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 13, 2022
In Zechariah's second and third visions, God shows the prophet the future of Jerusalem. The old days of displacement will be replaced with a new day of worship. God will open the city's gates, widen its borders, and welcome worshippers from all directions. More importantly, God will remove Israel's enemies, her guilt, and dwell in her midst. This is the way God works: old losses are fertile grounds for new beginnings.
Sun, Nov 06, 2022
Duration: 41 mins 14 secs
Zechariah opens his book with an invitation: Return to God. His summons home depicts God as merciful, compassionate, and longsuffering. The portrait frames the remainder of the book, full of visions and oracles. From the outset, Zechariah sees God on the move. His protection is real: he patrols the earth. His promises will prevail: he will rebuild Jerusalem. Thus, God's reliability and activity should inspire his people to get unstuck and make a move.
Sun, Oct 23, 2022
Duration: 42 mins 45 secs
In the Information Age, we do not have to look far to see people failing. Politicians lie. Athletes cheat. Actors abuse. CEOs intimidate. And it's not just THOSE leaders in the world who are guilty. Abuse, scandal, and deception dwell within the church. Every month another spiritual leader falls from grace. We can wag our fingers, shake our heads, and join the chorus of critics. Or we can look inward at our own wayward hearts. We too walk a perilous path. We must check it for pitfalls.
Sun, Sep 27, 2020
Duration: 45 mins 17 secs
Too often we view spiritual growth as an individual exercise. We do personal devotions. We make personal commitments. We mark personal progress in our individual battle against sin. We call these achievements "spiritual growth." Unfortunately, we miss a key component to God's plan for spiritual growth: the body. Ephesians 4:1-16 makes it clear, spiritual growth is a group effort. Paul urges believers to go in the same direction (character), agree to the core doctrine, and get to the final destination (Christlikeness).
Sun, Nov 11, 2018
Duration: 44 mins 12 secs
All our goods are gifts from God. Not only does He intend for us to steward them well but also give back to Him. Keeping all our money in our possession does not please Him. Neither does paltry giving. This goes for our use of time, skills, and resources, too. Malachi's fourth dispute challenges God's people to ante up and give God his due.
Sun, Oct 21, 2018
Duration: 41 mins 26 secs
We all cheat: in games and sports, at work and school, toward friends or God. Malachi calls out the God's people for cheating Him in their sacrifices. They offered what was second best (or worse), holding back better offerings for themselves. This tendency to serve self before God is ultimately cheats us.
Sun, Dec 03, 2017
Duration: 45 mins 36 secs
God welcomes us back to Him when we drift. He is our refuge, our hiding place, our home. People in Hosea's day needed this reminder as they faced exile (by Assyria). They had lost their bearings. Their relationship with God had thinned. But He welcomed them back. He always welcomes a come back.
