Honoring Our Covenant: Faith, Consequences, and Redemption

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on the Word of God, focusing on the book of Malachi, specifically chapter 2, verses 1-9. The central theme of our discussion was the importance of honoring our covenant with God and the consequences of failing to do so. We began by acknowledging that all gifts, including faith, come from the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that faith itself is a divine gift. This set the stage for our deeper dive into Malachi, where we examined the behavior of the priests and their failure to honor God, which serves as a cautionary tale for us today.

The priests in Malachi's time were guilty of offering blemished sacrifices and failing to uphold the sanctity of their office. This defiance led to God's curse on their blessings, their benefits, and even their heritage. We drew parallels to our own lives, recognizing that we too are often willfully rebellious, choosing the flesh over the Spirit. The lack of immediate retribution can make us complacent, but God's long-suffering is meant to lead us to repentance, not continued sin.

We also explored the concept of covenant, both the Old Covenant with the priests and the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. The covenant brings life and peace but requires reverence and obedience in return. Just as the priests were expected to uphold their covenant, we as believers are expected to live lives that reflect our relationship with Christ. This includes bearing fruit, showing evidence of our faith, and living in a way that honors God.

Finally, we considered the broader implications of failing our covenant. The priests' failure led to their contemptibility and the stumbling of many. Similarly, our failure to live up to our covenant can lead others astray. This calls for a moment of self-reflection and repentance. We ended with an invitation for those who have not yet entered into this covenant relationship with Christ to do so, emphasizing the urgency and importance of redemption.

### Key Takeaways

1. Faith as a Divine Gift: Faith is not something we muster on our own; it is a gift from the Holy Spirit. This understanding should humble us and make us more reliant on God for our spiritual growth. Recognizing faith as a gift helps us appreciate the grace we've received and encourages us to nurture it through prayer and study. [16:13]

2. Consequences of Defiance: The priests' failure to honor God by offering blemished sacrifices led to severe consequences, including cursed blessings and a tarnished heritage. This serves as a warning that our actions have spiritual repercussions. When we choose the flesh over the Spirit, we not only harm ourselves but also diminish our witness to others. [49:49]

3. The Covenant Relationship: Both the Old and New Covenants require a response of reverence and obedience. The covenant brings life and peace, but it also demands that we honor God through our actions. This relationship is not about maintaining our salvation but about living in a way that validates and fulfills our faith. [01:05:18]

4. Visible Evidence of Faith: A genuine covenant relationship with Christ should produce visible fruit in our lives. This includes changes in our personality, passions, and actions. It's unreasonable to claim a relationship with Christ without any evident transformation. Our lives should reflect the holiness and righteousness that come from being in Christ. [01:07:00]

5. Call to Repentance and Redemption: The failure of the priests led to their contemptibility and caused many to stumble. Similarly, our failures can lead others astray. This calls for a moment of self-reflection and repentance. For those who have not yet entered into a covenant relationship with Christ, the invitation is open to experience redemption and transformation. [01:13:42]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[13:35] - Upcoming Events
[14:48] - Missionary Update
[16:13] - Devotion Focus: Faith as a Gift
[35:25] - Special Song: "Winning Side"
[40:11] - Scripture Reading: Malachi 2:1-9
[42:30] - Prayer for Understanding
[43:51] - God Loves the Chosen
[45:08] - The Attitude of the Priests
[46:11] - Continual Rebellion and Retribution
[49:49] - Willful Rebellion and Its Consequences
[55:51] - Cursed Blessings and Heritage
[56:42] - Expected Response to the Covenant
[01:05:18] - Covenant Relationship and Responsibilities
[01:07:00] - Visible Evidence of Faith
[01:13:42] - Call to Repentance and Redemption
[01:14:40] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Malachi 2:1-9
- Titus 3:4-6
- John 14:15

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific actions did the priests in Malachi's time take that dishonored God? ([40:11])
2. According to Titus 3:4-6, how are we saved, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in our salvation?
3. In John 14:15, what does Jesus say is the evidence of our love for Him?
4. What were the consequences mentioned in Malachi 2:2-3 for the priests' failure to honor God? ([49:49])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does recognizing faith as a divine gift from the Holy Spirit change our perspective on spiritual growth? ([16:13])
2. What parallels can be drawn between the priests' failure to honor their covenant with God and our own potential failures in our covenant with Christ? ([49:49])
3. How does the concept of covenant in Malachi 2:5-7 relate to the New Covenant through Jesus Christ? ([01:05:18])
4. What does it mean for our lives to show "visible evidence of faith," and why is this important? ([01:07:00])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt complacent in your faith. What steps can you take to avoid complacency and nurture your faith as a divine gift? ([16:13])
2. Have you ever experienced consequences for choosing the flesh over the Spirit? How did that impact your relationship with God and others? ([49:49])
3. In what ways can you show reverence and obedience to God in your daily life to honor your covenant relationship with Him? ([01:05:18])
4. Identify one area in your life where you can bear more visible fruit of your faith. What specific actions will you take this week to demonstrate this transformation? ([01:07:00])
5. Think about someone who might be influenced by your actions. How can you ensure that your behavior leads them closer to God rather than causing them to stumble? ([01:13:42])
6. If you have not yet entered into a covenant relationship with Christ, what is holding you back? What steps can you take to explore this relationship further? ([01:13:42])
7. How can you incorporate regular self-reflection and repentance into your spiritual practice to stay aligned with God's expectations? ([01:13:42])

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as a Divine Gift
Faith is not something we muster on our own; it is a gift from the Holy Spirit. This understanding should humble us and make us more reliant on God for our spiritual growth. Recognizing faith as a gift helps us appreciate the grace we've received and encourages us to nurture it through prayer and study. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, and acknowledging its divine origin can deepen our spiritual journey.

