Copyright © S P Townsend
1. BREAKING THE SPIRAL OF SPIRITUAL DISCOURAGEMENT
THE MARKS OF SPIRITUAL DISCOURAGEMENT | |
| THE SEED | THE FRUIT |
| How can God say He loves us? (Mal 1:2) | Decline of honour, love and reverence (Mal 1:6) |
| Why doesn't God notice our service and sacrifice? (Mal 2:13,14a) | Giving God second and third best (Mal 1:8) |
| Wrongdoers get a better deal than we do (Mal 2:17;3:15) | Decline in morality and holiness (Mal 2:11,14b) |
| It's futile devoting ourselves to serve Him (Mal 3:14) | Decreased giving and devotion (Mal 3:9,10) |
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Inspiration of dedicated leadership (2:11-18)
Awareness of the situation,
personal testimony of God's hand,
personal example,
call to commitment.
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Involvement of everyone in the task (ch 3)
Common purpose, partnership, individual responsibility,
cf Eph 4:11-16.
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Importance given to God's word (ch 8-10)
Reading, explaining, responding, obeying.
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Introduction of reforms and spiritual renewal (ch 5,10,13)
Duty to man, duty to God, holiness of life.
2. RESISTING THE STORM OF SPIRITUAL ATTACK
THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL ATTACK | |
| FORM OF ATTACK | OBJECTIVE |
| Accusations of inadequacy (Mal 4:2,3) | The task is too great (Mal 4:10) |
| Pressure on the weak points (Mal 4:8,11) | Negativism, collapse (Mal 4:11,12) |
| Distortion of the truth (Mal 6:2-8) | Weakness and discouragement (Mal 6:9) |
| Seduction (Mal 6:10,17,18) | Compromise and sin (Mal 6:13,18) |
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Cast upon God's help (4:4,5)
Not in our own strength, but God's alone.
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Watching and praying (4:9)
Prayer plus guarding against threat.
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Remembering and resisting (4:14)
Remembering God's power and protection,
occupying the mind, actively resisting the enemy.
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Supporting each other (4:19,20)
Providing structure and strategy to ensure mutual support and encouragement.
Copyright © S P Townsend