Righteous Judge- Malachi 3:1-5

Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 30 - Righteous Judge

Verses- Mal 2:17-3: 5 You have wearied the LORD with your words.

   “How have we wearied him?” you ask.

   By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”

3: ¹ “See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.

 ² But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. ³ He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.

 Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, ⁴ and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.

 ⁵ “So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty.

The Righteous Judge

    There was a family that had some contact with the previous church I pastored, but the father was abusive; he was alcoholic. He was living a lifestyle that certainly wasn't keeping with anything biblical. He cursed; he hated preachers; he didn't have very many good things to say about the church even though he visited once or twice a year when he wife made him.

    When He had an accident I paid him a visit on him in the hospital. It was ok for me to do so, but I didn't have a lot of patience with him as he really wanted me to know how unfair God had been allowing him to have that accident. He was bitter against God for not dealing with him kindly.

"If this is the kind of God we have why should I even bother getting to know him." I had hoped that through the accident God might soften his heart. That happens a lot you know. He certainly can use circumstances in our lives to draw to himself and teach great spiritual lessons if we let Him.

     But instead of being drawn closer to God this man's accusations proved his already hard heart. As far as he could see all of his church going, maybe 5 times in 5 years were suppose to impress God and give him protection from accidents.

    I remember being very angry that he would have the audacity to accuse God of wrong doing with his life so filled with sin and selfishness, abuse and egoism. If I were God I would have punished him on the spot for I was weary with his words. I thought, but didn’t say it "What favors have you done for God lately?  Why should he be impressed with you? Give God a reason why he shouldn’t do away with you right now? "

    He didn't deserve mercy, he deserved justice.

    I wonder how God must have felt. After all it was His name that was being slandered.  Doesn't God get weary of people who expect blessing while they themselves are living selfish, ungodly lives?

      Well, Malachi tells us what God thinks.

    The theme begins in chapter 2 with God being weary of the windbags. We was worn out with all the belly-aching, and complaining from people who needed to be judged and had no business whining to God as ones who deserved his blessings. Indeed, they deserved his judgment.  They claimed God was the cause of their trouble. God was helping the unrighteous in their opinion be blessed and God was not showing justice. Their thought was, "I deserve better than this." How often do we secretly complain and think, "God I deserve better treatment than this, What are you doing up there?"

        God addresses areas that are important for each person to consider. Maybe God has something you can learn this week from Malachi.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 31- Prepared

Verses- Mal 2:17-3:1 You have wearied the LORD with your words.

   “How have we wearied him?” you ask.

   By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”

3: ¹ “See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.

Consider Spiritual Preparation

    The Jews were complaining that God was not being fair. In Malachi's day there was the situation where nations like Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, and later Greece were being used as part of God's discipline tool. It isn't that God is being a blessing to people that are evil but that he uses evil nations and sometimes evil people and situations to discipline his own, or to teach them or punish them until his appointed time.

     They had seen cities destroyed, they've been held captive; they believed they were God's chosen people and now they weren't being blessed. Their accusation against God was He is not a God of justice or bad things wouldn't be happening to them.

It was the custom for messengers or runners to be send to towns and villages to announce the coming of the kings and other dignitaries who would be passing by. This enabled the people to have notice so they could get ready. The preparation sometimes required the literal removal of rocks, filling holes and the cleaning of trees so the road can be made straight and smooth.

    The first response to that false accusation is God has already begun to prepare the way for his coming, like one prepares for the king. Real justice which they are asking for is on its way.  The clock is ticking for his appointed time to arrive.

    The use of the present active participle "am sending" - indicates that something is being set in motion that will keep on going without interruption until it is accomplished. It is a continuous unfailing thing that God is doing. The coming of the Lord is imminent. He is sending a messenger to prepare the way for the King's coming. Only if they want justice, justice is exactly what they are going to get.

    One called "My messenger" is being sent in advance of the coming of the Lord. Sunday I preached from Luke 3 about John the Baptist being chosen to prepare the way of the Lord. It is talked about in Malachi. John the Baptist identified himself as the voice in the wilderness.  The angel of the Lord declared to Zacharias the father of the John that his son would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. Luke 1. Jesus identified John the Baptist as the one who fulfilled the prophecy of Malachi in this verse.  Luke 7:26-28."But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes I tell you and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you: I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

   John sought to prepare the way for the Christ by calling the people to repentance. This was spiritual preparation. To change their actions and attitude was moral preparation.

   How can we be spiritually prepared for the Lord? We prepare ourselves, by letting God examine our hearts and our motive, or jealousies, and bitterness, our actions, and our attitudes, and like the Psalmist prayer, "Search me, O God, and see if there be any wicked way in me." Being prepared is desirous of holiness and confession of sin.

   How could the people of Malachai day be prepared? By right worship, not going through the motions, by giving to God their best, not the least, or the last, or the cast always, by having the religious leaders review their part in preparing the people by speaking the truth and calling them to an awesome and great God.

      We come desirous to have our roads prepared by having the stones and rocks of sin and self removed so the King can have his perfect way within your heart.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Feb 1

Verse Mal 3:2-3a

 ² But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. ³ He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.

