Return to God

Malachi 3:6–12 NIV84

6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

1. The Unchanging Faithfulness of God

Sub point 1: God's Character is Unchanging

God's faithfulness is not dependent on our faithfulness

God's promises are trustworthy and true

2 Cor 1:20 “20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

Sub point 2: God's Love is Unconditional

God loves us despite our shortcomings

God's love is demonstrated through his provision and protection

Sub point 3: God's Grace is Sufficient

God's grace covers all our sins

God's grace empowers us to live a life of obedience

2. The Consequences of Turning Away from God

Sub point 1: Separation from God

Sin separates us from God

Turning away from God leads to spiritual death

James 1:13-15 “13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Sub point 2: Curses and Negative Consequences

Curse: banned from the productivity of the soil or from enjoying the productivity

Disobedience leads to curses and negative consequences

God disciplines those he loves

Prov 3:11-12 “11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Sub point 3: The Need for Repentance

Repentance is necessary for restoration

Repentance leads to forgiveness and reconciliation

3. The Call to Return to God

Sub point 1: God's Invitation to Return

God invites us to return to him

Lev 27:30 “30 “ ‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.”

Tithe: is a Hebrew word that means a tenth part

God promises to return to us

Sub point 2: The Barriers to Returning

Pride and stubbornness hinder our return

Fear and shame prevent us from returning

Sub point 3: The Steps to Returning

Confessing our sins

1 Jn 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Turning away from sin

Choosing to follow God

4. The Blessings of Faithful Giving

Sub point 1: The Blessing of Obedience

Obedience leads to God's favor

Prov 3:3-4 “3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

Obedience leads to blessings

Sub point 2: The Blessing of Tithing

Tithing is an act of obedience

Tithing is an act of faith

Tithing is an act of worship

Prov 3:9-10 “9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Tithing demonstrates our trust in God

Sub point 3: The Blessing of Generosity

Generosity leads to abundance

Prov 3:5-6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Generosity blesses others