Category Archives: Malachi

Q & A: Mirror God’s Character to Lead People: Enough is Enough II

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The following is the insert for the message presented on June 16, 2013. It contains suggested answers to the Message Based Discussion Questions.  The answers are designed to stimulate thought and discussion, not as the final answers.

Mirror God’s Character to Lead People: Enough is Enough II
Malachi 2:1-9
Ezekiel 34:1-7
What are God’s requirements for spiritual leadership?  

1)      Serve glory to God’s name 2:1-2
·         1 Peter 2:9; Malachi 1:8, 13; Galatians 1:10
·         1 Sam. 4:21; Matt. 6:33
2)     Stand in God’s covenant of truth 2:3-4
·         Ex. 29:14
·         Num. 25:12-13
3)      Submit to God’s covenant of life and peace 2:5-7
What will be true of leaders?
______________ of God  2:5
______________to instruct truth 2:6
______________in judgment for others 2:6
______________devotion to the Lord 2:6
Restored many to the Lord  2:6
Preserved the truth  2:7
______________by the people 2:7 
4)      Sanctify your life to disciple others 2:8-9
How had the priests not prepared?
____________from God’s ways 2:8
____________many astray 2:8
Unfaithful in commitment 2:8
Contemptible in reputation 2:9
____________ in duties 2:9
Partial in judgment 2:9 

God’s leaders must mirror God’s character
and lead people in truth to the Lord!

·         Remove leaders who become complacent regarding God’s character and actions. 
·         Choose leaders whose character mirrors God’s character.
·         Develop leaders who are pursuing God’s character and actions.

 

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)      When you were growing up, what was your view of pastors, priests or spiritual leaders?
Digging Deeper:
2)      Read. Deuteronomy 28:1-14. What did God want to do if Israel obeyed the Lord? _______________ What if they did not obey the Lord (cf. Deut. 28:15-21)?  What areas of life are covered? Did they have a choice?
3)      How important is the concept of blessing to God (cf. Num. 6:22-27)? ________________ Why does a people not receive that?
4)      Note 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-5. Are the characteristics required of spiritual leaders only applicable to those in a leadership position?  ______________ Why or why not?
Making application of the message to life:
5)      How should followers relate to spiritual leaders (cf. Heb. 13:7,17)? 
6)      How can you hold spiritual leaders accountable, while being respectful and helpful?
7)      What are seven things you can do to multiply together to prepare the next generation to lead others to Christ? 

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)      When you were growing up, what was your view of pastors, priests or spiritual leaders?

a)      The pastors were holy men, much more than regular people. 

b)      They were quiet and knowledgeable about God. 

c)      They didn’t get angry, and they appeared to be weak (I was wrong on that perception).

d)     It seemed like they laughed, but didn’t have much fun.  I didn’t realize what fun was as a boy.

Digging Deeper: 

2)      Read. Deuteronomy 28:1-14. What did God want to do if Israel obeyed the Lord? __bless_ What if they did not obey the Lord (cf. Deut. 28:15-21)?  What areas of life are covered? Did they have a choice?

a)      If they did not obey, then they were cursed.  The blessings were reversed in disobedience.

b)      Every area of life was covered.

i)        They were cursed in the city and in the country.

ii)      They were cursed in the economics and food system.

iii)    They were cursed in their children and their agriculture.

iv)    They were cursed in their animal husbandry and production.

v)      They were cursed going in and going out.

c)      They had a choice. Obey the Word or not obey it.

3)      How important is the concept of blessing to God (cf. Num. 6:22-27)? __Very important__ Why does a people not receive that?

a)      God told the priests to do it every time they met.

b)      A people do not receive it because they do not want it, or the leadership is negligent, or the leadership is ignorant. 

4)      Note 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-5. Are the characteristics required of spiritual leaders only applicable to those in a leadership position?  _They must be a part of the leadership, but standards for all people to follow_ Why or why not?

a)      Everyone is growing in the Lord.

b)      These are required of leadership, because these qualities are necessary for ruling over the church and leading the church. 

c)      Other people, who do not have these characteristics, can be in the church, but they may not be in leadership.

d)     As people grow spiritually, they will grow in these areas of life. 

Making application of the message to life: 

5)      How should followers relate to spiritual leaders (cf. Heb. 13:7,17)? 

a)      They should observe the leaders and follow their faith and lifestyle.  If the lifestyle or faith do not align with God’s Word, then they should be held accountable by the Word.

b)      They should submit to the spiritual leadership as overseers.

c)      The leadership must give an account of their influence and impact on the people.

d)     The people should submit so the leadership can serve with joy.

e)      Leadership that serves from drudgery brings no profit to the people. 

6)      How can you hold spiritual leaders accountable, while being respectful and helpful?

a)      Listen well and ask questions to understand if something does not set well.

b)      Pray about it first then approach with confidence.

c)      Pull aside and rebuke in private.

d)     Follow Matthew 18:15-17 if necessary.

e)      Honor the Lord higher than man – any man. 

7)      What are seven things you can do to multiply together to prepare the next generation to lead others to Christ?

a)      Pray for young men to be raised up to manliness and godliness.

b)      Hide the Word deeply in your heart so that you are ready at all times to give a word of hope to those who will listen.

c)      Depend on the filling and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit.

d)     Get involved in the children’s ministry or youth ministry to build into the lives of young men.

e)      Disciple young men so they learn how to be disciplers of others.

f)       Participate in their activities, so they will entrust themselves to you.

g)      Support your local church, so young men have a place to go to grow spiritually.

h)      Disciple parents of young men so they can provide good training to their sons.

 

MSG: Mirror God’s Character to Lead People: Enough is Enough II

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The message was presented on June 16, 2013 as a part of the series on Malachi.

Mirror God’s Character to Lead People:  Enough is Enough II
Malachi 2:1-9 

There are few things worse than being told you’re doing a bad job.   God rebuked the spiritual leadership of Israel prior to the destruction of Israel.  Turn to Ezekiel 34.

Ezekiel was taken into captivity in B.C. 597.  Five years later in B.C. 592, when he was 30 years old, which is the time a priest began ministering in official priestly duties, he began prophesying to the exiles and to those still in Jerusalem.  Jerusalem would not be destroyed until B.C. 586. Even though Ezekiel was in exile, the people were still responsible to hear the word that God gave through Ezekiel.  He was the messenger of God.  It was not his responsibility to determine seven ways to get the information to the people.  They were supposed to go to the prophet and ask what the Word from the Lord was. So God spoke through Ezekiel to rebuke the leadership,

·         And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
·         2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them,`Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
·         3 “You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.
·         4 “The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.
·         5 “So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.
·         6 “My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.”  (Eze 34:1-6)

After pointing out their polluted offerings in Malachi chapter one, God sternly warns them in Malachi chapter two. What should they have been doing that they were not?  What are God’s requirements for spiritual leadership?  

1)      Serve glory to God’s name  Mal. 2:1-2 

  • “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. (Mal. 2:1)

This is the second part of God’s rebuke to the priests.  You might be sitting there thinking, “Whew, this applies to pastors, not me!”  Before you shut down for the morning, consider what Peter wrote to Jewish believers scattered in what is called the Dispersion in Asia Minor.  He said, “…But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,… (1 Pet. 2:9) Peter was talking to believers in general and he called them all a “royal priesthood.”  They were all priests.  In other words, they represented themselves to God and were called to lead others to God, just as Jesus commanded all believers to disciple people to the Lord (Matt. 28:19-20).  They were priests, but they were also called a “royal priesthood.” They were royalty, because they shared in the blood of Jesus Christ, who was the King of kings. Therefore, the application of this passage impacts every believer, not just those in leadership positions.

Specifically it is given to the priests, the spiritual leaders. It is not just the pastoral leadership who is accountable today. It is the remnant of believers.  The priest represented people to God, and was a teacher of the law on behalf of God.  Prophets declared God’s Word to the people regularly and on special occasions. What were they doing in Malachi’s day?

