Malachi means my messenger. There are many important messages found in this book. It is quoted by Matthew, mark, and Luke. It is quoted by the apostle Paul, but the name Malachi is never mentioned anywhere else in all the Bible. Nobody knows where he came from. No one knows who his parents were, but we do know that he was God's messenger. God gave him a message to be given to the people of God.
Chapter 3, as much of the book does, teaches us that God's people were away from the Lord. It does not mean that they were not still his people, but they were away from him, Verse 7. in spite of the fact, they were God's people, they were away from him. Now let's look at several things in this chapter.
I. They were Guilty of Three Great Sins
1. First of all, they were guilty of the sin of forsaken God.
2. You might say, “It is impossible for a person who is saved to forsake the Lord.” That is not true. It is possible for a Christian to get so far away from God, that he no longer has the characteristics and appearance of a Christian.
3. There are many records in the Bible of people that forsook the Lord.
4. There is the example of the rich ruler, Matthew 19:16-21
a. Jesus is not teaching that you have to dispose of everything in order to be saved.
b. He is saying, “If there is something else in your life that is your God, you will never be saved.”
5. If there is anything on this earth you would not give up to be a Christian, then you'll never be one.
6. Matthew 26:56, is talking about the 11. In his hour of greatest need, they forsook him.
7. John 6:66-67, I'm telling you, people forsook the Lord.
8. There are people today who forsake him.
a. Ask yourself: would I rather be somewhere else than in church?
b. Are there times I deliberately choose to be somewhere else? Hebrews 10:25
9. Some forsake, because they do not know him as personal savior. 1 John 2:19.
10. second, they were guilty of willful disobedience. They were not ignorant of God's truth. The prophets had declared it boldly. They knew what to do, it was willful disobedience.
a. Saul, 1 Samuel 15:22
b. acts 5:29, are you given to obedience to God?
11. Third, thy were guilty of the sin of robbing God, 3:8.
12. every Christian has the privilege, responsibility and command to honor the Lord with his tide and offering. Yet some people rob God. Proverbs 11:24, 1 Timothy 6:10.
II. They Were Promised Three Great Blessings
1. In verse 10, the promise of the open windows of heaven. I've experienced that. I want to stay there. language.
2. In verses 11, Second, the promise that the devour would be rebuked. You need this protection.
3. In verse 12, third, all nations shall call you blessed. A more literal interpretation of the word blessed is the word happy.
4. God talks about this throughout his word, Psalm 1:1, Psalm 31:1-2, are you a happy Christian today? You could be.
5. I know many Christians today who are living substandard lives because of their unfaithfulness to God in giving.
6. Listen, if you do not honor God, you might as well save your breath as to get on your knees and ask God to supply your needs. God is not obligated to a Christian who will not honor him in this matter of giving, Luke 6:38.
7. get where God wants you to be. A place where he can bless you.
III. He Warned of Three Great Judgments
1. First, God says that a curse will be upon the life of a Christian who robs God. Any Christian who would deliberately invite the curse of God upon his life is unwise.
2. Second, God indicated there would be barrenness in the House of God. Verse 10
3. do you know why there's not plenty? Do you know why we cannot send all the missionaries we want to? Do you know why we cannot expand in many areas? It's because many of God's people do not want to obey God's voice.
4. Look at this example, 2 Chronicles 31:10
5. Third, God indicated if you do not do this, you will backslide. In verses 13-14, they were backsliding.
6. many Christians who have backslidden and wound up in the gutter all started when they began to rob God.
IV. There Are Three Descriptions of Giving
1. First of all, the tithe is mentioned in this chapter. In verse 10
2. Then, there is also the offering mentioned. You see, the tithe is the primary. It is the first grade of giving.
3. As the Christian grows, he sees that the Bible teaches that the Lord loves a Christian who trusts Him. 2 Corinthians 9:7.
4. Malachi 3:10, I believe that when you read in the Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, giving is in connection with the local church.
5. I know this is a touchy subject, but I do not believe you have the right to send your money anywhere you choose. Judges 21:25.
6. there are many good Christians that have sinned against God by supporting works that are not even true to the word of God.
7. When I became a part of this church, I became a member of a body. The body of the Lord Jesus Christ.
8. My obligation of giving is in that body of Christ.
9. I believe that God's word teaches that we are to do our Christian activities in the body of Christ in this place.
10. now someone will say, “Well, we're a Christian too, and we have as much discernment as you do as to where your money should go. Numbers 16:1-3
11. God blesses Christians just exactly like he says in his word. Malachi 3:8,10.
