Sunrise Tomorrow Series

Sunrise Tomorrow

Malachi Sermon Series (11 of 12)

Malachi 4.2-6

August 11, 2013 Chester FBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction:

A The Day of the Lord will be a sunset for a sin-scarred world, but it will be a glorious sunrise for new one.

1 Nations, kingdoms, systems will fall; but God’s Kingdom will established.

a Jesus’ reign as King, Lord will be established over a new earth.

b No more sickness, pain, sin, tears, separation.

2 Malachi 4.2-6 exposes us to some wonderful truths of instruction, challenge & comfort.

Malachi 4:2-6 (NASB) 2 "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. 3 "You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing," says the LORD of hosts. 4 "Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. 5 "Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. 6 "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse."

B Malachi mentions two powerful prophets (Moses & Elijah) of the Old Testament whose significance should not be overlooked by New Testament believers.

1 Moses was the giver of the Law

a Given to Him by YHWH on Mt. Sinai (an alternate name for Sinai is “Mt. Horeb.”)

aa Horeb is also where Moses saw the glory of God in the burning bush (Ex. 3.1.)

Exodus 3:1 (NASB) 1 Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

bb God established the blood covenant with Israel at Horeb

2 Chronicles 5:10 (NASB) 10 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

cc Horeb is where God made water flow from a rock

Exodus 17:6 (NASB) 6 "Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

dd Where Moses prayed for a sinning nation that had bowed before a golden calf

Deuteronomy 9:8 (NASB) 8 "Even at Horeb you provoked the LORD to wrath, and the LORD was so angry with you that He would have destroyed you.

b Malachi started his Word with an illustration from Genesis (Jacob & Esau) reminding the priests/people of the need to keep the Mosaic law - - -and he concludes his prophecy with a reminder to keep the Mosaic law.

c The Law was still God’s rule of life the Jews and if they obeyed they were blessed (unfaithful they were cursed.)

aa Believers are not under the Law for salvation, but we under the Law for sanctification.

bb The only way we can faithfully practice the law for sanctification is through the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

2 Elijah was a prophet that set had came on the scene to set things straight; call a nation back to God.

a I believe Scripture tells us that there are three manifestations of Elijah after he was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire.

aa John the Baptist, was said by Jesus to be the prophesied manifestation of Elijah to prepare for His first coming

Matthew 17:10-13 (NASB) 10 And His disciples asked Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" 11 And He answered and said, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things; 12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." 13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

bb (Interesting fact) John 1.21,25; John the Baptist denied he carried the mantle of Elijah . . . but Jesus said, “Oh, yes he is!”

John 1:21 (NASB) 21 They asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."

John 1:25 (NASB) 25 They asked him, and said to him, "Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"