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Chronological Bible Discipleship

Iva May and Dr. Stan May

Week No. 39NehemiahMalachiJoelMarkMatthewJohnLuke

Chronological Bible Discipleship

Iva May and Dr. Stan May

14 Bible Eras

After 70 years as captives, the LORD moves the hearts of pagan

kings to authorize the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s temple Three waves of Jews return over a 100 year period

The temple is rebuilt The sacrificial system and Passover are restored

God raises up two men who are instrumental in leading the former exiles in spiritual and practical matters Ezra the scribe teaches the people God’s Word Nehemiah is sent to govern and lead the people

Return Era

Timeline of the Return Era

Context

605BC

Firs

t Dep

orta

tion

586BC

Jeru

sale

m D

estro

yed

538BC

Cyru

s Ed

ict o

f Ret

urn

537BC

Firs

t Exi

les

Retu

rn (S

hesh

bazz

ar)

522BC

Dariu

s I B

egin

s Ru

le

516BC

Tem

ple

Com

plet

ed

485BC

Xerx

es b

egin

s Ru

le

465BC

Arta

xerx

es B

egin

s Ru

le

458BC

Ezra

Arri

ves

in J

erus

alem

445BC

Nehe

mia

h Ar

rives

in J

erus

alem

Wal

l Com

plet

ed

ZechariahHaggai

Queen Esther

Malachi

400 yrsof

Silence

10,000deport

ed

3,023deport

ed

Jerusalem Census: 42,360

Under conviction after a

public reading of the Law of Moses, the people of Judah take an oath of obedience to God (Neh 10:30-39) Not to intermarry with their idolatrous

neighbors Not to conduct business on the Sabbath To give faithfully to the work of the temple

and its regular sacrifices To tithe of their first fruits for the provi-

sion of the Levites

Context

Nehemiah returns to Susa and

his pos-ition in service to King Artaxerxes

In his absence, Eliashib the high priest misuses the temple Eliashib’s grandson marries the daughter of

Sanballat the Horonite (Neh 13:28) This opens the door to a relationship with

Sanballat’s associate, Tobiah the Ammonite Eliashib turns the storeroom of the temple into an

office space for Tobiah

The people all but stop tithing or giving to the work of the temple

Context

Despite Ezra’s teaching and

their re-cent oath of obedience, Judah has for-saken most of God’s commands for worship

Malachi calls the people to remain faithful to the LORD To live in awareness of the coming judgment of

the LORD To be found serving the LORD with a pure heart To remember the essential purpose of the tithe To affirm their role as God’s possession

Introduction

God Purifies Hearts

God Purposes the TitheGod Possesses His

People

God Possesses People of FaithLiving a life of complete trust in God

Overview

Return Era

God possesses those who worship

Him with a pure heart.

Key Truth

Malachi 3:1-5John 4

Matthew 5

God Possesses People of FaithLiving a life of complete trust in God

God Purifies Hearts

Return Era

God Purifies Hearts

A precursor will announce the coming judgment (1a) There will be a messenger that comes before His job will be to “clear the way”

He will either “turn back” (cause to repent) those who heed his message Or he will “turn away” (clear away) those who do not heed his message

The Lord they anticipate will appear suddenly (1b) Jesus’ appearances are unexpected Nobody suspected Jesus to be the Messiah when He came the first time Nobody will be expecting Jesus when He returns again

Both appearings are framed in the context of the temple First appearing – Jesus constructed the temple of the heart Second appearing – Jesus will bring the eternal heavenly temple with Him

God Purifies Hearts

The reason for His coming (2-4) To purify the temple servants through

judgment The priests and Levites had become corrupt or ineffective in their duties

as stewards of the people’s worship They stood convicted of their sinful motives and neglect

To purify those who would worship Him God seeks and blesses the pure heart of worship John 4:23 Matthew 5:8

God Purifies Hearts

The reason for His coming (2-4) God’s cleansing process can be hard to

bear His purging is compared to the ‘refiners fire’

Smelting of precious metals to purge impurities Involves repeated heating for complete purification

His cleansing compared to the “fullers’ soap” Alkaline bleach made of nitre, plant ash and clay Used repeatedly with hammering to whiten and

thicken new cloth

Only after they were purified would their ser-vice again be accepted, and the temple regain its intended purpose of worship

God Purifies Hearts

He will purify the people (5) As the priesthood who led them astray

would endure judgment, so to would the population of Judah

God promises clear, condemning judgment on those who pervert society “Sorcerers” – Those who practice witchcraft “Adulterers” – The sexually immoral and idolatrous “Perjurers” – Those who swear false oaths; liars “Swindlers” – Those who cheat on wages and take advantage of

those in need (orphan, widow, foreigner)

Discussion

Who is the “messenger who clears the way”? First appearing of Messiah?

John the Baptist

Second appearing of Messiah? Malachi 4:5 ~ “"Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of

the great and terrible day of the LORD.”

