Grace Community

10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? 11 Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. 12 May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob any descendant[e] of the man who does this, who brings an offering to the Lord of hosts!

13 And this second thing you do. You cover the Lord's altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?[f] And what was the one God[g] seeking?[h] Godly offspring. So guard yourselves[i] in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her,[j] says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers[k] his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”

Questions:

1. In a passage that is mostly about faithlessness between people, why do you think Malachi starts it by mentioning that they have “one Father” and “one God”? (v10) How does our faithfulness to our fellow members of the covenant of God indicate our relationship with God? (See 1 John 4:7-21)

2. Why does honouring God above all else benefit our brothers and sisters in Christ and how does it benefit both partners in marriage? (See John 13:31-35; Ephesians 5:22-33)

3. Why do you think marrying the daughter of a foreign god profanes the sanctuary of God? (By sanctuary I am referring to the temple of God.) Do you think the same applies to God’s covenant people, the church, today? Why? (Consider 1 Cor 7:12-16 & 2 Cor 6:14-18) What advice would you give to a Christian who is contemplating dating and/or marrying an unbeliever?

4. Malachi says, “the Lord [is] witness between you and the wife of your youth” (v14); what does that tell you about the seriousness of the promises given in the marriage covenant? If you are married, how does it make you feel about the seriousness of your relationship with your spouse?

5. From this passage and from others in scripture it is clear that God is against divorce and yet divorce is not an unforgivable sin (consider how Jesus speaks to the woman at the well in John 4) and God does give permission for divorce in some instances (Matthew 19:8-9; 1 Cor 7:12-16). Why do you think God allows divorce even though He hates it?

6. Why do you think God does not “regard the offering or accept it with favour” (v13) from a man who is faithless to his wife? (see also 1 Peter 1:7)

Malachi 2:1-9
2 “And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. 4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts. 5 My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. 7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 8 But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, 9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”

Questions:
1. This passage can be divided into 3 sections. What short description (title) would you give each section?
2. What do you understand about why it is so important for God to have people honour His name, which could also be stated as why is it good for people that God is jealous for His glory?
3. Why do you think God's punishment for the priests and their offspring is so shocking? As the priests of the new covenant, how does it make you feel about your personal responsibility to honour God's name seriously? (see 1 Pet 4:17; Rev 2:5 & 3:19; 1 Cor 11:32-35).  In what ways do we honour God's name?
4. If verses 4-7 describe the perfect priest, what does it tell us about what is important to God when it comes to being His representatives? How is Jesus the perfect example of this priest? What does Hebrews 6:19 - 7:28 tell us about Jesus' priesthood compared to the Levitical priesthood?
5. What do verses 6-9 tell us about our how we, as the priests of the new covenant, should handle God's word?  Do you think it applies only to the teachers of the church or do you think it applies to everyone? (Consider Col 3:16-17 & 4:5-6; 1 Pet 3:15)

6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. 9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. 13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

Questions:
Malachi 1:6-14

God commanded sacrifice in Leviticus and Deuteronomy yet He says in Isaiah 1:11-15 that he has had enough of their sacrifices and offerings. What does Isaiah 1:15-17 tell us about God’s reason for not wanting Israel’s sacrifices? How is that different to what we read in Malachi?

2. Why does the failure to recognise God as Father and Master effect Israel’s worship? How might the same attitude effect Christians’ worship of God (by ‘worship’ I mean our daily relationship with God and His worth to us)?

3. Lee Gatiss said that you will get the best from people when they know that the best is yet to come. How does that relate to verse 11 and what effect should it have had on the Israelites? Although verse 11 is no doubt talking about the gospel spreading to the ends of the world, there seems to be a close parallel and an extension to it in Philippians 2:10-11. How does the Philippians passage encourage you to give your best to God?

4. Jesus is both the perfect priest and the perfect sacrifice and thus gave us full access to and reconciliation with God. How does Hebrews 10:19-25 help you understand what Jesus has given us and what our response should be?

5. Read Romans 12. What does it teach us about being a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God? Read Philippians 4:14-20. What does it tell us about how we as a church can offer sacrifice to God and what does Paul say are the results of such actions?  

6. If you have time, read Hebrews 13:1-19 and list the ways we offer sacrifice to God.

1. a What do the Pharisees of Jesus day and all religions (excluding Christianity) today have in common?

b What does Christianity teach that sets it apart from all other religions?

2. How has the term “Born again” been wrongly used in today's culture to define what it means to be a Christian?

3. In verse 5 we read: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 

Catholics, as well as many bible believing Christians,  believe that being “born of water’” in this verse is talking about baptism.  They will refer to verses such as Mark 6:16 , 1 Peter 3:21,and Acts 3:23 to support their argument. How do we know from the passage in John 3, and other scriptures that this is not what Jesus is referring to? 
(Helpful verses: Titus 3:4-7;John 1:12;John 5:24;John 11:25;Romans 10:9-11)

4. Why should we never attempt to harmonize God's sovereignty in salvation vs man's responsibility?

5. Luther describes John 3:16 as the “gospel in miniature”, what is the expanded view of the Gospel, and how does the “World” as expressed in vs 16  deepen our view of God?

Leaders Guide
1.a. They all believe you get to God by way of human achievement. 
Discuss some examples of this false system of belief both present and historically and the practices involved (seeking to appease false gods by child sacrifices
etc)
b. We are saved by faith alone.

