Category: Journey Through Series

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Journey Through Malachi: 3:16-4:6

16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

4  “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. 4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

  • INTRODUCTION

Important days…Waiting for a wedding…

In a few weeks, Allison and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. It’s an amazing feet that she hasn’t given up on me yet.

When we were getting married Allison made a three ring binder with all things wedding in it, With ideas for different things and things she didn’t want to forget.

From a guys perspective, we don’t share the same burden, or privilege, or joy, or responsibility as planning. It’s a bunch of excitement at the beginning, then it turns into a long wait.

And then, out of the blue, it seems like the wedding day is here.

And on that day, you begin the day as one thing, a Batchelor , but end it as something else, a husband.

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Journey Through Jude: 8-25

8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

  • This verse, and the following serve largely as a commentary on verse 6
  • “relying on their dreams” – These people were appealing to their dreams as a basis for their morality and decision making.
  • APP: As believers, that is precisely what we are not to do. God’s Word serves as our moral compass, not our personal thoughts because we can justify almost anything we want.
  • “defile the flesh” – Their false teaching has fleshed itself out in sexual immorality.
  • “reject authority” – Just as is mentioned in verse 6, See also: Genesis 3 (Adam and Eve), Genesis 6 (angels)
  • “blaspheme the glorious ones” – Who are these “glorious ones”?Some say this refers to human dignataries…this seems unlikely due to the context of Jude. Perhaps this is a reference to Sodom and Gomorrah and the angels desire to take the angels for themselves. This is most likely a reference to supernatural beings/angels.

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Journey Through Malachi: 2.17-3.15

Introduction:

  • Yesterday, Allison and I and the girls and my brother and sister in law took the boat to the lake. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time. However, Allison and I cannot get on that boat without getting into an argument about Gide lines or anchors or something. Every time we get in that boat, everything ends up being a tangled mess. We can organize and store the best we can, but when it comes time to deploy an anchor or grab a rope to tie us to the dock, it’s going to be tangled or misplaced or something! Yesterday, I couldn’t find my ropes to tie us to the dock…that was yesterday’s argument. But after that, we were on our way. We ended up at the Backwater Bash at Hardridge Creek. 2 boats came loose from their anchors and almost hit us.

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Journey Through Jude: 1-7

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

  • verses 1 and 2 serve as a standard introduction for epistles during this day.
  • “Jude” – 1/2 Brother of Jesus; Brother of James; see: Matt. 13.55; Mark 6.3. Jude avoided saying that he was the Lord’s brother:1) because of his humility 2) because Jesus’ elevated position
  • “servant” – doulos; pertaining to a state of being completely controlled by someone or something—‘subservient to, controlled by.’
  • “James” – A prominent leader in the early church in Jerusalem. Brother to Jesus. Jesus appeared to him after his resurrection according to 1 Cor. 15.7.
  • “called” – The term “called” does not merely mean that God invited believers to be his own. Those whom God calls are powerfully and inevitably brought to faith in Jesus Christ through the proclamation of the gospel. The call of God is extended only to some and is always successful, so that all those who are called become believers. Such an understanding of “called” is clearly attested in the Pauline writings (Rom 1:1, 6–7; 8:28, 30; 1 Cor 1:1–2, 9, 24; Gal 1:15; 1 Thess 2:12; 5:24; 2 Thess 2:14; 2 Tim 1:9; cf. 1 Pet 2:9; 5:10; 2 Pet 1:3; Rev 17:14).  For more clarity, see 1 Corinthians 1.22-25.

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Journey Through Malachi: 2:1-16 Ripples In Relationships

Ripples in Relationships

Malachi 2:1–16

We do not live our lives in a vacuum. Our spiritual condition inevitably affects the people around us—like a rock tossed into a still pond, our sin sends out ripples that disturb the relationships we care about most.

Malachi 2 drives this home. The spiritual shortsightedness from chapter 1 doesn’t just remain internal. It spills out into our families, our relationship with God, and even our marriages.

