Mal2-1

Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
Email Preach Him with Dr. Jim

A REMINDER TO THE PRIEST
Malachi 2:1-9

2: 1"And now, this commandment is for you, O priests. 2 "If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name," says the LORD of hosts, "then I will send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart. 3 "Behold, I am going to rebuke your offspring, and I will spread refuse on your faces, the refuse of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. 4 "Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may continue with Levi," says the LORD of hosts. 5 "My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him as an object of reverence; so he revered Me, and stood in awe of My name. 6 "True instruction was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity. 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. 8 "But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi," says the LORD of hosts. 9 "So I also have made you despised and abased before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways, but are showing partiality in the instruction. NAS

INTRO:
Did you ever get a command as a reminder. Most of us remember something like you better get that done before your dad get home. God reminds the priest of they are to bring honor to the Lord.

He gives a reminder Related to Judgment, the Covenant and the office of Priesthood.

I. A Reminder Related to Judgment. v 2-3

2 "If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name," says the LORD of hosts, "then I will send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart. 3 "Behold, I am going to rebuke your offspring, and I will spread refuse on your faces, the refuse of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it.

A. Judgment To their Person v. 2 b

B. Judgment To their ministry v 2 b
1. Your blessings are not mine - they come curses

C. Reason for this warning related to Judgment. v 2 c
1. YOUR NOT TAKING IT TO HEART.

D. Judgment To their seed, offspring, or arm v 3 a
1. They won't be able to perform

E.    The penalty for disobedience v 3 b
        1.    Dung in the face -- your feast, etc.
        2.    Associated with dung -- they are like it
                a.    Refuge-Dung, vomit, garbage
                b.    They will be put on the garbage heap.

ILLUSTRATION
In the days of Jesus on this earth GAHENNA (BURNING GARBAGE PILE) was a sight any one could see as the garbage burned night and day. Today we need a reminded about the coming judgment for the Lost and the rewards judgment at Christ return.

Application

Judgment is coming Repentance is necessary

II. A REMINDER RELATED TO THE COVENANT v 4 b-5

A.    God Wants the covenant to continue.   v 4
        1,    He will judge them harshly to remind them of the covenant
                a.    Judgment is regretful
                        (1)    God regrets He has to do it
                b.    Judgment is necessary
                        (1)    For discipline
                                (a)    to build trust God Will do what He said
                c.    Judgment is God's Humbling Work
        2.    He desires the reestablishment of the covenant
                a.    Widespread reinstatement

B.    The Intent of the Covenant. v 5
        1.    On God's part 5 b
                a.    Give life
                        (1)    Quality of life
                b.    Give peace
                        (1)    Lasting peace (not as the world gives)
        2.    On man's part 5c
                a.    Reverence- many are cold and a few are frozen
                        (2)    Obedience- is reverence - Mother & Father
                b.    Adoration of the NAME
                        (1)    A high & Holy respect for His Name

ILLUSTRATION
On one occasion a rich family had two sons who played tricks on their parent's Chinese Cook.
They were always doing something mischievous and they began to feel guilty. They apologized to the cook and promised to never again play tricks on him. He being convinced they meant it said "then I will no longer spit in soup I cook for you.

Application

Covenants always have a two way relationship.

III. A REMINDER RELATED TO THE PRIESTHOOD. v 6-9

A.    What the Priesthood had been. v 6
        1.    Example of truth v 6 a
        2.    Example of Righteousness v 6 b
        3.    Example of Witness v 6 c

B.    What Priesthood should be
        1.    Preserver of Knowledge v 7 a
        2.    Instructor of Knowledge v 7 b
        3.    Messenger with Knowledge v 7 c
                a.    Called by God
                b.    Commissioned by God
                c.    Counseled by God

C.    What Priesthood had become. v 8-9
        1.    An example of waywardness 8 a
        2.    The cause of stumbling
        3.    A corrupter of the covenant
               a.    God not source of life and peace
                b.    Man doesn't need to reverence or adore.

CONCLUSION

If we do not think about Returning to the Lord we becoming comfortable in the status quo.

Jim and Tami Bakker, and Jimmy Swaggart are good illustrations of how a person can fail to return to the Lord until they make the ministry despised.