The End and the Beginning

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: The End and the Beginning

Scripture: Habakkuk 1-Matthew 4

I. HOW LONG, LORD, HOW LONG?

3 perspectives:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. How long, Lord, how long will we suffer? (Habakkuk)“The little book of Habakkuk is about waiting on and trusting in the Lord, even when you are confused by what He is doing, and it ends with one of the clearest statements in all of Scripture about where true, sturdy, and lasting joy is to be found.” (9/21-PDT)
               2. How long, Lord, how long will we wait? (Zephaniah & Haggai)
               3. How long, Lord, how long will we hope? (Zechariah & Malachi)Zechariah writes to the (remnant in (Jerusalem).
                  Malachi focuses on (multiple) subjects. Malachi tells them (Elijah) will return. Elijah is
                  (John the Baptist) who will usher in the (Messiah).

II. THE WAITING IS OVER!

We are now entering the Golden Age-the age when the Messiah comes to earth in the form of a baby (to die for the sins of the world).

A brief summary:
Matthew 1- the crib and Bethlehem
Matthew 2- Herod’s jealousy
Matthew 3- Introduced to John the Baptizer
Matthew 4- Jesus’ victory over Satan in the wilderness

Next week: week: In the Right Place
Scripture: Matthew 5-21