This week Pastor Matthew preached a special message called "A Prophetic Warning for Today", based on the minor prophet Malachi. Malachi was written 100 years after the Jews returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity and after the temple was rebuilt. While God's people had many hope-filled prophecies of a coming Savior, the exile had not turned their hearts back to God as He had intended.
God's Objections with His People:
1.The Love of God was Doubted (Malachi 1:2-5) - They did not fully trust God anymore.
Instead of obeying Him, they spent their time asking God WHY?
2.The Presence of the Lord Had Become a Burden to the People (Malachi 1:6-14) - The
Israelites had made a covenant with God on Mt. Sinai, where they committed to be God's people and obey His commands. We have the laws in Leviticus and specific instructions for the temple because that sacrificial system was how a just and holy God could dwell in the midst of a sinful and unholy people. Malachi had strong words for the Israelites to remind them that they were called to be a people set apart for God, and they were called to live like it.
3. Unfaithfulness is Now the Norm (Malachi 2:10-16) - The Israelites had married women who did not believe in God and had divorced their believing wives. This activity was a direct reflection of the unfaithfulness in their relationships with God as well. Malachi reminds the people that there was a great cost to following God.
4. Sin Becomes Good and God is to Blame for Injustice (Malachi 2:17, 3:1-5) - The Israelites had begun to normalize sin. They had begun to call good evil and evil good. We live in a society that refuses to talk about sin - a society that has begun to blame God for the injustice caused by the sin of the world!
5. Return to God and He Will Return to You (Malachi 3:6-12) - Malachi calls the Israelites to turn from their wickedness, to return to God's commands, and to cultivate His presence. God promises to return to us as we return to Him. We need to be all-in for Him, the world needs us to be all-in for Him. God tells us that if we go all-in, He will reveal Himself to us.
6. Living as Though It Is Pointless to Live as God Asks (Malachi 3:13-14) - The Israelites thought there was no benefit to living righteously, but Malachi reminds them that obeying His commands is always worth it!
Many Christians believe that the "great and awesome day of the Lord" and His return is imminent, and whether or not that is true, the church needs not to be afraid of His return.
The return of Jesus is a day where darkness is pushed back and Jesus returns in victory! (Malachi 4:1-3)