We saw in Malachi chapter one, that they had made light of God’s name. Malachi said, “And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil?” (Mal. 1:8a) God had given precise instructions on the kind and quality of the offering that was to be made in Leviticus 22:19-22.

Furthermore, Malachi said, “You also say,`Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” Says the LORD of hosts. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering!” (Mal. 1:13) They were tired of making offerings and caused others to have a bad attitude toward worship. Additionally, the priests were more concerned about the feelings of people than the holiness of God. So whatever the people brought to offer, that is what the priests offered. What could a priest say? They were all far more concerned about entertainment, play and stimulation than in offering a holy offering to God.

Imagine if I could read your heart. And let us say you spent $200 on an Indianapolis Indians or Pacer game and you just bought a $900 television this weekend. You come to church and pull out your wallet for the offering and all you have is $20.00, so you put that in the offering bag. However, imagine I can read your heart. So I walk up to the bag, take out the 20.00 and say, “This is leftovers and no good here.  God does not need this.” How would you respond?  Do I need to be more concerned about you or the holiness of God?

Paul rightly said to the Galatians, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. (Gal 1:10) Paul was not trying to persuade God to accept men’s actions the way they were. Paul was trying to persuade men that God was holy and they should act in accordance to God’s holiness. Paul was saying that if he were still trying to please men by accommodating men, then he’d have to make light of the holiness of God. He would not do that. He was a bondservant of the Lord, not to men. Malachi explains himself in verse two. 

  • 2 If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name,” Says the LORD of hosts, “I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, Because you do not take it to heart. (Mal. 2:2)

God is saying through Malachi, first, you are not listening, or you would obey me.  He said second, you do not take it to heart, or you would be transformed and your purpose and priority would be to give God glory.  The word, “glory” means “to make big, to honor, to give an abundance, to make heavy or weighty.”

 It’s the story, in reverse, of when Eli heard that his two sons, Hophni and Phineas died in battle against the Philistines.  Upon hearing the news, Eli fell over and broke his neck.  The wife of Phineas was pregnant and gave delivery to her baby boy.  She named the boy an unusual name, “Ichabod.”  Ichabod comes from the Hebrew word cabod or “glory” and the prefix “I”, negates the meaning and thus she was saying “No glory.” The glory had left Israel, because the Ark of the Covenant was gone.  God admonished the Israelite priests to give glory to God, because God would curse them if they didn’t.

If they did not give glory, then God would send a curse on Israel.  The word for ‘send” is the Hebrew word “shalach” and means he would “shalach-d” them or send a missile to reap destruction.  He would, first, send a curse on the people.  Secondly, He would send a curse on their blessings, and that cursing had already begun! When God curses blessings, life becomes horrible. Your chariots will have transmission trouble, your harvest will rot, your streams will dry up and your septic systems will back up.

Let me give an illustration.  Let’s say a person wants a job and goes for an interview.  But he doesn’t dress for the interview, doesn’t do his research on the company, doesn’t show up on time and doesn’t look very interested.  Would you hire someone like that?  Would you accept that person, because his work will probably reflect how he approaches the interview? God looked at the priesthood in the same way.  He did not want their offerings.  They led, but not to holiness. They had no passion.  

You can tell what someone’s priorities are by first, how they spend their time;  secondly, how they spend their money, and thirdly how often they connect to worship God, become equipped to be like Jesus and multiply themselves for the kingdom.  God wants us to be “ate up with His kingdom.”  He wants us to pursue His righteousness and He’ll take care of the details (Matt. 6:33). Serve glory to God’s name, not yours. It’s about Him, not you. 

2)      Stand in God’s covenant of truth Mal. 2:3-4

  • 3 “Behold, I will rebuke your descendants And spread refuse on your faces, The refuse of your solemn feasts; And one will take you away with it. (Mal. 2:3)
God says, “You aren’t teaching your children, so I will have to rebuke them.”  No one wants to hear a stranger rebuke their children.  There is something inside that says, “That is my responsibility as a parent.” Those parents who don’t care are far down the downward spiral of indifference.  Parents were not able to bring the children under control.  The word “refuse” is a horrible word referring to dung, entrails, or undigested food. Moses wrote about this when he said, “But the flesh of the bull, with its skin and its offal, you shall burn with fire outside the camp. It is a sin offering.” (Ex. 29:14) Yes, the offalis awful and is to be removed from the camp.  Do not let it be a part of your life.

Furthermore, God said He would “spread refuse on your faces.”  What could be worse than on the face?  This was a visible sign of God expressing shame on the leadership.  It’s like God said, “Shame on you!” They would be rendered unclean for service. Just as you would want to wipe it away, so God was saying, “You will be carried away to the dung heap; treated as filth by the people. Shame on you!” God was saying, “Enough is enough!” 

  • 4 Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, That My covenant with Levi may continue,” Says the LORD of hosts. (Mal. 2:4) 

            In the midst of the shame and misery, God says, “It will not be because others have become powerful.  It will be because you have turned from Me and I have given you over to them.” Why?  God made a covenant – a promise.  The sons of Levi stood with Moses in Exodus 32 and killed 3000 men at the golden calf incident.  Years later, just before Israel was to enter the Promised Land, the Levites were still making a name for the Lord. There were a number of Israelite men who were attracted to Midianite women and one decided to present a woman to Moses and the leadership. Without approval, the Jewish man led the woman into the tabernacle and performed the woman’s fertility cult rite.  Phinehas , who was a Levite, said, “Enough is enough!” and went into the tabernacle and thrust a spear right through the man and the woman.  Phineas was more concerned about the holiness of God, than the feelings of the man and the woman.  You can imagine how the man and woman felt.  But God said this about Phineas,

  • 12 “Therefore say,`Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace;
  • 13 `and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.'” (Num. 25:12-13)
When you serve glory to God, it will lead you to stand in the covenant of truth.  When you stand in the covenant of truth, it will be because you have submitted to the covenant of life and peace. 

 

3)      Submit to the God’s covenant of life and peace Mal. 2:5-7
 
  • 5 “My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, And I gave them to him that he might fear Me; So he feared Me And was reverent before My name.
  • 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, And injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, And turned many away from iniquity.
  • 7 “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. (Mal. 2:5-7)
God gave the covenant with Levi of life and peace.  God gave the covenant that he might fear the Lord. Fear is appropriate with God.  We do not deserve anything from God.   Yet, for many people, He is like a genie. But God is not a genie.

God delineates in these next three verses what is required of leaders. First, leaders must have the fear of God (Mal. 2:5).  God gave life and peace, that they would be reverent before His name.  This makes us think of Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Pro. 1:7)

Secondly, an ability to instruct truth. The law of truth was in his mouth (Mal. 2:6a). These are the duties of equipping and discipling. Leaders must know it, so they can teach others what they have learned (Matt. 20:28).

Thirdly, integrity in judgment on behalf of others (Mal. 2:6b). This is self- control, not selfish-control.  He is just in his judicial functions.

Fourthly, intimate devotion to the Lord (Mal. 2:6c). His walk matches his talk.  God’s leaders walk in peace.

Fifthly, he restored many to the Lord (Mal. 2:6d). They turned from sin.

Sixthly, he preserved the truth (Mal. 2:7a). The lips are a part referring to the whole life.  The lips have truth, because truth is hidden in the heart. And the lips provide what was fresh every morning.

Seventhly, he is honored by the people (Mal. 2:7b). The people seek from their leaders the message from God.  God put Malachi and Israel’s leadership there to give God’s Word. 

Spiritual leadership is to serve glory to God’s name and stand in God’s covenant of truth.  That will happen, because they submit to the covenant of life and peace and as that happens, they will pursue sanctification.  One of the purposes of sanctification is to disciple others. 

