations, Part 2: The Broad Road of Destruction (Lam 1:1-5)

James, Part 2: Considering Our Trials as Joy (James 1:2-18)

"God...This is Not What I was Thinking!" (Habakkuk 1:1-2:4; 3:16-19)

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Group of Brands