Consider Spiritual Purification

    Just as John helped call people to repentance and forgiveness of sins, he was doing so in order that the people would let Jesus control their wills and their ways. For now the purifier for sins came. It wasn't through John's ministry whereby they had forgiveness; Forgiveness was possible because of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth the first time to redeem mankind for God. He was to suffer for sins, whereby the penalty can be paid. The cross is the means of purification. It was the means by meeting the just and righteous requirement for holiness.

    How can unholy people come to a most holy God? Only by having the death for their sins occur. We must die to ourselves and by faith give our hearts and our wills over to the Savior. The only one righteous to take our place was the son of God. This message is told in the Old Testaments words of Malachi in this way.

    When justice comes it comes in two ways. Making right the wrong, and correcting, or punishing the offender. The people saw the day of the Lord as a time of prosperity and deliverance from oppression and from their enemies.  Yet God said when he comes to purify the land no one could be able to stand.

      If God was to judge those who are evil and harmful and unjust we would all suffer for He judges purity differently than we do. If he caused all tongues to stop of people have sinned with their mouths this room would be silent for I couldn't talk, nor could you. If he caused strokes to occur to all whose minds were impure, we all would be victims of such an act. But God's judgment for sin is even more sobering. It is eternal separation from God in Heaven. It is the judgment of hell. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

    But Malachi saw God's purpose to clean and purity rather than destroy so he uses the figures of gold, silver and soap. The refiner’s fire is a means to heat up the impurities so as to cause them to burn out and leave the pure unadulterated gold and metals.

    When the Lord came it was to reveal the impurity and helplessness of all who are brought into his presence. It is to make us pure by the blood of Jesus Christ. It was the act of the atonement that brings to us forgiveness to all who come in true repentance. Jesus purpose for his first coming was our salvation that we might be made right with God.

   Zechariah says, "And I will put this third into the fire and refine them as one refines silver, an test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people' and they will say, "The Lord is my God." 13:9.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Feb 2 Righteous offerings

Verse Malachi 3:3b-4 Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, ⁴ and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.

Consider Righteous Offerings

      After going through the refiners fire, after having clothing cleaned by a launderer, what is the outcome? Purity? Cleansing? Usable again.

      What Malachi presented was the way in which God was going to purify his people through fire. It is in testings and trials and sufferings when our faith is made strong, or we give up on God. As one person said, “This is enough to make me lose my faith.” To which his friend responded, “This should be enough to make you use your faith.”

      You and I resist being crushed, and sifted; we want to run from the fire. We ask God to change our circumstances, "God it hurts; the fire burns take it away!" In God’s wisdom adversity and painful circumstances fulfill His divine purpose in our lives.
       Brokenness and humility enable God to remove the impurity of sin from our lives. God refines us like silver so the world can see the image of Jesus in us. God’s purpose is to cleanse our lives of sin; to purify our hearts so His holiness and glory can be seen through our lives. God’s goal is to make us like Jesus.
       Humility opens the door for God’s grace to forgive us of our sin. Humility further enables us to accept God’s purpose in our lives to reflect Him to the world. You may not realize it - but God has a plan for you. He wants you to become just like Jesus. God has a purpose for us. He wants us to be holy. He wants us to be pure. He wants us to be Christ-like.

      We are purified by the blood Jesus shed on the cross; we are purified by the Holy Spirit; and we are purified by the Word of God - the bible. The Scriptures says, “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10 NIV. And “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:4 NIV

     Think of it this way. You wouldn’t spend money to get your favorite suit or dress or shirt dry-cleaned if you didn’t plan on wearing it. In the same Jesus doesn’t just purify us so that heaven can be ours; he’s purified us so that we can serve God.  

      Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” That is what is means to be a righteous offering. We are now presentable to God when sin is forgiven and we have humbly responded to being His servant, His disciple. He is the potter and we are the clay. All we are and have belongs to Him. Then comes the joy of the filling of the Spirit and the blessings to God and others.

      Someone wrote” We are being made to be like Jesus, to reflect His glory and holiness with greater clarity and distinction. In everything we do, from the big issues of life to the mundane everyday routine, we reflect Jesus.
  Being in a hurry gives way to patience.
  Procrastination becomes perseverance.
  Harsh words have the edges cut off and are gentle.
  Bitterness and resentment turn into forgiveness.
  Envy and covetousness becomes contentment.
  Boastfulness and conceit learn humility.
  The clenched hand of stingy selfishness opens with generosity.
  An angry short fuse is replaced with self-control.
  Deception and half-truths melt away and are replaced with honesty and integrity.
  Doubt and fear are transformed into faith and confidence.

      God wanted His people to serve faithfully in the work that he had already given to them. For the priests this meant that they should take their duties seriously and look at it as a privilege, not a burden. For you it may mean to serve God by being a faithful father and husband. Love your wife unconditionally and lead your household as God wants you to lead, with gentleness and patience. If you are a wife and a mother, serve your husband and family faithfully as if you were serving God himself. If God has made you a student, apply yourself diligently to your studies. Don’t put homework off, or do it to get done as quickly as you can, instead do it to the best of your ability and when God blesses your work give him credit for your success.
      Of course there are other ways in which we can serve our God. In the book of Malachi God says that we can serve him by bringing him the best of our income. Unfortunately the Israelites during Malachi’s time were bringing anything but their best. They were sacrificing animals that were sick and diseased and not worth selling on the market any way. That hardly showed devotion and respect to the King of Kings! In fact you remember in chapter 1 God dared them to bring that same gift to their governor in Jerusalem.
      How are we doing in our giving? Are we giving the King of Kings the best of our income, or whatever we can afford to part with? Giving God our best is a way for us to show that he truly has captured our heart and remains number one in our life, so that you could serve him with your whole life, including your treasures. 

