God is Not Served in Vain Malachi 3:16-4:3 Introduction: Last week we considered The children of Israel had been very critical of God. Rather than welcoming or even accepting God s reproof, instead they found fault with God. In talking among themselves, they grumbled against God. Malachi 3:13 (ESV) Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, How have we spoken against you? Malachi 3:13 (NASB95) Your words have been arrogant against Me, says the LORD. Yet you say, What have we spoken against You? Malachi 3:13 (NIV84) You have said harsh things against me, says the LORD. Yet you ask, What have we said against you? They then questioned in what way they had grumbled against God. Malachi 3:13 (ESV) "Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, How have we spoken against you?' They had said that there was no benefit in serving God. In addition the unrighteous get away free from any consequence to their wickedness. Malachi 3:14 (ESV) You have said, It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? Malachi 3:15 (ESV) And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape. Theme: Tonight we look at the benefits of serving the Lord. I. God makes note of those who faithfully serve Him. A. Those who fear the Lord speak well of the Lord. 1
Malachi 3:16 (ESV) Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. Those who fear the Lord stand in opposition to those who say that it is vain to serve the Lord. Malachi 3:14 (ESV) You have said, It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? Malachi 3:15 (ESV) And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape. B. God distinguishes between those who fear Him and those who don t. 1. God heard what those who feared Him said. Malachi 3:16 (ESV) Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 2. What they said showed reverence for God s name. Malachi 3:16 (ESV) Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 3. We are not told specifically what it was that they said. a. Perhaps they were speaking of the need to repent due to the ruined crops. b. Perhaps they were encouraging each other to steadfastly do what was right. c. Perhaps they were defending the character of God as one who does what is just and right. 2
C. God will record the names of those who have spoken well of Him so that they will be sure to be honored. Malachi 3:16 (ESV) Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 1. It was common in the Old Testament era that kings kept records of those who did feats that worthy of being honored. 2. We have one such example in the book of Esther. a. The king had a book that contained the names of those that performed honorable deeds Esther 6:1 (ESV) On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. b. The king discovered the name of Mordecai who had saved the king s life. Esther 6:2 (ESV) And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. c. The king inquired concerning the manner in which Mordecai was honored. Esther 6:3 (ESV) And the king said, "What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?" The king's young men who attended him said, "Nothing has been done for him." d. The king discovered that Mordecai had not been honored. Esther 6:3 (ESV) And the king said, "What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?" The king's young men who attended him said, "Nothing has been done for him." 3
e. The king made sure that Mordecai was honored. Esther 6:10 (ESV) Then the king said to Haman, Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king s gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned. 3. However, God will remember our righteous acts - that is to reward them. 4. God will not remember our unrighteous deeds - that is hold them against us. Isaiah 43:25 (ESV) I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. II. God then delineates the blessing in serving Him. It is not vain at all. A. In the day of judgment the righteous will belong to God. Malachi 3:17 (ESV) They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. B. In the day of judgment those who fear the Lord will be delivered from judgment. Malachi 3:17 (ESV) They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. III. There is a great difference between those who serve God and those who do not. A. This distinction will be readily seen. Malachi 3:18 (ESV) Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. B. The distinction between the righteous and the wicked will be great. 1. The arrogant will suffer judgment. 4
Malachi 4:1 (ESV) For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2. The righteous will prosper. Malachi 4:2 (ESV) But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3. The righteous will triumph over the wicked once for all. Malachi 4:3 (ESV) And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. IV. Conclusion: A. The Israelites had been saying they had been serving the Lord in vain. There would be no distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous. Malachi 3:14 (ESV) You have said, It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? Malachi 3:15 (ESV) And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape. B. However there is a righteous remnant who understood and spoke well of the Lord knowing that the unrighteous will not escape judgment and the righteous will be rewarded. Malachi 3:16 (ESV) Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. Malachi 3:18 (ESV) Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. 5