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Habakkuk Sermon

Why Study Habakkuk?

This Sunday, we are starting a new series titled “Trusting a Sovereign God,” and we will study Habakkuk’s book.

The title for today’s sermon is “Why Study Habakkuk?”

Let’s look at Habakkuk 1:1-4

1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence! and you will not save? 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

Discovering how every scripture points to the Gospel & Christ

Historical Background

Habakkuk prophesied during a crucial period in Judah’s history, likely between 612 and 605 BC, during King Jehoiakim’s reign.

  • Political Context : The old Empire The Assyrian Empire) was declining & the new Empire Neo-Babylonian) was rising to Power.
  • Social Conditions: Judah was experiencing internal corruption, social injustice, and spiritual decline
  • Religious State: Despite reforms under King Josiah, the people had returned mainly to idolatry and wickedness

Habakkuk’s dialogue with God during this chaotic period, as he wrestles with understanding how God could use the wicked Babylonians to punish His people.

Heres what Habakkuk was experiencing

Chaos & Confusion

  • It doesn’t appear that we are moving toward the life promised by God.

God had promised Judah prosperity, peace, and spiritual blessing as His covenant people.

  • A land flowing with milk and honey (material abundance)
  • Protection from enemies when they remained faithful
  • His presence among them through the temple
  • Spiritual leadership through priests and prophets
  • Being a light to the nations as God’s chosen people
  • It appears that God has abandoned them, perhaps because of their sin and rebellion.
  • It appears that God is not acting upon it.
  • The enemy seems to be winning.

Sin & Brokenness

  • Idolatry: Despite previous reforms, the people had returned to worshipping false gods and practicing pagan rituals
  • Rejection of God’s Law: The people were openly disregarding the Torah and its commandments
  • False Worship: While maintaining outward religious practices, their hearts were far from true devotion to God

Injustice & Wrongdoing

  • Social Injustice: The powerful were oppressing the weak, with widespread exploitation of the poor and vulnerable
  • Corruption in Leadership: Both religious and political leaders were abusing their positions for personal gain
  • Moral Decay: There was a general breakdown of ethical behavior and social values

Our Reality

We are still living in the now and there, in a sinful and broken world.

How believers experience chaos and confusion today:

  • Digital Overwhelm: Constant exposure to conflicting information, negative news, and social media debates about faith and morality
  • Cultural Pressure: Facing increasing hostility towards traditional Christian beliefs and values in society Career Conflicts: Balancing professional demands with biblical ethics and principles
  • Family Dynamics: Navigating diverse beliefs within families and raising children in an increasingly secular world Church Issues: Dealing with denominational divisions, church scandals, and questions about authentic faith
  • Financial Pressure: Maintaining trust in God’s provision amid economic uncertainties
  • Identity Crisis: Struggling to maintain Christian identity in an increasingly pluralistic society

How believers experience sin and brokenness today:

  • Personal Struggles: Wrestling with addictions, harmful habits, and recurring patterns of sin
  • Relational Breakdown: Experiencing broken relationships, divorce, and family conflicts
  • Sexual Temptation: Facing challenges with pornography, sexual immorality, and changing cultural norms
  • Materialism: Struggling with greed, overconsumption, and misplaced priorities
  • Pride and Self-Reliance: Difficulty surrendering control and fully trusting God
  • Spiritual Apathy: Experiencing seasons of lukewarm faith and disconnection from God
  • Workplace Ethics: Confronting moral compromises and ethical dilemmas in professional settings
  • Mental Health: Struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges that affect spiritual well-being

How believers experience injustice and wrongdoing today:

  • Workplace Discrimination: Facing unfair treatment due to religious beliefs or moral convictions
  • Social Marginalization: Being excluded or mocked for holding biblical values
  • Educational Challenges: Dealing with anti-faith bias in academic settings
  • Legal Pressures: Confronting laws that conflict with religious convictions
  • Community Conflict: Witnessing injustice in local communities without apparent resolution
  • Global Persecution: Being aware of worldwide persecution of fellow believers

Given these challenges and circumstances in our world today, studying Habakkuk is relevant.

