Key Truth: God is patient, longsuffering, and slow to anger bringing redemption long before judgment so that more would repent and live.  

Introduction:

Q: What benefit is there to being good? What difference does it make?  

“The goodness and longsuffering of God are often made an occasion of profane derision and atheistical contempt. Because he does not instantly interpose to vindicate the honour of his injured Majesty, many will deny his interference in the concerns of men, and his determination to punish sin in a future world.”

Charles Simeon, Horae Homileticae, Vol. 10: Hosea to Malachi

A Question of Being Good and God’s Just Presence:

Malachi 2:17-3:5: 

“The prophet Malachi had to deal with a different kind of situation now because people were wondering why God was not doing something to correct the sins and the corruption in the land. The only answer that they could come up with was that God was not just, that he was unwilling to judge sin. The prophet came down hard on this kind of shallow thinking; he made it very clear that if they really wanted the justice of God to be meted out, no one would stand! The individual who understands doctrine will always desire divine grace over divine justice. And those of us who live in the New Testament age understand this very well: what the justice of God demanded for our sins, the grace of God provided in the death of Christ on our behalf.’”
Allen P. Ross, Malachi Then and Now:
An Expository Commentary Based on Detailed Exegetical Analysis

Q: How has God been patient, longsuffering, and slow to anger with you and those you love? As we look at the injustices of the world, should we cry for redemption or judgment?

Application:

Malachi 2:17-3:5 teaches us that:
-God is patient, longsuffering, and slow to anger bringing redemption long before judgment so that more would repent and live

Communion

Benediction:

2 Peter 3:8-13