Today we are going to look at one of the most Famous Sermons EVER-delivered by Jesus himself. It is known as the Sermon on the Mount. It is-the longest and fullest teaching of Jesus that has been recorded to us in-all the Gospels. Its found in the book of Mathew so you can be making-your way there, to chapter 5.

Paul planted the Thessalonian church on his 2nd missionary journey. After returning to his home church in Antioch from his 1st trip, teaching - preaching the word of God there for some time, he began to be burdened w-the well-being of the churches he'd planted in other parts of the Roman Empire

The best of times, the worst of times. It's how the book of Malachi comes to a close --it all depends on which side of the line you make your stand. In the end, we're either for-J.C. or against Him. We're either hot or we're cold. There is no neutrality, no -lukewarm--mentality that's going to fly. We're either on or we're off, we either believe or we don't. --That's what's going to make all the difference -one way or the other- for you.-As we fall back into the flow, God has rebuked Israel for their lack of generosity. The-fact that they've neglected to obey His word - fully support the ministry. Yet He's-promised to extend blessing to them if they will cease robbing Him - return to Him. That-is, obey His word to them - bring all the tithes into the storehouse. But even though He-promises blessing to them, they still speak harsh against Him. Notice.

God's word pulls no punches but gets right to the heart of the-matter -which is always a matter of the heart-. - It has this way of laying us open so that-there's nowhere to run, no place to hide, no just excuses to be made, we're just left w-the-choice to receive His message - repent or reject His message - rebel. The word of God is-the epitome of the exhortation of Eph 4, --speaking the truth in love.-

Peter wrote, -For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God- and if-it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God--1In-other words, if God deals so -matter of factly- w-those who belong to Him, what will be-the end of those who have disdained --or rejected Him--The point being that -Yes- God is gracious, God is loving, God is full of mercy --compassion. However, that does not in any way annul the fact that God is holy, He is-righteous - He is just. Therefore, He won't sit idly by and simply tolerate sin or-compromise - transgression in the lives of His children.

The book of James holds nothing back when it comes to putting some real world-application into our faith. James makes it really easy for us to understand, if we are-going to be like Christ, then lets not beat around the bush, we need to be adjusted.-Adjusted in our attitude, our words, the way we perceive others and our walk with Christ-itself. James reminds us of the importance of joy in the midst of our trials and finally as-he closes out chapter one with a reassessment if you will of our priorities. Simply put,-love God then love others. Faith and works combining perfectly to glorify God and-share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Outside of the 1st Vs, there's very little known about this particular prophet. In Vs 1-he answers -from whom- -the Lord-, -to whom- -Israel- - -through whom-, -Malachi--.-We really don't know anything else about him. Truth be told -however-, of greater-importance than the man, is the message that he brings. - It seems to me that Malachi was-much more concerned w-being faithful than he was being famous. It doesn't really matter-where he lived, which family or tribe he came from, if he had previously been serving as a-priest- Those things we may find interesting, but they're not at all essential. What's-important is, -What does God have to say-- Amen- The name -Malachi- actually means,--my Messenger- - it's quite a message he brings indeed.

How many of you realize that the bible refers to Satan as, -the god of this age- -2 Cor-4-4-- How many of you realize that the sole agenda of the god of this age -Jn 10-10- is, -to-steal, - to kill, - to destroy-- But how many of you are aware of the fact that God is able to-take what your enemy means for evil -Gen 50-20- - use it for good-