David Futrell

“Malachi: A Gift For the Final Generation”

Malachi is the last book of the O. T. and is a book of Prophetic Oracle describing the preparation needed to honor the Lord and prepare for the coming Great Messenger, Jesus the Messiah. It is a post-exilic book, meaning it was written after the return from 70 years of captivity in Babylon. The prophet Malachi wrote it approximately 430 B.C. After King Cyrus declared freedom to the Jews in 536 B.C. there was a decree given for them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. Millions remained in Babylon while only thousands returned to Jerusalem to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. The 2nd Temple was completed in 515 B.C. The purpose of this book is that Malachi wrote to call the hearts of the Jews back to loving God in first place and that their lives would reflect His commands and life. It is my sense that just as the Book of Malachi was written to serve as a signpost for the 1st coming of Jesus, so the Book of Malachi will be used as a signpost for Believers in Jesus in the final generation. One of the main themes of the message of Malachi is a call to Priestly ministry. I am convinced that God is calling His people into their primary occupation as Priests before their God.

Malachi 1:1 “The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.”

I. HISTORICAL CONTEXT A. Malachi is believed to have served as a Priest or a Farmer. He delivers this prophetic message around 430 B.C. Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi are the final 3 prophetic messages to Israel before the coming of Jesus. a. Haggai (520 B.C.)- “Why have you neglected the work of rebuilding the Temple and focused on your own houses?” This temple will be a shadow of the final generation and the global Temple of night & day worship. b. Zechariah (520 B.C.)- Zechariah speaks to those working to finalize this work and proclaims that it would be completed by the power of and intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Those who stand near the Lord will shine the brightest before the people (Sons of Oil). c. Ezra & Nehemiah (460-432 B.C.)- These two messengers were used by God to encourage Israel to remain faithful in the work of rebuilding the wall of defense around Jerusalem. d. Malachi (430)- Malachi comes on the scene to try to correct and call the people out of spiritual lethargy and complacency in the routine work of Ministry to God. B. If you were to summarize the heart of Malachi’s target audience it would be “apathetic”. Apathy means, “lack of enthusiasm or passion”. C. The Priests and the people had been serving the religious system while their hearts were far from God. Their offerings were not sacrificial and lifestyles were not sacrificial to God Himself. They had assumed that their sacrificial living did not matter. God says to Israel that they did not honor their Heavenly Father nor obey their Master God. D. God is calling His Priests back to His heart through Malachi’s message. E. Malachi 1:6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ F. Malachi starts his letter by explaining his heavy heart to receive and then proclaim this word from the Lord. • Mal. 1:1- The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. G. The Word of the Lord is heavy & weighty to carry when there is striving against it by a people. The Word from the heart of God is a burden for His heart when He must strive against a people who have not

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received it or refuse to agree with it. God has no rest in the midst of a people who do not agree with Him. The power of agreeing with God and His commands is that God rests in their midst (2 Chron. 6:14; Ps. 132:5; Isa. 66:2). H. 1 Chronicles 15:15 And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD. I. If we are disconnected to the heart of God the work will actually crush our hearts. When we carry the Word and work of God apart from standing before Him often we will grow weary in the work. This was the condition of Israel during Malachi’s ministry. J. Revelation 10:9 “…He (the Angel) said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”