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Feb 3 Judgment

Verse Mal 3:5 ⁵ “So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty.

Consider Spiritual Judgment

   Hope for those who have been purified by the works of Christ are now offerings of delight to the Lord. We serve Him and are blessed in doing so. But there is another side to the picture. For those who go their own way, to other idols and gods, will be judged for their sins. For those who go through motions, but hearts are far from Him there is warning.

    The New Testament talks about another Day of the Lord, when the righteous one comes as king, and not the savior, to judge the world not to redeem it. The day of the offer of Salvation will be over. Now is the time for salvation, now is the time for confession and now is the time to devote yourselves to the things of God for when Christ returns it will be too late.  There is no way to escape the judgment. 

Revelations is clear that the coming of the Lord will be to redeem and to judge. There will be a place in the presence of God and a place separated for eternity from God. There will be ultimate reward and punishment. There will be heaven and hell.

    God has given to us a warning. Why do we harden our hearts against Him? What do we continue in sin as adulterers, liars, cheats, abusing the poor, ignoring the needy, and do not make God Lord of their lives?

    We are used to the courts of law that are imperfect, where many do not believe they will ever get caught. We like to think we are smart and can outsmart God. Indeed, there are some that think there will be some celestial loop-hole and they will somehow squeak on in. Or they are blinded by their own doctrine that everyone will someday make it to heaven. That is not the teachings of the Bible. As much as we might not like the truth- truth does not change based on our approval.

   Perhaps we live too long in a democracy where we think the will of the people ultimately prevail and the vote will be against God and in favor of salvation for all sinners. We are responsible to God for telling people of God's love in Christ and the good news there is a way of salvation. However, if they turn their back, are not interested, if the pressures of their friends, or fear of laughter, or rejection by significant others gets in the way of the place of God, God's word say there is judgment from which we cannot run and hid and get away.

    According to a Gallup Poll over 70% of Americans agree with this statement- "There are few moral absolutes: what is right or wrong usually varies from situation to situation." Yet most of them said they were religious and the Bible was important to them. What we say and what we do are two different things.

      Have we so insulated ourselves with the quality of the love of God that we forget holy love also brings about ultimate judgment and some day the warnings will stop and justice and judgment prevail. I fear many are not prepared. Many do not take this word seriously. Many are lost and many are living for the comforts of this world and ignore the fact it will quickly be gone. This is not just the day for salvation, it is also the day for confession, repentance, and renewed zeal for God and His ways.

       Fear of the Lord is understood as godly awe and wonder. It relates to reverence for God. When one is no longer concerned about God then he is liable to become the victim of all kinds of evil passions and lusts. Neglect and defiance of the will of the Lord always have met with chastisement and disaster.

   Malachi preaches because God wants people to turn. And the good news is "All who come unto me I will in no wise cast out." says Jesus.

Pastor Dale

Troubled Marriages Malachi 2:10-16

Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 23 

Verses-  Mal 2:10-16

Troubled Marriages

    Phillip Yancey awhile back wrote an article regarding Midlife Crisis. He said, "If I heard that term one more time, I may have one." The phrase commonly refers to the inner emotional struggles of those between 35-55. However many people rationalize their sin where no longer do they commit adultery and break up their marriages they "go through midlife crises." Arguments are almost by script.

    "I have changed. I am different man today than when I married her. I must be true to myself, and follow who I really am as far as that leads me. I have spent all my time concerned for others, now I must take care of me for awhile."

    What that often means is another woman who truly understands (which incidentally usually is 10 years younger and 15 pounds lighter than his wife, and not often bound with the same responsibilities of motherhood.) Yancey asks this question "Can a person who is actively lusting objectively examine himself and make a judgment about the future direction of his life without being affected by the lust itself?”

     The Bible simply says there is no temptation which is taken you that is not common to man But God is faithful and will provide an escape that you may be able to endure it." What is he saying?  Don't make yourself an exception to God's rule. He will be with you to work out your struggle if you are willing to obey and trust Him.

   Marriage is vitally important in many ways. For followers of Christ this is a spiritual commitment that affects relationships to God.

   There were many sins of the people which Malachi pointed out. The most important was to think they were honoring God with actions, while their hearts were complacent. Spiritual leaders were in need of revival themselves. They were doing a job, not a ministry. They were not instructing the people in the revealed word of truth, they were not correcting the people in disobedience. Commitment to Christ means a life change of heart and body and soul. Lack of commitment to God affects all the other areas of our lives. Perhaps the closest of all relationships next to the Lord is that of a marriage partner. God's intent for marriage has never been that it be a privately arranged affair for one's own personal conveniences. Marriage is a very solemn covenant entered into in the presence of God. The obligations of marriage are not to be taken lightly.  This week we will look at some things regarding marriage and divorce.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 24 

Verses Mal 2:10-13 -Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?

 ¹¹ Judah has broken faith. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves, by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. ¹² As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD cut him off from the tents of Jacob—even though he brings offerings to the LORD Almighty.