4)      Sanctify your life to disciple others Mal. 2:8-9 

  • 8 But you have departed from the way; You have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” Says the LORD of hosts.
  • 9 “Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base Before all the people, Because you have not kept My ways But have shown partiality in the law.” (Mal. 2:8-9)
The priests had failed. There were six indictments against them. First, they turned from God’s ways (Mal. 2:8).

      Secondly, they led many astray (Mal. 2:8b).  Contrary to how Phineas turned people to the Lord, the spiritual leadership in Malachi’s day were not helping to sanctify the people.  Twenty years ago, Episcopalians ordained women.  Now they ordain homosexuals to the spiritual leadership.  What will they do next?

      Thirdly, they were unfaithful in their commitment (Mal. 2:8c).

      Fourthly, God made them contemptible in reputation (Mal. 2:9a).  This is just the opposite of what God did with Elijah.  Elijah was confronted with 450 prophets of Baal. So, Elijah set up a contest to see whose God was God.  Both sides took an ox and were to prepare the ox for sacrifice, but neither side could light the fire.  The real God Himself, would consume with a fire.  Elijah had some fun with this.

When the 450 prophets of Baal set up their altar and sacrifice, they started chanting, singing and shouting.  They started hopping and hobbling around the altar.  Elijah decided he had seen enough and yelled out, “Maybe Baal has gone on vacation, or maybe he’s relieving himself!” 

When Elijah set up his altar and ox, he directed that water be poured over the sacrifice. When Elijah prayed that God would exalt His name,  God sent fire down that licked up the entire sacrifice, including the ox, wood, stones and water.  The people were so moved, they bowed in worship of God and killed the false prophets of Baal. God exalted Elijah’s reputation, because Elijah honored God.  The spiritual leadership of Malachi’s day had dishonored God’s name, so God made their reputation contemptible.

Fifthly, they were negligent in their duties (Mal. 2:9b).

Sixthly, they showed partiality in judgment (Mal. 2:9c). They favored people rather than God.  This is what Eli the priest did for his sons in 1 Samuel 2-4.  While Eli rebuked his sons, he did not insist that they do the right thing nor pull them from serving the Lord. “You respected people over my truth.  You have not kept My ways. You have picked and chosen what you wanted.  You find some Scripture exciting, but are bored with others.”  God was saying, “Enough is enough.”

God’s leaders must mirror God’s character
and lead people in truth to the Lord! 

What kind of leadership does America have? We are still dealing with the deceitful cover-up of the American Embassy in Benghazi. We are still dealing with the attack on the freedom of the press by seizure of the reporter’s phone records, and spying on media outlets to root out leakers. We are still dealing with the IRS intentionally and maliciously targeting conservative groups and leaking personal and private taxpayer information.  We are still dealing with IRS officials, who threw lavish million dollar  parties for themselves, even as Americans struggled to keep their jobs and pay their taxes. Those officials cannot account for their expenses – imagine that? We are still dealing with Pro-life and Christian groups, who report extreme and intrusive demands from the IRS.  The IRS demanded one group to promise not to picket Planned Parenthood. We are still dealing with the IRS, who conducted 100,000 audits of adopting families in 2011 alone – because they adopted a child. The IRS just purchased coffee trays and plants with hidden cameras. Not everyone in the IRS is included.  There are many law-abiding people.

What about the healthcare, that was voted in so that we could allegedly find out what is in it and now all parties are backing away because what was promised was false.

While the government is trying to disarm you, they’re arming up with millions of weapons, ammunition and executive orders.

A tyrannical government is rising up out of the ocean of people with an entitlement attitude.

But the problem is really the American Church.  There have been so many deviants in pulpits abusing their position, abusing their power and abusing the people around them.  It is no wonder that many denominations are experiencing a decline. But it is not just the leadership in the church, it is also the people in the pew, who allow this foolishness, this wickedness, these leaders to continue. Enough is  enough!

Jesus said, “Do not be like them.” (Matt. 6:8).  Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33). God loved Israel. That is why in His mercy He would become silent, so they would say, “Where is the voice, the message of the Lord?” Beloved, God loves you.  Are you hearing from the Lord in His Word everyday? 

God’s leaders must mirror God’s character
and lead people in truth to the Lord! 

  • Remove leaders who become complacent regarding God’s character and actions.  You cannot afford not to remove them if they are complacent or they do not respond to rebuke. Some need to be tested to see how they will respond to rebuke.
  • Choose leaders whose character mirrors God’s character.
  • Develop leaders who are pursuing God’s character and actions.
It’s all about character, not just talent or looks.  Find the right character in a man, and the other superficial things will take care of themselves.  Let God develop your character and you will experience more blessing from God that you can imagine.

 

 

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)      When you were growing up, what was your view of pastors, priests or spiritual leaders?

Digging Deeper:

2)      Read. Deuteronomy 28:1-14. What did God want to do if Israel obeyed the Lord? _______________ What if they did not obey the Lord (cf. Deut. 28:15-21)?  What areas of life are covered? Did they have a choice?

3)      How important is the concept of blessing to God (cf. Num. 6:22-27)? ________________ Why does a people not receive that?

4)      Note 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-5. Are the characteristics required of spiritual leaders only applicable to those in a leadership position?  ______________ Why or why not?

Making application of the message to life:

5)      How should followers relate to spiritual leaders (cf. Heb. 13:7,17)? 

6)      How can you hold spiritual leaders accountable, while being respectful and helpful?

7)      What are seven things you can do to multiply yourself to prepare the next generation to lead others to Christ?

 

Q & A: Malachi: Enough is Enough

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The following are suggested answers for the Message Based Discussion Questions from the message presented on June 2, 2013.

Enough is Enough
Malachi 1:6-14

How should God be worshiped?

1)      Worship God with honor 1:6-8
·         2 Sam. 12:10; Pro. 14:2; 1 Sam. 2:27-31
·         Lev. 22:19-22; Deut. 15:21

2)      Worship God with reverent fear 1:9-10
·         Is. 1:11-15

3)      Worship God with pure offerings 1:11-14 

God deserves 100% of our best preparation
and worship to honor Him.

·         I honor God when I start to prepare for worship on Monday. 
·         Godly preparation focuses my attention on heaven, rather than on problems. 
·         My offerings to God must be pure and holy.   Heb. 10:19-25
 

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)      When and what were you taught about giving to God?

Digging Deeper:

2)      Read Leviticus 22:17-24. What is God’s standard for an offering (cf. 22:21)? _______________  What were God’s expectations regarding the sacrifices?
3)      What did God expect from Eli and his sons (1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22-35)? ______________  Who did Eli favor according to God? What promise did God make?
4)      Read Psalm 51:16-17. What does God desire? _____________ What does this passage and the previous questions say about God’s desire for our heart related to sacrifices?
5)      Does Hebrews 10:19-27 give room for casual preparation and worship? ___________  How or in what way?

Making application of the message to life:

6)      How well prepared do you need to be for Sunday worship?  What kinds of things should be considered throughout the week?
7)      How would you disciple a brand new Christian on how to prepare for worship?

 

Message Based Discussion Questions 

1)      When and what were you taught about giving to God?

a)      When I was a boy in elementary school, my mother gave me a bank and as I saved, she also told me I needed to give part of it to church, to God.

b)      I remember learning I was told to give 10%, but I don’t think I applied that very well.

c)      I didn’t learn about grace-giving until I was in my early twenties. 

Digging Deeper:

2)      Read Leviticus 22:17-24. What is God’s standard for an offering (cf. 22:21)? __perfect__  What were God’s expectations regarding the sacrifices?

a)      God expected Israel to understand the sacrificial system

b)      God expected Israel to understand why they were to offer a perfect offering

c)      God expected the one who made the offering to do it willingly and not grudgingly.

d)     God expected that any imperfect offering would not be given. He would not accept them.

e)      A handicapped animal could be offered as a free will offering, but not as a vow.

f)       God would not accept an offering of an animal that was damaged in some way.

g)      Offerings were a foreshadow of Christ’s perfection to come.
 