II. GOD’S LOVE: THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL THE FATHER DOES

A. Malachi 1:2 “I have loved you,” says the LORD. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ B. God is intending to speak like an arrow directly TO their hearts in this correction. He is speaking to them out of His love for their well-being and greatness. There are many in the Church of Jesus who need to hear this and receive this message spoken to them. C. “God uses the least severe means to reach the greatest number of people at the deepest level of love without violating anyone’s free will in training the future rulers of the earth. (Mike Bickle) D. The restoration of the “tabernacle of David” is about restoring the Priestly calling and ministry as a means of mending the Fatherless spirit on a generation. Our Heavenly Father waist for us. He waits for you (Gen. 3:8; Mt. 6:6)! E. John 17:26 And I (Jesus) have declared to them Your name (character/heart/will), and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” F. This is what we were created from and created for and called into. We love to be loved. Why? We were created that way. You were created to be loved and to love. This is the internal and eternal search for every person. G. We can only fulfill our calling to love others from the place of receiving love. We love because we were first loved (1 John 4:19). Husbands will only love their wives after first receiving God’s love. Neighbors will only love others neighbors after first receiving God’s love. H. Loving God in first priority is an end in itself. As we pursue the love of God above everything, including legitimate pleasures, eternal treasures are produced. Loving God always produces a love for others. I. In the hour when the ‘lightenings, thunderings, and voices’ are poured out from God’s throne to the earth the Priests of God will be those best equipped to stand. J. Revelation 4:5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 1) Lightenings- God is revealing Himself and His glorious Son to all who seek Him. Light is released from His throne through spiritual wisdom & revelation. 2) Thunderings- This is an expression of God’s power and authority. 3) Voices- There is communication coming forth from God Himself. 4) Seven Spirits of God- This is the position of Holy Spirit to the Father & Son. The “Seven Spirits” speaks of the fullness of Holy Spirit as describe in Isa. 11:2. All of this flows forth (proceeds) from God’s holy throne like a mighty river. The Holy Spirit takes what is the Father’s and testifies of them to the earth; Holy Spirit Himself, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord.

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K. God has declared that only Priests can approach and access His throne. Only the Priestly ministry can discern and receive what the Father is saying and doing. We are all called into this Priestly ministry. WOW!!!

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“Book of Malachi: A Return to Your Priestly Ministry”

Our highest identity in this life and into eternity is to be called “Sons of God” and the “Bride of Christ”. Our greatest occupational calling is to serve God as Priests and Kings. Our identity before God will never change nor diminish for eternity because of what Christ accomplished on the Cross. However, our maturity as Priests and Kings in this life will determine our usefulness for the Father in the ages to come. We can grow in this reality as we walk in obedience and faithfulness.

I. REVIEW A. Malachi 1 is primarily an address to the people of Israel who were fulfilling their outward religious duties but their hearts were far from the Father. God was delivering a prophetic message of correction TO them rather than against them because of His love for them. This was a demonstration of His longsuffering and patience to see them walk in the fullness of His plans as a royal priesthood and a holy nation. B. Some translate Mal. 1:2 as God saying, “I HAVE loved you. I DO love you. I WILL love you forever.” This is His declaration over you as well. C. Israel was so blinded by their own hard hearts that they could not receive God’s message. They actually began to question God. The prophecy of Malachi is written in light of Israel’s questioning God. These questions revealed their doubting, discouraged, sinful heart. 1. In what way have You loved us? (Mal. 1:2) 2. In what way have we despised Your name? (Mal. 1:6) 3. In what way have we defiled You? (Mal. 1:7) 4. In what way have we wearied Him? (Mal. 2:17) 5. In what way shall we return? (Mal. 3:7) 6. In what way have we robbed You? (Mal. 3:8) 7. In what way have we spoken against You? (Mal. 3:13) D. God declares through Malachi one of the most powerful and well-known prophecies to demonstrate His zeal to have a people who love Him in response to His eternal love. God says that regardless of that generations cold hearts, He will have night & day worthy offerings rising to His throne from every nation, tribe, and language as a sign of His coming Kingdom’s rule. E. Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts.

II. PRIESTHOOD MINISTRY ON THE EARTH AS IN HEAVEN A. Malachi 2:1-2 “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. 2 If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says the LORD of hosts, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart. B. The priesthood was defiled (Neh. 13:29, Mal. 1:6-2:9). The Priests of Malachi’s day had been spiritually bored and hard-hearted. God chooses to hold them responsible for the spiritual condition of Israel. As goes the Priests, so go the families. As goes the Family, so goes the Church of Jesus. As goes the Church, so goes the Culture. God was declaring to the Priests that He Himself would curse them if they did not respond to His discipline; “If you do not hear…” C. Ultimately, God’s desire was, is, and forever will be for a royal Priesthood. D. Malachi 2:4 Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of hosts.

