Malachi 3:1-4

Object: A cut-out Roman denarius. Go here to download printable PDF.

Note: For added fun, you can do a simple role-play of this message. When you introduce the Pharisees, pick a couple of children to stand and look mean and bully-like as they watch the others in the story. Then, as you introduce each group of workers, pick a couple of children to stand and pretend they are picking grapes. Have fun with it!

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At first glance, one common thread that ties all three of these texts together is that of God’s grace. A seasoned, older pastor whose years of congregational ministry have saturated in the waters of self-serving consumerism within the church, may view these texts with weary eyes. It is easy to draw to the conclusion that not many consumers influenced church people are not shaking in their shoes in fear or dread, nor worried about finding a God of grace.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. (vv. 27-28)

Timmy and Angela glared at each other. When Angela's Dad's and Timmy's Mum had moved in with each other taking the children with them, they had thought they were starting a new, happy family. Angela and Timmy were more or less the same age, so it had seemed like a perfect arrangement. But it hadn't worked out quite like that, for Angela and Timmy had hated each other on sight.

"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." So says the apostle Paul. Really? We are tempted to mutter, "Not for us, it isn't." We look around the world and see little children dying of exposure and starvation and our hearts are torn because so little is being done. We watch in horror as older citizens waste away in the relentless onslaught of age finally wanting nothing so much as surrender. We see friends knocked down in the prime of life by debilitating disease that finally claims them, and we hate death!

One of my favorite courses to teach is "Introduction to Biblical Literature." It is a 200-level course, and therefore only open to upperclassmen. These are college students who have already been around the block once or twice, and they know the rules of the game for getting good grades.

Preparing for an outdoor adventure of hiking, camping, mountain climbing, or canoeing includes planning how the food supply is to be managed. This will require deciding how much food is needed in order to last the entire trip. It's critically important to know how much food can be carried in a back pack or stashed in a canoe. Of course the food supply for a camping venture may be much less difficult to plan, if there just happens to be a grocery store within easy traveling distance of the campsite!

Hymns
Eat This Bread (CBH471, UM628)
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (CBH582, UM127, NCH18, 19, PH281)
Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken (CBH619, UM731, PH416, NCH307)
Sing Praise To God (NCH6, PH483, UM126, CBH59)
Before Your Cross, O Jesus (NCH191)
Come, Labor On (NCH532, PH415)
O Jesus, I Have Promised (LBW503, NCH493, PH388, 389, CBH447, UM396)
Lead On, O King Eternal (LBW495, NCH573, PH447, 448, UM580)

Anthems