Thank you for joining me today as we finish this mini-sermon series by my pastor titled, ‘Summer Shorts.’ For those joining me for the first time, ‘Summer Shorts’ was a sermon series on the Haggai and Malachi, two small books in the Old Testament. These two books are also known as books by minor prophets. Not that they are minor in their message, but minor or smaller in size compared to a major prophecy book like Isaiah or Jeremiah.
Many dismiss the Old Testament message thinking it is irrelevant today. This would be a grievous error considering much of what is happening today can be tied back to the Old Testament. No, the word of God, whether considered minor or major, was as impactful and essential then as it is now.
So today, we land this little plane with a summary of the two books. I like to call it a life application summary. Ask tough questions. Share thought-provoking questions. Ponder how we live and if we seek the Lord or go through the motions.
When we read the Bible, we should be searching, seeking, and asking how we can draw closer to the Lord, live out his word, and share the good news with others. What lessons can we learn from those who have gone before us? The people in the Bible left us plenty of what not to do.
The Israelites waited 400 years for the Messiah, Jesus, to come. We’ve been waiting 2,000 years. What do we look like as we wait on his return? How are we doing?
Have we changed what it’s supposed to be?
Have we added things to the gospel message?
Are we living the way we think is best because God’s grace, mercy, and righteousness are not enough?
Have we walked away from God’s words?
Have we been caught up in the injustice of the world?
Have we offered up defiled objects and sacrifices to him?
What about unfaithfulness? Have we been unfaithful to God?
Are we constantly and consistently representing the words of God in our lives? Or misrepresenting them or reinterpreting them to make them fit our agenda?
Let’s not forget
The promises of God, the covenant of God, through the Spirit of God moving within us, is the exact same charge he gave to the Israelites, and they had to wait. Guess what? We are now waiting for the day of the Lord to come.
The day of the Lord is near. The word of God says he is coming back, and we are waiting. And as we wait, we dive into his word, hold fast to God’s promises, and watch for the Lord’s return.
We don’t know when the Lord will return, but we know he will return, so we better be ready!”
Matthew 24:36-45, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken, the other left.”
Therefore keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let the house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Scripture says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Be ready, friends.
Be watching. Stay alert. Stay sober-minded. Don’t believe the lies of the enemy. Stay faithful, feet firmly planted in God’s word. Look up and keep your eyes on Him.
Thank you, Pastor Joel, for a great sermon series and the reminder that the day of the Lord is coming and that we need to be ready.
We have been given plenty of time to prepare, warning after warning, so we have no excuse. We’ve been waiting a long time, but God doesn’t change. God is faithful.
Are we?
Blessings,
Sermon Snippets From Malachi Chapter 4
Sermon Snippets From Malachi Chapter 3
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