Untitled Sermon (17)

We have gotten ourselves into a world of trouble. But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments, 15 if you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my rules, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, 16 then I will do this to you: I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consume the eyes and make the heart ache. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before your enemies. Those who hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you. (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. And if in spite of this you will not listen to me, then I will discipline you again sevenfold for your sins, 19 and I will break the pride of your power. (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

We have a habit choosing what scripture we like but we gloss over or ignore scripture that we are uncomfortable with. But if we read and embrace the entire bible we would realize that what we are seeing today we have brought on ourselves. Deuteronomy “But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. 16 Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the field. 17 Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 18 Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. 19 Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

20 “The LORD will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken me. 21 The LORD will make the pestilence stick to you until he has consumed you off the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 22 The LORD will strike you with wasting disease and with fever, inflammation and fiery heat, and with drought and with blight and with mildew. They shall pursue you until you perish. (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

These warnings came 1000 years before the writing of Malachi. So these warning had been around. God would send a curse for disobedience. How many warnings will we ignore?

What is required?

Be Led by the Lord

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Malachi

Malachi 2:1–4 ESV

1 “And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. 4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts.

He addresses the preist who had gotten away from the way of the Lord. We must be careful to stick to Gods word. We also must live the words we preach. The priest who were from the line of Levi had the responsibility to minister before the Lord on behalf of the people, Lead in worship and praise before the people, Make atonement before the Lord on behalf of the people and finally proclaim the word to the people on behalf the Lord. Yet if the leadership is compromised. If the leadership is misinforming the people or not correcting the people the the corruption infects the people. Its the same the in governmental leadership. Corruption is infectious! Lead me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Actually when we are led by God it identifies as Sons of God!

Secondly Be Taught By the Past

God want to realize when priest do right they are blessing to the people. They brought life and peace to the people. Its walking justly that brings benefits! When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. Justice brings justice! The rule of law requires effective laws and institutions—but it also requires leadership. That is, courageous acts of independence and integrity, sometimes at significant personal or professional cost. Moses was a Just Leader he went to God for the people. David was Just leader He realized when he messed up and repented. He understood how important his relationship with God was.

That leads me to my third Point

but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

When God brings to your attention your sins it up to you to repent. As a leader I have a responsibility to do right but also remind you to do right. We must speak truth to power. For the hope is that God will will send a messenger who will make way for the Lord to appear. When the Lord appears the Word is clear who can stand when he appears! Yes the Lord is sending a warning that we must get right. We must get ready! The Lord is coming back. This time when he returns he coming as a judge. Each of us will have to give an account for what we have done in this earthly body.