The Foundry Church WV

Every story in the Bible culminates to the greatest narrative of all time—the salvation story. All of Scripture crescendos with Jesus Christ—His sinless life, His sacrificial death, and His resurrection to the Father. From Malachi, the Messenger, we are promised two other Messengers. One will prepare the way for the other, who will prepare our hearts and lives for heaven. There is one question that we will have to answer: Are You Ready?

Malachi delivers the final message of God to Israel of the Old Testament. The message emphasizes the urgent need for everyone to return to the profound reverence and awe of God that once characterized their lives. Why would God address them with such a message? Their daily worship practices and overall lives had deviated from their former state, reflecting a loss of reverence and awe for God. Israel had become a people who had ceased to give God their utmost devotion, and God sought to challenge them on this matter. Today, you too are challenged to reflect on your own life and discern if there are any areas where you have failed to cultivate a healthy fear of God.

The people of Israel posed a seemingly straightforward question to God, hoping for an easy answer. However, God responded with a question that unveiled the deeper issue—the state of Israel’s heart. The hardening of one’s heart is not an instantaneous process; it’s a gradual journey. We didn’t reach our current state without making crucial decisions along the way. In today’s message, we are challenged to seek God’s examination of our hearts and listen attentively to His revelations, so that we may remain steadfast in our faithfulness to Him.

God is a God of Grace & Mercy, but He will not relent on His Will & Plan being accomplished. The Remnant and its leaders had forgotten God’s Call to “rebuild the temple” after they returned from exile…to rebuild the worship and renown that was due Him. Instead, they focused on themselves and the building of their own houses (lives) apart from God. Through the Prophet Haggai, we all are reminded of The Work God is calling us to and how it will come to fruition. 

Simple Math…or is it? We’ve all heard that God is Just and Loving, but what does that mean? How does this realistically play out in the life of an individual? And, how do we get to the place of having Lasting Hope in the midst of a world filled calamity and chaos? Zephaniah paints the pathway to hope that one must travel to truly experience this type of Hope. 

Too often, we wonder at God, "Why did You let this happen?" "How long must this go on?" Suffering and pain are a part of our lives, but how do we reconcile our pain with God's heart and character and love for us?

How can we learn more about what Micah was writing about nearly 2700 years ago, so that we can understand more about God today? This sermon aims to answer that question and more as we take a deep dive into Micah and the Character of our god

We're all pursuing something in life. What's yours? Jonah was in pursuit of some things that took him to places that he'd rather not be. On this journey, God was showing Jonah what he couldn't learn otherwise. What is God desiring to show you about your pursuits, today?

One might argue that nothing is more deadly than the sin of pride. The words of God spoken through the Prophet, Obadiah, confront the pride of Edom and the pride of humanity, today. Thankfully, though, there is an encouragement for those who struggle from this deadly sin to those who are willing to humbly engage. Listen to what God is speaking to you today. Be challenged. Be encouraged. Be changed.

We often desire outcomes in life that require more than we want to give. When it comes to us finding the life that God has for us, we often try to circumnavigate God's plan and go our own way. In this message, we witness the trust and obedience of Moses and how it leads to the freedom of Israel. Our trust and obedience in God will lead others to freedom, if we choose to cooperate with His process. Are you willing to be challenged?