3)      What did God expect from Eli and his sons (1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22-35)? _respect and honor__  Who did Eli favor according to God? What promise did God make?

a)      Eli favored his sons, because while he told them the right things to do, he did not insist or ensure that they did the right things.  Eli was more concerned about his relationship with his sons than he was with his relationship with God.

b)      God said that there would be no old man in Eli’s house, that is, he and his sons would die leaving no heir. 
 

4)      Read Psalm 51:16-17. What does God desire? _a broken heart__ What does this passage and the previous questions say about God’s desire for our heart related to sacrifices?

a)      God desires sacrifices, but not as much as a broken and contrite heart.

b)      God does despise some sacrifices (Is. 1:11-15), but God will not despise a broken heart.
 

5)      Does Hebrews 10:19-27 give room for casual preparation and worship? _no, we are to enter with boldness, but not casual, because it is by the blood of Jesus_  How or in what way?

a)      We are to enter by the blood of Jesus. That is a big deal.  He did what we couldn’t do (Eph. 1:7).

b)      It is a new and living way, what we could not do. Now we can walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4) 

c)      We are to enter by a true heart, by faith.  We are to continue to walk by faith (Col. 2: 6)

d)     We accept that we had an evil conscience, but we have been transformed.  We should walk in a manner that is worthy of what He has done for us (Col. 1:10).

e)      We need to exhort each other to press forward (Phil. 3:13)

f)       If we become complacent, we miss out and become hardened in the downward spiral and enter the sin unto death (Eph. 4:17-19; 1 John 5:16; Jam. 5:19-20) 

Making application of the message to life: 

6)      How well prepared do you need to be for Sunday worship?  What kinds of things should be considered throughout the week?

a)      It is the highlight of the week for believers.  It is an expression of my heart in love for Him.

b)      I need to consider my time in preparation, treasures in giving, use of talents, encouragement of my tongue and rest for my temple (my body).

c)      I should start on Monday to prepare by quiet times and considering God-sightings throughout the week. I should lay out my clothes Saturday night and ensure that no controversial topics are discussed on Sunday morning.  I should consider entering worship with praise and a heart full of anticipation of giving to Him full glory. 

7)      How would you disciple a brand new Christian on how to prepare for worship?

a)      Demonstrate by my life what is important.

b)      Guide into Scripture to understand God’s attributes and why He is worthy of worship.

c)      Give an example of what he would do to prepare for a job interview or meeting someone he thinks is important.  Ask him to multiply that 100 times and apply that to approaching God in worship.

d)     Ask him to consider many areas of life, like time, rest, work, mind, heart, friends, fellowship, spiritual disciplines, clothes, schedule and arrival time.

e)      Ask him to participate in one of the service opportunities before, during or after the service.

 

I. Indifference to God’s love 1

     A. The Lord’s love declared 1:1-5
     B. The Lord’s love despised 1:6-14
II. Indifference to God’s law 2
     A. The priest’s violation of the law 2:1-9
     B. The people’s violation of home laws 2:10-17
III. Indifference to God’s message 3
     A. The coming judgment 3:1-6
     B. The current judgment 3:7-15
     C. The circle of faith 3:16-18
IV. Indifference to the Day of the Lord

MSG: Malachi: Enough is Enough

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This message was presented on June 2, 2013 as a part of a series on Malachi.

Enough is Enough
Malachi 1:6-14 

Malachi was written 2400 years ago, but our passage could easily have been an editorial in the Star today. The passage reminds me of people who are not really aware of what’s going on around them. Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t know what happened at work.  I was laid off.  I did most of what I was told to do.  Sure I was late a few times.  Sure I was sick, but there were things I had to do around the house.  Everyone says they do that.  No I didn’t attend the company functions.  Why should I?  They aren’t any fun.  People get into their own cliques anyway.  I just stayed home.  I just don’t understand why I was laid off.” Israel was not aware of what was going on either.

Israel was about to get their pink slip from God, again.  They did not seek after God with their whole heart.  Their complacency left them indifferent to the holiness of God. They had forgotten the agony of exile, when God said “Enough is enough.” God was about to say, “Enough!” again to Israel. If God can say enough, how should He be approached? How should God be worshiped? 

1)      Worship God with honor 1:6-8

Malachi 1:6-2:9 is a rebuke to the priests.  Their attitude was communicated to the people that any offering was better than none at all. Yet, God gave an entire book, Leviticus, including major portions in Exodus, describing precise procedures and standards for offerings.  Why did He give such preciseness? Was it to make us work? Was it to make us feel bad?  Was it to make us miserable? Those are all the wrong questions.  What is the focus in those questions? The focus is on self. The answers must all relate to the reality that God is holy and righteous. The questions should have been, “Why did God establish precise procedures?” Or, “Why is God so meticulous in the standard for offerings?” Israel’s heart was far from God and they were moving farther away.

God spoke through Malachi in Malachi 1:6,

  • 6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say,`In what way have we despised Your name?’
God chooses two words that denote respect in the Jewish mind: father (ab) and master (adonay). The lack of honor and reverence are the seed bed for the Pharisees and Sadducees in the time of Jesus. Like the people in Malachi’s day, they followed the rituals, but they had no relationship with God, nor did they offer sacrifices according to God’s standards. God said, “You despise My name.”  The verb for “despise” means they “keep on despising,” “you keep on giving little worth to something,” or you “undervalue something or someone and implied contempt.

David was a man after God’s own heart, yet God said David despised the Lord.  After David took Bathsheba as his wife, Nathan the prophet went to rebuke David, “Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” (2 Sam. 12:10)

Let me illustrate the concept of despising someone.  Let us say you borrowed a truck.  You really needed to do some hard work and in the process you get the outside and inside of the truck rather dirty with mud.  You also made frequent stops to McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and Arby’s and you left the wrapping and leftovers on the back floor.  You use up the gas tank, but when you return the key to the owner, you say, “Thanks for letting me use the truck.”  You may have said, “Thanks,” but leaving the truck dirty, trashed out and gas on E is showing big time contempt for the owner.  That is what God says Israel was doing.

Let me illustrate from Proverbs.  Solomon writes, “He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.” (Pro. 14:2)  The one who walks in a godly manner shows his fear and honor of the Lord.  The one who is perverse shows by his actions what he is really saying, that is, “I don’t care what you say or think.”  The actions show spite to the Lord. The actions speak louder than the words.  Let me give one additional example.

Eli was made a priest in Israel during the time of the judges.  He had two sons, Hophni and Phineahas.  Eli told Hophni and Phineas what they were supposed to do and even rebuked them, BUT he did not insist, or train, or discipline them to do the right thing.  Notice what God says,

  • 27 Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the LORD:`Did I not clearly reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?
  • 28 `Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?
  • 29 `Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?’
  • 30 “Therefore the LORD God of Israel says:`I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the LORD says:`Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.
  • 31 `Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. (1 Sam. 2:27-31)

God chose Levi to be the priest for Israel and Eli should have felt privileged as a Levite.  With privilege comes responsibility, but Eli did not ensure his sons were discipled to do the right thing.  He warned them, rebuked them, but did not insist that they honor the Lord.  God said that Eli honored his sons more than God.  Eli wouldn’t have seen it that way, but he did accept the Lord’s judgment.

            God said that Eli kicked at the sacrifices by kicking dirt on them and then choosing the best meat from what was offered rather than just taking from the pot.  Hence, God will honor those who honor Him, but make smaller (lightly esteem) those who made light of
Him.  Furthermore, Eli’s arm (his power and sustenance) would be removed (that is neither he nor his sons would be in his house much longer).  In 1 Samuel 4, Eli died when he heard both his sons died.

            In Malachi 1:7, God continues charges against Israel, “You offer defiled food on My altar. But say, `In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying,`The table of the LORD is contemptible.’”  The word for “defiled” means something has happened to the sacrifice so that it is no longer as it once was.  Again, they would not say those words, but they did by their actions.  Verse eight explains what God means.

