Malachi 2:17-3:5

Homegroup QuestionsHow do you feel about the fact that it is possible for us to weary the Lord or as Ephesians 4:30 states, “grieve the Holy Spirit”?  What is it in Malachi 2:17 and Ephesians 4:25-32 that causes God to feel this way?Like the Israelites and Asaph (Psalm 73) do you sometimes question God and wonder why He seems to let the evil and the wicked prosper and yet His people suffer? How do you deal with such feelings and thoughts? Notice the order in which God works; He sends a messenger, He refines and then He judges. How is this a display of God’s kindness? Why do you think God’s fire and purifying comes on His people before judgement on the wicked? (See James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Romans 5:1-5). Are there times when you feel the imagery of Mal 3:2-3 has occurred in your life? What was the result to such refining and purifying?  “Martin Luther said, ‘“There are only two days on my calendar. This day and that day.”’ For the Israelites, there were only two days on the calendar: today and the Day of the Lord. In the same manner, there are only two days that should matter to believers: today and the day Jesus returns to test our worth.” How should the Day of the Lord (Jesus’ return) and passages like 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 effect the way you live ‘today’?We know from scripture that when we are redeemed by Jesus we are fully accepted by God and our sins are remembered no more and yet God says that even we as Christians will stand before His judgement seat where our works will be judged. What do you think is the purpose behind God judging His people? (See 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). How should theses verses effect your every day life?