1. Amid chaos and confusion, we can understand God’s sovereignty

His complete power, authority, and control over everything.

  • Habakkuk 1:5-6 – God declares His sovereign work: “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I will do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising the Babylonians.”
  • Habakkuk 2:1-4 – God’s sovereign plan for the earth: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”

Airoplane Illustration

Just as an aircraft has numerous parts – wings, engines, landing gear, navigation systems, and countless other components – each with its unique function and importance, we, too, are part of God’s grand design. The chief engineer doesn’t just focus on individual parts; they have a clear vision of the final goal: a plane that can safely transport passengers to their destination.

Similarly, God, as our divine architect, sees beyond our circumstances. While we might feel like small components experiencing turbulence, God orchestrates everything – allowing certain events, removing or replacing parts, and guiding the whole journey – to achieve His sovereign purpose. Just as no aircraft part is insignificant, our roles, though sometimes unclear to us, are essential in God’s master plan.

The engineer must sometimes modify, repair, or even replace parts to ensure the aircraft’s optimal performance and safety. Likewise, God, in His wisdom, works through various circumstances – even difficult ones – to accomplish His ultimate purpose for humanity.

Joseph’s Story: Understanding God’s Sovereignty Through Suffering

Joseph’s life powerfully illustrates how God works sovereignly through difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes:

  • Betrayal by Family: Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy, completely disrupting his life
  • False Accusations: In Egypt, he was wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife and imprisoned
  • Abandonment: He was forgotten in prison by those he helped, spending years in confinement

Yet through all these hardships, God was positioning Joseph for a greater purpose:

  • Position of Authority: He became second-in-command in Egypt
  • Preservation of Life: He saved countless lives during the seven-year famine
  • Reconciliation: He was reunited with his family and able to provide for them

Joseph’s profound statement in Genesis 5020 reveals his deep understanding of God’s sovereignty: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.”

This demonstrates how God can work through human evil and suffering to accomplish His redemptive purposes, without minimizing the reality of the pain or excusing the evil actions of others.

2. Amid sin and brokenness, we can experience God’s grace & mercy

Because of what he ultimately accomplished through Christ

  • Habakkuk 3:2 – “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”
  • Habakkuk 3:17-19 Even in devastation and loss, Habakkuk proclaims God’s mercy: “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength.”
  • John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
  • Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Based on the context, this refers to God’s covenant with His people, particularly His promises to provide, protect, and be present with them. Despite periods of apparent divine silence or inaction, Christ ultimately fulfilled these promises.

He is not a God who abandons us or leaves us to figure things out on our own

The Gospel (the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ) provides solace and reassurance to believers experiencing difficulties, demonstrating God’s love, mercy, and ultimate plan for redemption.

3. Amid injustice and wrongdoing, we can trust in God’s ultimate justice

His promise to make everything right in His perfect timing.

  • Habakkuk 2:2-3 God assures that His justice will come at the appointed time: “For the revelation awaits an appointed time… Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
  • Psalm 37:7-9 – “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”

The Bible teaches that Jesus will return to establish His kingdom and bring perfect justice to earth:

Revelation 19:11-16 – Jesus returns as King of Kings to rule with justice: “With justice he judges and wages war… On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Physical Reign: Christ will establish His throne in Jerusalem and rule over all nations with perfect righteousness and wisdom
Perfect Justice: All wrongs will be made right, and evil will be fully dealt with under His rule
Isaiah 11:4-5 – “But with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth… Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.”

Conclusion

As we study Habakkuk, we find profound comfort and guidance for our modern challenges. His journey from questioning to trust mirrors our spiritual walks.
Remember these three key truths:

  1. God remains sovereign even when life seems chaotic and confusing.
  2. His grace and mercy are available through Christ, even in our brokenness.
  3. His perfect justice will prevail, though we may need to wait patiently.