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Journey Through Malachi: 1:1-14 – Symptoms of the Spiritually Shortsighted

INTRODUCTION

My family and I just returned from vacation yesterday. We went out west, visiting a couple of cities in Arizona before heading to Las Vegas for a few days. We saw the Grand Canyon and made a stop at the Hoover Dam.

We started out in Phoenix and then made our way to what ended up being my favorite part of the trip: hiking in and around Sedona. It’s truly stunning—pictures don’t do it justice. It’s one of those places you have to experience for yourself.

We all began with a relatively easy hike—just a couple of miles to the base of Bell Rock. Flat, scenic, and enjoyable for everyone.

Later that afternoon, Allison and I left the little ones behind and set off on a more intense hike: a 6-mile round trip that started at the Boynton Canyon Trailhead. About two miles in, we veered off onto an unmarked path that led us to some Indian caves and a rock formation hikers have nicknamed “The Subway.” You can see some photos on Allison’s Facebook page. It started out easy, but the final half mile was grueling.

I love hiking—being outdoors, surrounded by creation. But there’s a real danger in hiking—not a physical one, but a mental and spiritual one. You can become so focused on the path, on watching your feet, that you forget to stop and take in the view. You miss the beauty of where you are. The grandeur around you. The majesty of the mountains.

The same thing can happen spiritually.

We can become so focused on our day-to-day struggles, our routines, our work, that we forget to look up and see the greatness of God. That’s the message of Malachi.

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Journey Through James: Chapter Five (Listening Guide)

5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.

  • Verses 1-6 are a heavy reminder that people are more important than ____________. That we are to focus more on building our faith, than our finances. It is important to remember that the Bible does not discourage wise ____________, but does denounce selfish, greedy living as we discuss these verses.
  • “rich” – This is more a general warning to the wealthy in James’ society, not necessarily (and we pray not) wealthy believers. These men were probably also mentioned in James 2:6-7. Apparently wealthy landowners were using their position in society to take ____________ of those who depended upon them for their livelihood. Instead of being a source of blessing to others, they were using their position for ____________ means.

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Journey Through James: Chapter Five (Commentary)

5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.

  • Verses 1-6 are a heavy reminder that people are more important than pennies. That we are to focus more on building our faith, than our finances. It is important to remember that the Bible does not discourage wise planning, but does denounce selfish, greedy living as we discuss these verses.
  • “rich” – This is more a general warning to the wealthy in James’ society, not necessarily (and we pray not) wealthy believers. These men were probably also mentioned in James 2:6-7. Apparently wealthy landowners were using their position in society to take advantage of those who depended upon them for their livelihood. Instead of being a source of blessing to others, they were using their position for selfish means.

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Journey Through James: Chapter 4 (Listening Guide)

4 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

  • Chapter 4.1-10 opens with 2 options for achieving joy. The way of the __________. And the way of the__________.
  • “quarrels” – The word carries the idea of ongoing hostility. In an organization that has experienced great grace we cannot afford to be unforgiving and resentful to one another.
  • Is there anything sadder than such a church? The church is to be united in love for God and love for one another. The church is to be united around the truth of God. The church is to be united in worship and service.
  • “fights” –  outburst of anger
  • “your passions” – Meaning _____________________. Each person thought themselves to be the priority. From the Gk: we get the word Hedonism, you search for pleasure/joy.

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Journey Through James: Chapter 4 (Commentary)

4 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

  • Chapter 4.1-10 opens with 2 options for achieving joy. The way of the world. And the way of the Lord.
  • “quarrels” – The word carries the idea of ongoing hostility. In an organization that has experienced great grace we cannot afford to be unforgiving and resentful to one another.
  • Is there anything sadder than such a church? The church is to be united in love for God and love for one another. The church is to be united around the truth of God. The church is to be united in worship and service.
  • “fights” –  outburst of anger
  • “your passions” – Meaning selfishness. Each person thought themselves to be the priority. From the Gk: we get the word Hedonism, you search for pleasure/joy.

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