Malachi 3:6-12 6"I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
Proposition: We can unlock God’s floodgate in 2008.
Key #1. G iving
A. Bible lessons on giving.
History of Jews in Egypt.
B. Obstacle to giving.
Exodus 20 “Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.
TEXT 8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.
C. Plan for giving in 2008.
1. Time
Prayer, Bible, Assembling, Discipleship, Opportunities to serve God:
2. Talent
Computer, publishing, decorate, teaching, baptistry, nursery, building,
3. Treasure.
Key #2. A ttendance
A. Bible lessons on Attendance.
1. Blessings come from Attending to God’s plan.
B. Obstacles to Attendance.
1. God is testing us. Our faifulness.
2. Self reliance problem.
TEXT 7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
TEXT 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me.
C. Plan for Attending in 2008.
1. Obedience to God’s plan of sanctification through Discipleship.
2. Living by God’s plan. You don’t have to.
a. Apostle’s doctrine - Bible. (31% claim to read Bible through) Reading plan
b. Fellowship - Personal discipleship, Friends in the church
c. Breaking Bread - Lord’s supper/Communion.
d. Prayers - Not blessing - with others - by yourself. Prayer list.
e. Stewardship - A good manager with your blessings - Blessings can become curses.
Key #3 T esting
A. Bible lessons on Testing God.
1. Having the faith to follow God’s leading.
B. Obstacles to Testing God.
1. Fear/trust problem
2. Egypt afraid to test God.
TEXT 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
C. Plan for Testing God in 2008
1. Give and don’t hold back.
2. Believe and don’t fear.
3. Act and don’t hesitate.
Key #4 E vangelizing
A. Bible lessons for Evangelizing.
1. Glory/Boasting
TEXT 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
2. Evangelizing by Boasting on God.
Gal 6:14 But may it never be for me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.
B. Obstacles to Evangelizing.
1. Not counting your blessings.
2. Focusing on perceived negatives.
C. Plan for Evangelizing in 2008.
a. Be that person that draws people to God.
b. Talk up what God is doing in your life, your family, and your church.
c. Be aware of how you are effecting others for Christ.
1. Attendance
2. Removing distractions in Church.
3. Singing. Not optional. 95 times
Psa 9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; declare among the nations His deeds.
Conclusion: You have received the Biblical keys to God’s floodgate. Will you use them in 2008?
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