Malachi 1-4

 Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    28                                                     Passage:    Malachi 1-4

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Today: Love Defiled – Priest Profane and Judah Unfaithful (Malachi 1-2) 1. Lord’s love declared (1:1-2) 2. Lord’s love for Jacob described (1:3-5) 3. Lord questions people’s honor and respect (1:6) 4. Priest’s unacceptable offerings; contemptible sacrifices brought to Lord’s table (1:7-14a) a. Bringing imperfect offerings; would Lord be pleased and accept you? b. Plead for grace for unacceptable offerings? c. Pure offerings required; Lord’s name great among nations d. Lord’s table defiled, contemptible; cheating with blemished offerings e.Lord is a great king to be feared 5. Warning to Priests of rebuke so covenant will continue with true instruction; nothing false (2:1-6) 6. Priests ought to preserve knowledge of law as messenger; teaching caused stumbling. Profaning covenant by being unfaithful (2:7-10) 7. Judah has been unfaithful by marrying women who worship foreign gods and unfaithfulness to wife (2:11-16) 8.Weary God by doing evil in God’s eyes (2:17)

A Day is Coming; Call to Listen and Return (Malachi 3:1-16) 1. Messenger of covenant will prepare the way before the Lord you are seeking (3:1) 2.  A refiner’s fire and purifier being acceptable offering before the Lord (3:2-4) 3. On trial testifying against sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, those that defraud, oppress widows and orphans, deprive foreigners of justice but do not fear the Lord (3:5) 4. Consistent to descendants of Jacob requesting “return to me and I’ll return to you” (3:6-7) 5. Return by not robbing God; bring whole tithe and floodgates will be open and blessed (3:8-12) 6. Arrogant talk against Lord and ask about what you gain by carrying out the Lord’s requirements (3:13-15) 7. Those who fear the Lord, shared and Lord listened and heard and names entered on scroll of remembrance (3:16)

On That Day: Healing or Judgment (Malachi 3:17-4:6)  1. On that day those who fear Lord will be a treasured possession and, with compassion spare them (3:17-18) 2. The day coming will burn like furnace; set arrogant and evil on fire destroying them (4:1) 3. Those who revere Lord’s name the sun will rise heal and be glad (4:2) 4. You’ll trample on the wicked when the Lord acts (4:3) 5. Remember the Law given through Moses, the decrees and laws given (4:4) 6. Prophet Elijah will be sent before that great and dreadful day (4:5) 7. Hearts will be turned parents to children and children to parents or Lord comes to strike land with total destruction (4:6)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Today: Love Defiled – Priest Profane and Judah Unfaithful	Malachi 1-2
A Day is Coming; Call to Listen and Return	Malachi 3:1-16
On That Day: Healing or Judgment	Malachi 3:17-4:6

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Malachi questions challenging unfaithful telling of Defining and Refining Day

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God loves His people and requires our best; the Lord is coming unfaithful will be judged and righteous will rise

Application Questions

How are you giving your best and honoring God with your finest?

Where are you faithfully speaking out for the Lord?  If not, why not?

If what ways do yourself as God’s treasured possession?

Principles to Remember

God is deserving of honor and praise

If we return to Him; He will return to us.

The Day of the Lord is Coming

Characteristic of God

Faithful to His Covenant

Theme

God’s call to faithfulness to Him and His kingdom, and covenant commitments to our wife. A day is coming

 

Nehemiah 11-13

 Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    27                                                     Passage:    Nehemiah 11-13

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Jerusalem and Surrounding Settlements Settled (Nehemiah 11-12:26) 1. Leaders and others lots cast lots to occupy Jerusalem (11:1-2) 2. Provincial leaders and descendants of Solomon’s servant settle (11:3) 3. Listed descendants described   a. Judah (11:4-6) b. Benjamin (11:7-9) c. Priests (11:10-14) d. Levites (11:15-18) e. Gatekeepers (11:19) 4. Living locations identified (11:20-36) 5. Returnee groups Priest and Levites listed (12:1-26) a. Returned with Zerubbabel (1-7a) b. Leaders of priests in days of Joshua (7b-21) c. Family heads in day of Eliashib (22-26