 ¹³ Another thing you do: You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 

Unequally yoked affects our Relationship to God.

     There are three marital problems being addressed in the larger passage: the marrying of people who are not of the faith, adultery, and divorce.  These are spiritual matters for the all involved the breaking of God's laws. They hold spiritual consequences. How is that? Because when we marry we are making a spiritual commitment to God. To break that commitment affects our own relationship to God. Look at verse 13.

      People were complaining and crying that the Lord was not hearing their prayers and they are wondering why? Yet they don't come to him in confession and repentance, but in thinking that going through religious acts of sacrifice and temple worship God is not keeping his part of the bargain of answering their prayers and blessing their lives.

   If your spiritual life is in the pits, perhaps you need to re-evaluate your relationship with your spouse. If your relationship with your mate is having great difficulty perhaps it's time to do spiritual evaluation.

   Now let me explain again the problem with marrying foreign wives. People of various nationalities then believed each group of people had their own god. I understand some of the Native American tribes worshiped a different god or part of nature. They believed they got powers from that god- a crow, a buffalo, the moon, the eagle and so forth. When a member of one tribe married a member from another the problem wasn't racial, it was religious and cultural. Whose god is to be worshiped? This was more pronounced in Israel when they married foreign wives. They would bring in family idols and that was an offense to God. The was the problem with Solomon whose heart grow cold to Jehovah-God in his later years. 

     The issue of the Israelites marrying women of a different race involved the introduction of the false gods being worshipped. It was perverting the faith. Indeed, if people worshiped the true God there was no problem, as evidenced in the book of Ruth. She was a Moabite and was blessed for she accepted the true God. Rahab was a gentile prostitute. But she changed allegiances and believed in the God of Israel and all was forgiven.

      So the matter is not a racial problem it is a spiritual problem. Questions of differing cultures may have a tremendous affect on how people communicate and act and think, but spiritually there is a big gulf if the Spirit of God resides in one and not the other. They don't even see things the same way. That is why Christians are instructed not to marry non Christians. (2 Cor 6:14) When you marry non-Christians your own faith will be challenged to grow colder or your marriage will, for the most important thing is seeking God’s will in all of your life and if the spouse does not there is a major difference in priorities.

     The problem, of course, is a spiritual problem. It is a symptom not only a cause. There is no question that adultery and divorce will also affect Christians in their spiritual relationship. Two people who love God with all their hearts will commit themselves to seeking solutions to resolved differences and work out together alternatives whereby they might support, love and remain faithful to each other. I also know many try with all their hearts to make a marriage work, but have a mate who is not willing to work in the relationship any longer.

     Many couples have no sense of the Biblical concept of marriage as a covenant established before God and man. On the one hand there is lot of premarital sex play based on the physical excitement. On the other hand, there is no genuine sense of pledge of spiritual fidelity on the part of the husband and wife to each other. Marriage is a spiritual commitment.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Jan 25 

Verses Mal 2: ¹³ Another thing you do: You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. ¹⁴ You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.

Adultery affects our Relationship to God. 

     There is no one who affects me more than Judi and vice versa. When there is no a spiritual link between the husband and wife then there is a vast limited communication and understanding. God calls people into a relationship as husband and wife to fulfill a spiritual task. Did you know that? We are to affect one another but mostly to encourage one another in the faith. God gives each different gifts and abilities to complement one another.

     What a joy when one prays for the other, and can discuss spiritual things together and teach one another characteristics that God uses in our own growth.

    I am spiritually blessed because of Judi. I trust that same is true. Almost all the fruit of the Spirit are the results of relationships which we learn in marriage: love, long suffering, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, self-control. She is God's tool to help me and I am God's tool to help her.

    How can that happen if one isn't a believer? How can that happen if the marriage vows are broken?  If a husband or wife cheats on their spouse it affects them and it affects their mate. Infidelity causes many marriages to crumble. Why does it happen?

    Some marriage partners are unfaithful only mentally for a time, but then it yields to physical. Some people practice extramarital sex to boost their own ego, or convince themselves they are still attractive and important and appreciated by someone. Sometimes affairs are a tool of vengeance to get back at their mate. Obviously there are more complicated reasons but unless it is a safety issue it usually is a selfish one. All of these reasons are still show a lack of commitment to their marriage vows to God and each other.

     We are not created sexual animals to run about doing what feels natural. God created male and female to enable two people to become one in the fullest and most complete sense, of which sex is only a part.

     God hates divorce. There is no such thing as anyone who isn't sadly affected. What does the Bible say v.16 "I hate divorce and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment." Some pastors will say in no uncertain terms that wives your job is submission even if you are being beat every night.

      I never advise divorce. I would do everything I can to seek the parties to correct the sin so God can work in people’s lives. But to advise someone to stay in an abusive relationship is wrong? God hates violence. Do you think God honors one person beating up on another?  Get protection and if the person is unable to get help then your first obligation is to protect you and your children, for God hates violence. He hates divorce.

    Divorce had become so prevalent in Malachi's day that he focused on it as a major evil. It was breaking the marriage vow before God and the Jewish community. It was used for man to please himself and his desires out of selfishness. Men would be enamored by a pagan women, or seduced by a younger and more attractive woman. His pride would supersede his spiritual vow to God and to his wife.

