Come Home To The Lord Series

Consider this: An archbishop was carrying more than $460,000 across the border from Lebanon to Israel in the past month. I think immediately, “What’s a religious priest doing with that much money! How in the world did he think he was going to bring this through customs!” As the priest attempted to cross the border, he has twenty suitcases stuffed with cash and medicine. While the story caught my eye, it’s likely the archbishop was bringing much-needed supplies to Lebanese Christians under the oppressive regime of the terror group, Hezbollah.

React to this headline if you will: a flashy Brooklyn bishop was robbed while live streaming last Sunday. The three masked gunmen took more than $400,000 in jewelry from the Roll-Royce-driving bishop. After reading this article, I wondered, “Who’s robbing who?” Whenever religion and money intersect, it makes headlines.

The Bible speaks with authority on the subject of money. If you were wondering to yourself, “I sure wish the pastor would preach more convicting sermons, today’s your day, my friend. I invite you to find the book of Malachi with me if you will [page 954 in your pew Bibles].

Someone said to me recently, “Your preaching has improved recently.” I told them that I am negotiating a new contract ?. Hopefully, this will make some personal headlines for each of you.

Today’s Scripture

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:6-12).

That Guy

There’s probably somebody here today who is not a regular church attender, and maybe the last time you were here — months or even years ago — you heard a sermon on finances. And now you just show up today, and you’re going to hear another one. And you might go away saying, “Money, money, money! That’s all they ever talk about down there — is money!” Well, number one, our church family knows that’s not true. But, number two, if that is your case, I just imagine God brought you here because you need to hear it. You just maybe be “that guy.” Who’s “that guy?” It’s the guy who didn’t hear it the last time, and God brought you here to hear this time ?.

Do you and your spouse ever argue about money? Can anyone else hear the grass growing outside right now? I’m sure a man wrote this: “Theirs was a perfect marriage, but for one feminine flaw. He was fast on the deposit, but she was quicker on the draw.” (Author unknown)

More seriously, I’m speaking mainly to church members today. If are a guest with us, or if you're not a Christian, we’re not asking you for anything other than your attention. In fact, I invite you to listen carefully for the next few moments. See if you see a discrepancy between the Bible’s instructions on how Christians handle their finances and how we actually handle our money.

1. Come Back Home to Me

“From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return’ (Malachi 3:7)?

God’s people had “turned aside” from God’s words. God calls on them to “Return to me”! You see the word “return” twice in verses 7 and 8. When you see a word repeated in Scripture, the Bible wants you to pay attention to this word. Perhaps this will help you remember this: what the Bible repeats, you shouldn’t delete.

Again, God says, “Return to me, and I will return to you.” The Lord says, “I don’t want this distance between us, RETURN, come back home!” This raised a question, “How shall we return?” What do we need to do to show you that we are serious about coming home?