Spiritual apathy and indifference can creep up on us. In Malachi 's time blamed God. They called evil. good and good evil. -God will send His messenger, first Elijah and then Jesus.-God knows the hearts of men. In blaming God, the people of Malachi's time attempted to shift blame to God. If you ask for justice, you just might get it.-We are the Royal priesthood now. There is great joy when we acknowledge God and humbly believe his word.

Worship and Why it Matters-The Christian Sabbath and the 4th commandment-This commandment both commands and prohibits. -We are commanded to remember, set aside, and sanctify. Keep it holy.-Prohibits work , do not cause others to work-Matthew 12 also covers what is lawfui

Marriage is a barometer of culture. A high view of marriage indicates respect for God. The heart of decline in our culture is is reflected by how we treat marriage. Marriage today is no longer regarded as important or necessary. Culture has been redesigned as has marriage. -God has created marriage - Genesis 2, 3-. it is a spiritual ordinance, a God ordained ordinance.

Lord's Supper-Examine yourself- 1 Corinthians 11-Administration of Sacraments --Baptism-Matthew 28-30- Titus 3-Signifies washing away Sin, Regeneration-1 Corinthians 12-13-in-grafted into Christ-See Westminster Confession Chapter 28-Covenant verses- Genesis 17, Deuteronomy 30-6, Romans 4- 11, Colossians 2-11

God keeps a close watch on His pulpit. He calls all to repentance including pastors, who should be an example to their congregation. Many people today have difficulty repenting. The Lord goes back to the time of Levi, who preached God's word. He upheld the covenant of life and peace. -The life of covenant and the gospel of peace. Levi was a wonderful example in that he stood in awe of the Lord's name.-In our culture today, the focus has drawn away from the preaching of God's work and the focus on other things. Many think they must be entertained. -All ministers must be examined.-True instruction was found in Levi's mouth. He knew God's word and he helped many people turn away from inequity. -God helps to prepare a sincere person into the ministry through knowledge of the gospel, salvation and a desire for holiness. The pulpit must be guarded.

The Lord's supper is a sacrament and an element of worship.-It is a sign and seal of the Covenant of Grace

It is a serious thing to question the love of God. Malachi message was the that God's people were in moral decline, including the priests. Paul warns Timothy -2 Timothy 3- about the last days. Moral decline is occurring even today. Malachi tells us about the growing dullness of God's people caused by the faithlessness of the priests.--God tells the priests that He will be honored, his name will be honored in all the earth. The priests have drifted far from God, no longer offering the proscribed sacrifices, instead offering blemished-offerings. They also teach error in the temple.-Even today, the clergy do the same, substituting a social gospel for the Gospel of Jesus

Considerations-Singing is an element -required- of worship.-Considerations-1. Why-To express emotion, to unify, to instruct-2.What-Songs, hymns, psalms-3. Content-Must not over emphasize any one attribute-To recall what God has done for us-to hear His promises -covenant- to us.

Spiritual decline is a serious issue and concern. We live in the days of such decline. This is not new, Malachi speaks to the people of God -the church-. The Jews of Malachi's time, have just returned from 70 years of captivity. They have learned nothing from it. They have forgotten God's covenant love. They want to judge God for being unfair.-The church today has also forgotten God, and looks for social solutions to spiritual problems -sin-.-Remember, God does not need to justify Himself to us

Sound preaching of the Word is required.-We are also required to listen and hear the preached word.-Two questions need to be asked and answered--1. What is the primary message.-2. What is the method.