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E. Deuteronomy 10:8-9 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of 9 the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to Him and to bless in His name, to this day. Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance (God pays His inheritance), just as the LORD your God promised him. F. Levi means- “to be attached”. Jesus of course fulfilled this covenant but also is our model of remaining attached to His heart as He is attached to the Father’s heart. Levi was the 3rd son of Jacob and Leah. Jesus is the final Great High Priest and intends that the Priesthood continue throughout all of eternity…”according to the order of Melchizedek” (Ps. 110:4). G. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. H. Priesthood in the Old Covenant: a. The priesthood was limited to only a select few. It was not open to most men and no women. b. Only men belonging to the tribe of Levi could serve as “assistants to the Priests” in the Tabernacle/Temple. c. Those eligible had to be between the ages of 25 to 50 years and without physical deformity or disability. d. Priests, however, were not just to be male, and a Levite, and healthy; a Priest must also have been a direct descendent of Aaron. e. Only the High Priest (a specially appointed, male Levite and a direct descendent of Aaron) could enter the Most Holy Place in the Temple, once a year, on the Day of Atonement. His job was to stand before God on behalf of the rest of the people. f. The Old Covenant Priesthood is a shadow of the Great High Priest to come in Jesus Christ who made the final sin-sacrifice. They would offer an animal sacrifice on the outside altar. Afterwards, they then brought incense sacrifices to the Lord in the Inner Holy Place. They showbread was kept daily on the table and the oil lamps were kept burning at all times. Once each year, the High Priest entered into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain to g. Ex. 30:30 And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests. h. Ex. 29:9 The priesthood shall be theirs for a perpetual statute. So you shall consecrate Aaron and his sons. I. Priesthood in the New Covenant: a. The Old & New Covenant Priesthood is intended to be a lifestyle and not merely a function. This was Malachi’s prophetic word to the Priests of his day and continues to be our natural default. b. Under the New Covenant, all Believers can enter the Most Holy Place, continually, by a “new and living way” through the blood of Jesus. This includes male, female, rich, poor, sick, and healthy. c. “The priest's lips should not keep knowledge from his people, but keep it for them.” (Matthew Henry comm.) d. The “perpetual statute” has not ended, though the individuals invited into this promise broadened to include everyone who is cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. J. “Kings are remembered for their accomplishments, but priests are remembered for their lifestyles. Kings are known on the earth and priests are known in heaven. Because the primary interaction of a priest’s life is direct with the Lord, the way he/she will be known is not primarily what the ‘newspapers’ say about him or her but what God and the angels will say. This was the calling on the priests of old and most of their testimonies are hidden in their intimacy with God and not with us or in our history books.” (Kirk Bennett)

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K. Exodus 19:5-6 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” L. The New Covenant/Testament Priesthood lifestyle is spelled out in the Sermon on the Mount message from the lips of Jesus. What the select Levites and Aaron’s descendants were invited into now is all of our invitation as Followers of Jesus. We are all called into Priesthood and our calling requires a higher standard of holiness because….we have greater access and resource available to us. M. Matthew 5:20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. N. What the Priests of Malachi’s day were responsible for and neglected we too are responsible for in our day. They were a people called to know their God and prepare others for the coming of Messiah. We are also being called to know our God and to prepare a generation to receive Jesus at His return. O. Malachi 2:7 “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” P. The most critical Priesthood for our society and culture is the Priestly ministry fulfilled in the context of the home. Husbands and Fathers are to be a Priest over their marriage and family. Wives and Mothers are as well to serve as a Priest over their family. As we stand before our God faithfully we can then stand before our children to reflect the glory of Jesus to them and instruct them in the ways of God. (Mal. 2:10-17)

III. VALUING THE UNSEEN MINISTRY OF PRAYER A. Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation (spiritual insight), the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps (cherishes) the law. B. Revelation 1:5-6 “and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings (a kingdom) and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” C. Becoming a Disciple of Christ is a call to live our lives from the inside out as we encounter the grace of God. This is the description of the “8 Step Process” of experiencing the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 5:3-10). D. Examples of Hidden Treasures: 1) Seeds planted in the ground to grow 2) Baby in the womb 3) Righteous choices in secret 4) The activity of Heaven 5) Money invested in the unseen that grows in interest E. This is your eternal occupational calling FOREVER! If we are true “Followers of Christ” then we are followers of where He leads and how He leads. He is the eternal High Priest and we are called into that same occupation. As Jesus is a King & Priest, we too are called to express the Kingdom & Priestly ministry. F. We must have insight and revelation about what secret prayer is as well as where secret prayer brings us. One of the most helpful things for me in reengaging my heart to the routines of prayer is to picture the starting point. I often return to the wellspring of revelation, which is the throne room of the Living God. All of life and creation flows from His throne. He sits on a throne, makes intercession for us, speaks and holds of creation together, reveals Himself to us, issues the river of eternal life from His throne, and promises that we approach Him according to His requirements, we can commune with Him and be filled with joy, delight, and power.

