THE FAITHFUL ARE REWARDED
We hope today’s message was encouraging and helpful. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a Bible/sermon group study. Enjoy!
Main Scripture: MALACHI 3:13-4:6 NLT
Two things tend to reveal one’s true heart: time and testing. In Malachi’s day, time revealed the true state of Israel’s heart. They had been free from bondage for around 30 years, and their heart for God wasn’t genuine. The testing of surrounding nations also revealed their true heart. They had given in to relational compromise with the idolatry of pagan nations around them. God exposed everything through this prophetic word in Malachi. But more testing would come when a fire burns and reveals what is left, which would begin at the appearance of Jesus. When Jesus comes, you'll be able to see who is faithful and who is not, especially on Judgment Day. With Jesus comes the purifying standard that gets to the heart of our good works and rewards those who have a sincere heart for God. Let’s learn more about this and get into our scripture today…
Notes:
3:13-15 Israel’s insulting claim and complacency
V. 13 They believed serving (living according to God’s ways) was pointless because they didn’t feel they gained anything by showing God they were sorry for their sins…They see the wicked are the blessed ones, those who do evil get rich, and those who dare or test God to punish them go unpunished.
The people revealed their true hearts here in this moment. They were not interested in righteous living or in a relationship with God. They were only interested in fulfilling the requirements for profit and personal gain.
The psalmist’s love for God and for his instructions (Ps 119:36, “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain”) had no place in their hearts. Taylor, R. A., & Clendenen, E. R. (2004). Haggai, Malachi (Vol. 21A, p. 436). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
The people essentially were coveting the lifestyle of the wicked and endorsing wickedness in these claims.
To give you an idea of how far off this attitude is let me make a contrast. Those who returned to Jerusalem after being captives during Nehemiah’s day said this: “In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong.” The people in Malachi’s day in response to their difficulties concluded “it is useless to serve God” since their so-called obedience has brought no “gain” or profit (3:14).
This terrible claim from the people implies that God was not faithful in keeping His promise to bless those who obey Him…But here’s the truth: Malachi has exposed throughout this prophetic word that they haven’t been obedient and they haven’t truly repented of their sin. The people have been disobedient or half-hearted at best towards God. This is why they are not experiencing the blessings and peace that come from obeying God.
V. 15 The people have become shortsighted and have forgotten the consequences of wickedness and need to be reminded that God’s judgment and wrath will be delivered on all those who are wicked.
3:16-18 The third group of people
Now, something very interesting happens in verse 16. This is the first time we catch a glimpse of what’s happening in real time as people are listening to Malachi’s delivery of this prophecy.
We see a line of righteousness drawn within Israel, those who are unfaithful and wicked, the ones making this terrible claim in verses 14-15, and those who fear God or are faithful.
V. 16 They are listening to this prophetic word from Malachi and spoke with each other but we have no idea what they said. But v. 16 gives us the idea that they feared, respected, and honored God because God knew their thoughts were toward Him. In other words, they didn’t say things like this. There were a few, we often see they are called the remnant (a small group of people left who are still faithful to God and preserved by God.
V. 16-17 God opens a scroll and writes their names on it as to preserve them or set them apart from the rest of the people so they will be shown mercy on judgment day.
The scroll of remembrance means that a permanent remembrance of their faithful and reverent response is kept in heaven. This provides assurance that when God deals with these individuals, He will not forget their submission to Him. Blaising, C. A. (1985). Malachi. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1586). Victor Books.
V. 17b-18
“The day” (also mentioned in 3:2 and 4:1; cf. “that … day” in 4:5) is the day of the Lord. It will be a day of judgment on the wicked and deliverance for the righteous (God will spare them). As a result, Israel will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. In previous times, Israel had seen God intervene decisively in judgment and deliverance (e.g., the Exodus, the Exile, and the return). Those events pointed up a distinction between the righteous and the wicked. The future day of the Lord, however, will bring about a much more extensive judgment on the wicked, and through physical deliverance and bodily resurrection, the righteous will be His “treasured possession” in the kingdom, fulfilling God’s original intention for Israel (Ex. 19:5–6; Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Ps. 135:4). Blaising, C. A. (1985). Malachi. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1586). Victor Books.
The contrast will be obvious: those who are spared are the righteous, His special treasure, and those who are wicked will face God’s wrath.
This reminder of the coming day is meant to renew their hearts for righteousness and strengthen their fear of God.
4:1-3 Malachi elaborates on the coming day of judgment or the day of the Lord.
V.1 “The Day” refers to both Christ’s first and second coming to earth. The blending of future events occurs often in OT prophecy, like a cascade of mountains you can see all at once, but you’ll reach the closest first.
V. 1-3 God answers their apparent claim that the wicked are going to prosper and answers the cynical question of what they would gain by faithfully serving God…The contrast and future is clear: destruction for the wicked, but for those who honor and serve God they will experience healing, freedom, joy, peace, and prosperity. They will overcome the world, sin, and death. Those who once trampled over them, scoffing and mocking God and His people, will now be like dust under the righteous.
The day of the Lord, which will be like a fire to the wicked, will, in contrast, be like sunshine to God’s people. The phrase the sun of righteousness appears only here in Scripture. Though many commentators have taken these words to refer to Christ, the phrase seems to refer to the day of the Lord in general. In the kingdom, righteousness will pervade like the sun. Healing (marpē’, “health or restoration”) in its wings (or rays) refers to the restorative powers of righteousness, which are like the healthful rays of the sun. God’s people will be spiritually restored and renewed. Blaising, C. A. (1985). Malachi. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1587). Victor Books.