            In verse eight, God calls their actions evil.  Evil?  Yes, God calls their sacrifices “evil”!  Malachi writes for God, “And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” Says the LORD of hosts.” (Mal. 1:8)  How can an offering Israel offered be “evil”?  God described how He wanted Israel to offer sacrifices in Leviticus.  He writes,

·         19 `you shall offer of your own free will a male without blemish from the cattle, from the sheep, or from the goats.
·         20 `Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf.
·         21 `And whoever offers a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD, to fulfill his vow, or a freewill offering from the cattle or the sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it.
·         22 `Those that are blind or broken or maimed, or have an ulcer or eczema or scabs, you shall not offer to the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to the LORD. (Lev. 22:19-22)

And Moses wrote in Deuteronomy,

·         21 “But if there is a defect in it, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.” (Deut. 15:21)

When Israel offered a sacrifice that had sores, was blind or was lame, diseased, or torn from the teeth of an animal, God said it was not acceptable.  So God tells Israel to offer it to the governor and asks if they think the governor would accept it.  The implied answer is the governor would not accept it. So should God accept it?  Israel might say, “But is God not a loving God? Does God care that much? He’ll accept it won’t He?” 

2)      Worship God with reverent fear 1:9-10

Even though God rebukes the people for their ungodly attitude and actions, the people ask the priests for God’s favor. They’re expecting He will provide, because they are, after all, God’s people.

·         9 “But now entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, Will He accept you favorably?” Says the LORD of hosts. (Mal. 1:9)

They want the blessings in spite of their unawareness.  In spite of God’s rebukes they still want God’s blessings.  They are more concerned about blessings than presence.  But God rebukes the people in verse ten.

            In verse 10, God says, “Enough is enough!”  Malachi records,  “Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” Says the LORD of hosts, “Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.”  God wants to know if there is anyone who will shut the door of the temple to stop this parade of defilement from entering the holy halls of the temple.  “Someone, shut the door!” The expression “invain,” (chinam) means “uselessly,” “for nothing,” or “for no purpose.”   “Don’t let that in My house!  Would there be someone that says, don’t bring those sacrifices, if they are second hand.”

I have offended people, to which I make no apology, because I told people not to give their cast offs to the church. Don’t bring in your old televisions, your old couches, or something else, if you have replaced them with something better at home. Someone might say, “But it’s for the youth and they’ll just tear it up.”  Does God give you leftovers? Don’t bring it to church, unless it is for the Rummage Sale.  God says. “It is useless, I will not accept it.” God would rather someone shut the doors of the temple than let this go on. 

But doesn’t God need my handout? Isaiah makes that very clear for us in Isaiah 1,

·         11 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the LORD. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.
·         12 “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts?
·         13 Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies– I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
·         14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them.
·         15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Is. 1:11-15)

God doesn’t need sacrifices, we do. Righteous sacrifices show we understand God is holy. We need to sacrifice regularly, because it reminds us of having a reverent fear of God and teaches our dependence upon Him.  Many offer up what is left over, things already used, the tired, the sick, the poor and they still ask God for more! Let me illustrate.

How long can you fool your boss?  Let’s say you get together with some Christian friends and you are having a great time.  Laughing together, sharing in fellowship and you might even be spiritual by talking about the message.  Those spiritual Euchre cards come out and all of a sudden you realize it is 3 a.m. You go home, get a few hours of sleep, drink some coffee and do the best you can at work.

The next night, you get together again with your friends, because you hadn’t had so much fun in years and things lead to the Euchre cards and again, it’s 3 a.m.  You rush home get a few hours of sleep and drink a lot of coffee.  How will your work be?   There may be simple mistakes, missed meetings and assignments become sloppy. You can fool the boss some of the time, but eventually, what would the boss do? He will give you a pink slip.

The boss wants only the best attitude and actions at work.  Should we give the Lord any less than that when it comes to worship? Only the best should be given to the Lord, not leftovers. 

We get tired on a busy Saturday at the park and stay up late Saturday night. So we are not alert on Sunday, we don’t sing out and we’re not as concerned about other brethren.  That is “blind, lame, sick” worship and effort on our part.  Parents, do you to prepare your children so they are ready to learn and worship God!

Worship God with honor.  Worship God with reverent fear. And when you come, worship God with pure offerings.

3)      Worship God with pure offerings 1:11-14

At some point in the future, there will be pure offerings.

·         11 For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the LORD of hosts. (Mal. 1:11)

 This verse 11 is a prophecy of the Millennium. There were no pure offerings during Malachi’s time, nor for the next 400 years, nor during the time when Jesus walked on earth, but there will be in the Millennium.  There will be pure offerings in the Millennium, because Jesus ensures purity of sacrifices. Yet verse twelve explains how they were failing in their worship.

In verse twelve, Malachi rebukes their attitude by means of observing their actions.

·         12 “But you profane it, in that you say, `The table of the LORD1 is defiled; And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’ (Mal. 1:12)

The word for “profane” (chalal) is an intensive use of the verb and means to “make light of” or “not hold the offering with reverence.”  The ATTITUDE is seen in the ACTION. Some give what is left over after monthly bills, etc. Some believe they can spend their income on themselves and have nothing to give to God.  If you spend more on pleasure and entertainment than on the Lord, there is something wrong with your thinking.

The Lord reveals the problem is even worse.

·         13 You also say, `Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” Says the LORD of hosts. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” Says the LORD. (Mal. 1:13)

The people are bored with the sacrificial rituals. They consider it a waste.  They were tired of doing the same thing over and over. In fact they sneered at it and the verb means they caused others to sneer at it or treat it with contempt.  In fact, the priests said it was okay to bring in animals that were robbed from the mouth of a lion or wolf.  The word, “stolen” means torn away like a sheep from the teeth of a wolf or lion.

            God is very clear.  Holy sacrifices are to be given, because of Who He is.

·         14 “But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished– For I am a great King,” Says the LORD of hosts, “And My name is to be feared among the nations. (Mal 1:14)

Do not make a vow for a sacrifice and then reconsider and give what is blemished.  God is “a great King.” In fact, He is the Lord of hosts, or Lord of the armies. Israel did not treat God as a great King.  Does America?

Instead of holy worship of the Lord, America is being deceived that Al-qaeda and Islamic Jihadism is not a terrorist threat. And hence, Islam is a viable alternative. Tell that to the victims of the Fort Hood terrorist attack, or the Boston marathon bombing or the Americans killed on Libyan soil. Enough is enough.

Instead of promoting the National Day of Prayer, the nation supports the Islamic prayer schedule. Enough is enough.

Instead of defending Christians and their places of worship, our nation has removed troops from Iraq and Afghanistan so the al-qaeda would have freedom to destroy Christian places of worship. And There was no outrage spoken from our highest office? Enough is enough.

The withdrawal of troops and combat operations with a shift to intelligence gathering and law enforcement is merely smoke and mirrors deception so the enemy can gain power in the Middle East to serve as a launching pad to neutralize Europe and the United States. Enough is enough.

The only reason there have not been more attacks in America is because of the ineptness of the enemy and the remnant of believers who are pursuing the Lord Jesus Christ.  Yet, the enemy will not stop with the World Trade Center destruction until he destroys our economy and reshapes our laws.  Enough is enough.

Instead of responding to warnings about the Tsarnaev brothers, the botched FBI investigation allowed the Boston bomber Muslims to complete their mission.  And the country wants 11 million illegal aliens from whatever foreign countries to continue living in America. But the administration refuses to grant asylum to a Christian family who fled from Germany.  The Administration is seeking to deport them because the Romeikes want to home school their family.  Germany had outlawed homeschooling. The administration argues that their problems are not great enough to grant asylum, but argues to give full citizenship to any Muslims and other illegal aliens. Enough is enough.