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G. Psalm 84 describes a foreshadowing of the ages to come as the Psalmist describes the pilgrimage of the people of God traveling to the Tabernacle/Temple to worship. Every time of prayer serves as a dress rehearsal for the ages to come when we will travel to Jerusalem to worship the Eternal King & Priest. • Ps. 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. H. ** The burden of man is rooted in temporary comfort and striving while the burden of the Lord is rooted in communion and receiving from God. I. Revelation 4:1 “…I (John) looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here...” J. Everything else that we experience in this life is mere shadows reflecting to great Kingdom, the Eternal City set high on a hill which cannot be hidden. K. God does not bestow His gifts on the casual of hasty comers and goers. Much with God alone is the secret of knowing Him and of influence with Him. (E.M. Bounds) L. Daniel wrote down the deep revelations and insight from God and His angels during a seventy-year prayer life. The prayer lifestyle was Daniel’s priesthood calling and he had to walk it out 3 times daily to fulfill his commission before the Lord. • Dan. 6:10 …Daniel…went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three (3) times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. M. Simeon was a faithful Priest who was anointed by Holy Spirit to watch and stand faithfully until His prophetic promise came to pass. • Lk. 2:26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. N. Anna lived a secret life in God spanning over 80 years. Luke describes her as serving God from a lifestyle of prayer and fasting. • Lk. 2:37 and this woman (Anna) was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. O. The N. T. Church Leaders expressed concern that the secret ministry before God not be neglected. • Acts 6:2,4 Then the twelve (Apostles) summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” P. John continued serving his Messiah and Savior, Jesus, even while being imprisoned on the Patmos Island. His Priestly ministry prepared the atmosphere for receiving some of the most vivid revelation of the beauty and majesty of the God-Man, Jesus Christ. Q. Revelation 1:9-11 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches… R. Our eternal job responsibility will be to approach God often and serve Him with our words, songs, and questions. Our Priestly ministry on the earth is what fuels the Priestly ministry of heaven. We will participate in these activities into the eternal ages to come. God give us vision for ages to come! S. What will your story be?

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“God’s Holy Covenant of Marriage”

Malachi 2:10-16 Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors? 11 Judah has been unfaithful, and a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. The men of Judah have defiled the LORD’s beloved 12 sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols. May the LORD cut off from the nation of Israel every last 13 man who has done this and yet brings an offering to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Here is another thing you do. You cover the LORD’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings 14 and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. You cry out, “Why doesn’t the LORD accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been 15 unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. Didn’t the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from 16 your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. “For I hate divorce!”, says the LORD, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” (NLT)

Some of my own testimony…! By many accounts, I was not raised in a healthy family. My parents divorced when I was seven….leaving a vacuum of strong Godly male leadership in my life…

In spite of what the enemy is allowed to do, God redeems and restores what is lost. As a result of what I have experienced from my own broken experience it has been a prayer and desire to reverse this curse by modeling what God can do through a fully yielded heart and willing marriage.