Celebration at Jerusalem’s Wall Dedication (Nehemiah 12:27-43) 1. Dedication of the wall of Jerusalem – priests purified themselves, people, gates and wall (12:27-30) 2.  Two large choir assembled to give thanks (12:31-43) a. First choir to top of wall toward Dung Gate with teacher of Law leading procession passing David’s palace (12:31-37) b. Second choir in opposite direction stopping at Gate of the Guard (12:38-39 c. Two choirs gave thanks then took places in house of God (12:40-42) 3. God had given great joy bringing great sacrifices and great joy in Jerusalem (12:43)

Warnings of Foreign engagements, Honoring Sabbath and Foreign Family Entanglements (Nehemiah 12:44-13:31)  1. Men appointed in charge of contribution (12:44-47) 2. On that day while reading the Law they heard that Ammonite and Moabite were never to be admitted to assembly of God and they excluded foreigners (13:1-3) 3. Prior Eliashib allowed Tobiah use of storerooms (13:4-5) 4. Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem learns of Tobiah’s storeroom use; they’re cleared, purified, back to use for house of God (13:6-9) 5. Portions weren’t given to Levites and house of God neglected brings rebuke and trustworthy assignments (13:10-14) 6. Sabbath desecrated at winepresses and selling goods is chastised (13:15-18) 7. Nehemiah has gates closed leaving merchants outside the gates asking God to remember (13:19-22) 8. Men of Judah married foreign women, children spoke foreign language angering Nehemiah’s strong rebuke to not allow children to marry foreigners (13:22-27) 9. Priestly office defiled is driven away; priests purified Nehemiah asking for God’s favor (13:28-31)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Jerusalem and Surrounding Settlements Settled	Nehemiah 11-12:26
Celebration at Jerusalem’s Wall Dedication	Nehemiah 12:27-43
Warnings of Foreign engagements, Honoring Sabbath and Foreign Family Entanglements	Nehemiah 12:44-13:31

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Jerusalem settled, wall dedication celebration with Nehemiah’s God Honoring corrections

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that settling with God is cause for celebration, purity alignment with His best for us. God is faithful

Application Questions

How are you living as God desires? How have you asked?

In what ways are you celebrating God’s goodness to you?

Where are you stretching the boundaries and how can you reign them in for God’s best for you?

Principles to Remember

God has a place for us

God is worthy of praise

Living pure lives is God’s best for us

Characteristic of God

Our Blessing

Theme

Nehemiah describes settling in God’s place, celebration God’s goodness and living holy lives according to God’s plan

Nehemiah 9-10

Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    26                                                     Passage:    Nehemiah 9-10

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Authentic Worship (Nehemiah 9:1-37) 1. Israelites gathered for fasting, wearing sackcloth and putting dust on heads separating from foreigners confessing sins (9:1-2) 2. They read from Law, confessing and worshiping God with Levites calling “stand up and praise God who is eternal, bless His name; He is Lord and gives life (9:3-6) 3. Lord chose Abram; righteous God (9:7-8) 4. Lord saw suffering in Egypt bringing them Red Sea; God who leads and saves (9:9-12) 5. Lord gave laws and regulations on Mt Sinai and feed us (9:13-15) 6. Lord is compassionate sustaining in wildness (9:16-21) 7. Lord you gave us our land full of wealth and goodness (9:21-25) 8. Lord you discipline the disobedient and hear our prayers (9:26-28) 9.Lord you keep your covenant of love remaining righteous (29-37)

Authentic Commitment to God (Nehemiah 9:38-10:29) 1. A binding agreement, in writing from leaders, Levites and priests and sealed (9:38) 2. List of persons who sealed it (10:1-28 a. Governor (10:1) b. Priests (10:2-8) c. Levites (10:9-13) d. Leaders (10:14-27) e. Rest of People- priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and people (wives, sons, daughters, all who understood) (10:28) 3. Binding with curse and oath to follow the Law of God and obey carefully commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord (10:29)

