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The last words of the Old Testament!  That’s what the book of Malachi is.  As we will see in our new sermon series, this book clearly shows the Old Testament is an ‘unfinished story.’  Or better yet, an unfinished history, lest we mistake this for fiction or fantasy.   The book’s ending includes a prediction of the next act, with God sending a “messenger.”  But preceding him is yet another  “messenger.”  Two messengers will come, the Lord says.  This should invite you to turn to

Thus far our “The Final Week” series has frequently seen Jesus in confrontation with the Jewish leaders: The cleansing of the temple. The fig tree incident. The parable of the tenants. And the devastating Olivet Discourse, in which Jesus prophesied a horrible tribulation and the destruction for the temple. But now Jesus’ mind turns to his own impending death.  We enter chapter 14. Jesus is anointed by a woman in Bethany, and he agonizes in prayer in the garden of

Do you identify with Pilate at all? I wonder if some of you do. He didn’t show any malice towards Jesus. No ill will. In fact, he could say that he had some healthy respect for him, and even had a good idea that Jesus was innocent. But Pilate — and perhaps you’re like this — Pilate had goals for his career and his life. And he had fears. And because of these, he decides that Jesus had to go.