Look

Look to Christ through His Word in Malachi

Read Malachi 3:11-18 and then break it down as follows:

 

The Test vv. 11-12  

¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe, ” says the Lord Almighty. ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. 

- open up heaven itself  

- pour out blessings

- defend you against enemies

- protect your possessions

- experience what it's like to be a country of grace

God said to test Him and see if He is still in charge. Are we promised these things today?

Lives Not Serving Him vv.13-15

¹³ “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ ¹⁴ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? ¹⁵ But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”

-   speak hard, rude words (curse) to God  

- live for self

- break all the rules

-  push God to the limit

How can we “be the church” to people like these?

When we feel that it is not fair that wicked people prosper, what do we need to remind ourselves?

 Lives that honor God vv. 16-18

¹⁶ Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.¹⁷ “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. ¹⁸ And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. 
 

- fear God with reverence obedience

- honor God's name

- do the right thing 

- serve God

What are some things that can help us to live a life honoring to God?

Be wise today and always - fix your eyes on an unchanging Christ>