I. THE MARRIAGE COVENANT CORRUPTED A. Malachi 2:10-11 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another by profaning the covenant of the fathers? 11 Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, for Judah has profaned the LORD’s holy institution which He loves: He has married the daughter of a foreign god. B. Institution- “an established organization”; “a place where an organization takes care of people for a usually long period of time”; the place where families are grown and protected C. Marriage Covenant/Oath- The Hebrew word for oath is "I raise my hand". When we raise our hands in worship, for example, we are swearing an oath. • Gen. 14:22- Abraham “raises his hand to Melchizedek”. • Ezek. 36:7- God “raises His hand” and vows to judges Israel’s enemies. D. GOD HAS INSTITUTED MARRIAGE! It has always been God’s idea and design. Whatever He created, He has declared that it is “good”. God is responsible for maintaining all that He has created and established. Even if the majority of culture decides to redefine marriage, it will never be changed. E. Proverbs 14:12 (16:25) There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. F. Just because you choose not to believe something doesn't make it "not true"! Marriage covenant was God’s idea. G. When we make an covenant or oath before God, according to His prescription, we demonstrate the power of God to destroy the powers of Satan. When we neglect or distort the marriage covenant or oath we perpetuate Satan’s authority. We actually come under a curse.

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H. When visiting the Biblical understanding of marriage it is important to look at the “What” and the “Why”. Why did God establish this covenant? a. WHAT- Marriage defined in Genesis 1 & 2 b. WHY- God desired a faithful family to reflect His Heavenly unity. I. Very simply put, we reproduce who we are. If this is true for us, how much more for God. He is our eternal Father and desires that we would reflect His heart and character. In our first & natural birth we reflect our Father of Destruction. In our second & supernatural “re-birth”, we reflect our Father of Creation. Who are you reflecting? J. The primary purpose of marriage is the production of Godly offspring—that is, offspring trained in the ways of the Lord. K. Malachi 2:15 Didn’t the LORD make (create) you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. (NLT) L. The family is the first and most fundamental of all human institutions. It is the family unit set up at the time of creation, and founded in Genesis, that God uses to transfer this knowledge from one generation to the next and to affect the world for good. M. Genesis 2:18, 24 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” (NLT) N. The family is under so much attack in our society today. God uses families to transfer His knowledge from one generation to the next (which is itself a witness to the fact of Creation & the Creator). If we fail to establish Godly families we will neglect without a Godly witness. O. If parents fail to transfer knowledge to the next generation, then that generation will not have the knowledge to transfer to generations after (Ps. 78:1-7) P. Some say, "Don't you want me to be happy?" These are usually the famous last words of a marriage and family before a divorce. If we only live for our own pleasures and neglect to live for the next generation, our children will be void of the knowledge of God. As a Father/Mother your life is no longer your own. Q. As it says in Deuteronomy 6:5-12, in everything that we do we teach our children because our children look at us and become what we are. We as parents, and particularly Fathers, are told to look at Jesus Christ to become like Him (II Cor. 3:18), and as our children look at us they are to become like Jesus Christ. In other words, in whatever we do, our children look at us and become like us. R. “He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future.” (Adolf Hitler) S. One of the major reasons for the breakup of the family is that the fathers have not obeyed the Scripture to be the spiritual head of the house. In most Christian homes today, it is the mother who teaches the children spiritually, not the father. T. "Tolerance" is in itself an intolerance of the authority of God's Word. U. A generation is arising that knows not the things of God, allowing (and even encouraging!) pre-marital sex, abortion, homosexuality, and easy divorce.

II. CALLING HUSBANDS, FATHERS, & MEN TO THEIR PRIESTLY POSITION A. Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of 6 the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. B. Luke 1:17 He (Forerunner Messenger) will also go before Him (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

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C. We can only lead others where we have journeyed. We can only call others into our experience. Men will leave an inheritance to the next generation based on their life’s labor. What are YOU laboring for? The world lives to see how much they can accumulate before their life ends but a Disciple of Christ lives to see how much he can give away to the next generation. D. We only have moral authority over the areas of victory in our own lives. If we expect our children to walk in holiness and purity we must walk in them first. Our children become an extension of our own journey in God or the lack. This was the reason for God’s burdened heart. E. When men begin to “love their wives as Christ loves His Church” our families will be transformed and our society as a result. F. Ephesians 5:22-23 Wives, submit (willingly yield to) to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. G. As a roof covers a home from the elements and storms of life, so too a husband & father is to serve as a covering for his family from the storms of the enemy. This is what Christ models for us. H. When a man fulfills his God-given calling in marriage and family, the home serves as a “greenhouse” for the young souls who have been entrusted to his care. When that same man gives in to compromise & sin the home is left “uncovered/unprotected” and the entire family suffers. I. I am calling you MEN to your God-given position as a Priest before God and before your family!