4:4-6 Be Prepared for God’s Coming. In God’s mercy, He helps them be ready…
V. 4 To be prepared for the coming day of the Lord, Malachi urges them to remember to obey the law of Moses (To be faithful to honor and obey God).
Malachi was calling Judah to a lifestyle guided at all times not by human wisdom, ambition, or societal expectations but by the thoughtful application of God’s Word. Only this divine lighthouse can guide God’s people to avoid destruction on “that great and dreadful day.” The summons in Malachi to “remember the law” is a message of hope for people in mortal danger, whose enemy has wormed its way into their very hearts, people “prone to wander.” As Ortlund explains, “The law calls Israel both to deny what may seem right and expedient to oneself and to obey Yahweh even when the final outcome cannot be foreseen and assessed from a merely human perspective. Israel must trust Yahweh to be wiser than Israel in all the decrees of his law.” Taylor, R. A., & Clendenen, E. R. (2004). Haggai, Malachi (Vol. 21A, p. 459). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
V. 5 The righteous one is coming to change our hearts, and a sign of his coming is a prophet like Elijah (John the Baptist) preceding Him. His preaching would prepare hearts to be ready for Christ’s coming. Some believe this is referring to Elijah in the Book of Revelation as one of the two witnesses. Since Malachi is speaking of the first and second coming of Christ, this interpretation is acceptable.
The people needed to be primed for Jesus’ appearance and message because His standard is refining… It’s great and dreadful. It’s clear, and it’s purifying; there’s no wishy-washy or half-hearted with Jesus. We either believe and follow Jesus, or we don’t.
V. 6 Heart change would take place because of Christ’s appearing and ministry.
The expression in Mal 4:6 is literally “and he will return/restore the heart of fathers upon sons and the heart of sons upon their fathers.” The point is that fathers and sons would no longer live self-serving lives, but fathers will take their sons to heart and sons will take to heart their fathers, considering the effects of their actions on one another in the course of their lives. Malachi’s portrayal was of a future nation that had returned to the Lord and so had rediscovered the way of peace. Malachi’s Israel was full of men committing acts of treachery and injustice against one another (2:10; 3:5), but Elijah’s Israel would be full of righteousness and peace; and his day would be one of revelation, repentance, and reconciliation. Taylor, R. A., & Clendenen, E. R. (2004). Haggai, Malachi (Vol. 21A, pp. 462–463). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Application:
We see three groups of people in our scripture: the lukewarm, the wicked, and the faithful.
God used Malachi to expose the lukewarm, half-hearted people of God, not to shame them but to save them. The lukewarm did not love and serve God wholeheartedly. They went halfway or not at all…their hearts were not in it. They thought that they could gain God’s approval through outward worship rituals while their hearts were far from Him. This was religious activity, and even that they failed to be faithful. When things got difficult (because of their disobedience), they looked at the wicked and worldly people around them and complained they would be better off as the wicked. The scary part about lukewarm Christians is that they know the truth but choose not to let this truth become a belief and conviction that shapes their hearts and lives. This is a dangerous state and attitude to be in because the lukewarm will be spit out by God and share the same fate as the wicked on the day of judgment.
The wicked or worldly are lost, not completely ignorant of the truth (Romans 1:18-22) but live with no regard of their true identity, their purpose, and their future with God. The unbelieving world does not realize their future is intertwined with God’s will. This breaks my heart and I pray it moves us to reach, love, pray, and share Jesus with them.
The righteous see the treasure of knowing and living for God and therefore see the vanity of this world. We don't covet the world because the kingdom of God is our treasure. The righteous have sincere hearts for God. The righteous obey and serve God not for personal or profitable gain but out of gratitude for the grace God has shown us.
A warning to the lukewarm.
If you covet this world and chase after it, you do it in vain.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
Recognize your current heart condition, ask God to change your heart, and come out from the ways of this world to worship and serve God.
A warning to the faithful
Be set apart from this world and do not follow the lukewarm. Recognize lukewarm ways and resolve not to let them teach you their ways…This group who feared God was surrendered by the complacent, lukewarm, and the wicked. The only way they could have stayed on track was by focusing on God's Word and promises.
Remember to follow and obey God’s Word.
Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Keep the Word of God in your hearts, not the world.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, not this world.
St. Ignatius said, “Apart from Him, let nothing dazzle you.” We are allowing everything but “Him” to dazzle us these days. We have become rather bored with God and the truths of Scripture. We seem to need something to jazz it all up and excite us. This has taken us far down the road to replacing God. The Early Church was in wonderment at Christ. He dazzled them and stirred within such feelings of amazement that they could never get over Christ. All they talked about was Christ. All they thought about, from morning to night, was Christ. Christ was their only reason for living, and they were more than willing to die for Him. -AW TOZER, Dangers of a Shallow Life
Your Faithfulness will be rewarded
James 1:12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Peter 1:3-7 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Discussion:
What is one thing from the message that resonated with you?
Malachi describes three groups of people: the wicked, the lukewarm, and the faithful. How does each group respond to God, and what are the results of their attitudes?
In Malachi 3:13-15, the people claim that serving God is pointless. What does this reveal about their hearts and their view of God?
What is the significance of the "scroll of remembrance" in Malachi 3:16-17? How does it contrast with God's judgment on the wicked?
In what ways do we see a lukewarm attitude in our own lives or in the church today? How can we guard against spiritual complacency?
What are the rewards of being faithful to God?
What additional notes did you make during the sermon?
What can we pray for regarding the sermon? Do you have any prayer needs?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!