Malachi 3:7-18

Sermon: “Returning to God's Covenant Blessings”

Scripture: Malachi 3:7-18 (ESV)

7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.

9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you.

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.

12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

13 “Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’

14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts?

15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”

16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. 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.

17 “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.

18 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.

-PRAY

Illustration:

Years ago a young man began a small cheese business in Chicago.

He failed. He was deeply in debt.

“You didn’t take God into your business. You have not worked with Him,” said a Christian friend to him.

Then the young man thought, “If God wants to run the cheese business, He can do it, and I’ll work for Him and with Him!”

From that moment, God became the senior partner in his business.

The business grew and prospered and became the largest cheese concern in the world!

That young man, J.L. Kraft became president of the Kraft Cheese Company! (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #1854).

Introduction:

Tonight, we seek God’s voice in the book of Malachi, a powerful message that stirs us even today.

Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, and in its final chapter, we find a call to return to God and rediscover His covenant blessings.

In Malachi 3:7-18, we see three important points that remind us of God's unchanging character, our responsibility, and the promise of His blessings.

Point 1: The Unchanging Character of God (Malachi 3:7):

"From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts."

In this verse, we're reminded of the unchanging character of God.

Despite the Israelites' continuous unfaithfulness, God remains steadfast in His love and mercy.

He calls them to return to Him, acknowledging their need for repentance.

We can find comfort in this truth.

Our God is unwavering, always ready to welcome us back into His loving embrace, no matter how far we've strayed. (prodigal story)

This verse teaches us that true restoration begins with a humble heart that acknowledges its need for God's grace.

(humility is absent in today’s culture)

Point 2: Faithfulness and Stewardship (Malachi 3:8-12):

"Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions."

Here, God addresses the issue of faithfulness and stewardship.

The people were neglecting their responsibility to bring tithes and offerings into the house of God.

This isn't just about financial giving; it's a matter of the heart.

God desires a faithful and obedient heart that recognizes His ownership of everything we have.

When we withhold our tithes and offerings, we rob God not just of resources, but of the opportunity to bless us abundantly.

As we faithfully steward what God has entrusted to us, we position ourselves to experience His provision and blessings in ways we cannot imagine.

(steward= manager…time, talent, tithe, all that we are and all that we have…)

Point 3: The Promise of God's Blessings (Malachi 3:16-18):

"Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. 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."

In these verses, we see the promise of God's blessings upon those who fear Him and honor His name.

Even in a world filled with injustice and unrighteousness, God notices those who remain faithful and devoted to Him.

Just as a book of remembrance was kept in Malachi's time, God keeps a record of our faithfulness today.

Romans 14:11-12

11 for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

This passage in Malachi encourages us to persevere in our faith, knowing that our commitment to God will not go unnoticed.

As we fear the Lord and esteem His name, we position ourselves to be recipients of His ultimate blessing—eternal life in His presence.

Conclusion:

As we close looking at Malachi 3:7-18, let's reflect on its timeless truths.

We've learned that God's character is unchanging, always ready to embrace us when we return to Him.

We've been reminded of our responsibility to faithfully steward our resources and honor God with our tithes and offerings.

And most importantly, we've been assured of the promise of God's blessings upon those who fear Him and remain committed to His ways.

Let continue forward, with hearts full of gratitude and a renewed commitment to God.

May we be known as a people who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience, and who experience the abundant blessings of His presence in our lives.

Just as God's message through Malachi was relevant then, it continues to speak to us today, inviting us into a deeper relationship with our loving and faithful God.

-PRAY