III. BIBLICAL REASONS FOR DIVORCE: 1. When a spouse is guilty of sexual immorality and is unwilling to repent and live faithfully with the marriage partner. Jesus' words in Matthew 19:8-9 indicate that divorce (and remarriage) in this circumstance is acceptable. However, divorce is not required. Many couples have been able to rebuild their marriages • Mt. 19:8-9 "Why then," [the Pharisees] asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries [or, 'in order to marry'] another woman commits adultery." 2. When one spouse is not a Christian, and that spouse willfully and permanently deserts the Christian spouse (1 Cor. 7:15).

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“Funding the End-Time Prayer Movement”

While in prayer recently the Lord spoke to me that this subject of building His dwelling place on the earth and funding it with the resources He puts in the hands of His people is really on His heart. It is the Father’s desire to establish His Priests on the earth as they are in Heaven so that they can see what’s in Heaven and then work to establish those realities on the Earth. This is the Priestly ministry. As we look at the wisdom of the secular financial market we can understand why we invest our finances into the Kingdom of Heaven. These financial analyst study market trends and spending patterns of our culture and attempt to anticipate where money can be made. So too, we are to find out what God is doing in our generation and then throw our entire energy, time, and money into those activities. It is clear that God is establishing an end-time worship and prayer movement that will beckon the Jewish Messiah back to Earth forever to rule and reign. All of the work that is in agreement to His coming will remain. All of the work and investment that is not in agreement to this goal will be burned up and blown away. Are you all in?

I. THE PURPOSE OF FINANCES IN GOD’S KINGDOM A. Malachi 3:8-12 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me (put Me to the test) now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. 11“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the Lord of hosts; 12And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts. B. The tithe that should go to the Levites was kept from them in Malachi’s day (Neh. 13:10-11, Mal. 3:8-12). We want to look at more than the “WHAT” of tithes, offerings, and financing the Kingdom of Heaven work but also the “WHY” of investing our finances in God’s work. C. Whatever we decide to do with our resources, especially our finances in the area of tithes and offerings is mostly about a testing of the heart. This command to give our finances to the work of the Lord starts with the first ministry; ministry to God and then to others. This is what the Priests of Malachi’s day were neglecting. D. We are seeking to establish a dwelling place for God’s manifest and tangible presence to abide. This is at the heart of the Tabernacle of David and the Temple of God. E. Moses was instructed by God to use the tithe that was produced by the land such as fruit, corn, grain, and the first born of animals to be offered to Him and then to be used to maintain a Priesthood. The tithe, while noted as belonging to God, had one distinct purpose, and that was originally to care for Aaron and the Levite priests who were given no inheritance from God. They owned nothing. F. Numbers 18:21 As for the tribe of Levi, your relatives, I will compensate them for their service in the Tabernacle. Instead of an allotment of land, I will give them the tithes from the entire land of Israel. G. As Kevin Conner has written in The Tabernacle of Moses, “The Hebrews called this manifestation of the visible Glory or Brightness of God ‘the Shekinah’… we are told that the burning lamps outside the veil were a witness ‘that the Shekinah abides in Israel’…the Old Testament is saturated with the thought of the visible presence and brightness of God. The word ‘Shekinah’ means ‘the one who dwells’.” H. We are being invited in to stand before the “Mercy Seat” where God dwells and manifests His presence in power. As in the days of old, God even speaks audibly and reveals Himself powerfully. This is what we invest our time, heart, and money into establishing in our city. This is the where God lives and invites us to live!