Authentic Promise to holiness and support of house of God (Nehemiah 10:30-39)  1. Not to give daughters in marriage or take their daughter for our sons (10:30) 2. Will not buy merchandise or grain on Sabbath; honor the sabbath year (10:31) 3. Will be responsible for prescribed offerings on Sabbaths, holy days and sin offerings (10:32-33) 4. Priests, Levites and people have cast lots to set times to bring wood to house of Lord for altar (10:34) 5. Will bring “first fruits” of crops and fruit and, as written our firstborn sons, cattle herds, flocks to house of God to priest ministering there (10:36) 6. Will bring firsts of ground meal, grain offerings, fruit, new wine, olive oil and a tithe of crops to Levites and support the priests (10:37-39a) 7. We will not neglect the house of God (10:39b)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Authentic Worship	Nehemiah 9:1-37
Authentic Commitment to God	Nehemiah 9:38-10:29
Authentic Promise to holiness and support of house of God	Nehemiah 10:30-39

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Description of humble recognition God’s hand with sealed godly commitment

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that worship recognizes God’s holiness, His work in our lives and our righteous authentic commitment to Him

Application Questions

How are you authentically coming before the Lord? How do you recognize His work for you?

Are your commitments to the Lord authentic and real?  How’s your follow-through?

We have call to faithfulness; In what ways are you giving your best to the Lord?

Principles to Remember

God is our blessing – Worship Him

God calls us to Him – In Adoration

God desire our holy commitment – Our Faithfulness

Characteristic of God

Deserving of honor and praise

Theme

Nehemiah describes the people’s authentic worship, commitment to righteousness and holy support

 

Nehemiah 6:15-8:18

 Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    25                                                     Passage:    Nehemiah 6:15-8:18

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Walls and Doors to Jerusalem in Place (Nehemiah 6:15-7:4) 1. Walls completed in 52 days, done with help of God (6:15-16) 2. Letters to and from Tobiah to nobles of Judah telling of Nehemiah’s words with Tobiah trying to intimidate (6:17-19) 3. Doors of Jerusalem set in place with gatekeepers, musicians and Levites appointed (7:1) 4. Nehemiah put his brother in charge of Jerusalem along with Hananiah as commander of citadel; they were men of integrity and feared God (7:2) 5. Nehemiah instructed when gates to be opened with gatekeepers on guard; appointing residents as guards (7:3) 6. Jerusalem summarized as large and spacious with few residents (7:4)

Registration of Returnees to Jerusalem and Judah (Nehemiah 7:5-7:73a) 1. Nehemiah assembled nobles, officials and common people calling for a census matching to genealogical records of first returnees (7:5) 2. People coming from captivity to Jerusalem and own towns in company of Zerubbabel: a. List of men of Israel (7:7-38) b. Priests (7:39-42) c. Levites (7:43) d. Musicians (7:44) e. Gatekeepers (7:45) f. Temple Servants (7:46-56) g. Descends of Solomon’s servants (7:57-60) h. Those could not show descended from Israel (7:61-62) i. Among priests and excluded from priest as unclean (7:63-65) j. Totals include slaves, singer, and animals (7:66-69) 3. Funds added to treasury 7:70-72) 4. Priest, Levites, gatekeepers, temple servants and rest of Israelites settled in their towns (7:73)

Teaching the Law and Celebration the Festival of Tabernacles (Nehemiah 7:73b-8:18)  1. People come together at Water Gate telling Ezra to bring out Book of the Law (7:73b-8:1) 2. Ezra reads aloud the Book of the Law to people assembled (8:2-5a) 3. As Ezra read the people stood up, they praise the Lord “Amen” (8:5b-6) 4. Levities read the book giving meaning (8:7-8) 5. Nehemiah declares “Holy day”, no more weeping (8:9) 6. Nehemiah tells to have choice food and sweet drinks “Lord is your Strength”; a holy day (8:10-12) 7. Heads of families, priests and Levites gather giving attention to the Law; learning of temporary shelters of branches and doing it (8:13-16) 8. Returnees from exile built temporary shelter and celebrated with joy (8:17) 9. Seven days Ezra read the Book of the Law (8:18)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Walls and Doors to Jerusalem in Place	Nehemiah 6:15-7:4
Registration of Returnees to Jerusalem and Judah	Nehemiah 7:5-7:73a
Teaching the Law and Celebration the Festival of Tabernacles	Nehemiah 7:73b-8:18

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Wall protection, census, law reading brings celebration of tabernacle feast

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that doing what God has for us requires focus, removing distractions, pure motives and prayer.

