Half-Hearted (The book of Malachi)
Don't Settle for Half-Hearted Christianity
November 8, 2020 • Brian Watts
In this message, we wrap up our series in Malachi by looking at the closing verses. These verses form a fitting end to the book and the entire Old Testament. We are encouraged to look back and remember and to look forward and get ready.
Is it worth it?
October 25, 2020 • Brian Watts
In this last dispute, Israel is saying that its not worth it to serve God and obey His commands because it doesn't seem to make any difference. Perhaps we feel that way at times as well. Our lives are hard, circumstances aren't improving and we may wonder, "is it worth it?" We may think, "following Jesus seems to not make any difference." This passage will challenge us to change our perspective and it will show us that all of our words and all of our actions matter and will echo into eternity.
Importance of Faithfulness
October 4, 2020 • Brian Watts
Perhaps one of the greatest compliments that someone could give you is that you are faithful. You are consistent, you keep your promises, you follow through on what you say you are going to do, you don’t waver. In this passage we see that Israel has been unfaithful to the promises they made to God and in turn they are unfaithful in their relationships with one another. And God reminds them that He is faithful to His people and He calls His people to be faithful.
Does God get our leftovers?
September 27, 2020 • Brian Watts
In this passage, we discover that Israel has lost sight of the greatness of God so they are bringing Him their leftovers rather than their first and best. In this message, we will consider: do we give God the leftovers or the first and best? We will be challenged to worship God in the way that is appropriate for His greatness and in a way that costs us something.
Where half-heartedness begins
September 20, 2020 • Brian Watts
We begin a new series in the book of Malachi. Israel's circumstances had caused them to question God's love for them and God's greatness which to half-hearted devotion to God. They still went to the temple and made sacrifices but they were just going through the motions. They lacked zeal for God. Israel was stuck in a kind of spiritual neutral. The book is a fitting one for today. Our circumstances can cause us to lose sight of God's love and greatness, and we too can fall into a kind of spiritual neutral. We still may be going through motions or giving God something, but it isn't our best. We are often marked by half-heartedness. This book acts as a great wakeup call and as a reminder of God's love and faithfulness.