Part 4 I Want to Know Who and How to Date Malachi 2:10-12 We are created to live in spiritual community. Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another? (2:10) We are created to live in spiritual community. Three questions: The first two questions describe a state or existing situation.The first two questions describe a state or existing situation. The third question describes an ongoing activity that stabs and wounds the covenant between God and His people.The third question describes an ongoing activity that stabs and wounds the covenant between God and His people. We are created to live in spiritual community. Why then are we faithless to one another profaning the covenant of our ancestors? (2:10b - ESV) We are created to live in spiritual community. Sins against the spiritual community have wide impactSins against the spiritual community have wide impact Judah has broken faith. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves (2:11a-c) Dating and marriage must respect the spiritual community. by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. (2:11d) Dating and marriage must respect the spiritual community. breaking faith with one anotherby marrying the daughter of a foreign god.breaking faith with one anotherby marrying the daughter of a foreign god. The phrase breaking faith means to cover or cloak things overThe phrase breaking faith means to cover or cloak things over A secret dating relationship is not a Biblical dating relationship.A secret dating relationship is not a Biblical dating relationship. The spiritual community has authority over dating marriage relationships As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD cut him off from the tents of Jacobeven though he brings offerings to the LORD Almighty. (2:12) The spiritual community has authority over dating marriage relationships The spiritual community has authority over this because the spiritual community has responsibility to maintain worthy worship.The spiritual community has authority over this because the spiritual community has responsibility to maintain worthy worship. The spiritual community has authority over dating marriage relationships In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and MoabAnd I confronted them and cursed them (warned them of pending misfortune) and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. The spiritual community has authority over dating marriage relationships And I made them take oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves The spiritual community has authority over dating marriage relationships Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?" The spiritual community has authority over dating marriage relationships And one of the sons of Jehoiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was the son-in- law of Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I chased him from me. Nehemiah 13:23, 25, (ESV) Nehemiah 13:23, 25, (ESV) The spiritual community has authority over dating marriage relationships I have loved you, says the LORD.I have loved you, says the LORD. Bottom Line: God is serious about who you marry, which means God is serious about who you date! Who should I date? Be intentional.Be intentional. Who should I date? My Top-Ten list for a spouseMy Top-Ten list for a spouse 1. Lives a Jesus-centered life! How should I date? Be real.Be real. Dont have any secrets in your dating practices. How should I date? Be healthy.Be healthy. + = + = / HS + HS = HS How should I date? Be healthy.Be healthy. + = + = / HE + HE = HE HS + HS = HS How should I date? Be healthy.Be healthy. + = + = / HM + HM = HM HE + HE = HE HS + HS = HS How should I date? Be healthy.Be healthy. HP + HP = HP HM + HM = HM HE + HE = HE HS + HS = HS How should I date? Be balanced.Be balanced. This is your prayer map!This is your prayer map!