Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

We use mirrors reveal to us the imperfections in our appearance, so that we can correct them.

Transition: Similarly here in the Book of Malachi we see God speaking through Malachi confronting the nation of Israel on their short comings.

However rather than expecting them to fix themselves, Malachi points them to the one whom God is sending to prepare the way for His coming, and He (God) will fix them.

Opening Prayer

God declares his love for his people.

However the peoples’ response to his declaration shows the ultimate condition of their heart.

They doubt and question his love for them.

And not in a sad not understanding way but in a indignite type of way.

God points out to them that he chose their ancestor Jacob over his brother Esau as proof of his love for them.

Edom tried to build wealth and prosperity apart from God’s covenantal blessings.

In fact God said that he would oppose their prosperity and thus ultimately their efforts would prove to be futile.

God had chosen Jacob and his descendants to be the recipients of his blessings.

God loves His people!

Application: Do you seek what God wants to accomplish with your life, your family, your workplace or your ministry?

or are you deciding what you want to accomplish?

Transition: the second exposure God makes is in regards to their worship.

God says to Israel you have despised my name.

The people respond how have we despised your name.

Ultimately God points out how they were bringing terrible sacrifices to the temple.

These gifts are so bad that God points out that they wouldn’t even bring them to their earthly governors and expect to receive favor from them.

The people have failed in their worship of God.

Bringing to him sacrifices that he has told them not to bring.

However it is not just the people that has failed, but God confronts the priests as well.

They have been letting the people bring such unacceptable sacrifices.

You must give your best in worship to God.

Application: Sometimes we can fall into such a familiarity with God that we become contemptuous towards him as we fall into our church routines and activities and forget to whom we do and approach in worship.

What does your daily life reveal about your attitude concerning God?

Transition:God’s exposes a third issue with his people.

Two things are at play here.First, Men from Israel were divorcing their wives for no reason and marrying foreign women and second, they were adopting their new wives Gods.

You must worship God alone.

The sorrow expressed here in v. 13 is not the deep kind of sorrow that leads to repentance but one of emotions that hides a false piety.

Application: You must worship God alone.

Don’t let idols creep in and find their way into your life in the place that only God belongs.

Transition: God’s fourth confrontation with Israel has to do with them doubting his justice.

Their proclamation is that everyone who does what is evil is good in the lord’s sight, and he is pleased with them.

They are saying this because as those around them are “Prospering” they are assuming that God must be pleased with them.

There is almost a jealousy for the world around them.

Ultimately, they doubt that God’s Justice.

Do not doubt that God is Just.

Application: 3:1 We see a prophecy that will be fulfilled by John the Baptist.

This will also be fulfilled by Jesus and also a testimony of Jesus’ deity.

Do not desire the success of the lost world around you, for their success is only for a moment and their destruction for an eternity.

Transition: God’s fifth confrontation with Israel is in regards to them Robbing him.

The temple was falling into disrepair because the people were not giving to God.

God is not in need of our money.

Our giving to God is an act of worship.

It shows our dependency on him.

He even says here to test him in this way.

I want to make sure you understand one thing.

V.10 is not about wealth and prosperity.

If you give God one scoop of Ice cream it does not mean that he is going to give you two scoops back.

Do not stop giving to God.

Tithing and giving to God (through the church) is meant to meet the needs of the priests (pastors) and to do the work of ministry and meeting needs of those in need.

Application: Giving 10% of your income only based on the OT tithe ignores what the NT teaches about giving generously, cheerfully, and sacrificially to meet the needs of ministry and those in the church and outside the church.

Transition: God’s sixth and final confrontation comes in the following verses.

Again they say how worthless it is to serve God and to follow his commands.

Again looking at the “success” of the lost world around them.

God’s response is about the remenant and how God provided a book of rememberance.

God gave you the Scriptures in order to point you to God.

You do not have to fear the Day of the Lord if you are born again.

Conclusion