God Doesn't Change

Introduction:

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (4960 Revival at Fort Wayne)

There was a revival that broke out at Fort Wayne Bible College, Fort Wayne, Indiana, when the chapel speaker canceled at the last minute, one of the professors, Wesley Gerig, called for student testimonies. They lasted till 5:00 that afternoon. Some students waited in line two hours to confess cheating, hatefulness, indulging in worldly practices, and criticism of campus food. One student confirmed: “I’ve been here three years, and it’s about time I got straightened out.”Asked why young people are getting “straightened out” now, Fort Wayne’s Grant Hoatson replied, “They’re tired of sham.” Many churches, he added, offer them “little to cling to in a world falling apart spiritually when they are looking for something.”

This reminds me of Asbury Revival just a few months ago.

The youth started it.

All starting with repentance.

This is what the lord want to share with us this morning.

If you have your Bibles with you today turn to the Book of Malachi: (Just Before Matthew)

Title of the message this morning is “God Doesn’t Change.”

Body:

(HAVE THEM STAND FOR THE READING)

Read Mal 3:6 ““For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

God doesn’t change! (REPEAT IT UNTIL THEY GET IT)

One of the most profound statements out of the book of Malachi

What has been required from the very beginning of the existence of mankind is still expected today.

God has not changed.

In the book of Malachi you basically have 5 overall topics the Lord deals with through Malachi:

But there is one running theme through all 5

The overall theme is dealing with REPENTANCE

We are not seeing this significant aspect being encouraged, acted out, or even preached much any more.

The thing we hear people say today is,

“God loves me.”

“God understands”

“God will not allow me to go to Hell.”

He loves me, he wont send me to Hell.

Hear me when I say this, “Love does not supersede repentance!”

Supersede definition: take the place of

Love - demands it ..... requires it ....... brings it out!

So the overarching theme in Malachi is repentance, lets look at the 5 topics repentance deals with:

The Priest!:

God points out the Priest of that day and their corruption.

This is dealing with the sacrifices that they were allowing and even bringing themselves, to God.

God asked them in Malachi 1:8 “When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.”

God expects our best offerings not what’s left over.

You might be saying, “I am not able to give the best!”

If you are a believer, you have accepted Christ, you have been baptised by the Holy Spirit ............. You have the BEST in you.

You cannot use this as an excuse anymore.

God is calling for the priest to repent and come back into order with Him.

The Worship:

God points out the worship of that day became routine.

Let me say this ...... The worship war of the late 1990’s through the early 2000 is over.

Can we move on?

Every person in this room has a preference of the style of music.

Worship is not about music that pleases us but about a heart that pleases Him (Jesus).

God is calling for the people of that day to repent and come back into order with Him.

Divorce:

God points out the epidemic spreading throughout the country: Divorce

Malachi 2:14-16 “But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.””

Divorce was widespread!

Single men .... single ladies ......

This is why its important for you to be at one with the father.

Allow the Lord to help you set your standards for your future spouse.

Divorce won’t even be an option when you have allowed the Holy Spirit to guide you in your search for a mate.

Tell the story of “The Pocket Dictionary.”

Stop the generational curse NOW!

God is calling for the people of that day to repent and come back into order with Him.

Justice

Malachi 2:17 “You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?””

Back in this day, as we are seeing in the culture today, sinful acts were being justified.

Instead of calling for repentance the call today is for acceptance.

Men sleeping with men

Women sleeping with women

Men transitioning into women

Women transitioning into men

These are the hot topics of today … let us not forget some of the other unjustified (sinful) things taking place today ....

Sexual immorality (living together out of wedlock, extra marital affairs)

Cussing, lack of humility, rudeness, gossiping, slander

The list could go on.

God is calling for the people of that day to repent and come back into order with Him.

Tithing

God makes a powerful statement to His people in this letter ..... Malachi 3:8 “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.”

I like how the Amplified Bible reads … Malachi 3:8 (AMP) 8 Will a man rob or defraud God? Yet you rob and defraud Me. But you say, In what way do we rob or defraud You? [You have withheld your] tithes and offerings.

I want to point out to us this morning something that was revelation to me as I prepared this message.

When we are NOT giving of OUR tithes and offerings God tells us “We are robbing Him.”

I had to look this up.

“Rob” (qaba)

It means to ROB; to take away by force or without the consent of the owner.

Hang on a second. How can I rob God if tithing is giving of my money.

It is not mine ...... everything I have is God’s

I didn’t create any of the things I have:

House, car, chair, table, children, grandchildren, wife, money!

ALL OF THIS IS GOD’s (I am not sure I’m buying this .....)

Col 1:16 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”

The house we just bought ...... given to us by God to manage.

The kids we have been blessed with ..... given to us by God to manage.

This church building God has blessed us with ..... given to us by God to manage.

All the money you have ...... given to you by God to manage.

This is why God says, “You have robbed me.”

The resources He has given us ...... he requires us to give 10% for the management of His Kingdom building headquarters.

God tells the people of Malachi’s day, Malachi 3:9-10 “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 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.”

Would it get your attention if God spoke directly to you and said, “You are cursed because of what you have not been doing”?

What if God then said, “All you have to do, to change it, is this .....”

Would you be listening? Would you sit on the edge of you seat with your ears open wide?”

Here is what God states to those who were robbing Him, “Bring the full tithe (10%), test me and see how I will open the windows of heaven and pour down blessings like you have never seen and there will never be a NEED again.” (This is a promise from God)

Some might be saying, “I can’t!” “I don’t have it!” I have too many other expenses!”

Listen to what God said, “Test me and see my goodness!” “There will be no more needs.”

Let me help you see things another way.

Many of us, if not all of us pay taxes. (Story about Lucas and FICA)

We may not like it but we pay it. (Its required by law, right?)

Average taxes paid by an American citizen is (24.57%)

What if you only pay 10% of the 24.57%?

You go to Jail. Right?

Some of you here this morning don’t tithe!

Your belief is that nothing will happen to you.

It’s not required. You will not go to Jail!

I tell you this morning that God says you are robbing Him and you are cursed with a curse!

Do you know what the definition of a curse is? (Here is my definition)

Lacking the ability to receive a blessing.

God is not cursing you, you are cursing yourself.

God is calling for the people of that day to repent and come back into order with Him.

Conclusion:

In Malachi 3:7 “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’”

“From the days of your fathers ...”

God’s people, throughout the generations have rejected (Turned away from) His statues (regulations; His authoritative rule; His ordinances, His decrees, His laws).

Every time, God calls His people to REPENT.

The Priest were called to Repent because of their corruption.

The people were called to Repent because of their routine (Lack of heart) Worship.

The people were called to Repent because of their widespread Divorce rate.

The people were called to Repent because of JUSTICE being ignored. (Evil is evil)

The people were called to Repent because they were stealing from God with their Tithes and contributions.

Altar Call:

God has not Changed!

He is calling his people to Repentance!

Because of His LOVE for us!

Remember, Love doesn’t supersede repenting, it draws us to it, it brings it out.

I know there were 5 topics we discussed this morning.

I am sure one of them has spoken to some of us and we would like an opportunity to repent.

The altar is open. COME