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A Question of Benefit

June 3, 2018 Preacher: Series: The Burden of Malachi: God's Unchanging Love for His Unstable People

Scripture: Malachi 3:13–18

Key Truth: The true purpose of our righteousness is not for personal gain but for the declaring of God’s glory for the life of the world.  

 


Introduction:

What is the true purpose of our righteousness and obedience?  

 

“These words of comfort and challenge address us as well, as we seek to cling to God through disappointment and difficulty. God’s words will be particularly relevant during those times of life when it may seem that God has forgotten us or when we continue to suffer while those who do evil and mock God seem to thrive.”

Iain M. Duguid & Matthew P. Harmon,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi: Reformed Expository Commentary



 

A Skeptical Declaration of the Questionable Benefits of Righteousness:

Malachi 3:13-15:

“The people that the prophet addressed here were skeptics; they had their doubts about the validityof the faith. But because many of them were not committed to the Lord, they had false and selfish expectations. They were expecting an immediate payoff, rewards, or benefits for becoming part of the congregation and living under the Law. They thought that God owed them something for their presence….their whole approach to the worship and service of God was mercenary—they wanted to know what was in it for them.’”

Allen P. Ross,

Malachi Then and Now: An Expository Commentary Based on Detailed Exegetical Analysis

 

Have you ever questioned the benefits of serving God and/or why the wicked prosper?

 

 

A Sure Promise of Eternal Benefit for the Faithful Remnant:

Malachi 3:16-18: 

“The righteous are those who serve God and whose conduct is consequently in accordance with the demands of the covenant. It is not a matter of salvation by works, as if their good standing with God were achieved by their own efforts at keeping the demands of their covenant. On the contrary, their conduct is the evidence that they understand and appreciate all that God has done for them. Their obedience is an index of their indebtedness to him for salvation, and their love for him reveals itself in serving him with all their heart and soul (Deut. 11:13).’”

John L. Mackay, Haggai, Zechariah, & Malachi: God’s Restored People

 

Q: What most encourages you to continue to be faithful? How are you encouraging others
     to remain faithful? What role does having a missional mindset have in this?

 

 

Application:

Malachi 3:13-18 teaches us that our righteousness is:
-not for our personal gain and benefit
-for declaring the glory of God for the life of the world

 

 

Baptism

 

 

Benediction:

2 Peter 3:8-13

More in The Burden of Malachi: God's Unchanging Love for His Unstable People

June 17, 2018

A Call to Remember the Law and Behold the Prophets

June 10, 2018

A Declaration of the Future

May 27, 2018

A Question of Provision