Sermons by Ken D. Trivette from The Living Word
The Book of Malachi
EVERYONE
HAS NOT GONE BAD
1.
A man fell asleep on his job. Someone slipped and rubbed Limburger cheese under
his nose. When he woke up he said, "It stinks in here." He went into
the next room and said, "It stinks in here also." He stepped outside
and said, "The whole world stinks."
2.
With the Church scandals and the fall of prominent Church leaders in recent
years, it is no wonder that the world feels that everyone is bad and the whole
religious world stinks.
3.
Even as Christians I know at times that it is easy to feel that no one is really
walking with God, hungry for God, dedicated to God, and seeking after God.
Elijah felt like he was the only that had been faithful to God. Yet God reminded
him that there were 7000 that had not bowed their knee to Baal.
4.
In Malachi's day there were many that were displeasing to God, but there was a
group that was delightful to God. As you read the book of Malachi one would get
the impression that everyone in his day had turned from God. Yet Malachi
reminded them of those that had been true to God.
5.
Everybody had not gone bad. Even today when it seems that few seem to really
care about the lost and are committed to the Lord, there are those who have been
and are faithful to the Lord.
6.
[Cp.Vs.16a]... In spite of those that failed God, there were those that feared
God. The word "fear" means, "to be in awe or reverence."
There were many that were that were a reproach to God, yet there were those that
were reverent of God. In spite of the fact that God held a low place in many a
heart, there were those in which He held a lofty place.
7.
Malachi says "They spake often one to another."
In 3:13, we saw that
the people of Malachi's day met in little groups and talked about God, there
were those who met often and thought on God. Instead of meeting in attacks on
God, they met in awe of God.
8.
Malachi adds that they "thought upon His name." The word
"thought" means to "focus one's mind on something of great
value." The name of the Lord, that revealed something about Him and
declared something about Him, was their focus and purpose of gathering. God was
their chief delight and desire.
9.
Yes, there are a lot of 7-Up's in the Church: never had it and never will. Yet,
there are some Coca-Cola's in the Church: the real thing. It's encouraging to
our hearts to know that everyone has not gone bad. There are those that are
real, genuine, and the real thing.
10.
Let's notice our text and this faithful remnant in Malachi's day.
1.
WE SEE HOW GOD REMEMBERED THEM!
1.
[VS.16]... It certainly grieved God to see those who were departing from Him.
Yet how it must have gladdened God to see those that were dedicated to Him. Just
as God knew the ways of the ungodly, he knew
of the worship of the godly.
A.
We See God Listening To Them.
1.
The words, "Heard" and "Hearkened" means to "pick up
the ear, to listen, give heed, and to pay attention." God was aware of
their words of adoration, their walk of consecration, and their ways of
separation. He had been observant and attentive of their faithful life.
2.
Lafayette was once shut up in a gloomy prison for a little while. In the door of
his little cell was a small hole. At that hole a soldier was placed day and
night to watch him. All he could see was that soldier's eye. Day and night when
he looked up, he always saw that eye. He said that it was so dreadful to know
that when he lay down and when he arose, that eye was always watching him.
3.
God's knowledge can be a disturbing thought to one who is living in sin. Yet, to
one who is faithful, it is a delightful thought. God sees every act of service
we render and hears every prayer we offer. Sometimes we feel that what we do is
unnoticed and unappreciated. But God knows about it all.
B.
We See God's Listing Of Them.
1.
A book of remembrance was kept by God of their walk, ways, and words. God had
kept a record of their commitment. It was an ancient custom of kings to keep a
record of benefactor's names so that they might be given proper recognition.
2.
CP. Esther 6:1 "On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to
bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of
the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the
king Ahasueru."
3.
God is keeping a record on each of us.
Psa.56:8: "Thou tellest my wanderings: Put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: Are they not in Thy book?"
Job
16:19: "Also now, behold my witness is in heaven, and my record is on
high."
4.
We have recently heard a lot about the FBI files that were requested by the
White House. It seems that the FBI keeps very extensive files on those who have
access to the White House. These files contain some very personal matters. They
contain information that has been gathered from neighbors, friends, IRS records,
interviews and other sources. God has his files on those who serve Him.
5.
God keeps a record of all we do for Him. I hope that I have several volumes and
that file is very thick. Amen!