When we understand that faith is a gift, it shifts our perspective from self-reliance to God-reliance. This humility opens our hearts to receive more from God and to grow in our spiritual walk. It also encourages us to be more diligent in our spiritual disciplines, knowing that these are means through which the Holy Spirit nurtures our faith. [16:13]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: How can you actively nurture the gift of faith in your daily life through prayer, study, and reliance on the Holy Spirit?

Day 2: Consequences of Defiance
The priests' failure to honor God by offering blemished sacrifices led to severe consequences, including cursed blessings and a tarnished heritage. This serves as a warning that our actions have spiritual repercussions. When we choose the flesh over the Spirit, we not only harm ourselves but also diminish our witness to others. The lack of immediate retribution can make us complacent, but God's long-suffering is meant to lead us to repentance, not continued sin.

Understanding the consequences of defiance helps us to take our spiritual responsibilities seriously. It reminds us that our actions have far-reaching effects, not just on our own lives but also on those around us. This awareness should lead us to a deeper commitment to live in a way that honors God and reflects His holiness. [49:49]

Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you choosing the flesh over the Spirit, and how can you begin to make changes today to honor God more fully?

Day 3: The Covenant Relationship
Both the Old and New Covenants require a response of reverence and obedience. The covenant brings life and peace, but it also demands that we honor God through our actions. This relationship is not about maintaining our salvation but about living in a way that validates and fulfills our faith. The covenant relationship with God is a sacred bond that calls for our wholehearted commitment and reverence.

Living in covenant with God means that our lives should reflect His holiness and righteousness. It is a call to live in a way that is pleasing to Him, not out of obligation, but out of love and reverence for who He is. This covenant relationship is a source of life and peace, and it requires our active participation in honoring God through our daily actions. [01:05:18]

Jeremiah 31:33 (ESV): "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Reflection: How can you demonstrate your reverence and obedience to God in your daily actions, and what specific steps can you take to honor your covenant relationship with Him?

Day 4: Visible Evidence of Faith
A genuine covenant relationship with Christ should produce visible fruit in our lives. This includes changes in our personality, passions, and actions. It's unreasonable to claim a relationship with Christ without any evident transformation. Our lives should reflect the holiness and righteousness that come from being in Christ. The evidence of our faith should be visible to those around us, serving as a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

When our lives bear the fruit of the Spirit, it not only strengthens our own faith but also serves as a witness to others. This visible evidence of faith is a powerful testimony of God's work in our lives and can inspire others to seek a relationship with Christ. [01:07:00]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: What specific changes in your personality, passions, and actions can you identify as evidence of your faith in Christ, and how can you continue to cultivate this visible fruit in your life?

Day 5: Call to Repentance and Redemption
The failure of the priests led to their contemptibility and caused many to stumble. Similarly, our failures can lead others astray. This calls for a moment of self-reflection and repentance. For those who have not yet entered into a covenant relationship with Christ, the invitation is open to experience redemption and transformation. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins but about turning away from them and turning towards God.

This call to repentance is an invitation to experience the fullness of God's grace and redemption. It is a reminder that no matter how far we have strayed, God's arms are always open to receive us back. This moment of self-reflection and repentance is crucial for our spiritual growth and for leading others towards Christ. [01:13:42]

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV): "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Reflection: What areas of your life require repentance and transformation, and how can you take concrete steps today to turn back to God and experience His redemption?

Quotes

1. "I always believe that the Lord has got something special in mind for us when we come together. And I hope that you have that expectation, expectation that you've come looking to hear from the Lord, to be impacted by the Word of God. And I can promise you, if you've come with that intent and that desire, God will fulfill it." [13:35] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Since we are redeemed by grace alone through faith alone, where does this faith come from? Where does this faith come from? And the answer is that all gifts that we receive, all the gifts we receive from Christ, we receive through the Holy Spirit, including faith itself. And so the Bible is clear that there is given unto every man a measure of faith, every person a measure of faith, and every person a measure of faith." [16:13] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Continual rebellion against the covenant is defiance unto the Lord. Continual rebellion against the covenant is defiance unto the Lord. And rebellion brings... means retribution. Retribution affects blessings. That's what we see very clearly in those first four verses. The context of this passage is consistent with the entirety of the prophecy. It is that the Lord is rebuking the priest, and soon enough the people, for the spiritual condition of the people." [46:11] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "There is a reasonable and expected response to the covenant, and it should include faithfulness, purity, and obedience. Those priests were intended to respond a particular way to the office and the duties which they had been given. There was an expectation for them. And when they failed to respond in the expected manner, it resulted in cursing. There is a reasonable and expected response to the covenant." [56:42] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "There are responsibilities and expectations of the covenant which we are in with God because of Christ. The covenant to them was a promise of God offered in mercy and protected by the righteousness of God. Shall the righteous judge of all the earth not do right? The covenant, the New Covenant is also a promise to us but it is sealed in the blood of Christ and protected by the grace of God." [01:04:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Can we have a covenant relationship with the Savior with no fruit? Can we have a covenant relationship with the Savior with no effect on our personality and our passions? Is it possible to be converted from death unto life without any obvious effects besides public baptism and a simple testimony of having asked Jesus? If we're being reasonable, the answer to every one of those is no." [01:05:56] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "There is never a moment in the scripture that provides for us be whatever you want to be, however you want to be. We have been bought with a price, our life is not our own, we belong to somebody." [01:09:08] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Have we failed the new covenant? Have we corrupted the message of God by failing the covenant, causing others to stumble? I would say to you this morning, without being too presumptive, the answer to those last two questions is yes. And it's the answer in your life as well. That begs the next question. Are we, are you in need of repentance? The answer is yes." [01:13:42] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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