Certain aspects of Jesus’ return are uncertain, but what IS certain about His coming? (vs. 1c) “…behold He is coming.”

Why was God so concerned with the purity of the priest-hood and Levites? Those who would lead others to worship are required to

live to a higher standard of purity Should this still be true in the church today?

Malachi 3:8-13Numbers 18

God Possesses People of FaithLiving a life of complete trust in God

God Purposes the Tithe

Return Era

God Purposes the Tithe

The people had stopped or restrained their tithes (8) God’s view of a failure to

tithe is simple: He considers it theft of that which is His

The revealing answer of the people “How have we robbed you?” Implies a lack of understanding about God’s

sovereignty over all creation They assume everything they possess is theirs

to do with as they please

God Purposes the Tithe

The purpose of the tithe Tithe simply means “tenth”

The Mosaic Law commanded the people to give a tithe on their produce There were also several other offerings associated with other traditions

prescribed in the Law

The primary purpose of the tithe Provide for the Levites so they can serve and minister to the people

Numbers 18:21 To teach the principle of God’s fundamental ownership of all creation

God Purposes the Tithe

God’s direct command concerning the tithe (10) “Bring the whole tithe…so that there may

be food in my house…” Everything the Spirit leads to give should be given To short the tithe would have a tangible consequence on the ministry of

the Levitical priesthood and workers

“…test Me now in this…if I will not pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” God commands that He be tested in His faithfulness God’s natural response to faithfulness in providing for His work is to

bless those who choose to participate, and bless abundantly

Discussion

Why should we be faithful in the tithe today? Jesus encouraged it

Luke 11:42 ~ “But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.”

It is an outward sign of a deeper spiritual understanding We are mere stewards, not possessors, of that which God has given us Money represents a part of our being, and when we give it, we are giving of

ourselves in worship to God We don’t give to get, but give because we realize we have already received

It carries a promise of an overflowing blessing!

Discussion

How should we tithe? Tithe (give 10%) on the “first fruits”

Proverbs 3:9-10 ~ Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.

The first fruits translates into our “gross” produce, not the net

Believers should give with cheerful determination 2 Corinthians 9:7 ~ Each one must do just as he has purposed

in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

We get to choose whether or not to give, but to the one led by the Spirit, the choice is clear and immensely gratifying

Discussion

The finances of Christians who tithe (give 10% or more) are generally healthier than of those who do not (results of a broad survey of 4,413 tithers in all 50 states) No credit card debt: 80% No car payments: 74% Own their home: 48% Completely debt free: 28%

97% of tithers make giving to church a priority 63% started between childhood and their twenties 70% give based on their gross income 77% give more than 10%

Faithful tithers only make up 5%-20% of church congrega-tions, but give 50%-80% of total church receipts

Survey conducted by Maximum Generosity, ECFA, Christianity Today and Evangelical Christian Credit Union

Malachi 3:16-18

God Possesses People of FaithLiving a life of complete trust in God

God Possesses His People

Return Era

God Possesses His People

The faithful come together to publicly acknow-ledge their reverence of the LORD (16) They share their belief and trust in God and His word They record a permanent reminder of their faith and

commitment going forward

God swears to honor the faithfulness of this remnant (17-18) He will claim them for Himself They will be identified with His “own possession” They will be spared from the judgment of the wicked

Discussion

What does God really want? (Hint: it’s not our money) God has no need of an earthly temple made

with hands God has no need of our money or possessions God’s true desire is the hearts of his people

Those who sincerely seek God will be “His own possession”

God possesses people with a heart

that... …worship God earnestly through

obedience. …strive to live a life of purity before God. …cheerfully tithe, affirming God’s

ownership of all things. …enjoy the blessings of God’s provision. …will be saved from the judgment of the

unrighteous. …will not be ashamed in the day of His

appearing.

Nehemiah & Luke(2pts) What two foreign tribes were forbidden to ever come into the Assembly of

God because they hired Balaam to curse the Israelites? “On that day they read from the Book of Moses…it was found

written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God, because they had hired Balaam against them to curse them.” (Neh. 13:1-2)

In what city did Jesus get presented to the Lord after he was circumcised? “Now when the days of her purification according to the law of

Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.“ (Luke 2:22)

Where (what city) did Mary and Joseph take Jesus after they presented Him to the Lord? “So when they had performed all things according to the law of the

Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.” (Luke 2:39)

Bible Trivia TestBible Trivia Test

Luke (4pts)

How long did Mary stay with Elizabeth when she visited her? “And Mary remained with her about three months, and

returned to her house.” (Luke 1:56)

What priestly duty did Zacharias go to the temple to perform the day he saw Gabriel? “So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in

the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.” (Luke 1:8-9)

Gabriel told Zacharias that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit. When would John be filled? “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and…he will

also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” (Luke 1:15)

Bible Trivia TestBible Trivia Test

Luke 6

Priority Changing

Faith

Next Week