But those are only the tangible evidence that America is worshiping something other than the Lord.  We are a country who worships so many things other than the Lord.  We worship sports stars and rock stars. America flocks to theaters to see screen stars and music stars.  America rushes to sacrifice so much to climb the corporate ladder, while their family falls off the wagon.  America buys into the American dreams and forgets about God’s gifts of peace, hope and love. 

How would America respond to accusations that it is turning from God?  America would say, “We’re the greatest country on earth!” “We help so many.” “We’re a good country.”  “We’re not against God.”  “We go to church.” That is when it suits our cause.  

God deserves 100% of our best preparation
and worship to honor Him.

  • I honor God when I start to prepare for worship on Monday.  My quiet time and walk prepare me to approach Him in singing and encouraging and learning. Do I set aside for God the first of my time and income?
  • Godly preparation focuses my attention on heaven, rather than on problems.  I prepare well so my attention can be above, not distracted by below. Do I give God the best of my alertness for church and service?
  • My offerings to God must be pure and holy. Do I honor God by the way I talk, walk, dress, eat, live, sleep, exercise, keep His Word?  Is your daily walk pure and holy?
Let me close with this passage.

  • 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
  •  20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
  •  21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,
  •  22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
  •  23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
  •  24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
  •  25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
  •  26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
  •  27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. (Heb. 10:19-27)
People often are entranced by what is interesting, new or different.  God is clear about what we should do.

 
Message Based Discussion Questions

1)      When and what were you taught about giving to God?

Digging Deeper:

2)      Read Leviticus 22:17-24. What were God’s expectations regarding the sacrifices?
3)      What did God expect from Eli and his sons (1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22-35)?  Who did Eli favor according to God? What promise did God make?
4)      What does this passage and the previous questions say about God’s desire for our heart (cf. Ps. 51:16-17)?
5)      Does Hebrews 10:19-27 give room for casual preparation and worship?  How or in what way?

Making application of the message to life:

6)      How well prepared do you need to be for Sunday worship?  What kinds of things should be considered throughout the week?
7)      How would you disciple a brand new Christian on how to prepare for and involvement in worship?
 

I. Indifference to God’s love 1
     A. The Lord’s love declared 1:1-5
     B. The Lord’s love despised 1:6-14
II. Indifference to God’s law 2
     A. The priest’s violation of the law 2:1-9
     B. The people’s violation of home laws 2:10-17
III. Indifference to God’s message 3
     A. The coming judgment 3:1-6
     B. The current judgment 3:7-15
     C. The circle of faith 3:16-18
IV. Indifference to the Day of the Lord

 

Q & A: Questioning God’s Love

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The following (below the insert information) are considerations for suggested answers to the Message Based Discussion Questions.  These are designed to stimulate discussion, not to replace it.  The questions are designed to promote thinking, not just give answers.  Christianity will only be real when Christians can think through the issues rather than just meander through the motions. My prayer is that these will stimulate spiritual growth.

Questioning God’s Love
Malachi 1:1-5

Isaiah 38:1-3
What happens when we question God’s love? 

1)      God declares His burden of love 1:1-2a
·         Is. 1:2-3

2)      We can grow indifferent to His love 1:2b
·         1 John 2:15-17; 3:18

3)      God doesn’t need to explain, but does 1:2c-5
·         Gen. 25:30; 36:8
·         2 Ch. 21:8,10; Ezek. 25:12-14; Ob. 1:8
·         Pro. 13:24; Mat. 6:24; Luke 14:26; [Matt. 10:37] 

God’s love is strongly stated in Scripture 

·         God’s love for you is perfect and eternal John 3:16
·         Nothing can frustrate God’s love or plan in your life 1 Cor. 10:13
·         God will allow you to wander, become indifferent and forget 1 John 2:15-17 
·         You choose what you will pursue – God’s love or the world    Ps. 26:3   
·         Your response determines your understanding of His love Rom. 8:31-39    

There is nothing more clear than God’s love;
question God’s love and you’ll become miserable,
trust God and you’ll experience more love than you can imagine.

 

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)      Have you ever seen a child grow indifferent to his parent’s love?  How would you describe it?

Digging Deeper

2)      What are Scripture passages that describe God’s love?
3)      What does Romans 1:21-32 and Ephesians 4:17-19 describe? ____________________ Why do people grow indifferent toward God’s love?
4)      What do you learn from the following passages about Edom (1 Kings 11:11-25; 2 Kings 14:7-10; 2 Chron. 25:19; Ps. 60:8-9; Ps. 108:9,10; 137:7; Is. 11:14; 34:5)?

Making application of the message to life:

5)      Why does God allow antagonism toward His people if He loves them?
6)      How would you disciple someone to understand the confidence he can have of God’s love?
7)      If God was willing to explain his love to Israel, what should our response be to others when they question us?  Is that response the same in every case?

 

Message Based Discussion Questions 

1)      Have you ever seen a child grow indifferent to his parent’s love?  How would you describe it?

a)      Yes, it’s a business relationship or friend relationship rather than a parent/child relationship.

b)      The child often grows prideful in his own eyes. The child often seeks to treat the parent as a peer rather than an honored parent.  The child seeks entitlements without the expectation of work, in other words, he expects care at the expense of the parent and without giving respect.  He eventually disrespects the parents, because he grows up with an expectation or learned concept that they should love and he may look down his nose at them.  He may feel sorry for them, but more likely grow indifferent and possibly disdain them.

c)      Sometimes the child becomes introverted looking, focusing only on himself.  He will close himself into an inner world of individuality or fantasy and remain aloof from others.  He talks about himself, because he has not learned to be other-centered.  OR, he will look for companionship with the world (Pro. 1:10-19) and be delinquent and misbehave.  He will do what he does for his own gain. He remains independent of other people, because he doesn’t learn to trust them.  

Digging Deeper:

2)      What are Scripture passages that describe God’s love?

a)      God’s provision of the gospel Gen. 3:15

b)      God’s Abrahamic Covenant Gen. 12:1-3

c)      God’s care for Joseph and the family Gen. 50:20

d)      God’s deliverance of Isreal Ex. 14:31

e)      God’s daily provision in the wilderness Ex. 16:15

f)       God’s commandments Ex. 20:1-17

g)      God’s abundant provisions Deut 28:1-14

h)      God’s love poured out to us Rom. 5:5

i)        Demonstrated on the cross Rom. 5:8

j)        Nothing can separate us from God’s love Rom. 8:31-39

k)      It surpasses understanding Eph. 3:19

l)        He loves us John 3:16

m)    It can be perfected in us 1 John 2:5

n)      It can be bestowed on us 1 John 3:1

o)      It causes us to love others 1 John 3:17

p)      God is love 1 John 4:8-10

q)      God’s love through us 1 Jn. 4:19

r)       We reveal it by our obedience 1 John 5:1-3
 

3)      What do Romans 1:21-32 and Ephesians 4:17-19 describe? _the downward spiral__ Why do people grow indifferent toward God’s love?

a)      They do not honor God nor are they thankful Rom. 1:21

b)      They don’t love God, so they won’t see God’s love

c)      They want what they want when they want it

d)      They are focused on themselves, rather than others

e)      They reject God’s saving grace

f)       They want to be their own god and in control of life

g)      They become hardened from sin and can’t see God’s love

h)      They occupy themselves with the world
 

4)      What do you learn from the following passages about Edom (1 Kings 11:11-25; 2 Kings 14:7-10; 2 Chron. 25:19; Ps. 60:8-9; Ps. 108:9,10; 137:7; Is. 11:14; 34:5)?

a)      1Kg 11:11-25 = Hadad, from Edom, was a thorn to Solomon

b)      2 Kg 14:7-10 =  There was war in Amaziah’s day with Edom

c)      2 Ch 25:19 = God used Judah to defeat Edom. We may have to do dirty work to complete God’s work.

