Will You Be Faithful?

Malachi: A Conversation With God #5    
Will You Be Faithful?   
Malachi 2:10-16 

I. Reasons for spiritual unfaithfulness:
     1. Failing to appreciate God’s covenant love. (1:1-5)
     2. Dishonoring His name.   (1:6, 2:3)
     3. Walking in disobedience. (2:4-16)

II. Reasons for relational unfaithfulness:
     1. Failing to show appreciation for your spouse.
     2. Letting anger control your words.
     3. Financial struggles.
     4. Career challenges and rewards.
     5. Challenging children.
     6. Sickness and/or depression.

III. The Trinity gives us three insightful reasons to remain faithful
      in our covenant relationships.
     1. God the Father shows us how to love unselfishly.

John 3:16 – God gave……so you and I could have an abundant life now and forever in His presence.
     2. Jesus shows us how to love sacrificially.

Romans 5:8-9 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.

10 Action Steps:
1.  Pray daily with your spouse.
2.  Write a love letter and put it on his/her pillow.
3.  Discover his/her top three needs, and over the next 12 months
     go all out to meet them.
4.  Buy her a rose. Take her in your arms. Hold her face gently.
     Look into her eyes and say "I'd marry you all over again!"
5.  Take her on a weekend getaway.
6.  Read the Scriptures together.
7.  Replace the "D" word with the "C" word! (D: divorce, C:
     commitment)
8.  Court her.
9.  Remain faithful to each other.
10. Fulfill your marriage covenant.

     3. The Holy Spirit shows us how to love with a godly
         commitment.

John 16:7-11         Page # 1080

“Your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.” Isaiah 54:5-7 ESV

 Faith Sheet
Transformation Verse (February) -  …do not grow tired of doing what is right.  2 Thessalonians 3:13

Main Themes:
God has made an eternal covenant with His people; therefore, He empowers us to stay committed to Him, to each other and in our mission to the world. Those who live in faithful relationship commitments will enjoy His peace, joy, and power. God empowered faithfulness is for more enjoyable than unfaithfulness. (Heb. 13:20, Jer. 17:7, Isa. 40:28-31, John 15:7-8)

#1- Reviewing This Past Sunday   
Malachi: A Conversation With God #5
Will You Be Faithful?
Malachi 2:10-16 

1. Read Malachi 2:10-16. Discuss Sunday’s message with
    someone.
2. What does it mean to deal treacherously with someone?
3. Why is continued faithfulness important in our relationships? In
    our impacting the next generation? How does asking
    forgiveness when we fail show faithfulness?
4. What encourages you from this passage?
5. What do you appreciate about God from this passage? Pray!

 # 2- Preparing for Next Sunday 
Malachi: A Conversation With God #6
Will You Return?
Malachi 2:17-3:7 

1. Read Malachi 2:17-3:7. Explain what is happening in 2:17.
2. Who will the Lord send and why? (Malachi 3:1,4, Matthew
    3:1-12).
3. What will be the problem of the Lord’s first coming to earth for
    most people? (Malachi 3:1-3)
4. What does the Lord promise will happen anytime He
    returns? (Malachi 3:3-6)
5. Praise Him and pray for someone you know to soon trust in
    Christ. Pray for the opportunity to explain the Gospel.