As God’s people wavered in their devotion, Malachi revealed that the promised Messiah was drawing near. This great and awesome day of the LORD would change everything.
CONTEXT
- After their division, both Israel and Judah eventually fell into enemies’ hands and were exiled from the Promised Land.
- Years later, a remnant returned to rebuild the temple, the walls, and a community of God-followers.
- Once the people settled into the land, Malachi preached against their apathetic spiritual conditions.
CONTENT
- Depending upon your stance regarding the gospel, the day of the LORD will either be greatly terrifying or greatly fulfilling.
- In hell, arrogant evildoers will receive what they always wanted – an existence devoid of the presence of God (Mal. 4:1).
- In heaven, humble God-fearers will greatly rejoice as they watch God take what was broken and make it right again (Mal. 4:2).
- A day is coming when those who have been knocked down by the world will rise to trample over the ashes of their persecutors (Mal. 4:3).
- Even as time progresses, God’s commandments will not adjust to cultural leanings (Mal. 4:4).
- God promised a forerunner who would clear the path for the coming Messiah.
- One clear indicator of the Messiah’s reign on a culture is how stable the family unit is (Mal. 4:6).
CONCEPT
- God sees every single one of us as either righteous or unrighteous.
- Christ has prolonged his glorious return and maintained your fleeting breaths in order for you to respond to this gospel message.
- Since we were unable to keep the Law, Christ came to live a perfect life and to take our rightful place in the way of God’s wrath.
- Jesus died in your place – not because he had to but because he chose to.
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Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.