Once again, I (David) am struck with the relevance of Malachi’s words with our situation: we long for justice, don’t we? Poverty only seems to be getting worse! Human trafficking and violence against the marginalized and vulnerable go unchecked. Rampant self-centeredness has become the new virtue (I can be whoever I want; you don’t have… Read More »Justice and the Coming Judge (April 13, 2025)
As we get closer to God; as we learn more deeply of his character and love, our response should be ‘fear.’ In the Bible, this is reverence and awe. In the Bible, fear prompts worship; in our lives, too, our response to God is ‘fear’, and worship. sermon: Fear of the Lord (Luke 5:1-11) with guest… Read More »Fear of the Lord (April 6, 2025)
Sometimes we gloss over the profoundness of “the LORD as one” (Deut 6:4) and how that impacts both our relationship to him and to one another. Malachi focuses in how vital it is to be “one” (אֶחָד). sermon: 2B1 (Malachi 2:10-16) with Rev. Alvin Lau
At least one application of this challenging passage is living with integrity. The priests in Malachi’s day knew the covenant, but didn’t live in obedience. As the people’s leaders, then, they led the people away from true, good and God-honouring worship. We know how we should live, but often don’t live up to it; and… Read More »Living Under Covenant of “Life and Peace” (March 23, 2025)
Last week we were reminded of God’s love; of all he has done for us, in history and especially in Jesus. In this passage, God challenges his people about their flippancy — even total neglect — towards God in their worship. Applying this to us, here, today; Is our response to God in worship appropriate… Read More »The Sacrifice of Worship: Issues of the Heart (March 16, 2025)
After a long-time spent introducing Malachi’s context we get into the book itself. Right from the start, chapter 1, verse 2, we encounter both an affirmation (God Loves them, and us) and we encounter a problem in interpretation (Love/hate language.) The point is that God reminds them of his calling on their lives through the… Read More »How Have You Loved Me? (March 9, 2025)
God’s first declaration in the book of Malachi is that he loves his people. His people argue, even with that. God reminds them how he loved them. On communion Sunday, we look at God’s love and remember the ways he has shown his love to us. sermon: The Wisdom of God (Romans 5:6-8) with Pastor… Read More »The Wisdom of God (March 2, 2025)
Christians can be defined by many characteristics. Those outside of the church have their own assumptions about what defines a Christian. Yet Jesus is very clear about what the aim of a disciple really, and by extension his church as a whole. We’ll explore what it is and what are the ramifications if that aim… Read More »The Mark of a Disciple and of the Church (February 23, 2025)
Malachi was written to a discouraged people. Their discouragement led to apathetic, lazy and even corrupt worship, and it led to many people abandoning the covenant relationship with God. About 80 years earlier the new temple in Jerusalem was completed, and the everyone who was there celebrated with joy. The temple was not only their… Read More »Hear the Word of the Lord (February 16, 2025)
I (David) remember “discovering” the 12 books in the Old Testament called the Minor Prophets. Most commentators say, “minor prophets with major points.” I’ve studied and loved the last of them, Malachi. God had a lot to say to his people then — about 400 years before Jesus’ birth — and most of what he… Read More »Malachi-Introduction (February 9, 2025)