Will You Listen to Me?

Malachi: A Conversation With God #1
Will You Listen to Me? 
Malachi 1:1-5
Page # 950

Edward Snowden   - “I carefully evaluated every single document I disclosed to ensure that each was legitimately in the public interest.”

(Speaking of Hong Kong) – “They have a spirited commitment to free speech and the right of political dissent.”

Convicted spy Christopher Boyce -   “He's totally separated from everything……. (especially) from his family. He is always going to be a fugitive, until they get him….The only way that he can truly hide is to abandon his entire life.

…he's going to be racked with depression. I would imagine that his stress levels are at a point where they could actually make him physically sick. I'm sure everything is gnawing at him. And he's isolated….

I realized immediately that there was no stepping back…my life would never go back to the way it was before. I was surrounded by an impending sense of doom, knowing this was something that could not end well. I imagine he will probably start drinking heavily. That's what I did.”

I.   The name “Malachi” means: The Lord’s messenger.

II.  This letter precedes over 400 years of silence.

III. Fifty thousand Israelites had returned from Babylon. The
     Temple was now rebuilt under Zerubbabel. (516 BC – Ezra
     6:13-15) The letter was most likely written during Nehemiah’s
     return to Persia. (433-424 BC – Nehemiah 13:6)

     1. A time lacking external miracles of God.
     2. A time of peace and comfort.
     3. A time of spiritual compromise and confusion.
     4. A time of dryness and spiritual coldness.

IV. God’s professing people were now worse off than the people of
     the world.

     1. Distrust   1:1-2
     2. Ungratefulness   1:1-5
     3. Spiritual blindness   1:6-7    
     4. Disobedience   2:1-10
     5. Immorality and unfaithfulness   2:15-16, 3:5
     6. Questioning God   2:17
     7. Greed   3:8-10
     8. Dissatisfaction with God and ministry   4:1-6  

V.  God’s professing people were no longer listening to the Lord or
     proclaiming His message to others. They had their own gospel
     that had no life.

John 6:63 – “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

Luke 8:  11-14       Page # 1030

Faith Sheet     
Transformation Verse (January) - (Jesus said) In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

Main Themes:

~ Times of comfort and peace can dilute our spiritual walk.
~ Every believer is called to listen to and to then proclaim the
   Good News of Christ.
~ The book of Malachi is relevant today because God never
   changes, and people  never change without God.

#1- Reviewing this Past Sunday    
Malachi: A Conversation With God #1
Will You Listen to Me? 
Malachi 1:1-5

1. Read Malachi 1:1-5. Discuss the message with someone.
2. What do you most enjoy about hearing from God?
3. What is the biggest struggle for you being God’s messenger?
4. Read Romans 10:9-17. What truths do you see concerning
    hearing from God and proclaiming God’s message?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 10:32-33. What is important to understand
    in listening to God and communicating God’s truth to others?
6. Pray for one another to have opportunities to speak of Christ
    and also for someone you know to come to know and treasure
    Christ.

# 2- Preparing for Next Sunday 
Malachi: A Conversation With God #2
God’s Covenant Love    
Malachi 1:1-5

1. Read Malachi 1:1-5. What does God want Israel to know even
    though they are living in rebellion toward Him? Why is this truth
    important to communicate in our daily relationships with one
    another?
2. What is the question, and what does this reveal about the
    people? (2)
3. Describe God’s answer to their question after reading verses
    2-5.
4. Read Hebrews 13:20. When did God decide to love those who
    are His? How long will God’s love last? Who was in heaven
    making this covenant? Why are these truths important today for
    God’s people?
5. Read Romans 8:28-39. How is experiencing God’s steadfast
    covenant love meant to change our daily lives? Find as many
    truths as possible. Use this text in your praise and prayer.