Some Things Never Change: Malachi #7. An exposition of Malachi 3:13-4:6. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, September 27, 2015.
Intro:
He came as God’s messenger. His job was to close the prophetic book. Repeatedly God had warned his people of the consequence of their unbelief. Their history was the story of grace followed by rebellion, which brought judgment, which produced repentance, which started the cycle again. Assyria brought an end to the Northern Kingdom but Judah did not learn. The Babylonian Captivity taught Judah a lesson but the lesson soon wore off. Malachi came with a “burden” from the Lord. It was his lot to declare the coming of the “great day of the Lord.” In keeping with the rabbinical form of teaching Malachi would make a claim on behalf of the Lord and then present Judah’s response followed by God’s instruction. “I have loved you!” “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother…yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated.” “You have despised my name.” “How have we despised your name?” “You’ve offered polluted food on my altar.” “How have we polluted?” And on it goes. Judah, corrupt and wicked and yet questioning God’s governance of the universe and His love for His people. By the time we reach chapter three they are rapidly approaching blasphemy. This morning we conclude our look at the prophecy of Malachi.
Text: Malachi 3:13-4:6
By the time we come to the end of this book there is really nothing new.
There is a reaffirmation of what had gone on before.
As we walk through these closing words, we are once again reminded of the:
Thesis: The comforting and yet fearful truth of our Sovereign God.
For all our attempts to make God “user friendly” it just will not work!
When you tame Him – He is no longer God.
To make Him more palatable for sinful folk is to deny who He is.
This passage also serves to remind us that the more things change – the more they stay the same. There are three things to note in our text.
- An unfaithful people. (3:13-15)
- A merciful God. (3:16-18; 4:2-3)
- A certain judgment. (4:1, 4-6)
Conclusion:
I remember an interesting conversation I had years ago with a pastor friend. He said, “I heard something this week I have never heard, those who reject Christ they are going to be judged according to the Old Testament.” (My response – we are sinners vs. rejection of Christ)
4:5-6 – comforting and horrifying!
God will send another warning.
Elijah will come announcing the arrival of Messiah.
Many will turn, others will not.
Thus the OT closes with a promise and a warning – the Gospel is both.
The comforting and fearful truth of our Sovereign God.