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Sermon Outlines: GENERATIONS…MEDITATIONS FROM MALACHI
November 11 Decaying Teaching
Intro: Elvie May
Hollywood writers strike--one segment can cause
Collapse
Our country is in collapse:
Teachers? Politicians? Corporate leaders? Media?
Press?
Believers?
I. Levi, like us, had been chosen to teach the people about God
(Mal. 2:4-9; I Peter 2:9)
A. Lived like others in many respects.
B. Had a different primary mission.
C. Were intentionally scattered abroad throughout Israel.
D. Were set apart by different rules and regulations.
E. Were provided for in a unique way.
F. Were to be the messenger of the LORD.
Trans: They were failing and so was their country.
II. Levi, and us, are supposed to be communicating God's truth in three ways:
A. Their conversation (Mal. 2:6,7)
1. We must speak up.
2. We must take time to teach.
3. We must be known for giving straight, biblical
answers (2:7)
B. Their content--the law of truth (2:6)
1. Not personal opinion (feelings)
2. Not popular opinion (peers)
3. Not consensus (group discussions)
4. Not relativism (it doesn't matter)
5. Not amateurism or ignorance (2:7)
C. Their conduct
1. We ourselves must be surrendered to God (peace, 2:6)
2. We ourselves must be right with others
3. We ourselves must not make others stumble by our inconsistency (2:8)
III. Levi, like us, is despised by people when we fail (2:9)
A. We can't have the benefits of Christianity without the
responsibilities.
B. We can't choose to be faithful sometimes but not others.
C. We can't choose to follow God in some things but not
others.
Conclusion: At a time our country needs real, testifying, on fire, consistent Christians, they are getting irresponsible, lazy, hypocritical, ignorant Christians who don't stand on Scripture? Who blame every other sector for the mess which is our own fault.? The gates of hell can't prevail against the church--is the church doing its job?
Binocular illustration.
November 4 DECAYING SERVICE
Intro: Six generations.
I. The Problem--you despise God's name (Mal. 1:6)
A. No honor (no value) [weighty]
B. No reverence (respectful fear) (Zephaniah 1:12)
II. The Practice
A. "The Lord's table is contemptible" (Mal. 1:7) (give Him second best) ["good enough for the Lord"]
1. He gets the leftovers of your life (1:8) (like a dog)
a. personal devotions--the leftovers (no time)
b. corporate worship--the leftovers (no
priority/sacrifice)
c. kingdom service (energy)--the leftovers (no
commitment/excellence
2. Treat your boss the same way
a. don't read memos or respond to his emails
b. show up only when you feel like it
c. have no commitment to excellence on your
projects
3. "Good enough for the Lord?" (1:11)
* He WILL be honored and feared--if not by you
(Ro. 11:19-22)
B. "Oh, what a weariness!" (Mal. 1:12,13)
1. Your service has all the earmarks of drudgery
a. drag in out of obligation
b. complain, criticize, and find fault
c. no excitement, enthusiasm, or passion for
service (treat a date or mate this way)
2. You claim to be doing all you can do--a lie (1:14)
C. "Just close the doors!" (1:10; Re. 3:15)
III. The Punishment
A. He will not favor you (Mal. 1:9)
1. He will give you some of your desires (Num. 11:19,20)
2. He will not give you some of your desires.
3. In sum, He will watch over you for evil and not for
good, [Jeremiah 44:27]
B. He will curse your blessings (Mal. 2:1,2; Hag. 1:6-9)
C. He will rebuke your descendants (2:3)
D. He will make you as abominable to others as you are to
Him (Re. 3:16)
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