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YAG 15th Retreat : Session 4

5 May 2012

YAG 15th RETREAT
Theme: Tithes and Offerings
Date: 4-5 May 2012
Title: Promise of Great Blessing
Session #4

 

1. The New Covenant Context

a) The messenger (forerunner)       Malachi 3:1a

b) The Messenger-Messiah             Malachi 3:1c

2. A special work of the Messenger-Messiah

a) He is like a refiner’s fire                            Malachi 3:2c

b) Like a launderer’s soap                             Malachi 3:2d

c) As a refiner and purifier of silver                          Malachi 3:3a

d) Purifying the sons of Levi                         Malachi 3:3b

3. Acceptance and approval of the offering after purification

a) Offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the LORD     Malachi 3:4a

b) As in the days of old, as in the former years                     Malachi 3:4b

4. Returning to the Lord

a) Israel’s initiative                          Malachi 3:7a

b) God’s positive response                           Malachi 3:7b

5. Addressing the Problem of Robbing God

a) The charge of robbing God         Malachi 3:8

b) Robbing God through tithes and offerings           Malachi 3:8-9

6. Promise of Great blessings

a) But there must be a conscious giving of the tithe to the Lord      Malachi 3:10

b) The tithe in the OT days was meant for the upkeep of God’s servants and the ministry of the Temple
Deuteronomy 18:1-8

c) Windows-of-heaven blessing                   Malachi 3:10

d) National blessing                         Malachi 3:11-12

7. Guarding the Heart in Giving

a) Giving is not to be seen as a means of obtaining God’s blessings

b) Giving is not to be practised perfunctorily

c) Giving is not to be practised out of fear

d) Giving is to be practised out of reverence for God’s name     Malachi 1-2