Be The Distinction

I am Different

In the 90’s there was a couple phrases that gained popularity as a responsible Christian Ethical saying.

WWJD stood as a phrase that spoke to the world that in all things we would act as Jesus would: 1900’s 80’s 90’s and 00’s almost as if it actually meant something.

NOTW stood as a phrase that living in this world we knew we were not of this world.

Today we may find ourselves as cultural rejects for accepting such a position.

Never the less, we are called to a posture of selfless abandon in which we are willing to give all we are to see the kingdom of God progress.

We find in scripture (Rom 12:1-2) that we are not to be conformed to this world, but to renew our minds transformed in a manner that our ability to discern good from bad based not on the self but on the word of the Lord becomes our posture.

Unfortunately, today we do not see the body of Christ as one that is being renewed rather… in pragmatic fashion it is becoming increasingly of this world, and cannot even ask WWJD because they no longer know Jesus and much less what He would do.

Yet all hope is not lost… in (Eph 4:22-24) tells us to put off the old self and to put on the righteousness and holiness of God that is found in Jesus Christ. That is right we are to be the change this world is needing…

We are to be a distinct people not conforming to this world but transforming it

Malachi 4:4–6 ESV

“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

The Lord is asking for His people to remember His commands

the commands given to Moses remained law for them

For us we know the greatest of all commands are

To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength

the first of the 5 commandments

Love your neighbor as yourself

the second of the 5 commandments

While it may not seem like this would apply to us there is something incredibly important here

Elijah the prophet appears here to return

In Matt Jesus tells us that John the Baptist came in the Spirit of Elijah

There is another and that is the church that is called to prepare the way for the Lord.

This is why the Lord is awakening His Church… there is a task for us… and as rebellious as it may be we are being called to return today. To be the change… to not be conformed to this world

The Remnant Are Restored

Malachi 3:16 (ESV)

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another.

Notice the action of the people

They Feared the Lord

They spoke with one another

it was not enough for them to fear the Lord… They had to tell it to one another that as many as would come would return

The current state of affairs of the church is on us as a whole… we are responsible to the change… we can no longer be found tolerating garbage that has been found in the church… we must wake up and do the work of repairing the breaches.

Isaiah 58:11–12 ESV

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.

This is the word spoken about the one that returns to the Lord to do His will

You will be a repairer of the breaches of the church a restorers of the streets that are leading Generations

The Remnant are Remembered

The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.

The Lord paid attention

If my people who are known by my name… 2 Chron 7:14

He heard them… Ps 34:17 tells us that when His righteous people cry out He hears them and sends rescue

What are we waiting for?

Book of Remembrance

this was done for royalty

Chronicles of… fill in the blank

When His people return to Him they are remembered in the Heavenly Spaces

Acts 19:15 the spirits that the sons of Sceva are trying to cast out state… Paul we know… Jesus we know but who are you?

This tells us there are a people who are doing the will of the Lord who are known in heavenly spaces... there is a chronicle being written about them.

For some it may be ok to well just be saved...”At least I made it” When the King has offered all of what He has and not just part but the whole.

A Day of Reckoning

Malachi 4:1–3 ESV

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.

The day of the Lord will bring into an account the people that are found in the house of the Lord.

He is not coming back to deal with our sin

when He comes He is coming to deal with His body.

The Lord will deal with His house and those who have said they served the Lord but have been arrogantly working against His will

The refiners fire burns away the chaff and makes the remnant shine.

For the remnant the ones who turned and served the Lord:

Sun of righteousness will rise = they have a defender

Healing = wounds we carry

leaping =rejoicing in Him

under your feet will be the wicked

The Promise for the Distinct Remnant

Malachi 3:17–18 ESV

“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

The Lord desires to make us a treasured possession

More than salvation

Notice He wants those who serve to look different than those who do not… there needs to be a difference.

The close of the book of Malachi is not a curse its a word of hope. The Lord makes clear He is tired of being dismissed and treated as less than a God who loves His people. When the people turn He is waiting for them.

What is the Lord waiting for? His people to look distinct from this world.... to move from passive cliches WWJD or NOTW to a people who is distinct and operating to build His Kingdom.