Sermon Text: Malachi 1:1 - 2:16
“I have loved you,” says the Lord.
But you say, “How have you loved us?”
“Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.”
If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.’ ”
Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!”
Sermon Summary
Our final message in The Book of the 12 series comes from Malachi, the final book of the Old Testament. A book that explicitly states that God hates people, divorce, and despises half-hearted worshippers. How can we say that Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me that God does hate some people? The goal of this message is to address this question in such a way that you will be able to say “Yes, Jesus loves ME, for the Bible tells me so!”
Sermon Outline
Main Point: Jesus loves you!
How can you know that Jesus loves you if the Bible says God hates Esau? (Malachi 1:2-5)
How can you know that Jesus loves you if the Bible says God hates divorce? (Malachi 2:10-16)
How can you know that Jesus loves you if the Bible says God hates half-hearted worshippers? (Malachi 1:6-2:9)
Discussion Questions
How do you know that Jesus loves you?
How does God’s promises prove His love for His people?
How has looking at the promises fulfilled in Christ revealed God’s love for you?
How does Romans 9:1-13 help us further trust in God’s promises?
How do you respond in difficulty? Do you trust Him by turning to His Word? What keeps you or others going to His Word?
How does the book of Malachi help us see trusting in God affects our relationships?
Are there areas of your life that you are not trusting God?
How does the book of Leviticus help us further understand the problem with the animal sacrifices that are talked about in Malachi?
Have there been times when you worshiped and obeyed God even when you didn’t feel like it? How did it strengthen your faith?
