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[Note - Reading of Text and Intro cut off] The second part of 3 John contrasts two men, Diotrophes and Demetrius. One loves himself to the point of rejecting others, even those sent to teach and preach the Word. The other has received glowing testimony. Which of these would you imitate? Who is the One Whom we should be imitating? Who comes first in our lives?

Belshazzar's problem of pride blinded him from learning from (recent) history and exposed him to God's wrath. Sound familiar? God declared Belshazzar "wanting" or "deficient." That, too, should sound familiar. All of us, apart from the grace of God and faith in Jesus Christ are found to be deficient before the holy God!

Every individual has the opportunity to serve the Lord with their gifts and their resources. Here, as John commends Gaius for his hospitality, his continued emphasis on truth impacts the way in which he expresses joy. There is no greater joy than seeing our children (biological or spiritual) walking in the truth!

How foolish it is to pursue pleasure without taking responsibility. How much more foolish to directly offend God while doing this! This is the state of Belshazzar when God sends some fingers to write a warning and change the color of the face of that king...

In this epistle, John reminds us, with themes from his Gospel and first epistle, that true believers are all in for truth and love. As we observe the teaching of Christ, we are aware of false teachers and watch that we are careful to follow Christ's commands and do not compromise the truth.

This 2026 Mission Conference sermon reminds all of us that church planting is not about bells and whistles but about taking to the people the Word, sacraments and prayer. We plant and water (with the Word) but God gives the growth!

This is truly a story of how God can take the most arrogant and proud man and humble him to the lowest of the lows in order to bring him to repentance. Nebuchadnezzar is finally broken and himself praises the God of heaven!

In this conclusion, Habakkuk truly demonstrates what faith does - waits on and rejoices in the LORD - no matter what the circumstances of life are.

This dream by Nebuchadnezzar interrupted his life of ease and prosperity to let him know that his rebellion against God which continued through another dream and an attempt to thwart God's sovereignty over his life and kingdom would result in a great humbling so that he would know that the Most High God reigns.

Habakkuk, in chapter 3, writes a Psalm, complete with the term "Selah" found only here outside the Psalms. It draws upon imagery of the the LORD's coming in history, especially associated with the Exodus, for judgment. And yet in the midst of these reminders of His coming for judgment, the LORD also comes for the salvation of His people.

This is one of the great stories of the Bible - about God! The faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is in the God Who is able to save - whether He chooses to so in this situation or not. The actual miracle of sparing their lives from the furnace is a mere bonus. The truth about God is that He is able and willing to save His people.

For those who are not justified by faith, five woes are given by the LORD to Habakkuk for the ages. God's justice, retributive, terrible, with shame will come upon those who do not trust in His Savior, Jesus Christ.

What better way to unify conquered peoples than to invent your own religion and command all your government officials to worship according to your plans? That's what Nebuchadnezzar did while trying to defy God's revelation about his kingdom and world history. This is how three Jews found themselves accused of the crimes of ingratitude and impiety before the king.

Habakkuk, puzzled by God's use of the Babylonians to punish Judah for its sins, had declared "we shall live." In His response to Habakkuk, the LORD agrees with the prophet but narrows the "we" to the "righteous by faith." This core statement - the righteous shall live by faith - is the core of the Gospel from Abraham to the Day of Judgment!