God Gets Our Attention So That We Bring Him Righteous Offerings based on Malachi 3:1-4

Let us pray: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Consider this: “A prison inmate in New Mexico escaped on the 89th day of a 90 day sentence; he was captured and had to then serve one and a half more years. Hello?”

Or consider this: “A brick-throwing, smash and grab thief in Detroit knocked himself out, later discovering that the shop owner had installed Plexiglas windows. So that’s why the brick bounced off the glass! Hello?”

Hello? This is a common way to respond when we see or hear about someone who just does not seem to understand. “Hello?” is a shorthand response that calls a person to think more deeply. Hello? Is a shorthand way to let people know that the lights are on but nobody is home; that they are not playing with a full deck; that at the time they probably are not one of the sharpest knives in the drawer.

The people of Israel in Malachi’s time in 450 BC did not understand. They needed to listen to God’s prophet, Malachi.

Malachi 2 repeats the word “faithless.” The Hebrew word meaning “faithless” appears time after time where people break a covenant. “Faithless appears five times in Malachi 2.

“Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?” (Malachi 2:10)

“Judah has been faithless …” (Malachi 2:11)

“Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless …” (Malachi 2:14)

“So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.” (Malachi 2:15)

“So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” (Malachi 2:16)

Hello?

“You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say, ‘How have we wearied him?’ By saying, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them.’ Or by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” (Malachi 2:17) How have we wearied God?

GIVING TODAY AS A PERCENTAGE OF INCOME IS LESS THAN AT THE LOWEST POINT OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION

BABY BOOMERS GIVE 20% LESS PER YEAR THAN THEIR PARENTS

OUT OF THE TOP TWENTY PROTESTANT CHURCHES IN AMERICA THE LCMS RANKS 16TH IN PER CAPITA GIVING

How does God respond? God …

RESCUES US. “Behold, I …” (Malachi 3:1) God must get the attention of his people; so, as the old adage goes, “If you want something done right, do the job yourself.” “Behold, I …” Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.” (Malachi 3:1) The messenger of the covenant is Elijah (Malachi 4:5).

And who is the new Elijah? That’s right! John the Baptist. You remember. John who came into the desert of Judea preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John who wore a garment of camel’s hair. John who ate locusts and wild honey. John who prepares the way for the Lord who comes suddenly into his temple. Matthew 17:10-11 tells us, [And the disciples asked (Jesus), “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” (Jesus) answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.]

Christ Jesus is the Lord who came into his temple to cleanse it, purify it, and declare, “My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)

The new Elijah, John the Baptist, prepared the way for the Lord. John is the Messenger of the covenant—the new covenant in the Lord’s Supper. In the Lord’s Supper God delivers Christ’s true body and blood here and now. Holy Communion is the opposite of remembering a dead man. Holy Communion is a meal with a man who lives! Because of his resurrection victory, Jesus is for you, in the present—at the Lord’s table, for you.

How does God respond to our faithlessness? God rescues me. God also …

REFINES US. “But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.” (Malachi 3:2–4) A metal smith takes a hammer, turns up the heat and rids the metal of impurities. When is he done? When he can see his face in the silver or the gold. And that is God’s goal.

Refining metal involves intense fire to remove the impurities, making the silver or gold even more precious. Malachi’s illustration of silver and gold means that God’s people have great value to him. He loves us right where we are. He loves us too much to let us stay where we are.

When things go wrong in the waiting room, the living room, the conference room, or the emergency room, Jesus is with us. He does not ignore us. Neglect us. Overlook us. Or forget us. Jesus is refining and purifying us. God’s Word is sure. Jesus’s atonement is finished (Johnn 19:30). Rest in his grace.

Martin Luther, the 16th Century German reformer, puts things this way, “Christ is not merely the Purifier but also the purifying Agent. He is not only the Blacksmith but also the Fire; not only the Cleaner but also the Soap” (AE 18:410).

God puts us in the fire—not to destroy us but to develop us. God tests us so that we become more mature. God develops us through the trials and troubles that are sent our way.

The story is told: In 1978, the Double Eagle II was going to be the first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The men waved good-bye and started on their journey. Soaring by day and drifting downward at night, the crew made it to the coast of Ireland when weather changed suddenly and ice-crystals began to form on the balloon. Soon, sheets of ice weighing thousands of pounds forced the giant balloon downward.

Panic replaced peace as the crew watched the altimeter tell the sad story; 24,000 feet; 20,000 feet; 16,000 feet; 12,000 feet. With no solar rays to melt the ice the crew believed that they were heading for an unwelcome baptism. All excess weight needed to be eliminated. Books, canned foods and other equipment were thrown overboard. The ice was still pushing them down; 8,000 feet; 6,000 feet.

The three frightened men gave up all hope when they reached 4,000 feet and heard the rolling Atlantic Ocean beneath them. But within the next few minutes the sun rose and began melting the sheets of ice. In time the Double Eagle II rested in a cornfield a few miles from Paris, France and the airport where Charles Lindbergh had landed.

The crew of the Double Eagle II went through a refining process; they lost everything. The only thing they ultimately needed was the balloon!

The Lord places us in these situations. Some of us have lost so much. It’s a refining process in order to purify our faith in the Lord, time and time again. Why? Malachi 3:3 tells us, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.”

So, what gets your attention? A screaming child? A police car in your rear-view mirror? Your monthly credit card bill? Your favorite football team?

To jar us, wake us, move us God does more than just say, “Hello?” God sends Malachi with a message to help us manage our gifts for him. God rescues us. God refines us. And our response? “We are at your service, Lord. Rescued and refined to bring righteous offerings that are acceptable to you!” Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.