d)      Ps. 60:8-9 = Edom will be defeated and treated as waste

e)      Ps. 108:9-10 =  It was part of the chorus of at least a couple Psalms

f)       Ps. 137:7 = Edom wanted Judah destroyed

g)      Is. 11:14 = Edom will have trouble in the future; nations will rise against Edom

h)      Is. 34:5 = God’s judgment will fall on Edom 

Making application of the message to life: 

5)      Why does God allow antagonism toward His people if He loves them?

a)      It shows we do not live in heaven

b)      It shows sin has resulted in division and trouble

c)      God allows it so we depend on Him

d)      God allows it so we learn to discern when to shepherd tenderly and when to shepherd firmly

e)      God allows it to exalt Himself

f)       God allows it so we see He is sufficient

g)      God allows it when we continue in sin

 

6)      How would you disciple someone to understand the confidence he can have of God’s love?

a)      1 Pet. 4:8 show God’s love and cover over a multitude of sins

b)      Teach them God’s character of love 1 Jn 4:8

c)      Teach them many stories of God’s love actions 1 Jn 4:9-10

d)      Accept him where he is and help him grow Heb. 12:5-6

e)      Bring him along to visit one who is suffering and troubled

f)       Show him how to love others through service and encouragement

g)      Ask him to take the lead in serving others

 

7)      If God was willing to explain his love to Israel, what should our response be to others when they question us?  Is that response the same in every case?

a)      We should be willing to listen to understand the person.  We need to see things from his perspective, rather than assuming.

b)      We need to examine ourselves, because only God is perfect and the person may be exposing something God wants addressed.  We may be more focused on self than we think or we may have become complacent.

c)      We need to think through the response so that it edifies the person rather than merely defend or justify self (Eph. 4:29).

d)     The response will not be the same in every case.

i)        Most cases require shepherding as in 1 Pet. 5:1-5
ii)      Some cases require humble firmness to help the person see their waywardness 1 Tim. 5:1; 2 Tim. 2:24-26

MSG: Questioning God’s Love

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This message was presented on May 26, 2013 as a part of the series teaching through Malachi.

Questioning God’s Love
Malachi 1:1-5 

On the lighter side of the military, I remember some road marches as a private and the misery of each step after the twenty mile marker.  Many years ago, before the draft was over, the third Brigade, 11th Division was doing a two day road march in Germany.  The weather was cold and rainy.  The roads had become muddy. The privates in the Brigade were obeying orders. 

The Brigade Commander, who was a 25 year veteran, a colonel, ordered his unit on this training mission, hoping for good weather, but facing what came.  The Colonel marched with his battalions over that two day march. 

On a moonless night, Private Snuffy Smith was miserable.  Not knowing the person who was walking next to him was the Brigade commander with rain gear that covered his identity and his insignia, Private Snuffy leaned over to the 25 year veteran colonel, and said, “Can you believe some idiots make a career out of this?”

Have you ever been miserable, in the pit, and said, “Why God?  Why does this have to happen right now?  Tomorrow would be better.”  OR, “Lord, if you love me, you’ll get me out of this jam.  I’m going to church.  I read my Bible.  I pray to You. Why am I not being blessed?  Lord, don’t you love me?”   

Hezekiah was miserable.  He was a king in Israel around B.C. 701.  Isaiah records,
  • In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD:`Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'”
  •  2Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD,
  •  3 and said, “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (Is. 38:1-3)

 Job was miserable.  He lost his business, his ten children and his health when his body was covered with boils.  Then his friends discouraged him implying Job was suffering because of his sins. 

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, cast into prison, forgotten by the cupbearer and left in prison. Do you think over the thirteen years he was separated from his family that he would have wondered, “God did you forget me?”  Did God love Hezekiah? Did God love Job?  Did God love Joseph?  Does God love You? 

In Malachi’s time, B.C. 425, Israel was more focused on their circumstances and concerned about the world, than pursuing God with their whole heart. Israel lacked trust in God. They grew independent from God. They were not satisfied with their condition. They did not honor God, nor were they thankful for all of His provisions.  Israel forgot about God’s blessing and love for them. They became indifferent to God’s love, His law, His message and the coming Day of the Lord. What happens when we question God’s love?  
 

1)      God declares His burden of love 1:1-2a

Malachi is a series of declarations from the Lord. Israel had fallen away from God, but they did not realize they had fallen.  God called Israel back in his mercy.  Malachi records for us, “The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.” (Mal 1:1)  The word for burden is masaa which means a load or weight.  God’s love is weighed down as a heavy burden, because God’s people are living like they didin’t know His love.  It’s very similar to what Isaiah prophesied,
  • 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me;
  •  3 The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” (Is. 1:2-3)

It’s interesting that Isaiah prophesied 300 years before Malachi around B.C. 725.  Malachi prophesied around B.C. 425. Both prophesies are very similar. 

            Then God makes His first declaration.  He said, “I have loved you.” (Mal. 1:2a)  How had God loved Israel?  God gave the Abrahamic Covenant and every Israelite was the recipient of that unconditional covenant.  God promised Israel, through Abraham, a land, a seed and a blessing. (Gen. 12:1-3)  That promise was a wall of Protection and Blessing.  God also delivered Israel from Egypt. (Ex. 14:30-31) God could have left them in Egypt in slavery. God provided for them in the wilderness from Egypt. (Deut. 8:4-20) Everything they needed to accomplish God’s work was available to them.  They did not lack anything.  God chose them (Deut. 10:15) from all the nations.  And, God promised blessing if they walked in His commands. (Deut. 28:1-8)  But, you say those were 1000 years before. And you are right.  It’s easy to forget what was said and not think someone is still loving in their actions.  Israel forgot what God said and grew indifferent to His love.
 

2)      We can grow indifferent to His love 1:2b

Israel had forgotten where she lived, God’s land.  They knew they were God’s people, but they forgot where they lived — in God’s perfect righteous plan.  To them living was just getting through each day.  Their sufferings and afflictions were assumed a part of the trials as they waited for the Messiah to come and rule. 

Why did Israel not remember how much the Lord loved them?  Israel had not regained their military strength as when David was king.  They had not regained economic strength as when Solomon was king. When you are less than you once were, you easily get discouraged. It’s the challenge of growing older. You lose strength and your ability to earn a decent wage, so you think about the good ol’ days and forget how fantastic God’s love has been through the years.

Sometimes, our senses draw us into the world.  John writes,

  • 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
  •  16For all that is in the world– the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life– is not of the Father but is of the world.
  •  17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

We are often more keen about our senses and those senses become our reality.  We forget that God is more real than our senses and we must trust His Word all the more (2 Pet. 1:16-19).  Our senses draw us to enjoy the world, but also to depend on the world, because it is what we can see, touch, hear, taste and smell.  The more dependent we are on the world, the more we grow unattached to the Lord.  The more unattached to the Lord, the more we will tend to question His love.

            Now the question is, did they really say, “In what way have you loved us?”(Mal. 1:2b)   Did they say that? We have studied how we can communicate by nonverbal communication.  Our tone of voice and nonverbal expressions are actually more powerful than the content of our words.  John writes that love must be more than mere words, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)  Love is shown by actions, not just words.

            At this point, God does not need to explain Himself.  He declared His love.  That should be sufficient.  He should not have to explain Himself, but He does. 

3)      God doesn’t need to explain, but does 1:2c-5

Israel had returned to the land, the temple was rebuilt, worship restored and the wall reconstructed, but Israel did not think God loved them.  Who did they think was behind those actions?  Did they think it was coincidence that Cyrus the Persian let them return to Israel? Did they think that Israel knew what to do in order to rebuild the temple?  Did they think the reconstruction of the wall was based on their ability?

