Robbing God (Malachi 2:17-3:12)

• The whole book is written as an ironic conversation between the people of Judah and God.
  • It’s about God being faithful to his promises and it’s a call from God for the people to be faithful to him.
• This messenger is John the Baptist.
  • He calls people to repent and to turn back to God.
  • Matthew 3:11 says: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
  • Malachi is looking forward to a time where God will bring justice.
• The Levites were the people of Israel, they were suppose to lead the people in godliness.
• Jesus is going to come and he is going to replace the priesthood.
• Jesus is going to come, once for all as a sacrifice for all of humanity.
  • Hebrews 7:27 says: “Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”
  • When Jesus comes and dies on the the cross he deals with the corrupt priesthood, he deals with the issue of sin. When Jesus comes again he will deal with the issue of justice.
• When we repent, God forgives.
• Judah is accusing God of failing to act justly, God sees the sin in the world and he will act.
• Tithing was about recognising Gods blessing to you over the past year.
  • The people were called to set aside 10 percent, to give back to God.
  • Refer to Deuteronomy 14:22-23 & Deuteronomy 14:28-29
  • We often think about tithing in giving 10 percent, but in the Old Testament tithing was about recognising what God has given you.
  • We are called to use what God has given us and to give generously and to use it in God’s service.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 says: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.“
  • God calls us to live under grace and not law.
• We are called to give generously.
  • We want to honour God with our money.
  • The more generous we are in the money that we give to God, the more we can use that in his service.
  • God works though our generous giving.
  • When we think about our money, start with God first.
  • “Are we using our money wisely in the service of God and for his glory?”
• Our hope is looking to the future, our hope is heaven.
  • Matthew 5:11-12 says: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.“
• Money has the capacity to corrupt.
  • It has the capacity to turn us away from Christ.
  • Be content with where God has placed us.
• Whatever God has given us, let us be thankful for what God has given us.
• God may not have provided for all of our wants, but he has provided for all of our needs.
• We should use our money to support those that are in need.
• We should invest our money in sharing the Gospel in the community around us.
• We want more people to share in God’s blessing, we want more people to love Jesus.

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.