ZECHARIAH & MALACHI

Sure enjoyed Church last night.  What a blessing and I sure enjoyed preaching to wonderful people.  Many said God used it to meet a need in their lives.  That was my prayer.  Looking forward to God using the day for His glory.  I finished up the Old Testament today.  Here are a few thoughts: 1) GRACE, GRACE!  In Zechariah 4:7, this verse is teaching that however God uses you in this life, to whatever degree He allows you to accomplish anything for His glory, to any accolades man would put upon you.... our job is to cry out:  Grace, Grace!!  It is not our abilities, our dedication, our talents, our work ethic, etc.... it is simply the grace of Almighty God that allows any of us to be used of Him to accomplish anything for Him.  Grace... Grace!!  Got a good marriage?... Grace, grace!  Have you raised some good children?....Grace, grace!  Has God blessed your ministry or church?... Grace, grace! See the truth of what it is saying?  Grace, grace!!!! 2) SHOW MERCY AND COMPASSIONS- This is what Zehariah 7:9 tells us:  "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:"  Let us as Christians work at showing Mercy and Compassion! 3) In Malachi, God is sharing with the nation of Israel the reasons they are out of fellowship with Him.  There are many things the LORD brings up, but most of them can fall into these few headings: a. SERVICE (THE LACK OF IT)-Malachi 1:6  "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?" *We see that they did not reverence God and did not serve Him with honor and obedience.  They had a disregard for God yet, He is their Father, and their Master! b. SACRIFICE (POLLUTED SACRIFICE)- Malachi 1:7-8  "Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.  8  And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts." *They offered the rejects, the diseased and broken down animals.  The throw away ones.  We should offer our best to our God, not our least! c. SACRED COVENANT (BREAKING IT) - Malachi 2:14-15  "Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.  15  And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth." *The sacred covenant is the marriage covenant you made with the wife of your youth.  God is very, very displeased with Israel for not being true to their marriage vows, and to their marriage to Him as well.  God is against the breaking of these sacred vows and covenants of marriage.  d. STOREHOUSE TITHING (THE LACK THEREOF)-Malachi 3:8-10  "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  9  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.  10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." **God wants the tithes and offerings of His people.  This shows Him that HE is the most important thing in our lives.  It shows Him where our hearts are! Well, hope you have a blessed day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler