The Overwhelming Amazing Love of God; an exposition of Malachi 1:1-5: Malachi #1. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 16, 2015.
Intro:
You see them every day but do you see them? Regularly they are there to warn you but do you even notice them, let alone heed their warning? “Watch for ice on bridge”, “Dangerous curve”, “Watch for children playing”, “Not to be taken internally.” Warnings that we ignore because of over-exposure. But even greater are the warnings of Scripture: “Be alert, your adversary walks about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” “What, can you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray that you will not enter into temptation.” “Be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” “The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Warnings to remain spiritually alert. A call to be “on your toes” spiritually.
It was a time of corruption – politically, morally and spiritually. The Israelites had returned from the Babylonian exile. Jerusalem had been rebuilt, and the temple restored. But the people had not learned their lesson from the exile. They had grown skeptical of God’s love (1:2), careless in worship (1:7), indifferent to the truth (2:6-7), disobedient to the covenant (2:10), faithless in their marriages (2:15; 3:5), and stingy in their offerings (3:8). To this carnal and rebellious people God sent his messenger – the prophet Malachi. His name means “my messenger”, and the first message the Lord put on his lips was, “I have loved you, says the Lord!”
Those living in Israel were the 2nd and 3rd generation after the exile. The temple, though not as grand, was rebuilt. Life was somewhat back to normal. No wars were looming. They were not surrounded by enemies. The crops were respectable. Life was good and the people were complacent. They were coasting “spiritually.” Like Laodicea they were neither hot nor cold but lukewarm. To this complacent people the prophet came. His message firm and at times harsh. The prophet comes with an “oracle” of the word of the LORD.
The word oracle means, “burden.” It is a weighty matter. This was not sermon light. This was not a “feel good” message. Here is a message rich in truth and requiring honest thought and consideration. A message greatly misunderstood and not liked by many. A message of love and hate. A message of choosing and rejecting. Let’s walk through it carefully.
Text: Malachi 1:1-5
This, of course, is the passage quoted by the apostle Paul in Romans 9. This passage has often caused great debate and confusion – I think needlessly. This passage does deal with God’s electing love. God’s sovereign gracious choosing of a people for his own glory. The confusion comes from two misunderstandings. 1st the mistaken idea that God owes us his love.
On the one hand we know that grace is unmerited favor. It is God’s giving to us what we do not deserve. On the other hand we are convinced that he owes everyone his unmerited favor. But if it is owed…it’s not unmerited! God would be perfectly just to condemn all but he has graciously chosen to save an unnumbered host to the praise of his glorious grace.
The seconded mistaken idea is that God’s choice is arbitrary. That it is random with no rhyme or reason to it. Yet the Scripture clearly says it is according to his own purpose and will (Ephesians 1:11-12).
Malachi is about to thunder away at Israel’s lack of obedience but he begins with a statement of God’s love for his people. Why? Because it is the love of God that motivates our service. We are to be driven by devotion. As Paul would later say, “The love of God compels us…”
Motivation = “That which causes one to act.” When I was in school they timed me with a calendar! I was not quick of foot. But one Halloween night I found sufficient motivation. (The old Victorian – Wakefield has it now. Scary music – someone jumped out and yelled, “Boo!” I didn’t stop for 2 blocks and then waited for everyone else to catch up.)
Thesis: The overwhelming/amazing love of God motivates the believing heart in service.
Now, let’s consider:
- The love of God as our motivation for obedience. (1:1-4)
- The love of God is the foundation of our worship. (1:5)
Conclusion:
This is a glorious reminder that though we are fully deserving of God’s wrath. Though we are rebels at heart, God has graciously chosen to love us and to redeem us. He has chosen to be in relationship with us calling us his children, blessing us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus – and it is all because of grace. Such love is deserving of our all!
Throughout this brief “burden” the Lord speaks weighty words through His messenger. Much of what He is going to say will be hard to hear. Thus He begins with an assurance of His love. Malachi speaks of the love of God in a way that causes us to tremble. Because the love of God is a holy, fearsome, sovereign love. This love is substantial enough to build a life upon.