Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Old Testament Lesson just read, Mal. 4:1-6. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- It has often been observed, even by the authors of Holy Scripture, that there often appears to be little difference between the fortunes of God’s people of faith and those who utterly reject God and His love. If we look around we can see that unbelievers are blessed with good jobs, are able to own lovely homes, eat good food, go on fine vacations, enjoy all kinds of leisurely activities – and have less concerns and obligations than do believers in Jesus, disciples of Jesus.
- In fact, if “pleasantness” and “enjoyment of life” is the most important factor in one’s life, it might be better to be an unbeliever – at least if selfishness and self-pleasure is the main measure of happiness.
- However, as we see in our text, this would be a bit “short-sighted,” for there is more for human beings to concern themselves with than just the short time of 80 or 90 years that we spend in this world. And it is the constant theme of Holy Scripture that “the day is coming,” the day of Christ’s return, the Last Day, the Day of Judgment.
- Then things will not be the same for believers and unbelievers. In fact, on that day it will be quite evident that it is far better to be a child of God than one of those who has rejected God and lived purely out of selfishness and self-interest. For our text emphatically makes clear that:
I. There Will Be A Tremendous Difference Between The Judgment Of Believers And Unbelievers On The Day Of God’s Coming
A. The Arrogant And The Evil-Doing Will Be Set Ablaze
Text: “Behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.”
Statement: There are many warnings in Holy Scripture about the eternal destination and plight of those who reject God in unbelief and ingratitude, who live in the arrogance and wickedness of selfishness, immorality, sin, and rebellion against God. All of the things of this present world will be destroyed and the unbelieving will be remanded to the torment of eternal hell, a place of misery, suffering, and fire.
Application: This is not God’s will for any human being! After all, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” He is the blood atonement for the sins of the whole world, and God wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Hell was not prepared for mankind but for “the devil and his angels.” However, all human beings must be warned that if we refuse to take refuge in God’s gracious mercy, forgiveness and love – by a life of repentance and faith in Jesus, then we are insisting upon taking our place with the devil. And God will surely oblige those who demand separation from Him!
Transition: On the other hand, things will be quite different for genuine believers in Jesus, for God’s Word clearly asserts that:
B. Believers, Those Who Fear His Name [Who Respect God And Reverence Him In Faith And Love] Will Be Richly Blessed
1. They will be saved from condemnation, hell, and suffering
Text: “But for those who fear My Name, the Sun of Righteousness [Jesus] shall rise with healing in its wings.”
2. Jesus will heal them and invigorate them
Text: “for those who fear My Name, the Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. . . . I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.”
3. And the believers will “tread down” the wicked
Text: “And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.”
Statement: There is a fine line that we must observe as children of God, people who rejoice in His forgiveness, mercy, and love. There is no question that we grow weary of the arrogance and wickedness of the world around us, including the persecution that at times comes our way from unbelievers. And there is no question that we have a desire to be relieved of the oppression of sin. However, just as God desires not the death of the wicked, so we too must have a measure of sorrow, pity, and compassion even for our enemies and the wicked.
Application: So I’m not sure exactly how we balance these two realities – other than that we should be sure that God is love, and if we are going to err we should do so on the side of love, mercy, and compassion. In this we are more in line with the character of God than we would be if we allowed anger, vengeance, malice, and hatred to predominate our hearts. And in our own personal relationships with others we need to remember the warning of Jesus: ”For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” [Matt. 7:2] Jesus calls us to love our enemies and to do good to those who persecute and abuse us. And His gracious mercy, forgiveness, and love should move us to the same toward others.
Transition: So we must take care to exercise proper care and love for others – and our text gives us good counsel:
II. We Are Encouraged To Remember God’s Word – That Of Moses, And That Given Through All Of The Prophets And Apostles In The Bible, Holy Scripture
Text: “Remember the law of My servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.”
2 Tim. 3:14-17 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
John 8:31 “If you continue in My Word, you are truly My disciples.”
A. In This Way, By Remembering God’s Word, Our Heart Will Always Be Turned Toward God
Text: “But for you who fear My Name . . . “
B. In This Way We Will Persist In Hope And Joy, Knowing What Is Surely Coming
Text: “Behold, the day is coming.”
Gospel: “You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.”
Gospel: “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Statement: As we continue in God’s Word we are reminded of the realities we will face as children of God, believers in Jesus and disciples of Jesus. We will not be taken by surprise at the evil around us or the evil directed toward us. We will not be depressed or tempted to backslide and join the unbelievers. Rather, we will continue to follow Jesus and to look for His return, for the “day” that is surely coming!
Application: This is why we attend church, not forsaking the assembling and fellowship of God’s people. This is why we have Bible Classes, and why we should attend them. In this world Christians continue to live in a hostile environment, under challenging circumstances. But God wants us to continue and persist in fear and reverence for His Name, and in full faith, trust, and confidence in our vindication. And this is surely what is most blessed for us in the long run!
Conclusion: And even in the midst of these challenges God still blesses us with a great deal of enjoyment in our lives in this world. And if our chief criteria of blessedness and enjoyment of life is the blessing of knowing His great love for us, and the confidence of having eternal life, then there is no greater happiness and joy than living in faith as disciples of the Lord Jesus, our Savior!
And in the end the differences between believers and unbelievers will be stark and dramatic – and we will have the utmost joy that we are among those whom God has chosen for salvation! So let us persist in our discipleship, never growing weary in doing good! God grant it to us all, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto everlasting life, Amen.