Greetings,

OOPS-I almost forgot graduation activities. The pastoral realm was always 
fiiled with ceremonies, open houses etc. We were only directly impacted as 
our oldest grandson moved from eighth grade to high school. Congratulations 
to Kevin Stonerock and others on many levels. Let Jesus be Lord of your 
future on a daily basis.

PERPLEXED-Would be the most descriptive word to express the reaction of 
Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer on ABC'S Thursday Night Primetime. They were 
probing into matters of faith that propelled missionaries of ABWE and New 
Tribes Missions. Such dedication is baffling unless you sense it in eternal 
terms.

EVIL-This is a major subject on television and in magazines. Could it be 
that the Bible might reveal the truth in the first few chapters!!!!

MOWING GRASS-Not very exciting unless a few weeks ago you were bedfast with 
cancer. A few weeks ago I asked you to pray for the husband of a lady who 
was in our pastorate years ago, When I checked this week, he was outside 
mowing.

WATCH OUT-I am thinking again, Join me and expand on my thoughts.
Random thoughts to a series of questions that in summary are: "What 
seems to be the problem in the church world today?" 
Several of you have asked. Why me, Lord?

RISKS---TO BE SEEN AS A DISGRUNTLED OLD MAN WHO HAS BEEN SET ASIDE.
TO BE A CREPE-HANGING NAYSAYER--(Not my position, nor my 
disposition).

THOUGHT PROCESSES: A sincere path of prayer and study. An earnest search in 
the twilight of a closing era that led me to Malachi. His identity is 
dissolved: but there is agreement that his words close the era that 
immediately precedes the personal ap-
pearing of Jesus Christ. His very name carries the connotation of 
"messenger".

The contrary but not conflicting views of the church of today as revealed in 
Scripture: Ephesians 5:27 ".........a glorious church, not having spot or 
wrinkle.....". Rev-
elation 3:16 &17 "So then, because you are lukewarm,,,,, rich, have become 
wealthy, and have need of nothing.......".

Following me thus far? See the contrary forces?

You should realize that I view the messages to the seven churches of Asia as 
recorded in Revelation 2 & 3 as glimpses into the characteristics of specific 
eras of church history. The words to Laodicea as to the nature of the church 
in existence at the time of the Rapture. (Lesson one in the studies).

Now, let's go to Malachi. Since there are only four short chapters , 
please allow me just to indicate certain verses (chap:vs). You may follow in 
your Bible.

I will not teach a lesson, but will point out facts to allow you to sense 
God's viewpoint as he pleads to a group of persons who have posed honest 
inquiry. This is done with 23 areas of exchange in an almost Q and A form. 
(What a patient God)

I HAVE LOVED YOU AND ALWAYS WILL, ALTHOUGH YOU ARE A NAUGHTY CHILD. (1:1-8)
THIS MESS IS OF YOUR OWN DOING (1:9). YOU BRING INFERIOR SACRIFICES, AND 
MAKE POOR SUBSTITUTES FOR TRUTH (1:8, 13, 14). THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND 
ORGANIZED RELIGION IS ESPECIALLT GUILTY-"Rich and increased". THEY HAVE 
DEPARTED (2:8), AND MADE ACCOMMODATIONS TO GOD'S STANDARD SO THAT OTHERS FEEL 
COMFORTABLE IN SINNING (2:16). THE "CROCODILE TEARS" DO NOT IMPRESS GOD 
(2:13). THE NEGLECT OF THE CLERGY TO DECLARE JUSTICE ENDS CHAPTER TWO (2:17).

THE FAMILIAR SECTION ON TITHING IS IN REALITY AN INJUNCTION AGAINST 
DISHONESTY AND A GRACIOUS PROMISE OF REWARD (3:8-11).

THE NATION IS GUILTY OF THE SIN OF MURMURING (3:13-15).

THERE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE REMAINED STEADFAST (3:16-18) I would be less than 
honest if I did not see a redeeming theme. Without further comment, I will 
leave you to study that there are those that do manifest the attitudes of the 
church at Philadelphia (no negative words are spoken) in Revelation three.

There may not be virtue in being old-fashioned in some styles, but being out 
of style may also be up to date with God.

Allow me to make comment. If I have wearied you---Sorry.

I see, in the spirit of today, a resurgence of an old problem-antinomianism. 
An antinomianist holds that their liberty in Christ makes them free from all 
obligations to live moral and righteous lives. This attitude flooded the age 
of Malachi and stained religious life.

Paul, in his writings, laid a swift and sharp axe to the roots of this 
teaching..

Romans 6:15 "What then? shall we sin because we are not under the law, but 
under grace? God forbid". May I remind you that Romans is the Emancipation 
Proclamation of the Bible, declaring our liberty purchased with the blood of 
our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May I also remind you that Paul spent much of his letter to Galatian 
believers encouraging them to enjoy their liberty in Christ. His words in 
5:13 are clear. "For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty: only use 
not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

His,
Ron Krantz