    There is no question that when we sin against God we also sin against our mate. If we are committed to Christ and desire to honor him we will do right to take God's commands seriously. It is another thing according to 1 Corinthians 7 if we marry and then come to Christ and our mate does not. We are to remain a witness so God can work on your spouse, unless the spouse chooses to leave for religious purposes.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Jan 26 

Verses- Mal 2:  ¹⁵ Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

Marriage affects our Children’s' Relationship to God.

    Just like marriage is a tool of God's to affect our spiritual lives and the spiritual lives of our spouses, even more so marriage and  parenthood is used of God to influence children for God.  The job of the parent is to be God's servants for preparing them for this life and the next.  It is more than seeing they learn math, reading, and science. It is more than providing food and clothes, and housing.  It is love and nurture, and acceptance, and discipline, and learning to work together, and values and morals and principles. We as parent can make a kid get baptized, or even join a church, but that doesn't make him a Christian.

   We are to show the reality of Christ in us and in our love for Jesus then the Holy Spirit uses that to convict each child of their own sin and need for personally accepting Christ and following Him with all their heart.

   Modern Christians are often tempted to think that what happens in the church building comprises the sum of their religious experience. Most of the religious learning in Malachi's day took place in the Jewish home. The majority of the worship occurred in the home. Scripture memorization was not in the temple it was in the home. So a woman as a wife and mother who knew nothing about the worship of the one true God would basically be a corruption, a distortion, and the worship of God in the home was destroyed. That same woman would also successfully seek to inject into the Jewish home the worship of her pagan god.  Our marriage to non Christians sadly affects the attitude that many children have toward the faith. Young people remember now before you even date, what type of father or mother would your boy friend or girl friend make to your kids. Would they have a spiritual concern for them; would you have unity in your convictions?

   How do you think an affair might influence your children? I cannot begin to describe the tremendous influence divorce has on kids. It isn't just their own emotional health that is important it is their spiritual health and issues of trust, and prayer, and faith, and security. God's grace is often seen when re-commitments and dedications are made following recovery from divorce, but it is not without a great deal of scars. If you think being a single parent is an easy job, ask them. If you think you get out of responsibilities by leaving your family, the consequences are numerous, not to mention the Spiritual consequences to which God holds us responsible.

   We need to help, encourage and pray for those who are victims of broken marriages and especially the children.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Jan 27 – Divorce

Verse Mal 2:  ¹⁶ “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the LORD Almighty.

   So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

Divorce affects our Community’s Relationship to God. 

   We do not live unto ourselves. As I was reading Malachi these commandment are for individuals, but they are for the people of God too. The Lord called Jacob unto himself. He is referring to fellow Jews. I believe the nation of Judah does represent the people God calls unto himself. They are like a bride to Him.

       In the New Testament the church is the body of Christ. When the people of God continue in unfaithfulness, in divorce, and in disobedience how is the church not affected?  The cause of Christ is compromised. The more Christians ignore their vows and pledges to God, the whole body of Christ is negatively affected. Malachi asserted the every offense against the brotherhood was also against His sacred covenant that bound them together as a people.

    Given the set of circumstances, divorce may seem to be the only way to salvage anything of two lives, much less a family that has broken in two. Divorce is always failure, and since we are human, divorce will always be with us. It is not an unpardonable sin. Still we should not approach marriage or be in marriage expecting divorce as the alternative to unhappy trials.

     When sin abounds then it must be dealt with.  We not only bear one another's burdens but also are affected when someone falls.  As one is hurt so is the body hurt. When they joined themselves in marriage to heathen women or to put away by divorce their own wives in defiance of their obligations to one another, it affected the fellowship.

     Sin is not just personal. The larger communities also experience the consequences. With the rise of divorce, living outside of marriage, adultery, and broken families come the increase of the affects on children and finances, and increases the need for welfare for those who cannot make ends meet. Most jails and prisons are filled with people who do not have fathers or mothers are not around because they work two jobs to make ends meet. Drug problems, welfare, crime, alcoholism was so much higher among broken families.  One mayor said when values are taught at home it affects the city.

   To be a witness to the Lord as Christians, first we must get our own life in order, then we must make things right with our mate, then our children, then our church, and beyond that our communities.

    Many people in our nation have a rather casual attitude toward marriage. Increasingly I am hearing among church people that when their kids start living together with people of the opposite sex the rationale is well, that's the society we live in. Yes it is, but it is still sin against God. We never judge our actions based on what society is doing or even what other's who claim to be Christians are doing. We based our actions on the word of God. You cannot change the rules just become you love the players. You don't stop loving the players either. You love them pray for them, witness to them. And when their lives fall apart, for they will, then be there to pick them up and show them the path to confession, repentance and forgiveness and acceptance of God.

    There is an increasing movement to redefine families. We have an opportunity in Minnesota to vote on the marriage amendment this November. It is foolish to think it is just affects consenting parties. The relationships, even same sex relationships, affect the communities, churches, and nation.

     

     The call of Malachi is to have God renew our relationships and see them as something more than just between two people, or what our family does is our own business. It is a call to give yourselves to God as vessels and let God use your marriage as another illustration of grace, forgiveness and love.

