Returning to God: Embracing Unity and Generosity
Summary
In our gathering today, we explored the profound message found in Malachi 3, focusing on the unchanging nature of God and the call for us to return to Him. We began by reflecting on the unity and joy experienced during our recent council retreat, emphasizing the importance of relational harmony and shared purpose within our church community. This unity is not about conforming to a single opinion but about being unified in our common mission.
We then shifted our focus to the outreach events organized by our evangelism team, which serve as bridges to connect with our community. These events are not just about logistics but about communicating the gospel and God's love. We are called to support these efforts, whether by volunteering or simply being present, to help others find a spiritual home or come to know Christ.
The heart of our discussion centered on the book of Malachi, where God addresses the Israelites' complacency and lack of genuine devotion. They were going through the motions, offering blemished sacrifices and giving God their leftovers. This reflects a deeper issue of the heart, where actions are not motivated by love for God but by obligation. God challenges this attitude by reminding us that He never changes. His grace and kindness are constant, and He calls us to return to Him, to find where we left Him, and to renew our relationship with Him.
We also examined the concept of robbing God, not in the sense of taking something He needs, but by withholding what is rightfully His due to a lack of love and devotion. The Israelites were accused of robbing God by not bringing their full tithes, which were meant to support the Levites and the needy. This act of withholding was a reflection of their spiritual state. God invites us to test Him by giving generously, promising blessings in return.
Finally, we addressed the struggle of seeing the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. This age-old question challenges our faith, but God assures us that He sees and will ultimately judge. Our call is to remain faithful, trusting in His unchanging nature and His promise of justice and blessing.
Key Takeaways:
- Unity in the church is not about uniformity but about shared purpose and love. Our recent retreat highlighted the joy and strength found in relational harmony, which is essential for effective ministry. [00:45]
- Outreach events are opportunities to extend God's love to our community. They are not just about logistics but about building bridges for the gospel. Our involvement, whether active or supportive, is crucial in this mission. [02:30]
- God's unchanging nature is a source of comfort and challenge. While He remains constant in grace and kindness, we are called to examine where we have drifted from Him and to return with genuine devotion. [48:08]
- The act of giving reflects our heart's condition. Withholding from God is not about His need but about our spiritual state. Generosity, motivated by love, invites God's blessing and aligns us with His purposes. [54:30]
- The prosperity of the wicked can challenge our faith, but God's promise of justice and blessing remains. Our call is to trust in His unchanging nature and remain faithful, knowing He sees and will act in His time. [59:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Council Retreat Reflections
- [02:30] - Community Outreach Events
- [05:00] - Losing and Finding: A Metaphor for Faith
- [07:15] - Introduction to Malachi 3
- [10:00] - The Israelites' Complacency
- [12:30] - God's Unchanging Nature
- [15:00] - The Call to Return to God
- [18:00] - Robbing God: A Heart Issue
- [21:00] - The Principle of Generosity
- [24:00] - Testing God with Our Giving
- [27:00] - Spiritual Warfare and God's Protection
- [30:00] - The Struggle of the Righteous
- [33:00] - Trusting in God's Justice
- [36:00] - Closing Reflections
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Malachi 3:6-12
- Deuteronomy 14:27-29
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the main issue God had with the Israelites' sacrifices, and how did it reflect their spiritual state? [44:32]
2. How does Malachi 3:6 emphasize God's unchanging nature, and why is this significant for the Israelites? [48:08]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the purpose of the Israelites' tithes, and how were they failing in this duty? [54:30]
4. How does the sermon describe the Israelites' attitude towards the prosperity of the wicked, and what was God's response to this complaint? [59:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that unity in the church is different from uniformity, and why is this distinction important? [44:32]
2. How does the concept of "robbing God" in Malachi 3 relate to the Israelites' lack of genuine devotion, and what does this reveal about their relationship with God? [54:30]
3. What does the sermon imply about the role of outreach events in communicating the gospel, and how can this be applied to modern church activities? [44:32]