Application Questions

How are you guarding those sacred things in your life?

In what ways are you taking inventory of the blessings given to you? (Count them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.)

How are you being doers of the word and not hearers only?

Principles to Remember

Those of Good Report are Blessed

Faithful Families Count

Experiencing God is cause for celebration

Characteristic of God

Carries us through

Theme

Nehemiah shares the completion of the wall, vigilance in watching and celebration of God’s truth.

Nehemiah 4:1-6:14

 Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    24                                                     Passage:    Nehemiah 4:1-6:14

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Restoration and Defense (Nehemiah 4) 1. Sanballat and Tobiah’s anger over restoration ridiculing Jews (4:1-3) 2. Prayer for God to deal with them for the insults (4:4-5) 3. People continued building with all their heart (4:6) THREATS and RESPONSE 4. Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, Ammonites, and people of Ashdod became angry and plotted to fight against Jerusalem (4:7-8) 5. Response: Prayed and posted guard (4:9) 6. Concern about effort needed and attacks with repeated warnings (4:10-12) 7. Response: Posted people and encouragement to remember Lord (4:13-14) 8. Enemies frustrated as work on wall completed under guard (4:15-23)

Fairness and Community (Nehemiah 5) 1. Outcry against fellow Jews because mortgaging fields for food (5:1-3) 2. King’s tax requires borrow money subjecting children to slavery (5:4-5) 3. Nehemiah hearing became angry challenging nobles and officials for charging interest (5:6-8) 4. Nehemiah directed them to stop charging interest and give money back along with interest (5:9-11) 5.  Agreement to give back money and interest with a reminder to keep promise and they did (5:12-13) 6. Nehemiah appointed to be governor and didn’t tax people for food and wine as prior governors (5:14-15) 7. Nehemiah and his men devoted himself to rebuilding the wall and didn’t acquire any land (5:16) 8. Food was prepared for Nehemiah and 150 others without a food allotment on the people; request to remember him with favor (5:17-19)

Prayerful Focus among distracting plots (Nehemiah 6)  1. Sanballat, Tobiah, Greshem along with other enemies sent word to meet scheming to harm (6:1-2) 2. Nehemiah responds “he is busy with great project and can’t go”; four requests with same answer (6:3-4) 3.Fifth time a messenger with unsealed message claiming a Jewish revolt and threat that message will get King (6:5-7) 4. Nehemiah responds you’re just making this stuff up; just trying to frighten (6:8-9) 5. Nehemiah goes to house of Shemiah, and he suggest that they meet in the Temple, close the doors because men are trying to kill you (6:10) 6. Nehemiah realized that Shemiah was hired to intimidate him causing sin and discredit (6:11-13) 7. Nehemiah prayed to remember Tobiah and Sanballat for trying to intimidate (6:14)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Restoration and Defense	Nehemiah 4
Fairness and Community	Nehemiah 5
Prayerful Focus among distracting plots	Nehemiah 6

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Nehemiah faces insults, unfair taxes and plots distract from purpose.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that doing what God has for us requires focus, removing distractions, pure motives and prayer.

Application Questions

How do you guard against frustrations in your work for the Lord?

Where do you find unfairness and how do you respond?

What things tend to distract and lead you to not being your best?

Principles to Remember

Enemies will come; be on guard.

Encourage fairness; reminders may be necessary

Focus brings reward; don’t get caught up in unfounded rumors

Characteristic of God

Encourager

Theme

Nehemiah faces enemies to insult, situations to discourage and plots to entrap; each requirement faithful commitment.