This week the sermon is about hell. It’s a topic that is frequently misunderstood, uncomfortable for everyone, and difficult to address. No wonder most people cite “Hellfire & Brimstone” as their biggest hang-up with preaching. So, why bother at all?
Because we want to know God. His prophets are our guides. Nahum tells us that God is a God of vengeance (as well as mercy, as we saw so clearly with the prophet Jonah) which means that he will not let the world go its own way but will intervene. This is good news. As we learned last week, when we began to study Nahum’s vision of the destruction of Nineveh, a day is coming when there will be justice and all will be right. For God’s people the main take away is that this is a God to fear and obey. This week we will consider what Nahum’s vision means for God enemies, that there will be hell to pay…
See you on Sunday,
Josh
Hellfire & Brimstone Part 2
Nahum 2-3
November 3, 2019 • Rev. Josh Hahne
Hellfire & Brimstone Part 1
October 27, 2019 • Rev. Josh Hahne
Nahum’s oracle against Nineveh is a prophetic vision of the last day, the final judgment. Nahum describes that day with vivid and arresting imagery as if it were a great battle in which a city falls to an invading army. His message—that God will judge—is not a popular one, though it is necessary if we are to live well in this life or the one to come. To prepare for worship, take a few minutes to read Nahum 2-3. See you on Sunday, Josh
A God of Vengeance
October 20, 2019 • Rev. Josh Hahne
This week we begin our study of the minor prophet, Nahum. Like Jonah, Nahum muses upon the nature or character of God. Like Jonah, Nahum starts with God's famous description of himself spoken to Moses in Exodus 34, stating that, "God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love… but who will by no means clear the guilty…” Unlike Jonah, Nahum’s focus is on the final section, that God is a God of vengeance. Join us this Sunday as we learn about God’s character and what that means for both the ancient Ninevehites as well as for us. From last week... we recently concluded our time in Jonah 4 the same way the book concludes—with questions for contemplation. Some of your asked for those questions: 1. What does it mean to be the people of God in a fallen world? 2. Does our church love the lost (Lk 13:34)? Do they know that we love them? 3. Will we, like Jesus, not only be willing to be inconvenienced and insulted for lost but spend our lives in love for others? 4. Do you have gospel amnesia? Have you forgotten the grace you have received? 5. How are you participating in mission of God? Do you see your vocation, family, your ordinary obedience, and your various relationships—with neighbors, coworkers, friends, etc.—as part of God’s mission? 6. Do you have friends that are not Christians? Do you pray for them? Do you practice hospitality? 7. Is your heart for the world like God’s heart for the world? See you on Sunday Josh
Jonah 4
October 13, 2019 • Rev. Josh Hahne
Jonah knew about God’s self-disclosure to Moses in Exodus 34, that he is a God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty… Jonah didn’t just know about God’s mercy, he was also the recipient of this mercy. God had been kind, patient, and forgiving to him. But, Jonah was not like the Lord; he did not love the lost. Why? In our final sermon in Jonah, considering chapter 4, we’ll take up difficult questions that the Lord has for his people and hope to leave with a clearer vision of God’s mercy for ourselves as well as our neighbor. Don’t forget, we’ll also have a 30-minute town hall discussion over a cup of coffee after church. You are invited to ask me any question you might have about our study of Jonah, or even more broadly, Christian faith and practice. I look forward to it! See you on Sunday, Josh