Like Habakkuk, we can choose to trust God despite our circumstances. We can move from questioning to worship, from doubt to faith, and from confusion to confidence in His sovereign plan.

Let us close with Habakkuk’s powerful declaration of faith:

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

May we, like Habakkuk, learn to trust our sovereign God, rest in His grace, and await His perfect justice.


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Sermon

Abiding in Jesus – John 15:1-11

Good morning church! A warm welcome to all who have joined us at the hall & those who have tuned in online. Happy New Year! This being the first Sunday of 2025, I wondered what’s the one thing that we all need to focus on at the start of the year?

As I prayed and pondered over this, this passage from John 15 was impressed on my heart. And it’s a wonderful passage that tells us about Abiding in Jesus. But before we proceed, would you join me as we pray and ask God to help us understand and apply this passage?

Every new year gives us another chance to do things that we weren’t successful at doing the previous year. Which is why we have new year resolutions.

And what’s usually at the top of everyone’s list? Improving physical fitness – and that’s why every new year is the best time for gym businesses around the world. Gym memberships see an unusual spike at the start of every year.

Even among believers, we’ve got our own version of spiritual new year resolutions:

  • Bible reading plan – to complete the entire bible in one year
  • Spend at least 30 minutes of quiet time in prayer and the word daily

But exactly one month into the year, what happens? These spiritual new year resolutions rarely last!  Which often leads to spiritual dryness, disappointment and discouragement and then we wait till next year to re-attempt once again. That’s the typical cycle.

And so these grand new year resolutions which began with great intentions end up becoming a burden for us. Within a month, it ends up looking like any other joyless task. But that’s not God’s intention for us. God wants a relationship not a resolution.He wants an abiding relationship with us.

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve been there & if you’re able to relate with this struggle, then this message is for you. God desires abiding. God wants us to know what it means to abide in Jesus.

Today we’ll learn 6 things about abiding in Jesus from John 15:1-11:

1. Abiding is a gift (V1)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.

Jesus would often use everyday examples to explain spiritual truths to His disciples. So that’s the obvious part that we see in this passage where Jesus uses an everyday example of a vine & branches to explain a spiritual truth. But as I studied this passage, my mind was blown away to realize that there was another reason why Jesus used this specific example.

Firstly, Jesus refers to himself as “I am”. He intentionally uses the word “I am” or “Yahweh” which is the name by which God introduces Himself to Israel in the OT. It’s referring to God’s eternal nature (He’s always existed) and His total rule and authority over every single thing.

That’s the weight in the name. And that’s why Jews would take a lot of care to ensure that it’s not used casually. And yet, here we find Jesus unapologetically saying that the “I am”, that’s me! “I’m the eternal God who’s always existed and rules over every single thing”. 

Secondly, Jesus says that He is the true vine and His Father is the vinedresser. Now we might not get this immediately but for a Jew they would immediately make an OT connection. In the OT, God would often use an example of a vineyard to describe His relationship with His people. Look with me at Isa 5:1-4:

Let me sing for my beloved

          my love song concerning his vineyard:

My beloved had a vineyard

          on a very fertile hill.

2 He dug it and cleared it of stones,

          and planted it with choice vines;

he built a watchtower in the midst of it,

          and hewed out a wine vat in it;

and he looked for it to yield grapes,

          but it yielded wild grapes.

3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem

          and men of Judah,

judge between me and my vineyard.

4 What more was there to do for my vineyard,

          that I have not done in it?

When I looked for it to yield grapes,

          why did it yield wild grapes?

So God’s people Israel are the vine which God planted with so much of love and care, but it yielded the opposite of what was expected – “wild grapes” which is why judgment has come upon them.

