November 12, 2016 - Church at Worship

Sermon: "When Justice Is a Joke" (Why? Part 1 of 3) by Randy Roberts

Pastoral Welcome: Otis Coutsoumpos

Child Dedication: Jacob Christian Tien-U Tsou

Children’s Feature: Shawna Campbell

Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-2:4, TNIV read by Bernard Brandstater and Jonathan Mamora

Sermon Notes: If we’re honest with ourselves, we have to admit—even as believers—that there are times when God does not make sense, times when God is silent, times when God’s ways are inscrutable, times when we cry out, Why?! Today we begin a three-part sermon series entitled, Why? When God Doesn’t Make Sense. Our text will be the book of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk is a brief but mighty missive. It is only three chapters long (56 verses, to be precise), and yet it contains passion and pathos, questions and answers, despair and hope, honesty and brokenness. It is a book to which I have long been drawn, and have long admired. I encourage you to not only join me in the study of this book, but also to make its study your own. Take your Bible down from the shelf, and open it to Habakkuk. (I’ll give you ten minutes to find it!) And read it. Then re-read it. Then re-read it in a contemporary version. Read it thoughtfully and prayerfully. See if you don’t find our world situation—your current life’s situation—on the pages of this prophet’s book. I suspect that his book will become as contemporary to you as it has to me. Spend time praying through the chapters, asking God to reveal Himself to you. And to us. And finally, join us each of the next three Sabbaths as we open Habakkuk with the question on our lips… Why? Randy Roberts, senior pastor