The Lord’s Messenger
If you know the Lord Jesus as personal Savior and Lord, you are “THE LORD’S MESSENGER.” This can be said “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12) Likewise, “Faithful is HE who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Less we forgot, “…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Fellow servants, it is an honor to be THE LORD’S MESSENGER and sent on His errands, regardless, if it is known among the masses or carried out behind the scenes. The God who knows the heart of all men will see your good works: “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” (Hebrews 6:10)
There are three attributes THE LORD’S MESSENGER needs to understand to fulfill his/her role on earth. These attributes are addressed in Malachi 2:7. Remember as you read Malachi 2:7, the Bible states the believer in Christ is a member of the Royal Priesthood. The Apostle Peter says of the Christian: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who ahs called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1 Peter 2:9) The Apostle John further emphasized this truth in Revelation 1:6: “and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory an the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Having established this truth, listen to this wonderful verse in Malachi 2:7: “For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.”
First, the Lord’s messenger is AN AMBASSADOR OF THE WORD OF GOD – “For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge…” Ezra is a fine example to examine in the Old Testament. He was one of the sons of Aaron, a priestly line, and his name signifies “helper”, which the Lord’s Message is to be. Listen what is said of Ezra in the Bible: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it…” (Ezra 7:10) Notice Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord. The word set means to establish, fix, prepare or apply. Literally, set in this context means, “to be erect or stand perpendicular.” One gets the image of a fence post firmly fixed in the ground so it cannot be shaken by forces nature might bring against it. Likewise, Ezra’s heart involved not just the emotions but the intellect and will. So, he firmly established his very being to search for and pursue the meaning of Scripture. He was established in the faith so he wasn’t toss by every wind of doctrine.
As the Lord’s messenger, you are exhorted to do the same. The Apostle Paul tells you to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) Likewise, you are advised to “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2) And this should be done “not by way of eye service, as men pleasers, but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.” (Ephesians 6:6) The best teacher is one who is always a student and always learning. Notice this knowledge is not only in your head but also on your lips. For you to preserve knowledge – it must be on the tip of your tongue – “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (1 Peter 3:15)
The story is told by Dr. Howard Hendricks of a professor who made an impact on his life Dr. Hendricks often saw him pouring over his books. One day, Hendricks asked him, “Doctor, I’d like to know, what is it that keeps you studying? You never cease to learn.” He answer: “Son, I would rather have my students drink from a running stream that from a stagnant pool.” That should be our desire as the Lord’s messenger: To keep those God brings across our path drinking from a running stream of Living water not the cesspool of the world.
Second, the Lord’s messenger is AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE CHURCH OF GOD. Malachi says of the priest, “…and men should seek instruction from his mouth” Again Ezra presents an excellent example: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Notice the word, “practice”, in this verse means to do, execute, and exercise. Dr. Warren Wiersbe says, “Faith is like a muscle -- unless you exercise it becomes flaccid.” “Even so faith, if it has no works is dead, being by itself.” (James 2:17) Teaching means more than just lecture. It involves goading, instructing and mobilizing when necessary. It often involves pushing people out of their comfort zone. As the Lord’s messenger, you must train and teach God’s people so they can do the work God has for them to do. You are God’s agent (priest) to empower others but in so doing you must call right right and wrong wrong. You must shepherd those God places under your care – maybe it is your own child, your wife or husband, or a new Christian friend. As the Lord’s messenger, you love them, weep with them in sadness and rejoice with them in gladness and your words and works must go together.
“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” said Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1. It was Paul that likewise said, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” (Philippians 3:17) He exhorted the churches at Phillipi with these words: “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; an the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)
The Lord’s messenger must remember: The student is not there to serve the teacher – it’s the other way around. The teacher serves the food to the learner. D.L. Moody said, “The Bible wasn’t given for our information but for our transformation.” And teaching is the main element God uses to affect transformation in peoples lives. Jesus said, “Sanctify them in thy truth; Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) It is liberating when you realize it isn’t your knowledge, your wisdom or your example that changes lives – it is because God uses those things when they are consistent to His Will to work a miracle. The Lord’s messenger does the simple thing (obedience), God does the profound (transformation of lives).
The following poem by Edgar A. Guest speaks in a profound, yet, simple way to the power of example in the life of THE LORD’S MESSENGER:
“I Rather See A Sermon”
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but example always clear;
And the best of all preachers are the men, who live their creeds,
For to see the good action is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how to do it if you’ll let me see it done,
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver may be wise and true;
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
Finally, the Lord’s messenger is AN AMBASSADOR TO A WORLD THAT IS LOST. Again, Malachi says of the priest: “…for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.” People in the world have heard what the politicians say, what the business world says and what Hollywood and the secular media have to say. But the Lord has left you here because the world doesn’t need another opinion; the world needs to hear THE TRUTH. Pray for the heart of Jesus: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:36-38).
The Lord’s messenger has his/her marching orders: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) And the Apostle Paul has given us an example: “…how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching publicly and from house to house.” (Acts 20:20)
A faithful Christian and the Lord’s messenger are one and the same. Seek to worship and serve God by knowing, living, and sharing His Truth with people He brings across your path – that is what the Lord’s messenger does. Remember the wonderful words of Jesus in John 15:16: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.” This is God’s desire for you as a member of His Body. This is why HE died and this is why we live. “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1,2)
