Cherishing our spouse goes beyond affection—it is about protecting their worth and value as a child of God. In this message, we’ll see that true love fights for our spouse, not against them. To cherish means going to war against the poison of contempt, which can so easily creep in through disappointment, frustration, and bitterness. Join us as we discover how cherishing protects, heals, and empowers marriages to reflect the heart of Christ.

Marriage was never meant to be ordinary—it was designed by God to be extraordinary. In our new series, Cherish, we’ll discover how a Christian marriage can reflect the beauty of a ballet, where each partner supports, stabilizes, and lifts the other to shine in their God-given strengths. Join us for this life-giving series as we explore how cherishing can renew connection, restore joy, and reflect Christ’s love in the most intimate of relationships.

When Scripture calls us to love one another, it is more than simply existing together—it is a call to cherish. To cherish is to put time, thought, and effort into honoring, showcasing, and protecting the one God has entrusted to us. Cherishing is not optional for a thriving, Christ-centered marriage—it is essential. May we choose to cherish, so that our marriages reflect the heart of Christ.

This two-verse doxology perfectly sums up our position on the battlefield. We are on the winning team, but not because of our own strength. We win because Jesus won for us. Our victory is passive. It happens to us, not because of us.

When a war is over, the smoke clears and the dust settles, both sides will have casualties. How we treat our own wounded and care for members of the opposing team will be a big indicator of our true faith. This week, we’ll look at how scripture calls us to rescue everyone, even those on the opposing team.

Jude continues his letter with several Old Testament accounts of turning against God. Turning against God has mortal consequences. In much of our daily lives, we wrestle with temptations of this fallen world and our fallen human flesh. How do we overcome these temptations? Every day is a battle! How do we win?

Where there is free speech, there is also false speech. Where there is large-scale good fortune or catastrophe, there are those who will exploit it for personal gain. Jude opens with a warning; he sounds the alarm, warning Christ followers to be on the lookout for false teachers. False teachers were widespread 2,000 years ago and remain that way today. How can you spot a false teacher?

This last conversation is the final word from God to the nation of Israel before 400 years of silence and the coming of Jesus. God is always calling His people to look forward to when He will make everything new. The coming Day of the Lord, when justice will be served, and righteousness will be rewarded.

Have you ever wondered if serving and following God is truly worth it? There are times when it seems that the wicked prosper, while the righteous endure hardship and suffering. It can be easy to question if living faithfully really brings any lasting benefit. God understands these moments of doubt. He reminds us that while we may face struggles, God’s promises are steadfast, and His reward for those who endure faithfully is certain. When doubts arise, we can trust in His love and His perfect plan, knowing that our faithfulness will be honored in the end.

Money is often a touchy subject, but God does not shy away from addressing it. In Malachi 3:6–12, He speaks directly about the importance of giving and how withholding from Him is seen as robbing from Him. This strong language reveals how seriously God views our stewardship over the blessings He provides. However, the heart of giving is not merely about the money itself—it’s about trust. It’s a reflection of whether we truly believe in His faithfulness to provide and bless as He has promised.