A Final Assurance of God’s Faithfulness - Malachi 3:13-4:6

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**Audio and video for this sermon are unavaiable do to technical issues**

 

Introduction

As we have worked our way through the book of Malachi we have heard God’s rebukes and warnings for His people, a people who are living complacent and disobedient lives. But this book is more than a warning of judgment. It’s also a book about God’s incredible faithfulness to His people. 

As we come to this final section of the book, we again hear God’s charges against His people. But we also hear a clear declaration of God’s sure and certain care for His people and His plan for their salvation.

Passage Outline:

A Final Indictment – Arrogant denials of God’s goodness and justice (3:13-15)

  • Sinful attitude one: There is no gain in serving God (v. 14)
  • Sinful attitude two: The wicked always prosper (v. 15) 

A Faithful Remnant – A people seen and treasured by God (3:16-18)

  • God remembers and records their faithfulness (v. 16)
  • God assures them of their place as His treasured people (v. 17) (Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9-10) 

A Final Day – A day of judgement and salvation (4:1-3) 

  • A day of certain judgement (v. 1)
  • A day of joyful salvation (vv. 2-3) (Isaiah 60:1-3; Luke 1:76-79)

A Final Command – Look back: Remember and obey the Lord’s Law (4:4) 

A Final Promise – Look Forward: Salvation is coming (4:5-6) 

Conclusion* - The end of this book will mark the beginning of 400 years of God’s silence. No prophets in all that time, no inspired Scripture. It’s as if God is closing a door on his people. But perhaps not all the way. It is cracked a bit, a little light peeking through. The day of the Lord is coming, a day that will mean judgment for the wicked but healing, joy, and victory for those who fear the name of God. Elijah will return to announce that day, and the Lord himself will come, bringing reconciliation with him. Four hundred years later, a wilderness prophet will arrive to declare the dawning of the Lord’s favor and the good news of restoration between man and God, man and man, and creation and God. The door swings wide open then.

* Jared C. Wilson, Malachi’s Place in the Grand Story, Article at TGC.com, October 1, 2019