Malachi: “Apostates and Arrivals” Get To Know Malachi Malachi’s name means “My messenger. He shows up around 100 years after the exiles’ return. Setting The Stage: Malachi When important stuff is neglected, things tend to fall apart. The temple had been completed and the city was safe and prosperous… BUT a situation of moral and religious deterioration had set in. God’s Story In Malachi Apostasy: When a person abandons their faith/religion, sometimes even to the point of working against that religion. The people sarcastically dismiss God’s concerns… Carelessness in their sacrifices and offerings. MAL 1:8 The priests’ neglect of their duties. MAL 2:7 Violated their vows to pay tithes and offerings. MAL 3:9 Calling evil good. (Moral chaos) MAL 2:17 Vow breaking/ Divorce. MAL 2:13-15 Malachi Speaks Today Are you an apostate? There are 4 stages/ types: Apathy & Rebellion: Distrust and arrogance. Turning away: Distraction Falling away: Letting Go… of God. Adultery: Loving someone/something who is not your spouse. The Big Three: Ministry: Are we bringing our best? Marriage: Instead of loving God, are we leaving God? Money: Are we obedient or enslaved? Don’t blow up your life – handle these three carefully. God’s Not Finished! God promises a NEW DAY: Mal 4:2 …for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. We look ahead to Advent… “The Arrival”. Hope arrives. Peace arrives. Joy arrives. Love arrives. Jesus arrives.