Sermons by Ken D. Trivette from the Living Word

THE BOOK OF MALACHI
TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
Malachi 2:4-1O

 1. Although a Christian for a number of years, it was the close of 1873 that Francis Ridley Havergal began to long for a deeper knowledge of God. On a particular Sunday, December 2, she was brought to see that she could not have the full blessedness of a Christian life without a full surrender to Christ. On February 1, 1874, Miss Havergal was visiting in a home where there were 10 persons, some of them not saved, some saved but not very happy. She became deeply burdened that they might know the Saviour as joyfully as she had come to know Him. Before she left, her prayer was answered. On the last night of her stay, February 4, she was too happy to sleep. She spent the night writing what is probably her best known hymn: 

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2. Malachi speaks of a consecrated life  The passage is primarily directed to the priests (Cp.2:1) yet divinely preserved for our hearts. We read in 1 Peter 2:9, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." The life of the Old Testament priests has many similarities of the life of the New Testament priests. God's instructions to the Old Testament priest has many lessons that is helpful for the New Testament priests. 

1. THE FIDELITY THAT IS PROPER! 

1. We read in verse 4, "And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the Lord of hosts." Malachi reminds them of a covenant that had been made with Levi. This was the charter under which the tribe of Levi became the possessors of the priesthood. 

2. Levi is set forth as a model of a consecrated life. As we look at Levi we learn what God expects from every believer. 

A. The Consecrated Life He Exemplified. 

1. The consecrated life is exemplified in 3 ways. 

2. First we see his FEAR OF GOD. Notice verse 5, "My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name."  

3. The word "fear" speaks of a desire to honor and please. In the heart of Levi was a deep desire to please God and a fear that he would do something that would displease God. 

4. I think of a girl that was out with some friends. They were trying to get her to drink. When she refused one asked, "Are you afraid your parents will hurt you?" She replied, "No, I'm afraid I will hurt my parents." 

5. There was also his LIFE BEFORE GOD. We read in verse 6, "The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity."   

6. A primary function of a priest was to teach and give counsel. They were commended to give instruction on worship, juridical problems, and personal problems. It was an instruction that was based on truth and without unrighteousness. This statement is one that reveals the moral integrity of Levi. He lived a clean life before God. 

7. There was also his WALK WITH GOD. In verse 6 God said that Levi "walked with me." This walk was one of "peace." The word speaks of that which is complete, sound.  

8. His walk was also one of "equity." The word speaks of that which is "straight, smooth."  Levi had a sound and a smooth walk with God.  

9. In the church of Jonathan Edwards there is a memorial marker to his ministry. The inscription on the marker is Malachi 2:6. There is not a greater thing that could said of any believer than that he walked with God.

B. The Compensated Life He Experienced. 

1. Levi experienced a life of FULLNESS. In verse 5 we read that God's covenant with Levi was one of "life." The life that is spoken of is abundant life, a life that is full.  

2. It was also a covenant of "peace." His life was one of contentment and satisfaction. This life of fullness was a reward for the consecrated life he lived. 

3. He also experienced a life of FRUITFULNESS. In verse 6 we read that he "did turn many away from iniquity." The life he lived inspired others. The life he lived was one of bearing spiritual fruit.  

4. The life that is consecrated to God is blessed by God.  

5. Notice verse 7, "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts." Isaiah is saying, "The kind of life that Levi lived is the kind of life you ought to live. " Levi is an example of every believer and the consecrated life we are to live. 

1.  The Fidelity That Is Proper! 

2. THE FAILURE THAT IS PRESENTED! 

1. After giving them a model of consecration, Malachi shows the lack of consecration on their part. He shows how they have come far short of living up to the father of the priesthood. Malachi points out 2 areas of corruption. 

A. Their Internal Corruption. 

1. We read in the first part of verse 8, "But ye are departed out of the way." They were no longer walking with God, but were doing their own thing.  

2. We also see in verse 8 that they had "corrupted the covenant of Levi." There was not only a spiritual departure on their part, but they perverted the ways of God. 

3. In verse 9 we read, "Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law." Instead of being fair and just in dealing with judicial matters they had been impartial. This impartiality was based on material gain. They were letting people buy their decisions. 

4. What a contrast we see I them verses Levi. In Levi we see consecration, but in them we see corruption. 

B. Their External Corruption.  

1. In verse 8 we see that they had "caused many to stumble."  They were not only corrupt within themselves, but had led others into corruption. They had gone astray and were leading others astray. They had left God and were causing others to leave God. 

1. The Fidelity That Is Proper!
2. The Failure That Is Presented! 

3. THE FATE THAT IS PROMISED! 

1. We see in verse 9 that the way they treated God was the way they would be treated.  We read, "Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law." 

2. They had despised God and rejected him, they would reap the same. The result would be a loss in their life. 

A. The Abundance That Would Be Lost. 

1. They would lose the blessings of God in their life. 

B. The Attention That Would Be Lost. 

1. They would lose their ability to reach others.