Unfaithful (Malachi 2:10-16)

• It is a deeply confronting and personal passage.
• When someone comes to us and challenges us that they come for the intention of our good.
  • Is it a fair criticism?
  • Is it a fair rebuke?
• Where there is forgiveness there is also freedom.
• We should love each other enough, to challenge our choices and decisions, but we do it with humility.
  • We come with an attitude of grace, desiring the good of the other person.
• Nothing should hinder our love for Christ.
• “¹⁰ Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?” – Malachi 2:10
  • It’s not directed to God, it’s directed to the unfaithfulness of each other.
  • They give in to the temptations of the world around them.
• “³ Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, ⁴ for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.” – Deuteronomy 7:3-4
  • They knew what God expected of them, but completely ignored him.
  • They wondered why God isn’t pleased with them.
  • All religious practice, but no obedience.
  • Their action will have consquences for not just them, but for the generations to come.
    • They will no longer be called the people of God.
• We are not Israel
• We are not bound or under Old Testament law.
• We have the promises of Abraham.
• What does the New Testament affirm in who we should marry.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-16
    • It doesn’t specifically mention marriage, it’s very general.
    • A yolk is a big bit of wood and is put between 2 oxen to make then walk in the same direction.
      • We can apply this to marriage.
      • Our direction is firmly fixed on following Jesus.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:39
    • If you are in the dating phase in life, be with someone that loves Jesus as much as you do.
    • You need to make a conscious decisions on where you set your affections.
    • You will find it a great joy in sharing your faith with the person you love.
    • Don’t date someone with the hope of them becoming a Christian.
      • It’s particularly with young people.
    • When we date people it’s about looking for a partner and not a project.
    • Love the person you married.
      • You have made promises before God.
      • 1 Corinthians 7:24
• The people have been unfaithful to their marriages.
  • The people of Judah have been unfaithful to God in who they marry and they have also been unfaithful to God in their marriages as they seek divorce.
  • A covenant simply means a promise.
  • Promises are not subject to change.
  • The feeling of love does wear off, and when it does wear off, there is more of a feeling of commitment and hard work.
  • Jesus also talks about marriage and divorce.
    • Matthew 19:4-6
      • “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
    • God has created something unique in marriage.
    • We get to share life together.
    • It’s a safe place to be vulnerable and to be honest.
    • God wants us to take our marriage commitment seriously.
    • God does provide a last resort, divorce.
      • There are legitimate grounds for divorce.
      • God doesn’t hate divorce he hates the actions and the sin that makes divorce the most safest option left.
• God expects us to be faithful to our promises.
• Tips for a healthy marriage.
  • Keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.
    • Keep listening to Gods word.
    • Keep praying that God will mould us and guide us.
  • Love sacrificially.
    • Love seeks the good and the godliness of the other person.
    • Marriage works best when the person is focused more on the other person, than themselves.
    • How do you love the other person the way they want to be loved?
  • Be wise in how you speak to one another.
    • Marriage is hard when you feel criticised or corrected.
    • Marriage is hard when the other person is constantly undermining your confidence and ability.
    • Marriage is a lot easier when you feel supported and appreciated.
    • Let’s be generous with our words.
  • Don’t place yourself in situations where you are tempted to be unfaithful.
    • God has bought this union together.
    • It should glorify and honour him.
• One of great blessings that we have as a church is that we have a family that is bigger than a biological family.
  • We have older and wiser men in our church that can help us in knowledge and grow us as a Christian.
• Love your husband or love your wife, put them first.
• Prioritise of raising your kids for Christ than giving them every opportunity.
  • It’s okay if they don’t learn how to play a sport or catch a ball.
  • Put Christ first and at the centre of your family.
  • Keep being a godly model to your kids.
  • Take every opportunity that you can possibly take.
• Do everything in your power to make godly and wise choices, for yourself, for the sake of your spouse and also for the sake of your children
• Serve Christ faithfully in everything that you do.
• Learn for the history of Judah
• Learn from our own past and our own experiences.