In contrast, Jesus is the True Vine – the True Israel – the True Son – who did exactly what His Father wanted Him to do. He lived a life of perfect obedience. He yielded the fruit which was acceptable to the vinedresser. Where we all failed, Jesus succeeded.

But here’s the amazing truth – Jesus shares His success story and acceptance with everyone who trusts in Him. By dying on the cross for us, Jesus took on the judgment for our failures & unfruitfulness.

And by His resurrection on the Third Day, all of us spiritual failures who trust in Him and are united with Him are now looked on by God as an extension of Jesus’ success story & His acceptance! That’s why we are called branches in this passage – we are silent beneficiaries of Jesus’ success story & acceptance.

Let this truth humble us this morning to realize that Abiding is a gift from God. It’s not a right for any of us. To be able to abide – that in itself is a complete gift!

But not just that,

2. Abiding is pruning (V2-3)

2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

Pruning is a gardening process by which certain parts of plants like branches, leaves or shoots are removed to improve its health, shape and productivity.

V2 tells us that every branch which doesn’t bear fruit is taken away or removed. This isn’t referring to believers but unbelievers. Believers by definition will bear fruit. Some fruit of the Spirit will definitely be visible in that person’s life if he is a believer. Even in seasons where you feel like you aren’t growing, some fruit will be there because the Spirit of God is within you.

But for the true branches that bear fruit, V2 says that the vinedresser will prune us, will cleanse us, will clip out everything that is not good for us so that we can bear more fruit. That is what the Father is committed to doing. How does He do that?

V3 – through the word that Jesus has spoken. God’s primary way of pruning us, cleansing us, clipping away the unhealthy stuff is through His Word. That’s why spiritual growth cannot happen outside of God’s Word.

Over everything else in our church, we prioritize God’s Word because that’s God’s primary way of pruning us. And if this is God’s primary way of pruning, then we need to expect God’s Word to make us uncomfortable. We need to expect God’s Word to reveal many things that we need to unlearn. We need to expect God’s Word to convict us of many things that we need to repent of.

If that’s not happening, then something might be wrong. Then we need to question if we are being pruned. If we are not being pruned, we need to question if we are truly in the faith because the Father will not stop doing what He is committed to doing.

And so when we sit down with God’s Word everyday, we need to expect pruning to take place. We need to sit down with the expectation that I will have to unlearn and change myself because the Father is in the process of pruning.

Abiding is pruning! But also,

3. Abiding is depending (V4-6)

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. That word “Abide” is a beautiful word – It means – Remain in me – Be attached to me. Jesusis explains the concept of abiding by telling us that we are not the vine or the stem, we are simply the branches attached to the vine.

We know that the plant gets all of its nourishment & strength from the stem or the vine and not the branches. So for the branch to be fruitful, it can’t do it by itself, it has to be attached to the vine.

By using this example, Jesus is making it clear that we aren’t independent people. We aren’t self-sufficient people. We cannot bear any fruit apart from Jesus. “Apart from me you can do nothing”. Nothing? Something I can do right? Nothing!

Such a humbling verse right? It hits at the core of our pride. Sometimes as believers we get into this thinking where we admit that we needed grace to believe, but then after that it’s up to our discipline and commitment which makes us grow. What does this verse say? “Apart from me you can do nothing”.

Which means that you may be a year into the faith or seventy years into the faith, your status is still the same – you are simply a branch who needs to abide in Jesus. You are totally dependent on Jesus.

What would it look like if we woke up every day this year not saying – “what all can I accomplish today by myself?” but rather declaring “Jesus, apart from you I can do nothing”. “Apart from you, I have no hope to grow spiritually, I have no hope to grow physically, mentally, financially, relationally”. That’s total utter dependence on Jesus for our nourishment and strength.

But not just that,

4. Abiding is surrendering (V7-8)

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

If we read V7 quickly, we might wrongly assume that God is telling us to wish for anything and he’ll give it to us as though he was a genie or a personal vending machine.

