The Coming Lord Series

Malachi Series

The Coming Lord (7 of 12)

July 21, 2013

Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction

A Malachi 2:17 (NASB) 17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them," or, "Where is the God of justice?"

1 The Lord was made weary (not physically) of the sarcastic questioning of His Justice.

a Echoes of what people say today, “If there is a God, why is there so much trouble in the world?”

b This is a question of a skeptic not a saint, doubter not a believer.

2 Peter assures us those types of questions will be asked until the Lord comes again!

2 Peter 3:3-4 (NASB) 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."

B Malachi’s answer is lobed through two prophetic mountains: the arrival of the Messiah and the second arrival of the Messiah.

1 Although these mountains are both within sight of each other, generations separated them (show image of two mountains with a valley or space between them.)

a One mountain represents Him coming as a suffering servant.

b The other is His coming as a reigning King.

2 Israel is central to events that take place on these mountains.

a Born, ministered, spoke to & through them.

b When He returns He’s returning to Israel (Period!)

3 Israel in Malachi’s day was wanting Him to come, but they weren’t ready.

a They were sinful, wayward, rebellious.

b When He comes again, He will cleanse them, judge them, & cleanse them!

c This passage reveals the eternal purpose of why the Lord is coming again!

Malachi 2:17 - 3:6 (NASB) 17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them," or, "Where is the God of justice?" 1 "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. 2 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. 3 "He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness. 4 "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. 5 "Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me," says the LORD of hosts. 6 "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.

I He comes personally (3.1-2)

Malachi 3:1-2 (NASB) 1 "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. 2 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.

A As sinful, vile, morally inverted Israel had became they still wanted deliverance through Messiah!

1 Messiah came personally in the from a baby to Bethlehem with a messenger preparing His way (3.1)

a Matt. 11.10-11, identifies the messenger as John the Baptist (cf. Mk. 1.2; Luke 7.27)

Matthew 11:10-11 (NASB) 10 "This is the one about whom it is written, 'BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.' 11 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Mark 1:2 (NASB) 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;