“The Call to Recognize God’s Love in Our Lives” 9/3/06
Have you wondered: Does God really love me? Where is the proof? Is my service to the Lord accepted? Is God pleased with my marriage? Why aren’t I as excited for the Lord as I was before? Have I drifted from the Lord? Why? Is my financial giving to the Lord pleasing to Him? Is it enough? Is serving God really worth it? Our study of MALACHI will help!
POINT 1- We need to recognize: God’s love began in the PAST Vv. 1-3a
A. Before God admonishes them, He affirms His LOVE V. 2a
WHY DOES GOD LOVE ISRAEL? (Deut 9:4-6; Deut 7:6-8) We are just as sinful as the ISRAELITES are… Romans 5:8
B. The Israelites demanded proof that God truly loved them. Do you?
The HIGHS/LOWS of our lives; BACKGROUND of WHY they asked this…
C. God reminds them that He has loved them from the BEGINNING V. 2b-3a
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” Ephesians 1:4 (cf. Rev 13:8; 17:8)
“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
POINT 2- We need to recognize: God’s love continues in the PRESENT Vv. 3b-4
A. God’s love is recognized with the proper PERSPECTIVE V.3b-4
“Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)
B. Are you appreciating and celebrating your blessings as proof of His love?
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Jas 1:17
POINT 3- We need to recognize: God’s love is assured in the FUTURE V. 5
A. God assures Israel that they will see His love and REJOICE
B. God assures us that we never be separated from His love.
We have the confidence that God knows our needs (Matthew 6:8) and it isn’t necessary to worry for our basic requirements (Matthew 6:25-34). Yet above those temporal things, God demonstrates His love by providing His Son to pay for our greatest need: payment for our sin (John 3:16).
Please meditate this week on Romans 8:31-39. Nothing can separate us from His love….