But that’s not what the verse is saying. It’s telling us that if we abide in Jesus and His words in us, then whatever we wish will be done for us. In other words, as Jesus’ words shape our hearts, we will desire and ask for things which are in accordance with His will and that will yield answered prayer.

God is glorified in those prayers which are made according to His will. And that’s why I think it’s more appropriate to see these verses as surrendering – surrendering to God’s will in prayer.

Many times we think about prayer as only asking things from God. Now that’s one part of it, but more than that God wants us to surrender ourselves to His will through our prayers.

When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his crucifixion, what did He pray?

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

And when He taught the disciples how to pray in Matt 6, what did He teach right at the start of the prayer:

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,[b]

    on earth as it is in heaven. (Matt 6:10)

As God speaks to us daily through His Word, we should expect that it changes our prayer life. The tone of our prayers should change from demanding to surrendering.

If you and I were to go and stand before a powerful king, would we go there and just make demands? No, we would put forward our requests with a disclaimer – “as long as you’re okay with this”. And so when it comes to God – we know His authority, we know His character and we also know what He wants through the Word, and so that should change the way we pray and surrender ourselves to Him.

But not only that,

5. Abiding is obeying (V9-10)

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

Jesus is saying that just as He abides in the Father’s love by obeying His commandments, He wants us to abide in Him by obeying His commandments. Abiding happens through obedience. Just one chapter earlier in Jn 14:15, Jesus said this “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

He doesn’t say “If you love me, you will know 1000 worship songs by heart”. He doesn’t say “If you love me, you will have the bible knowledge of a theologian”. He says that “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”.

Now knowing 1000 worship songs or bible knowledge isn’t bad. But the question is – what’s the point in knowing 1000 worship songs and having all the bible knowledge in the world if there isn’t obedience? If there isn’t any obedience, can we really say that we love Jesus? In Jesus’ economy, obedience counts more than anything else.

That’s why if we’re really trying to abide in Jesus, it can’t be limited to our 30 minute daily quiet time or our weekly Sunday gathering. Our abiding actually happens throughout the day and throughout the week – because that’s when we actually have to obey what we have heard and read. That’s when we have the opportunity to express our love for Jesus. That’s when our love is actually tested – after a stressful day of work, after a conflict at home. But that’s not to say that obedience means perfection. God knows that we are prone to fail daily, and so oftentimes our obedience involves confession.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Obeying God means not hiding from God, neither does it mean justifying before God but confessing to God so that we can receive forgiveness and cleansing daily.

But not just that,

6. Abiding is enjoying

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

The reason why God wants us to abide in Jesus is because He wants us to experience joy to the fullest! He’s not trying to suck the joy out of our life but He wants us to truly enjoy our relationship with Him!

And again that can’t be limited to a 30 minute quiet time. Imagine if I were to sit down with my wife and tell her – “Honey, I’m giving you 30 minutes of my time. Make the most of it. Tell me all that you need to tell me & all that I need to do within these 30 minutes”.

It would be offensive and dishonorable to her if I were to reduce our relationship to simply 30 minutes every day. What she wants is a relationship which I would enjoy with her, not a task or a chore that I somehow need to complete.

Oftentimes that’s what we reduce our relationship with God to. And God doesn’t want that, He wants a real abiding relationship where we would enjoy being with Him. And to tell you the truth – there might be seasons in life where 30 minutes would be a luxury.

Ask young moms who are scrambling between responsibilities to care for their infants that they don’t have enough time to sleep. But even in those seasons, they can still abide in Jesus. How? Even in the little time that they can have with the Word:

  1. They can acknowledge how abiding is a gift from God
  2. They can show their openness to be pruned by God
  3. They can express their total dependence on Christ
  4. They can surrender themselves to God’s Word and will
  5. They can commit to obedience and confession
  6. They can enjoy their relationship with Jesus

So this 2025, don’t work towards a spiritual new year resolution. Work towards abiding in Jesus!