1.
We See How God Remembered Them!
2.
WE SEE HOW GOD RECOGNIZED THEM!
1.
[Vs.17] ... God's view of the sinful was one of disgust. But his view of the
faithful was one of delight.
A.
He Saw Them As His Personal Possession.
1.
"And they shall be mine." We often joke about "claiming"
someone. God unhesitatingly claimed these as His own. He declared, "They
belong to me." They were a property and possession that He in which He was
pleased and of which He was proud.
2.
Have you ever owned something of which you were very proud? I wonder if God is
proud that we belong to Him?
3.
We read in I Cor.6:19-20, "What? Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy
Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are
bought with a price: therefore glorify God In your body, and in your spirit,
which are Gods."
4.
We belong to God
5.
A little boy made him a little sailboat. He took it out to the pond to sail it.
He proudly put the little boat into the water and smiled with pride as it began
to glide across the water. But then the wind carried the little boat far out
into the pond, beyond his reach. He cried as he thought that his boat was gone
forever. One day, several weeks later he was walking down the street and saw his
little boat in a pawn shop window. The little boat he had made with his own
hands was now for sale. He went inside and bought back that which was his by
creation. As he left he was overheard to say, "Now you are twice mine. I
made you and bought you."
6.
We are God's personal possession. We are twice His. May He be proud that we
belong to Him!
B.
He Saw Them As His Precious Possession.
1.
He called them His "jewels." The word speaks of a treasured or
precious possession. A king in a sense of the word owned everything over which
he ruled. He owned every building, every farm, and all the lands. But in his
palace he kept a treasure chest of his own in which he stored precious stones
are other valuables. This was his treasured possession (jewels). This treasure
chest was his "segullah" which is the word that is translated
"jewels."
2.
God loves everyone equally, but His faithful ones seem to hold a special place
in His heart. It is not an act of favoritism on God's part, for He is no
respecter of persons. But as we love all, there are some that are special to our
heart; those who love Him and exalt Him in their life are "jewels."
3.
Where do we stand with God? We are His children, but are we a jewel to God?
4.
The words "make up" speak of a creative activity. These are those who
have allowed God to have His way in their life and have been made into servants
and saints that glorify Him.
5.
The nearest way to the heart of God is the total giving of our life to allow Him
to make according to His will!
6.
We often say of someone, "He or she is a jewel." I hope God can say the
same of us!
1.
We See How God Remembered Them!
2.
We See How God Recognized Them!
3
WE SEE HOW GOD REWARDED THEM!
1.
[VS.17b-18] ... The Psalmist declared in 58:11 "Verily there is a reward
for the righteous..." God will bless and reward the faithful.
A.
God Delivered Them.
1.
Judgment was about to fall on the ungodly. But when that judgment fell, the
righteous and faithful would be delivered. It is a promise of God's protection.
They were called "sons" Just as an earthly father watches over his
son, our Heavenly Father watches over His children.
B.
God Distinguished Them.
1.
[Vs.18] ... One day God will reward the "faithful" and the judge the
"wicked." At times it seems there is no difference in how God deals
with the wicked than with the godly. But one day, He will distinguish them and
reward them accordingly.
2.
What a great incentive to be faithful to God.
3.
It is estimated that if the widow's mite had been deposited at the "First
National Bank of Jerusalem" and had drawn 4% semi-annually, her mite would
be worth over $48 trillion dollars. One can only imagine the reward she is
receiving in heaven for her gift to God.
4.
One has written:
Who
does God's work will get God's pay
However
long may seem the day,
However
weary be the way;
Though
powers and princes thunder "nay,"
Who
does God's work will get God's pay.
He
does not pay as others pay,
In
gold or land or raiment gay;
In
goods that vanish and decay;
But
God in wisdom knows a way,
And
this is sure, come what may,
Who
does God's work will get God's pay.
5.
Amy Carmichael, at the age of 18 was walking home through the rainy streets of
Belfast when a phrase from the Bible, "The fire shall try every man's work
of what sort it is," flashed through her mind. She looked around to see
everyone going about his business as if nothing had occurred, but for her
something had happened that changed her life's values. Nothing could ever matter
again but the things that were eternal. She went on to build a Christian home
for children in India and serve God in that country until her death.
6.
DOES GOD FIND US FAITHFUL?