Nov 6, 2022
Malachi 3:6-12
Why Conditional Living Will Never Satisfy You
1. God is patient, v. 6
2. God is covenantal not conditional, v. 7b-9
If you are married to someone who is conditional not covenantal three things happen in your marriage…
a) rarely feel heard or understood in an argument, much less validated
b) rarely feel closure after an argument because they are never wrong
c) you will come to believe that for this to work you have to compromise
“By the curse you are being cursed, yet me you are robbing.”
To anyone who believes tithing is an OT concept and no longer applicable I would say two things…
a) grace makes you capable of more
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
-Matthew 5:27-28
b) Jesus indicates tithing continued into the New Testament
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”
-Matthew 23:23-24
3. God is invitational, v. 10
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.”
-Malachi 3:10-12
Mental worship…
1. What are some of the generational sins that you want to end with you and not be passed on to your children?
2. Is your life one of stewardship or ownership?
3. Are you covenantal or conditional in the way you relate to God? Why do you think you are that way?
4. What is God inviting you to this morning?