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.

Have you ever found yourself questioning where God is when it comes to dealing with those who seem to do evil without consequence? It's easy to look around and wonder why injustice goes unchecked and why wrongdoers seem to prosper. The people of Israel voiced similar frustrations, questioning God's justice and asking, “Where is the God of justice?” God’s response is both reassuring and sobering. He promises that He is indeed a God of justice and that He will deal with all sin—both the sins of others and our own.

God takes marriage seriously because He is the Creator of it, establishing it as a divine covenant and a precious gift to humanity. From the very beginning, marriage was designed to reflect His love, unity, and faithfulness. It is not merely a partnership between a husband and wife—it is a living illustration of God’s relationship with His people, fully realized in Christ's love for the Church. The vows made are not just promises to one another but are also commitments before God, sealed in His presence. This is why Scripture emphasizes the importance of honoring and protecting the marriage bond, rejecting unfaithfulness, and cherishing the unity it represents.

As our series in Malachi continues, God turns his attention to the priests of the land to let them know He is displeased with their attitude. What is our attitude? Where does it come from? This week's text contains some strange imagery. We'll work through why this imagery is used and why our attitude towards God is vitally important.

In this special episode, we sit down with Kevin Hesson, one of the founding members and former elders of Blessed Hope, for a full-length conversation about the early days of our church and God’s faithfulness over the last 20 years. While a portion of this conversation appeared in our anniversary video, this extended podcast episode shares the full story, with heartfelt reflections and behind-the-scenes moments that didn’t make the final cut. Whether you’ve been part of BHCC since day one or just found your seat, you’ll be encouraged by Kevin’s perspective on building something that lasts.