The Old Testament is a rich tapestry that details how God's plan of salvation was being worked out centuries before the birth of Christ. Yet many people in the pews are not as familiar as they should be with the Hebrew scriptures and their profound lessons for modern living. In this penetrating collection of spiritually enlightening messages based on the First Readings from Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary, five distinguished preachers unlock the secrets of some often overlooked passages from the Old Testament and the book of Acts. These sermons for each Sunday and major celebration throughout the entire church year illuminate the wisdom of the prophets, and they demonstrate how relevant their timeless themes of justice and righteousness remain for our twenty-first-century culture. Each thought-provoking message is filled with compelling stories and illustrations that help readers see how to "profit from the prophets." This essential resource is useful for: • Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts • Inspiring preaching illustrations and sermon starters • Understanding scripture passages • Bible study and discussion groups • Personal devotions and inspirational reading