The CMBC Podcast

As we move into week 3 of our series in the Habakkuk, we find God’s response to the prophet’s difficult yet sincere questions. How might we live faithfully even when evil persists? What should be our response when the days, months, and years seem long and are filled with trouble? How might one patiently, yet actively wait on the Lord? What contrasts exist between the one whose god is their own strength, and the one who depends on the strength of the Lord? Turn with us to Habakkuk 2:2-5 this week as we further explore what it means for the righteous to live by faith.

In our second week together in Habakkuk, we turn to uncover the prophet’s response to God’s difficult news. God was raising up the Babylonian nation to bring judgment, in the form of captivity, upon his people. How might we respond when we recognize that God’s ways are not our ways? What should patient yet active faithfulness look like in the face of violence and oppression? To answer these questions we turn to the prophet’s continued dialogue with God in Habakkuk 1:12-2:1.

Today we begin our six-week series through the book of Habakkuk titled "Hope for our Present Distress." We introduce the book and explore Habakkuk 1:1-11 together, sitting with the prophet in our present cultural moment and seeking answers to the same questions. "God, do you hear us? Will you save us? And, how long will you allow injustice to go unpunished?" Tune in to hear the hopeful answer to these questions.

Sometimes we think, “How can intelligent people do such dumb things?” We can all recall people who started out well and ended up poorly because they made poor decisions, took careless actions, or for a few moments of passion ruined their careers, reputation, another’s life, or their own. What possessed them in those moments to make those decisions and pursue such a disastrous course of action? Today we look at the wisest of all people of his day, Solomon, and see how he made life choices that caused his world to implode. He started out well but ended poorly. Eugene H. Peterson, in his book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society, writes, “There is a great market for religious experience in our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship in what earlier generations of Christians called holiness.” Solomon started well by seeking God to give him wisdom. He ended poorly when the wisdom God gave him clashed with the culture around him. He left his heart unguarded and chose foolishly.

1 Corinthians 16:13-24

How can we support, encourage, and uphold those who minister to us and with us? Through generosity, hospitality, and partnership we can honor God, proclaim Jesus, and minister to others by encouraging those he sends to work in our faith communities.

Turning our attention to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 16:1-12; we consider how Paul encourages the church to support, encourage, and uphold those who are providing ministry to us. What helpful habits does Paul unwrap in this part of his letter that might help the church motivate endurance in her leaders?

Easter Service

1 Cor. 15:50-28

Palm Sunday

Luke 19:28-44

Rev. 21:1-8

Dr. Michael Stallard (Friends of Israel)