Sermon Tone Analysis

I was reading the other day about the early church and their celebration of Advent and how different it was from how we recognize it today.

I was struck by their attention to the words in scripture that refer to fear being associated with the coming of the Lord.

How often have you associated fear with Christmas?

As I thought about it I began to feel convicted.... you know in a good way like when you discover something that had been missing… I was moved to pray.. Lord quicken my heart to fear this Xmas… that I’d grasp how epic the coming of Christ is… so I prayed, then within a couple of minutes I was back to scrolling through twitter on my phone.

You ever done that?

Be really troubled by something you read or see or are told… moved enough to pray… then in a couple of minutes you are over it and on to the next thing...

What in the world is wrong with us?

I’m a part of “the apathetic generation.”

Lack of interest—Lack of passion—Lack of concern.

Well… if that’s you… if you ever struggle with spiritual apathy, Malachi is for you.

We are in a series based on these minor prophets… minor because they are short

Malachi is the last book in the OT, it’s really a book of transition… It’s like

Book of transition…

Concludes the OT

Malachi… unknown identity… God’s messenger

Temple has been rebuilt… follows Ezra

City is rebuilt… follows Nehemiah

Probably around 100 years after, putting it around 450 bc or so

Spiritual flame is now a flicker

While there was certainly a spiritual revival with the opening of the temple… it has long past.

Where there was a hope for a new Jerusalem… the reality is now corruption and injustice and poverty

People are spiritually apathetic…

Malachi is written as a series of 6 disputes between God and the people.

Each time God makes an accusation and the people respond, then God responds

These disputes come in two sets, in the first God points out the corruption of Judah, exposing it… then once their in the second set, he goes back to confront their corruption.

Before we look at Malachi…let’s look at the times in our lives when we are apathetic…

Overwhelmed with information.

Can’t care—Too many things to care about

Helpless to make real change.

Hard to care a lot about something you can’t do much about.

Blessed and cursed with comfort.

Luxuries of modern world remind us Life is about me… It’s more fun thinking about me and what I want

For the people of Judah… their apathy begins right there… they are Judah… but don’t feel that special.

How have you loved us?

First, God says… I love you.. that’s an encouraging way to start… but the people respond… oh yea… how have you loved us?

Jacob vs Esau

Jacob - protected, provided for, blessed

Esau (Edom) -

How have we shown contempt?

Mal 1:6-2:9

Second God says Why don’t you honor me… but the people ask how have we shown contempt for you?

show contempt by offering defiled food

blind, diseased, lame animals for sacrifice

Not first fruits

v13 What a burden… grunt...

Why do we profane the covenant?

Mal 2:10-16

Third, God calls out the priests for marrying women who worship foreign gods

divorcing their wives out of lust for another

Love her

This is a betrayal of your covenant with God

How have we wearied the Lord?

Mal 2:17-3:5

Fourth, God calls out their twisted sense of justice.. you have wearied the Lord… How?… all who do evil are good

My messenger

Day of the Lord

Deal with the unjust

Leaving only a faithful remnant

Do Something..

don’t just complain

FOCUS ON SOMETHING.

Many things will catch your attention—few things capture your heart.

Unborn children, Single Parents, Racial injustice, Human trafficking, Cancer research, Foster/Adoption, Student ministry, Seniors, Overseas Missions, Discipleship SGs, Mental illness.

Freedom from porn, Alcohol, Drug addiction.

Focus on whatever you are passionate about

Rather than making a little difference many places—Big difference few.

Don’t have to lead it… Join those doing it!

Jesus was focused—Come they may have life—Not righteous

Set captives free—Seek and save lost!

You want to be a part of my kingdom—leave everything!

Passivity repels—Passion attracts.

People without Christ—find life in Christ—Church!

Voice says—Not possible!

Apathy finds an excuse—Passion finds a way.

How are we robbing God?

Mal 3:6-12

Fifth, return to me… HOW… stop robbing me

Stop being selfish… tithe as you are supposed to as the law

Give your best

Then God will bless you

Blessed with a burden

My heart is filled with bitter sorry and unending grief…

Lie most believe: Easier not to care.

Better to not get involved.

It’s easier to hurt with a purpose than to exist without one.

Rich with blessings—Want to be blessed with a burden.

Moses—Let my people go!

David—Who are you to come against armies?

Nehemiah—Not right—Fight for your brothers!

Jesus—Sheep without a shepherd!

What have we said?

Mal 3:13-4:3

Sixth, speak arrogantly against me… what have we said?… it’s futile to serve God… we get nothing out of it

Your lives speak loudly...

God’s response is a story

Faithful gathering

Scroll of remembrance

Those who feared the Lord and honored his name

Conclusion

Day of purifying judgement