Scripture Introduction:
Please turn to Malachi 2:1-9. Do you think God has specific expectations from His ministers? In this passage God is going to pinpoint His complaint against His chosen ministers. FCF: People need to know God’s expectations for ministers. What instructions does God have for His ministers? Malachi 2:1-9
Introduction:
FAITHFUL INSTRUCTIONS
There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note.
The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to follow instructions, he got all the water he needed.
Churches are successful today only to the degree that they follow the instructions given by God. Often ministers drink the jug of immediate satisfaction in an effort to build the church of God by compromising God’s instructions. Therefore, tragically many ministers practice ministry that fails to give honor to His name.
The Main Point: Because Jesus Christ is the Lord of hosts; you must practice ministry that gives honor to His name.
God gives us a list of complaints in this section of Scripture (1:6-2:17).
He is not pleased with corrupt worship that is being offered to Him.
The priests are being held responsible for this corrupt worship.
Now, He is going to address the priests.
What instructions does God have for His ministers?
I. He is cursing those who despise His name through their ministry. v. 8-9
A. What does unfaithful ministry look like (8)?
1. God’s ministers go their own way (8a).
2. God’s ministers cause many to stumble (in the law)(8b) (Mt 18:6-9).
3. God’s ministers corrupt (destroy/ruin) God’s covenants (8c).
Numbers 25:1-14
For this act of divine zeal the eternal possession of the priesthood was promised to Phinehas and his posterity as Jehovah's covenant of peace…by displaying my zeal in the midst of them he had averted destruction from the Israelites… K&D Commentary
B. How does God curse unfaithful ministry (9)?
Those that fail to adhere to His way….
1. They are despised and abased.
2. They show partiality of instruction.
ILLUSTRATION
Pharisees (not respected) and John the Baptist (radical yet respected)
Mat 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
Mar 1:4-5 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
Application:
So what? Does our life resemble that of John the Baptist or that of the Pharisees?
Why? It matters to God!
Now what? Let’s pray for grace to empower us not to practice unfaithful ministry. Here is what it looks like:
1) Ignorance of or ignoring God’s Word.
2) Heartless cheap worship even though we may be doing right activity (reading Bible, praying, etc.).
3) Leading people astray by our instruction and example. Therefore, they miss out on God’s best.
How? In submission to His Holy Spirit
What instructions does God have for His ministers?
Transitional Statement: First, He is cursing those who despise His name through their ministry; secondly, because Christ is the Lord of hosts, He will (in the future) curse those who despise His name through their ministry.
II. He will curse those who despise His name through their ministry. v. 3-4
A. How will God curse unfaithful ministry (3)?
1. He will remove one’s descendants from the ministry (3a) (or rebuke the crops).
2. He will remove one from their office (3b).
Num 18:32 'You will bear no sin by reason of it when you have offered the best of it. But you shall not profane the sacred gifts of the sons of Israel, or you will die.'"
B. Why will God curse unfaithful ministry (4)?
1. Because He sent these admonitions and gave opportunity to repent.
2. Because He is intent on keeping His covenant with you (unchanging love).
ILLUSTRATION
Lev 10:1-2 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.
Num 3:4 But Nadab (son of Aaron) and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children.
Application:
So what? Will God curse unfaithful ministry today?
Why? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:8
Now what? Let’s take God’s directives seriously… regarding cheap and heartless worship. Let’s practice faithful ministry.
1) servanthood
Heb 3:5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later…
Col 4:7 … Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant…
2) stewardship of God’s gifts
Luk 16:10-12 "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. 11 "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? 12 "And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?
Col 4:9 … Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother…
How? GRACE
What instructions does God have for His ministers?
Transitional Statement: First, He is cursing those who despise His name through their ministry; secondly, He will (in the future) curse those who despise His name through their ministry; finally, because Christ is the Lord of hosts…
III. He requires ministry that honors His name. v. 2, 5-7
Ministers are to be exemplary
“The church is the mirror that reflects the whole effulgence (radiance/brilliance) of the divine character. The church is the grand scene in which the perfections of Jehovah are displayed to the universe” The Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges
A. Faithful ministry that obeys Him (2).
Psa 119:30 I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me.
1. So they can magnify His name (2a)
2. So they can avoid a just punishment (2b)
2Ti 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
1Co 4:17 … Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ…
B. Faithful ministry that reverences Him (5)
1. He established a covenant of life and peace (Numbers 25:1-14).
2. To prostrate themselves before Him
3. To stand in awe of His name
C. Faithful ministry that instructs people in unadulterated truth (6-7).
1. By speaking the truth.
2. By living the truth
The minister is to display the character of God… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control Gal 5:22-23
Conclusion:
What instructions does God have for His ministers?
1) He is cursing those who despise His name through their ministry;
2) He will (in the future) curse those who despise His name through their ministry;
3) He requires ministry that honors His name.
FAITHFUL TO THE FINISH
In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Derek Redmond of Great Britain was considered a favorite contender for a medal. It was the evening of August 3, 1992 as Redmond was pitted against seven others in a semi-final in the 400 meters. Redmond knelt poised, waiting for the race to start. As the gun went off, his body was translated into a human locomotion, feverishly charging against the other runners.
As Redmond prepared to round the curve after the halfway mark, however, he suddenly heard a pop. It was his right hamstring. Redmond soon found himself trapped by the searing pain of his leg.
The other runners finished the race as he desperately continued his painful trek to the finish line. He waved off the stretchers, however, determined to finish the race.
From the stands, his father had been watching. He pushed his way past security guards to meet his son on the track. He then reached his weeping son. “Look, you don’t have to do this.” Redmond then replied: “Yes I do.” His father then said: “Well, if you’re going to finish this race, we’ll finish it together.”
With his arm locked around his son, Jim Redmond helped his son to the finish line to the sounds of a cheering stadium.
SOURCE: paraphrased from Bud Greenspan’s, 100 Greatest Moments in Olympic History, p. 136.
Do you realize God wants you to finish your course (honor His name)… He wants to you use to help others honor His name?
The Gospel is the ‘GOOD NEWS’ that Jesus saves… you can be victorious! You shall receive power… GRACE!
Are you willing to submit to Him?
