I Have Loved You Series

Adventure Christian Church

of North Natomas

Malachi 1 (p. 664)

Series: Before Christ (B.C.)

Title: “I Have Loved You”

The prevalent system of denoting the years based on an erroneous 6th century calculation of the date of his birth… Before Christ (B.C.). Jesus actual birth is suggested to be shortly after the death of Herod in 4 B.C..

What was going on in the heart of God before Immanuel? What was happening to the Jewish people? As we prepare to remember the birth of Christ this Christmas, what was happening in the heart of God just before the birth of Jesus? What was going on B.C. ?

When Malachi (whose name means “angel”) writes…

It’s 396 B.C. The Jewish Father, Abraham has been deceased for 1524 years. Israel’s first royal dynasty has been over for 698 years. Solomon’s monarchy closed 578 years prior. It is the fourth year of the ninety-fifth Olympiad begun in (776 B.C.). And in six years, Rome will be sacked by the Galls and rebuilt.

Israel is wondering, where is God? It’s spiritual leadership has failed. Society has become a-moral. Violence has spread. And God’s case is that He is a divorcee. The Nation of Israel has filed. He wants to work things out.

When it looks like our relationship with God might be

falling apart, the LORD Almighty says…

I have loved you! (Ch. 1)

Stand for Reading: Malachi Chapter 1 (p. 664)

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

An old couple was sitting by the fireside. He looked over at her, had a romantic thought, and said, “After fifty years, I’ve found you tried and true.”

The wife’s hearing wasn’t very good, so she said, “What?”

He repeated, “After fifty years, I’ve found you tried and true.”

“After fifty years, I’m tired of you too,” she replied.

SOURCE: Adrian Rogers, Ten Secrets for a Successful Family (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1996), 115.

1. Surprise! God is still in love with us. (v. 1-5)

“But you ask, “How have you loved us?” (v. 2)

“Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,

because you have struggled with God and with men and

have overcome” (Genesis 32:28; Galatians 3:26-29).

Covenant Background-

A promise to Jacob is a promise to Israel (Genesis 32:28).

A promise to Israel is a promise to the church (Galatians 3:26-29).

There are promises to Israel and promises to the church for which we are waiting (Romans 11:25-27).

The LORD has loved us [Jacob] by giving us…

A. A community He will create (v. 3; Acts 2;46-47).

[Edom’s community was ”turned into a wasteland” (v. 3).]

[Jacob’s community was the gifted Promised Land (Genesis 28:13)].

B. An inheritance for eternal life (v. 3; Mk.10:29-30; Tit. 3:3-7).

[Edom’s inheritance was left to the “desert jackals” (v. 3).]

[Jacob’s inheritance remains to his descendants today (Gen. 28:13).]

c. A promise of His presence (v. 4, 11; Matthew 28:20).

[Edom was “under the wrath of the LORD”.]

[Jacob was promised, “I will be with you” (Genesis 28:15).]

Personally, what reminders do I have of how God has loved me? ___________________________________________

HOME FOR THANKSGIVING

The day before Thanksgiving an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York and said to him, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; 45 years of misery is enough. We’re sick of each other. You call your sister in Chicago and tell her." Frantic, the son called his sister, who exploded on the phone. "Like heck they’re getting divorced," she shouted, "I’ll take care of this." She called Phoenix immediately, and said to her father. "You are NOT getting divorced. Don’t do a single thing until I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" The man hung up his phone and turned to his wife. "Okay, honey. The kids are coming for Thanksgiving and paying for their flights." AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

2. Surprise! God is doing something special through us. (v. 10-11)

”My name will be great among the nations,

from the rising to the setting of the sun” (v. 11).

- “Grant’s my buddy! Little Sihk Pravneet said as he hugged our first grader Grant.

Personally, who do I need to pray that God loves through me? “LORD Almighty, please love ______________ through me.”

OUTLINE FOR THE BULLETIN

Adventure Christian Church

of North Natomas

Malachi 1 (p. 664)

Series: Before Christ (B.C.)

Title: “I Have Loved You”

When it looks like our relationship with God might be

falling apart, the LORD Almighty says…

I have _______ you! (Ch. 1)

Surprise! God is still in ______ with us. (v. 1-5)

“But you ask, “How have you loved us?” (v. 2)

“Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome” (Genesis 32:28; Galatians 3:26-29).