Theological Proposition/Focus: God is to be revered!
Homiletical Proposition/Application: We must humbly aknowledge that God alone is worthy of our complete respect and devotion
Introduction:
Image: Running is a lot of fun, except when it is not.
I enjoy running. In fact, in June I averaged 3 mile a day. Some days I ran more than three miles, and some days I took a day off, but my average was three miles. However, there were some days that I ran, not because I wanted to, but because I knew that I needed to keep up my conditioning. On these days running was a chore, it was hard to find the motivation.
Sometimes in our Christian walk it can be hard. We know what we are supposed to do, we know that God is good, but we just don't feel it. In times like this we need to make sure we revere God. Yes, the walk is hard, but still God is worthy of our reverence and paying our complete respect to God is worthwhile.
Need: We must humbly acknowledge that God alone is worthy of our complete respect and devotion
Preview: Today we will look at our struggle, a solution, and how we should view the future.
Text: Malachi 3:13-18
Setting the Stage:
In 539 BC Cyrus gave the decree allowing the Jews to return to Judah and begin rebuilding the temple.
In 520 BC Haggai entered the scene and called upon the Jews to resume building the temple after 16 years of stagnation.
The work on the temple was completed in 515 BC.
Life was not easy, Persia dominated the political scene, hearts were indifferent, even resentful to God, and the people's hope in God had waned.
Sometime between 45 BC and 430 BC a prophet, Malachi appeared on the scene.
Last week we learned of God's justice.
This week we will focus on our need to revere God.
We skipped Malachi 3:7-12 because we covered that just over a year ago in our Together We Grow series on tithing.
However, it is important to notice that in 3:12 God had promised that all nations would take note of the blessings God bestowed on Israel. Verse 13 comes right on the tails of that statement.
Body
The Struggle: At times, serving God may feel futile (13-15).
Reality: We are fallen creatures (13).
In verse 13 we see that the Jews spoke arrogant, harsh, or strong words against God.
The word for arrogant or strong is חזק and here really carries the tone of combative words.
The people were really accusing God of injustice and doing so in a pretty aggressive, combative way.
Despite the reality of who God is, the people were boldly speaking against God.
Reality: There are times when serving God is hard (14).
Reality: Sometimes evil people prosper (15).
Image:
MTR: Acknowledge your falseness and the reality of your struggles.
The Solution: Corporate reminders of what God has done (16).
Reality: You are not in this alone.
Reality: Written records are incredibly helpful.
Reality: God's is present.
Image: Thanksgiving basket with slips of paper
MTR: Record a memory from Together We Grow.
The Future: God will bless those who serve Him (17-18).
Reality: If you are a Christ follower then you are a treasured possession of the God of the universe!
Reality: If you are a Christ follower then you are a child of God!
Reality: If you are a Christ follower then you await a future dwelling with God!
MTR: Take some time to praise God for His gift of Salvation.
