Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

101. Final Words | Studies in Malachi Part 17: Crown Jewels of Jesus

Malachi 3:16-18
 
We didn’t quite get to these final verses last time, but that’s okay because I would love to spend the whole episode today looking at them! This is an interesting passage that mentions such things as God’s book on the righteous and important matters related to end times doctrine, but the greatest reward is being with God. Be mindful of Christ’s imminent return throughout this week. We are trophies!

100. Final Words | Studies in Malachi Part 16: Accusations, Apathy, and Awards

Malachi 3:13-16
 
We look at our last accusation today, statement #8 in which the children admire the works of the wicked. It might seem like a long way away from where we are, but this progression starts small. Don’t get to the point where you are apathetic in your walk with God, it leads to departure from Him altogether. Thankfully, we don’t have to be part of that crowd, we can be the faithful who are described at the end of chapter three, who receive rewards for staying true to God.

099. Final Words | Studies in Malachi Part 15: God’s Promises to Us and Israel

Malachi 3:10-12
 
We are challenged here to give God the little bit that we have (rather than trying to keep it for ourselves) and then see how He will bless us. There is nothing more fulfilling than living for the Lord and trusting His promises. This does not mean life will be easy, but we can depend upon God’s promises to meet our needs, just as Israel can trust God’s promises to make them a blessing and cause the land to be fruitful.

098. Final Words | Studies in Malachi Part 14: Back-to-Back Questions

Malachi 3:7-10
 
We’re covering questions six and seven in our episode today. And we are learning that when we are not close to God, we are often confused, accusatory of God, and stubborn in our ways. Rather than resorting to these reactions, we should return to the Lord, and we will find that in humble and simple obedience to Him, He will richly bless us with spiritual sustaining grace.

097. Final Words | Studies in Malachi Part 13: Preparing People for the Lord

Malachi 3:1, 4-6
 
This is the first of two times we will look at John the Baptist in our study through the book of Malachi. John is really a near  type of messenger of God and Christ is the ultimate messenger sent from the Father. When Jesus began His earthly ministry, John was subordinate to Him in every way, shifting the focus and the attention onto Him. That is exactly how we should be.

096. Final Words | Studies in Malachi Part 12: Setting the Stage for Hope

Malachi 2:17-3:3
 
After a quick recap of the Lord’s accusations against the Israelites, we zero in on the weariness of God with the people. It is important that we properly understand the indifference and apathy as the backdrop against which God gives hope in the coming prophecy. Jesus shows us God’s faithfulness, justice, and His ultimate desire for restoration. God’s desire is for us to be made righteous so that we can serve Him in a way acceptable to Him. Can’t wait to dig in deeper in the coming weeks!

095. Final Words | Studies in Malachi Part 11: The Magnitude of Marriage

Malachi 2:14-17
 
We close off the chapter by looking at God’s purpose and the beautiful spiritual picture of marriage to represent our union with God made possible through Christ. There are some good lessons on marriage from these verses that we should glean, as well as a warning about divorce or viewing marriage too loosely. Then Malachi closes out with a description of God’s weariness at the people’s apathy and indifference. Looking forward to starting into chapter 3 next week!

094. Final Words | Studies in Malachi Part 10: When God Denies Offerings

Malachi 2:10-13
 
We see two sad realities concerning the children of Israel in today’s verses, their callousness towards each other and their lack of commitment to God. They took awful advantage of one another and they arrogantly refused God’s love and instead pursued a strange woman as it were. These acts were not taken lightly by God. He denied their offerings and did not regard their cries to Him because of their insincerity. May these things not be true of us. May we worship God supremely and repent sincerely so that our service to Him would be acceptable in His sight!