2. Open discussion

3. 1 Peter 3:21 
“While water baptism is clearly in the apostle’s mind, not the baptism by the Holy
Spirit, for he speaks of the waters of the flood as saving the inmates of the ark, and in this verse, of baptism saving believers he goes on to says that it saves them only as a counterpart. That is, water baptism is the counterpart of the reality, salvation. It can only save as a counterpart, not actually. The Old Testament sacrifices were counterparts of the reality, the Lord Jesus. In other words, a symbol. They did not actually save the believer, only in type. It is not argued here that these sacrifices are analogous to Christian water baptism. The author is merely using them as an illustration of the use of the word 'counterpart.'" Dr. Kenneth Wuest

Mark 16:16 Jesus here mentions a condition related to salvation (baptism) But a related condition should not be confused with a requirement. Nowhere in the Bible do we find a statement such as “whoever is not baptized will be condemned.” 

Acts 3:23 There is an important difference between a condition of salvation and a requirement for salvation. The Bible is clear that belief is both a condition and a requirement, but the same cannot be said for baptism. The Bible does not say that if a man is not baptized then he will not be saved. 

Requiring anything in addition to faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is a works- based salvation. To add anything to the gospel is to say that Jesus’ death on the cross was not sufficient to purchase our salvation. 
Helpful verses: Titus 3:4-7;John 1:12; 5:24; 11:25;Romans 10:9-11

4. “These two truths, I do not believe, can ever be welded into one upon any human anvil, but one they shall be in eternity: they are two lines that are so nearly parallel, that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring.”   Spurgeon.

5. Remember, by saying “world”, Jesus  is not referring to a quantity, rather he is referring to the quality of humanity, the fallenness of man. It is not that God's love isn't big enough for the entire world, but that God's love is powerful enough to love this broken fallen cond

1 The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob's brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4 If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country’, and ‘the people with whom the Lord is angry for ever.’” 5 Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!”

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all.

Questions:

1. Paul was undecided as to who to send to take Titus' place (v12); what does that say about the quality of the two men Paul was going to send? If either man could take Titus' place, what does it say about how God distributes His gifts in the body of Christ?

2. People can tie their 'church identity' to a role they have in the church (e.g. "I'm the morning tea lady" or "I'm the sound guy"); how might verse 12 help us think differently to that? Also, people can sometimes think that the way they do a particular job in the church is the only way it should be done; how does this verse speak against that?

3. Both Artemas and Zenas are simply names to us - we know nothing else about them - but what can we understand about them from these verses? (Consider what they were doing and the attitude they must have had in order to undertake those tasks).

4. Titus was instructed to speed Zenas and Apollos on their way and to see that they lack nothing (v13). What does that instruction tell us about where Christian churches should use some of their resources? Do you think it is right or wrong for churches to spend large amounts of their budgets on buildings, programs, production equipment etc? What example does 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 give us about church giving?

5. Why is it so important for people within the church to help cases of "urgent need" (v14) of both their fellow congregants and of the worldwide body of Christ?

6. Do you think it is enough to give money to churches in need (and para-church organizations who support the poorer churches) or do you think it is important for 'better off' churches to partner with poor churches in a more meaningful interpersonal way? Why?

7. Thinking back over the book of Titus, has anything challenged you? Has anything encouraged you? Did anything stand out for you? What have you enjoyed about Titus; is there anything that you didn't enjoy/struggled with?

 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Home group questions:

1. Paul contrasts that which is profitable (v1-8) and that which is unprofitable (v9). What are the profitable things and why are they profitable for people (all people not just people in the church)?

2.  In a church situation how do you think we should judge what makes a controversy (debate) unprofitable and worthless?

3. Paul tells Titus to shun, to turn away from, the worthless and unprofitable things like fictitious stories (e.g. bible code) and theological quarrels (v9). Sometimes it’s important to respond to these things but at what point should we turn away?

4. Theological discussions (end times, prophecy, biblical theology, baptism, the age of the earth) are good to have but at what point do you think they become unprofitable?

5. What do you think are the things that we should “die on a hill” for, meaning what things do you think we shouldn’t turn away from but should stand firm on and argue about?

6. At what point would you call someone divisive within the church?  How do we know that they “are warped and sinful; he is self-condemned”(v11)?

7. Some people would say that Paul’s process for dealing with a divisive person is too harsh, especially where Paul says to “have nothing to do with them”(v10). What are your thoughts? Why do you think Paul and Jesus (Matthew 18:15-17) give this approach when we as Christians are supposed to be forgiving and peacemakers?

8. What is the highest priority in church discipline for the church and for the individual being disciplined (1 Corinthians 5, 1 Tim 1:20)? How can we make sure that priority is achieved?

Titus 3:1-8
 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Joshua Brown the WA representative of Voice of the Martyrs introduced us to the work of Voice of the Martyrs Australia as they support the persecuted church around the world.

In the presentation Joshua plays two videos which can be found by clicking on the following links.
Introduction to Voice of the Martyrs
Sejun International Day of Prayer

Following the sermon is the recording of an interview introducing Joshua and his work.

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things,

1. What elements of Christian belief can you see when you read Titus 3:4-7? (keywords and concepts) 

2. What is it about this passage that shows that Christianity is different to other religious systems and philosophies? 

3. What is it about this passage that gives you the most joy and/or comfort? Is there anything in this passage that you find difficult or that you would like to find out more about?  

4. Some people object to the term "once saved always saved" (also known as 'perseverance of the Saints'). How does this passage point to that reality (also read John 10:27-30)?

5. When Paul talks about the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, do you think he is talking about baptism or some other reality we don't see, or both? How is regeneration and renewal both a present reality and a future one when Jesus returns? (See John 1:12-13; 1 John 1:3; Ephesians 4:20-24; 1 Cor 15:50-53)

6. If we are regenerated (a new creation) why do we still struggle with sin and why aren't we instantly holy? Renewal is a continuing process; in what ways do Christians need to be renewed, especially those who came out of a pagan background like Crete?

7. How could you use this passage to witness to people?