HOCF SERMON 2023

Malachi 2:Ungodly Partners

MALACHI 2:11-12 Ungodly Partners

11 Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god.

12 As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the Lord remove him from the tents of Jacob[]—even though he brings an offering to the Lord Almighty.

11 "Nagluib ang mga taga-Juda; naghimo sila ug mangil-ad nga butang sa Jerusalem ug sa tibuok nga nasod sa Israel. Kay gihugawan nila ang templo[] nga gihigugma sa Ginoo pinaagi sa pagpangasawa sa mga babayeng nagasimba sa laing mga dios. 12 Hinaut nga ang tawo nga nagahimo niini dili na ilhon nga sakop sa katawhan sa Israel, lakip ang iyang mga anak ug mga apo, bisan mohalad pa siya ngadto sa Ginoo nga Makagagahom.

SERMON:

Good morning Church!

Our Word today speaks about God, through the prophet Zechariah, reveals that Judah has been unfaithful and did a detestable thing before Him, nakabuhat sang ngil-ad nga butang para sa Ginuo ang Iyang katawhan, kay nagpangasawa sila sang mga babaye nga nagasimba sa lain nga mga Diyos.

Today, the Word directs us to discuss one of the most important topics in Christian life. Marriage. Particularly about choosing who to marry. Sin-o ang aton dapat pilion nga mangin kaupod sa aton nga kinabuhi.

As sa Christian, choosing who to marry is very important because the person we choose to marry plays a very signifiant role in our purpose in God. So in choosing a person to be with for the rest of our life, we must be careful, because as the Word says today, God was not pleased that HIs people marry foreign women.

So what does it mean? Does God forbid us frm marrying people from other countries? Na kung Filipino ka, dapat Filipino man imo pangasawahon? Teh luoy ko eh. What exactly does the Word is saying about marrying a foreigner?

Let us not misunderstand. The word "foreigner" here doesn't necessarily mean a person from another country. Although at that time, they are considered as people from another country, but what really the Word is pointing out is that God's people should not marry a person who does not know God.

God does not want his people to get mixed up with people who do not know and honor Him. People whose ways are different from the ways that the Lord is teaching His people. People who worship other gods

People with a different faith.

In our modern times, Although nowadays, many people are open about inter-racial marriages, ww do not really care if people marry with someone who is from another country, but we can say that it is best that a Christian should marry someone who is also a Christian. It is not a matter of ethnicity, but a matter of faith. It is best that a believer of JesusChrist also marries another believer.

Our Word today warns us about God being displeased with foreign wives or women with another faith. A believer marrying an unbeliever. The question is why does God find it detestable if a believer marries an unbeliever?

2 Cor 6:14-15 says

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

14 Indi gid kamo magpakighiusa sa mga wala nagatuo kay Cristo. Kay subong nga ang kasanag indi makaupod sa kadulom, ang maayo indi man makaupod sa malain. 15 Kag subong nga si Cristo kag si Satanas indi maghangpanay, ang tumuluo kag ang indi tumuluo indi man maghangpanay.