4. How does the sermon address the struggle of seeing the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer, and what assurance does it offer to believers? [59:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What steps can you take to "return" to Him, as suggested in the sermon? [48:08]
2. How can you contribute to the unity of your church community without feeling pressured to conform to a single opinion? [44:32]
3. Consider your current level of involvement in church outreach activities. What practical steps can you take to support these efforts, either through volunteering or other means? [44:32]
4. In what ways can you ensure that your giving to the church is motivated by love and devotion rather than obligation? [54:30]
5. How do you handle feelings of frustration when you see others prospering while you face challenges? What biblical truths can you hold onto during these times? [59:46]
6. Identify one area in your life where you might be "robbing God" by withholding your time, talents, or resources. What changes can you make to align more closely with God's purposes? [54:30]
7. How can you actively remind yourself of God's unchanging nature and His promises, especially during difficult times? [48:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity Through Shared Purpose
In a church community, unity is not about everyone thinking the same way but about coming together with a shared mission and love for one another. This unity was exemplified during a recent council retreat, where the joy and strength found in relational harmony were highlighted. Such harmony is essential for effective ministry, as it allows the church to work together towards common goals, supporting each other in love and purpose. This unity is a reflection of the church's commitment to its mission and to each other, fostering an environment where everyone can grow and serve together. [00:45]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity and shared purpose of your church community this week?
Day 2: Building Bridges for the Gospel
Outreach events are more than just logistical efforts; they are opportunities to extend God's love to the community and build bridges for the gospel. These events are crucial in connecting with those outside the church, offering them a chance to experience God's love and find a spiritual home. Whether through active participation or supportive presence, involvement in these events is vital. It is a call to be the hands and feet of Christ, reaching out to those who may not yet know Him and inviting them into a relationship with Him. [02:30]
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can support or participate in an outreach event in your community this month?
Day 3: Returning to God's Unchanging Nature
God's unchanging nature is both a comfort and a challenge. While His grace and kindness remain constant, we are called to examine where we have drifted from Him and to return with genuine devotion. The Israelites in Malachi's time were complacent, offering blemished sacrifices and giving God their leftovers. This reflects a deeper heart issue, where actions are motivated by obligation rather than love. God invites us to find where we left Him and renew our relationship with Him, embracing His unchanging nature as a foundation for our faith. [48:08]
"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." (Malachi 3:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life have you drifted from God, and how can you begin to return to Him with genuine devotion today?
Day 4: Generosity as a Reflection of the Heart
The act of giving is a reflection of our heart's condition. Withholding from God is not about His need but about our spiritual state. The Israelites were accused of robbing God by not bringing their full tithes, which were meant to support the Levites and the needy. This act of withholding was a reflection of their spiritual state. God invites us to test Him by giving generously, promising blessings in return. Generosity, motivated by love, aligns us with God's purposes and invites His blessing into our lives. [54:30]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can practice generosity this week, and how might this act of giving reflect your heart's condition?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Justice
The prosperity of the wicked can challenge our faith, but God's promise of justice and blessing remains. It is a struggle to see the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper, but God assures us that He sees and will ultimately judge. Our call is to remain faithful, trusting in His unchanging nature and His promise of justice. In His time, God will act, and our faithfulness will be rewarded. This trust in God's justice is a testament to our faith and reliance on His perfect timing and wisdom. [59:46]
"For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off." (Psalm 37:28, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate trust in God's justice in a situation where you see the wicked prospering?
