Revision as of 16:34, 12 June 2023

Theological Proposition/Focus: God’s standard for faithfulness is very high.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: We need to take seriously our responsibility to pass faithfulness onto future generations.

Introduction:

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Need: we need more disciple makers who pass on faithfulness.

Subject:discipleship, faithfulness

Preview: As Christians we have a great responsibility and so we are held to great expectations, must remain incredibly faithful, and can look forward to having a lasting impact both now and into the future.

Text: Malachi 2:1-16

Setting the Stage:

Body

Greater responsibility, greater expectations (1-9)

God may punish those who don’t honor His name. (1-2)

This is especially true for those who should know better. (3-6)

The priests in Malachi knew better, failed, and were suffering punishment (7-9).

The priests should have been teaching the people of God. (7)

But they were not. (8)

Therefore God made them despised and humiliated in the eyes of all people. (9)

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MTR: Consider your responsibilities to preserve knowledge of God and ask if you are meeting expectations.

Who are you discipling?

How are you teaching your children?

Who is watching you?

Who is depending on you to preserve knowledge of God?

Greater responsibility, greater faithfulness (10-12)

Malachi’s Golden Rule: be faithful to your brother in your actions. (10)

do unto others as if we are all the same

Be faithful to your God in your obligations. (11-12)

MTR: Consider your relationships. Do they demonstrate faithfulness to God and man?

Greater responsibility, greater impact (13-16)

Past: You don’t get to just ignore past failures. (13-14)

Future: The next generation is the future. (15)

Present: You have a responsibility for faithfulness. (16)

MTR: Determine to disciple someone today.

How have you seen those who lookup to you impacted by your walk?

Conclusion:

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