Sun, Dec 04, 2022
Duration: 49 mins 39 secs
Zechariah responds to an earnest question about fasting with four words from the LORD. He warns his people against simply going through the motions. Rather than faking their faith, they should show sincerity, practice justice, keep building, and seek God. Fasting had become an automated response, rather than a sign of real remorse. Moreover, fasting robbed them of the joyful anticipation of God's return. Whether we fasting or feasting, the people of God must keep moving forward.
Sun, Nov 14, 2021
Duration: 44 mins 12 secs
Esther's second feast has begun. King Xerxes has run out of patience. Haman is covered in shame. When the king asks Queen Esther for her petition and requests, she offers a brilliant, calibrated response, which exposes her Jewish identity and accuses Haman of attempted genocide. Things go from bad to worse for Haman, when the king catches Haman draped over his wife. Now he has a reason to impale Haman, who ends up dead on the very pole he crafted for Mordecai's execution. Reversals continue in this dramatic book: here it begins when Esther comes out of hiding.
Sun, Oct 10, 2021
Duration: 44 mins 59 secs
Although he uncovers an assassination plot against King Xerxes, Mordecai retains his lowly position at the gate. Meanwhile, Haman rises to power and flaunts it. When Mordecai refuses to bow to him, it spells not only the death of Mordecai but of all the Jewish people. Haman consults his magical cube (i.e., pur) and convinces the king to legislate the extermination on the Jews. This message deals with evil in some of its grossest forms. It reminds us that every evil face will someday face God.
Sun, Jul 21, 2019
Duration: 48 mins 38 secs
Hell sounds scary. Darkness. Isolation. Fire that never stops burning. These are the images Jesus used to describe everlasting life apart from God. Fortunately, there is a better option: everlasting life in Heaven. We have a choice. A memorable scene with Jesus and disciples captures this decision and its eternal consequences. Who do you say Jesus is?
Sun, Nov 04, 2018
Stains of social injustice show up everywhere. Racism, poverty, sexism, human trafficking, neglect of the elderly, and plight of the orphan top the list. We can easily be overwhelmed. We might even groan. But through Malachi God says, "Rest assured, someday I will scrub out these stains." Until then, we, too, may scrub out injustice where God has given us passion to scrub.
Sun, Sep 17, 2017
Duration: 43 mins 37 secs
Forgiveness has become a fad in psychological and medical literature. But definitions of forgiveness remain fuzzy and too focused on self. The biblical exhortation to forgive follows the pattern set by Jesus. It is a gift of pardon to a repentant person who has morally offended another. When we get this wrong, we gloss over our hurts and keep ourselves in harm's way.
Sun, Nov 20, 2016
Duration: 45 mins 39 secs
Job suffered. It was not because he deserved it. No: He was righteous. But good works don't always merit you a good life. In fact, sometimes bad people enjoy good things. God knows His world is not always neat and tidy. He allows us to suffer to refine our faith. And as we face misfortune, prayer keeps us God-focused.
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