Quotes
Secondly, I wanted to say our family outreach event is a church event that we do. We want to make connections with our community. And so the evangelism team does two or three of these events a year, maybe four. And it's an opportunity for you to invite people out. But if you don't invite someone out, an opportunity for you to support the gospel. Now, not all of you are going to be speaking or doing the game necessarily. Maybe you will. But most of us just support logistically what's going on to the end that these community people would have a bridge built to them, one, so that they could find a good church if they're believers, or two, that they would accept Christ as their Savior. [00:41:02] (47 seconds)
The same is true with us in a similar way that if we feel like there's a distance between us and God, be good to ask yourself the question, where did you leave him? Not where did you leave him? It's not like he's lost, but when did you drift away from him? Because he never went anywhere. He didn't leave you. You might feel like he did, but he didn't. He's always there. Which brings us to the point that we're at in Malachi, Malachi chapter 3 and verse 6. But before we get there, Malachi is quite possibly the last book of the Bible written before the 400 years of silence between the Old Testament and the New Testament. [00:43:39] (41 seconds)
And Malachi's recognizing that the people are going through the motions, but they definitely don't have the right attitude and their heart's not in it. Like they're not doing what they do because they love God. They're just doing what they do because, hey, I did it. And that's enough. As we looked at last week, it was a people going through the motions, but their heart wasn't in it. And in the first half of the book of Malachi, there's accusations, or God exposes some things that Israel was doing, some of which was sacrificing animals that were blemished. [00:44:32] (38 seconds)
They were diseased animals or injured animals, or giving of their produce, like saying, God, I'm going to give this to you, but it was fruit that couldn't be sold at the marketplace kind of a thing. It's like, I'll give God the leftovers. Like, God, I pledged you something. Let's give him this because all the other stuff is good for making money. When God demanded their first fruits. Well, God confronted them and said, that's the wrong attitude that you have. One of which we looked at last week, God begins to expose them and point out their flaws. [00:45:10] (37 seconds)
And God makes the statement that He never changes. Have you ever thought about that? God never changes. Then how is it? I was just reading in my devotions this past week that Moses went up the mountain after Aaron and the nation of Israel rebelled against God. They made a golden calf, and they're worshiping a golden calf. After all that they had seen, it just blows your mind. And then Moses goes up the mountain and has to plead with God, God, don't destroy them. And God changed His mind. Well, how do you reconcile that? If God never changes, how did He change? The Bible says He never changes, right? We know that. He never changes. [00:47:26] (43 seconds)
And the people weren't carrying it out because with their heart, they were not giving to God what they should be giving to God. So the verses go on and say this, because of that, you're cursed with a curse, a curse with a curse. Verse 9, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse. Now, a couple of weeks ago, I told you, I don't believe in a tithe in the sense that God has mandated that you give 10%. And I know you don't believe in a 10 % either, because if you gave 10%, we have a lot more money than we do now. [00:54:00] (39 seconds)
And so I know you don't believe in a 10%. Some should be giving way more than 10, and some might be having to give less than 10. It's a good goal, but we live in the New Testament. We give because we love God. This is our church, our children that we're ministering to, our classes. We teach because this is our church. We lead. We come to the event act. next week we give money we support the pastors we support the ministries the building because this is our stewardship this is our church and so it's not a tithe across the board like what would be in the old testament but it's a free will offering and we give to god because we love him [00:54:56] (42 seconds)
And so he says bring into the the full tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house and then he says test me because i know we we think well it's a tight month it's a tight week it's a tight year it's a tight decade and you know maybe if we just don't give we'll be better off but god's saying test me here and in no way shape or form and i am i saying give everything you have to the church or even all of your tithe to us i'm just saying we're our your primary concern if we've ministered to you and if you've committed to be a part of it but here he's saying bring the full tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house and put me to the test said the lord of hosts if i will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there's no more need [00:55:01] (53 seconds)
And so here they are, they're robbing God in a sense. And not in a sense, they're robbing God, not that he needed something, but it was part of his plan to support his purpose, his mission. And the people weren't carrying it out because with their heart, they were not giving to God what they should be giving to God. So the verses go on and say this, because of that, you're cursed with a curse, a curse with a curse. Verse 9, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. [00:53:44] (37 seconds)
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