    Although this passage doesn’t deal with the all the teachings of divorce and remarriage it is pointing out the results of marriage failures due to sin. Realize that your spiritual life affects your marriage and your marriage affects your spiritual life. It affects your relationship with God, your mate, your children, your church, and your community. Let God know that there are people who will stop the trend and be examples and lights to those around us.  Be God's people! Begin in your homes.

Pastor Dale

Use and Abuse of Ministry Malachi 2:1-9

Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 16- 

Verses- Mal 2:1-2 ¹ “And now, you priests, this warning is for you. ² If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.

The Use and Abuse of Ministry

   Unfortunately we regularly hear in the news reports of priest, pastors, and youth pastors who abuse their position with illicit affairs, greed, power, and misuse of funds. It is an embarrassment not only to the churches but to the body of Christ.

    Popular TV evangelists are still fighting to keep hidden their finances saying it is no one’s business and churches would not to be investigated by the government. Indeed what they do with their money is between the ministry and it’s donors unless there is evidence of tax evasion and use of money for non ministry relate expenses. Many of the prosperity gospel leaders live very extravagant lives in keeping with their message that God blesses the faithful with riches and good health. How their live their lives is no one’s business. Practices of use of money leave many skeptical of the message of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than receive.” Does this include ministers?

            Is it any wonder people have lost trust in churches and their leaders?  When I was in Jr. High school my pastor preached against dancing encouraging us to get a signed a statement releasing us from that school physical educational requirement. Yet, while I was gone at church youth camp he ran off with our church secretary leaving his wife and family. I thought of the many sermons he preached some left the church never to return to any church.

    After addressing the problem let me put this matter in perspective.

What portion of the clergy would you guess fall into those type of scandalizing public sins?  Probably less than 1-2%. If the Minnesota Iowa Baptist Churches of 250 were to reach 1% that would be 2 or 3 pastors every two years, not counting all the assistants and youth that would have to face some scandal. The fact that it might even be .5% compared to the 99.5% makes me want to remind the news media the problem is not an epidemic, and indeed 99.5% are sacrificial, moral committed people desiring to be truly servants of God and the people. That would be the worst case scenario.

    However the Bible is clear we need to be aware of the false teachers and leaders and recognize how God’s warnings directed toward leaders affect us all. Malachi also gives good guidelines from God to evaluate ministries and the standard to which those in spiritual leadership but abide

     Pray for all pastors, church officers, Sunday School teachers, Club workers, and laypeople who do ministry at Stanchfield. Pray we live the life that is honoring to the Lord and an example to others.

            As so many of the recent candidates for Presidency are being scrutinized publicly what would be revealed of your life if people were looking for dirty? More importantly what changes would God call you to make? What warnings apply to us all?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 17 

Verses Mal 2:1-2 ¹ “And now, you priests, this warning is for you. ² If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.

Discerning the Motives of the Ministry.

    The priest of Malachi's day were going through the motions but not honoring the Lord in their hearts or actions. They were supposed to be set apart for God, seeking his rule and his reign in their lives and for the nation of Israel. As I discussed last week, in the New Testament understanding we are all priests so even though many comments may be directed to the full time Christian ministers the principles are applicable to all of us in lay responsibilities. We must evaluate our motives for service. Who really knows our true motives but God?

    Some desire to be ministers for the sake of wanting to help other people. They have a concern for society or for individuals and truly are desirous to make life easier for others. Many fight for noble causes of justice, and against political and social oppression. Some become the national conscience for social concerns and civil rights. There are those who get into the ministry to feed the poor, and cloth the naked and see people in the world get clean water and health care. There are many who go out in the name of Jesus with compassion for the people. But let me also say that just because some are doing a good work doesn't mean they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Just because some are kind and generous doesn't mean they are saved.

    Some ministers who enter the pastorate for the purpose of earning salvation, thinking, if they are serving in Jesus name they will go to heaven. Do you know what Jesus says in Matthew 7:23 "Some will come and say, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers."?

      There may be noble causes for ministry, but they are still false.     There are many who minister because it is expected of them. This would be true of some of the O.T. priest. There were people who were born into a priest family and because of their birth they too were expected to carry out the job of the tribe of Levi. They were designated as priests even though they may not have a heart for God.

    There are some who do church work because of the expectations of other people. Some feel coerced into the job.  Some may have a guilt trip placed on them.  Some don't want to disappoint their parents or their church, or friends. Are they really serving God?

    There are other motives less honest. Those who with gifts and talents can obtain large sums of money and benefits. I knew a seminary classmate of mine who judged every call based solely on the financial packages.

      Beverly Crowley of Wynona responded with one direct mail appeal of a known TV evangelist. He wrote her a letter months after the death of her husband Tom, seeking more money. "God spoke to me this morning specifically about you, Tom, and he's going to heal you".

     Apparently God must have forgotten to tell Robert Tilton that Tom had died.  Many falsely play on people’s emotions and have them give liberally to the Lord's work while the preacher lives in mansions and flies personal jets all over the world.  They justify their lavish lifestyle by claiming Biblical promises of the wealth that is ours in Christ if we trust him and claim it.

     Some are motivated into ministry by their power to lead. It is an ego trip to have people following them. It is said of Jim Jones he helped people.  He influenced people into service and gave meaning to lots of poor people.  His followers were given hope and told him how great he was, and what a help he was to them. His problem was he started to believe them. Little by little God was pushed off the throne and Jim Jones was inched onto it, until people followed Jim Jones into giving all their property, their children, their bodies and ultimately their lives in Guyana.  Many are in the ministry for control.