God described a major adversary had been removed. All through Israel’s history, Edom had been antagonistic. The Edomites were descendants of Esau. (Gen. 25:30; 36:8) Edom had kings long before Israel had a king, because they were far more worldly. (Gen. 36:3) The Edomites were amazed and dismayed at God’s deliverance of Israel at the Exodus.  They did not want Israel out of slavery. (Ex. 15:15)  When Israel desired to enter the Promised Land, Edom refused to let Israel pass through their land. The fighting continued as King Saul inflicted punishment on Edom. (1 Sam. 14:47) David put garrisons of soldiers in Edom to prevent an uprising, because they couldn’t be trusted.  When Joab, David’s Chief of Staff of the Army, slew all the males of Edom, Hadad, a prince in Edom, escaped to Egypt.  While there he grew in favor with the Pharaoh and married the Pharaoh’s sister-in-law.  And when David died, Hadad returned and became an adversary of Solomon all the days of his life. When there was no king in Edom, Israel enjoyed relative peace. (1 Kg. 22:47)  Ezra notes in 2 Chronicles 21:8, 10, “In Jehoram’s day Edom  revolted against the rule of Judah, and set up a king over themselves….So Edom  revolted against Judah to this day.”   

Ezekiel records God’s wrathful attitude toward Edom,
  • 12 `Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because of what Edom did against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended by avenging itself on them,”
  •  13`therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “I will also stretch out My hand against Edom, cut off man and beast from it, and make it desolate from Teman; Dedan shall fall by the sword.
  • 14 “I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, that they may do in Edom according to My anger and according to My fury; and they shall know My vengeance,” says the Lord GOD. (Ezek. 25:12-14)

God would make sure Edom was punished.  In fact, the prophecy of Obadiah is completely against Edom.

And when Edom threatened to rebuild, the Lord described Himself as “Lord of hosts,” which means Lord of the “armies.”  And Edom would not rise up, literally, “until forever,” or for eternity.  Malachi writes,
  • 4 Even though Edom has said, “We have been impoverished, But we will return and build the desolate places,” Thus says the LORD of hosts: “They may build, but I will throw down; They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, And the people against whom the LORD will have indignation forever. (Mal. 1:4)
Finally, God calls attention to their sense of sight when He says, “Your eyes shall see, And you shall say, `The LORD is magnified beyond the border of Israel.’ (Mal. 1:5) Your eyes – the eyes of Israel – will see God’s continual promise fulfilled and you will say “The Lord is great,” beyond the border. 

Israel was acting like she had an uninvolved parent.  America is filled with parents who are not involved with their children.  What are characteristics of uninvolved parents and what are the effects of uninvolved parents?

Characteristics of the Uninvolved Parenting Style:

·         Are emotionally distant from their children
·         Offer little or no supervision
·         Show little warmth, love and affection towards their children
·         Have few or no expectations or demands for behavior
·         Don’t attend school events or parent-teacher conferences
·         May intentionally avoid their children
·         Are often too overwhelmed by their own problems to deal with their children

The Effects of Uninvolved Parenting:

·         Must learn to provide for themselves
·         Fear becoming dependent on other people
·         Are often emotionally withdrawn
·         Tend to exhibit more delinquency during adolescence
·         Feel fear, anxiety or stress due to the lack of family support
·         Have an increased risk of substance abuse

These descriptions seem to describe parenthood in America as a whole.  Today, children struggle to identify with something and make it on their own, because parents are too busy with their jobs or struggling with their lives.  Let’s take a few moments and seek a little better understanding.

Understanding Uninvolved Parenting:

Researchers associate parenting styles with a range of child outcomes in areas such as social skills and academic performance. The children of uninvolved parents generally perform poorly and tend to lack in thinking, attachment, but also emotional and social skills.

Due to the lack of emotional responsiveness and love from parents, children raised by uninvolved parents may have difficulty forming attachments later in life and is why children with uninvolved parents are more likely to misbehave.

Uninvolved parents were often themselves raised by uninvolved and dismissive parents. As adults, they may repeat the same patterns of their parents. Some may simply be so caught up in their busy lives that they find it easier to take a hands-off approach to dealing with their children.

In some cases, parents may be so wrapped up in their own problems (i.e., being overworked, coping with depression, struggling with substance abuse) that they fail to see how uninvolved they are or are simply unable to provide the emotional support their children need.1  Is God uninvolved in your life?

            Before we go any further, let’s look at that expression in verses two and three, “Yet Jacob I have loved; 3 But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.” (Mal. 1:2c-3a) People are often too simplistic in their interpretation and do not look at the context for meaning.  The word hate can certainly mean “wrathful hatred,” but it also denote a comparison as in the following passages:
  • 24 He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly. (Pro. 13:24)
Most people think they are loving their son when they withhold the rod, but compared to true godly discipline, they are revealing hatred.
  • 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matt. 6:24)
Most people trying to serve two masters would never say they hate one, but in a relative comparison, Jesus says you cannot love them equally.  Jesus also uses the word hate in a discipleship passage,
  • 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:26)
Jesus would not ask someone to “hate” his parents, because he also directs that we honor parents for all of our lives. (Eph. 6:2) Hence the word hate here also means that God chose Jacob and loved him in a far greater way than Esau.  God did not choose to bless Esau as He did Jacob.  Compared to Esau, Israel was greatly loved by God. 

In fact, God’s love is strongly stated in Scripture. 

·         God’s love for you is perfect and eternal “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

·         Nothing can frustrate God’s love or plan in your life “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)

·         God will allow you to wander, become indifferent and forget  (1 John 2:15-17)  You will have tests (like Edom) to determine your response to the Lord.  Will you respond and focus on His love, or focus on the adversary, antagonism or problem? It may be a person, a job change, a personal handicap or disease.

·         You choose what you will pursue – God’s love or the world. “For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth.” (Ps. 26:3) David was facing the vindictiveness of his enemies, yet he chose to focus on God’s love. Let me illustrate.  A child who does not sense parental love will grow up, but will not develop physically, mentally, socially, or emotionally the way he should.  The child will often retreat into his own imaginary world of fantasy, just to create something he can control, until he grows up and moves out.  We have a country filled with people who were not loved as children. Often people will say about children:

o   Children are resilient through divorce
o   Children will overcome without mom and dad
o   Children need to face the world at a young age
o   Let the TV babysit the children

These are true on the surface, but the hindrance results from a lack of what they could achieve. But you take a child who is loved, nurtured, trained, and given godly discipline, that child will become an effective builder in God’s kingdom.  Israel was living in fear, and denied that God even loved them.  She looked to the world, rather than the Lord.

·         Your response determines your understanding of His love

  • 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
  •  32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
  •  33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
  •  34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
  •  35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
  •  36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter1.”
  •  37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
  •  38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
  •  39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:31-39)

No weakness, desire of the world, or influence of the angelic realm can hold back any believer who claims Christ’s victory for their own life. You are a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), positionally dead to the flesh (Rom. 6:12-13), but the flesh fights on (Rom. 7:24).  The victory is Christ’s! Let us walk in it (1 Cor. 15:57)

Will you receive it and respond to it? 

There is nothing more clear than God’s love;
question God’s love and you’ll become miserable,
trust God and you’ll experience more love than you can imagine.

 

1Comments are based on the article found at: http://psychology.about.com/od/childcare/f/uninvolved-parenting.htm

 

 

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)      Have you ever seen a child grow indifferent to his parent’s love?  How would you describe it?

Digging Deeper

2)      What are passages of Scripture that describe God’s love?

3)      Why do people grow indifferent toward God’s love (cf. Rom. 1:21-32; Eph. 4:17-19)?

4)      What do you learn from the following passages about Edom (1 King 11:11-25; 2 King 14:7-10; 2 Chron. 25:19; Ps. 60:8-9; Ps. 108:9,10; 137:7; Is. 11:14; 34:5)?

5)      Why does God allow antagonism toward His people if He loves them?

Making application of the message to life:

6)      How would you disciple someone to understand the confidence he can have of God’s love?

7)      If God was willing to explain his love to Israel, what should our response be to others when they question us?  Is that response the same in every case?