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I. David was a man after God’s heart in an extravagant commitment to minister to God in night & day worship. After he conquered Jerusalem, his first act recorded in the Scripture was epic—he brought the ark to Jerusalem and set singers and musicians before it to minister to the Lord (1 Chr. 15-16). J. David vowed to dedicate his life to finding a “dwelling place” for God. His vow included living in extravagant devotion to seeking God with all his strength & resources (time, talents, treasures), including his time (Ps. 27:4), fasting (Ps. 69:7-12), and money (1 Chr. 22:14). This vow is at the heart of the end-time worship movement. 2 3 K. PSALM 132:1-5LORD, remember David… How he…vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: “Surely I will not…go up to the comfort of my bed; 4I will not give sleep to my eyes…5until I find a place [a temple to house the ark] for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

L. David set his desire and affection on establishing and seeking the Lord in His house (Ps. 27:4; 1 Chr. 29:2- 3). David gave over $100 billion (at modern prices) to God’s house. One talent is 75 lbs. or 1200 ounces (16 oz/pound). One talent of gold at $850/ounce would be worth about one million dollars. Thus, 100,000 talents of gold at that price would be worth about $100 billion. One talent of silver at $12/ounce would be worth about $15,000 so 1,000,000 talents at that price would be worth about $15 billion. The total of the gold and silver would be well over $100 billion.

M. Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the LORD …that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.

N. 1 Chronicles 29:2-3 Now for the house of my God I have prepared with all my might: gold for things to be made of gold, silver for things of silver…3I have set my affection on the house of God…”

O. 1 Chronicles 22:14 Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the LORD one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver…

II. CLARIFYING THE TITHE A. "Tithe" means a tenth or 10 percent. The tithing system described in the Bible was designed specifically to meet the needs of the religious, economic and political system of ancient Israel. Each of the twelve tribes of Israel, except the tribe of Levi, initially received an allotment of land in the promised land of Canaan. The Levites were assistants to Israel's priests and were supported by a tithe offering from other eleven tribes. All families of the other eleven tribes were to give a tenth of all produce, flocks, and cattle to the Levites. In turn, the Levites were to give a tenth of that to support the priests (Lev. 27:30-33, Num. 18:21- 28). Tithes were also used to meet the needs of foreigners, orphans and widows. (Deut. 26:12-13) B. We return a tithe (a tenth of our first-fruits) back to the Lord and into His House so that we are continually reminded of the source of our provision and strength. C. The Biblical tithe is more about a principle of giving than a command to follow. It is clearly commanded in the Old Covenant. A new standard is commanded in light of the example of Jesus, though the principle was understood and continued in the New Covenant and in the N.T. church. D. The Biblical tithe is about worshipping God and sustaining His dwelling place for the purpose of others meeting Him there. This principle of tithes and offerings existed pre-Law of Moses. Offerings were given in the Garden of Eden. The first mention of a tithe was when Abraham gave a tenth of all of his possessions to Melchizedek. E. Genesis 4:3-4 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the 4 ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering,

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F. Genesis 14:18-20 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” G. In Israel’s ancient history the people gave a tithe at least twice a year as they lived an agricultural life. When their crops produced harvest and when their animals gave birth to their first-born the people of Israel would bring their tithes & offerings. They actually gave more than 10% of their income as they gave various tithes and various offerings. H. In the New Covenant under the ministry of the Great High Priest of Jesus we are to be “generous givers”. We are to give in proportion to what we have been given and out of the place of a thankful heart. This is the way of the Kingdom that Jesus declares in the Sermon on the Mount declaration. He says, “When you pray…give…fast…serve…” His assumption is that we will do these things. I. Matthew 6:2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! J. Many Christians have become deceived thinking that somehow Jesus’ ministry and His coming freed us from the Law and its requirements. Actually, we are now held to a higher standard by the grace of the Lord that has been released to us through Jesus. Jesus came to show us what is possible on the earth when the human heart empowered by the Spirit of God and surrendered to the Father’s will can accomplish. K. Personal Testimony: Ana and I have seen the faithful hand of the Lord over the 20+ years in our finances. We have also been tested many times in the area of giving. We have always recognized that tithing was a covenant we make with Jesus Himself as inviting Him into our lives to provide for us beyond our own ability and resource. Our lives are not our own but they have been purchased by Christ. Our resources, especially our finances, are only on load in this life. L. What does the New Testament Say? a. Mat. 5:17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. b. Mat. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. c. Mt. 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. d. 2 Cor. 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. e. 1 Cor. 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. f. Heb. 7:5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; (The tithe continues as the Priesthood continues.) g. Lk. 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” h. Jn. 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. i. Phil. 2:6-7 Christ Jesus…6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. www.ihopmiami.org Book of Malachi 13