     What is right motive for ministry?  It is to nothing else than to obey His call to glorify God and honor him. The priests are called to listen to none other than God Himself. They are to serve foremost God Himself regardless if it means poverty or riches, popularity or loneliness, pleasure or suffering, health or sickness, or life or death.

    Malachi speaks God words when he says, "You have not set your heart to honor my name, says the Lord Almighty."  The motive for service in SS class, on the Trustee board, in the pulpit or on the floor of the toddler's room is to honor and lift of the name of God.

   We can't do that unless we have asked God to forgive us of our sins. We can't do that unless we trust Jesus Christ alone to be our savior. We can't do that unless we desire to listen to God, and we can't do that unless we by commitment and offer ourselves unto Him unashamedly and completely,

    Can we pray, "Lord it is for your glory that I desire to serve you, not my glory. I don't serve for the preacher, or for the program, or even for the sake the people, but ultimately the glory must go to God, who raw the people closer to Himself."

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Jan 18

Verses- Mal 2: ³ “Because of you I will rebuke your descendants^[a]; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. ⁴ And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD Almighty. ⁵ “My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. ⁶ True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.

Discern the Morals of the Ministry 

    Because of the sinful heart and actions of the priest the warning of Malachi is how God feels and acts. Sin has it consequences. Immorality has a price to pay. When people go through motions to love God but live lives much differently God is offended and rightly so.

     The call to ministry is to show people the intimacy of God as one who loves us and desires life and peace. It is hard to glorify the God of glory in song or in religious acts and live in disobedience and shame. The life of honor is living in truth, in moral lives and leaving sin behind.

It is an embarrassment to the body of believers. I wish it weren't true, but among spiritual leaders are drunks, sexual addicts, adulterers, homosexual, embezzlers, liars, manipulator, cheaters, gossips, back-bitters, hypocrites, slanders. There are those who are in competition with others, seeking personal success, jealous of other ministries.

     I believe Malachi's message is to priests as the ones who minister the spiritual values to the people- if they are full of sin, then what about the people? Is it any wonder there is spiritual inactivity in the hearts of the worshippers?  It is one thing for a prophet like Elijah to call people to God and they refuse, it is another when the prophets and priest do not fulfill their duty and people who seek God and in fact are turned away or led to false faith and eternally lost.

    When I was at Abbott Northwestern hospital visiting a patient I saw Pastor Fred Tuma, from our Ham Lake Baptist church in the hall.  His wife had back surgery. When I stopped in to see how she was doing, she just got off the phone talking with a close friend of hers. Physically she was fine. Spiritually she was troubled. She was told that one of her friends found her husband with another woman.  He was a pastor. He had resigned his church. We cried.

    There was no place for gossip. There was no desire to run to the phone and call all we know to share a bit of spicy news. There was no sense of pride in thinking he was weak but we are strong.  No. But there is heartfelt grief that once again tore out hearts in grief. A friend of ours had dirtied the name of Jesus Christ and Satan had gained another victory.  How can this happen?

    Who is sinless? None. Who is without lying lips? None. Who doesn't have lust in their heart? None. Who deserve to be punished for we have all fallen short of the gospel of Christ? Does God call pastors to one standard of living, and deacons and lay officer to another standard of living and workers to another and member to another? He calls us all to moral holiness. Where there is sin there is grief to the body of Christ. There are some sins that grossly affect the body of Christ more than others.

     The unchurched people howl and laugh, mock and jeer.  Friends, Satan goes around seeking whom he can devour and does so within the Christian churches and among Christian leaders for there is nothing that he wants more than for the leaders to fall. That is why you need to especially support your leaders, officers and pastors in prayer that the Spirit would strengthen our weaknesses, and protect us from the fiery darts of the evil one. Pray that we have discernment and never think we are above sin, or accountability.  But if you are serving the Lord, Satan will also see to do what he can to disrupt your work. Be on guard. Be alert, be prepared. Pray with humility for there but for the grace of God go I.

    When you discern a ministry discern morals.  Is it there desire on the part of spiritual leaders to walk in holiness? Is it their desire to cover up or confess? Is it the desire of turning people's heart to God and from self, sin and shame?  How do they handle money? Are they people of truth? Do they purposely and knowingly continue in sin without struggle? Do they desire to be pure in all areas of their lives, knowing that we are not perfect, but we neither want to hurt our Lord or others?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Jan 19

Verses Mal 2:6-8 ⁶ True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.

 ⁷ “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. ⁸ But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the LORD Almighty. 

Discern the Message of the Ministry

    Another important criterion for ministry is the importance of speaking God's message. In this passage the call of the priest is to have on his lips the knowledge and give instruction as the messenger of the Lord Almighty. The priests have not been teaching the Word and law of the Lord, but other things.

    When God calls people to be His messengers it is because He has a message that the people must hear. That is the means by which they are convicted of sin and brought into the presence of God for salvation. If there is one easy way to discern the truth or falsity of a ministry is it to see if they desire to preach and teach the Bible and principles that are applicable from the Scriptures. Or are they sharing their thoughts and opinions? Are they rightly dividing the Word of truth or are they twisting Scripture to talk about what is popular or false?

    The people had most of the Old Testament in writing at the time of Malachi. Not everyone owned the Scriptures. The scribes and priests and teachers of the law were privileged ones so they taught the people. But instead they taught out of convenience not conviction. They let people continue in the ignorance of their sin. They also spoke a different message.

   We live in a far different culture and I praise God that each of you can have the Bible and check out what is false and what is true. What is consistent fundamental doctrine and what is Scripture twisting?    

   The basic motive of the purpose of preaching class is to address the question how might someone better communicate God's truth? Indeed it is easy to stress the methods of communication than it is the essence of truth. Speaking so people understand is important. But some love to talk and preach and teach and compromise the message.

   If something smells fishy check it out in your Bible. By all means don't just take someone's word for it, read your own Bible. Do you read it in context? That is one of the reasons I desire to speak expository. I like to typically preach through book, like I am with Malachi because we are dealing with the whole message and not just a verse here and there.

   My commitment to God when I went into the pastorate is that as truthfully as I can I want to convey what I understand what God's word is saying.  We have some excellent Bible teachers on the radio, on tapes, excellent Bible study books, many preachers, but you evaluate the message according to the standard of Scripture, not how polished and entertaining the speaker is.  There are many popular speakers, but they preach a false gospel.

     If you are a S.S. teacher, youth leader, or sharing in devotions if part of your responsibility is teaching, speaking, or conveying information continue to evaluate your content from that which are your ideas and that which is Biblical. Paul tells Timothy to study to show  yourself approved unto God rightly dividing the word of truth. Stability comes from knowledge of the truth. You'll never have progress if you don't study and seek to know the word by which you can judge other ministries and not be lead into falsehood.  Let the Bible be your guide in all truth.  Evaluate other ministries by it.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Jan 20 –

Verses- Mal 2: . ⁸ But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the LORD Almighty. ⁹ “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

Discern the Manner of the Ministry

    There are four things I want to point out in how we serve God. The first is in obedience. The tribe of Levi represents people called by God to serve Him as priests. They have been set apart to glorify God and draw the people unto Him. It is not a mundane job. There are parts of every job that we do not like, but when we lose sight of our divine call, we serve with our humanness instead of in the Spirit.

   The concept of the church is that God calls some to be prophets, some to be apostles, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph.4:11-12.)

Leaders serve God by helping people into a closer relationship with God so each might serve to build each other up in the faith. In the New Testament the body of Christ each serving with his gift. We don't have the same function, personality, ability, but I believe we are called to carry out faithfully the task according to our abilities. You are to obey in doing what God wants you to do.

    The second thought is the manner of humility. It is the understanding that we are tools of God. He gifts us and calls us by His spirit. We are not to usurp God's authority or draw people unto ourselves. We are but vessels of God and so we persevere. Is it with a sincere spirit and a right attitude toward God that we serve.  Jesus left for us an example when he washed the feet of his disciples. He said, “I come not to be served but to serve.”

    Integrity is another important ingredient in service. The rebuke to the priests was they were not completely honest. They did their jobs with prejudice and influence. The treated people differently if they benefited from it. It is easy to treat the rich differently than the poor, the professional with more distinction than the working class, the one with influence in a different way that one who had none.

            Putting it plainly they bent the rules for some people. It was to their personal benefit to bend the rules for some people and not others. I'm not talking about policies, I'm talking about God's rules.

     The manner of service puts its concentration on integrity, not the reciting of rituals or administering the sacraments, but honesty and righteousness, peaceful relationship with God and others.

     A fourth manner of ministry is love. Do they really love the Lord and love others? Is this demonstrated in their service? I Corinthians 13 tells us that is we have all knowledge, all wisdom, all power to heal and perform miracles and have not love we are a noisy gong and clanging cymbal.

            The problem with some pastors is that love to preach and teach, but they do not like being with people. I'm not talking about loving their sin, or letting the people live they way they want, but in all the Malachi the over ridding them is the love God has for them.

    The prophet warns if the priests don't change they will face the consequences. If they do not have a change of heart then God will remove them from their calling and change their blessings into curses.

            Forgiveness is possible if there is willingness to change. God says that he will rebuke their descendants and spread the dung from their sacrifices all over their own faces that they be found unclean in their jobs.  They are prepared for the dung heap. The crops of the land will no longer produce.

     All throughout the Bible there are false prophets and unjust judges, in all the land there will be people who will pervert the gospel for their own profit, and abuse people in legalistic religion and in manipulative means to accomplish personal ends.

    God will judge, but in the process they are people who will be victims and damaged, and lost, and bitter toward God and the church and people of God. Friends our actions affect each other. God will punish and avenge but in the process we are not people pleasers we are God pleasers. If people are offended for righteousness sake when they see what God's word says then they must deal with God. If they are brought to truth and reject it then they must deal with God. If they see Christ and his love and come to the cross in faith then they deal with God.

     The minister's job is to love the Lord their God and live as examples among the people, to speak as clearly as they can God's truth realize the manner must but be consistent with the ends. We must minister in obedience, in humility, with integrity and with love. God's desire is that His name lifted up.  As you discern your ministry-discern it by the bases of the motives, the morals, the message, and the manners.

Pastor Dale