Sunday, April 22, 2007
Malachi 3 Repentance And Remembrance
7 “Since the days of your fathers, you have turned from My statutes; you have not kept [them]. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts. But you ask: “How can we return?” “Your words against Me are harsh,” says the Lord. Yet you ask: “What have we spoken against You?”
14 You have said: “It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? 15 So now we consider the arrogant to be fortunate. Not only do those who commit wickedness prosper, they even test God and escape.”16 At that time those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name. 17 “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of Hosts, “a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. 18 So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
1. Repentance
Repentance is biblical word. The Old Testament thunders, “repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin” Ezek 18:30.
The New Testament also vigorously exhorts men and women to repent Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!
Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and turn back, that your sins may be wiped out so that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Acts 17:30 Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because He has set a day on which He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
But this theme proclaimed so emphatically by prophets and apostles is scarcely ever mentioned by contemporary preachers. The clear trumpet blast calling men and women to repentance is conspicuous for its absence from the modern pulpit. We have preached the dignity of humanity rather than its depravity. We have declared our goodness rather than our wickedness. We have vindicated ourselves rather than confess our guilt.
God called to the people of Malachi’s day “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts. But you ask: “How can we return?” “Your words against Me are harsh,” says the Lord. Yet you ask: “What have we spoken against You?”
God told them once (Mal 3:7-12), and now He tells them again!
14 You have said: “It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? 15 So now we consider the arrogant to be fortunate. Not only do those who commit wickedness prosper, they even test God and escape.”
Gone is the mourners bench, gone are the tear stained cheeks of godly sorrow for sin and gone is the joy in heaven over wanderers returning to the father’s house.
None of us wants to accept blame for our sins. But either the Bible is wrong or we are wrong.
What is repentance? God called Malachi to call on the people to repent.
“Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts.”
Things could not be simpler. “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts.” But look at how we foul things up.
Repentance is not penance. Penance is the voluntary suffering of punishment for sin, and does not necessarily involve a change of conduct or character. They may do some religious rituals but this act does not mean that their guilt has been absolved.
Repentance is not remorse. Judas was remorseful over his sin of betrayal of the Son of God, but his shallow regret led to suicide instead of to God, because remorse is not true repentance.
Repentance is not self hatred. You may hate yourself for your sinfulness but staying there leads only to despair and self destruction.
There are three elements in genuine repentance.
First there is conviction. There is a conviction that you are going wrong. There is a conviction that you have lost your way.
On Palm Sunday, hundreds responded to Robert "Evel" Knievel's testimony by asking to be baptized on the spot. Knievel told the congregation in Orange County, California, how he had refused for 68 years to accept Jesus Christ as Lord. He believed in God, but he couldn't walk away from the gold and the gambling and the booze and the women. “I don't know why I fought it so hard," he said. "I just did”
But Knievel knew people were praying for him, including his daughter's church, his ex-wife's church, and the hundreds of people who wrote letters urging him to believe. And then something indescribable happened during Daytona Bike Week this March.
“I don't know what in the world happened. I don't know if it was the power of the prayer or God himself, but it just reached out, either while I was driving or walking down the sidewalk or sleeping, and it just—the power of God in Jesus just grabbed me. … All of a sudden, I just believed in Jesus Christ. I did, I believed in him! … I rose up in bed and, I was by myself, and I said, 'Devil, Devil, you bastard you, get away from me. I cast you out of my life.' … I just got on my knees and prayed that God would put his arms around me and never, ever, ever let me go.”
Evel Knieval had been going down the road the wrong way. He became convinced he was going the wrong way and needed to turn.
“Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts.
Repentance is like that. Its like a sign saying “Go Back You Are going the wrong way.”
The second element of repentance is true contrition. Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.” “Repentance” Greek Metanoia, to think after.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death.
This godly sorrow is not a shallow sentiment or an empty emotion> It is a sincere regret over past sins and an earnest desire to walk in a new path of righteousness. Matthew 26:75 and Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Thirdly repentance carries the idea of changing; changing your mind, changing your attitudes, changing your ways. “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves report about us what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Repentance is turning from and turning to. Its turning to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only One who can save us.
It is a change of Saviour.
A fellow fell over the edge of a cliff, and on the way down grabbed onto a tree root. As he hung there, unable to move up and very unwilling to let go and fall down to his death, he called out
“is there anyone up there?”
“Yes”
“Can you help me?”
“Let go of the tree”
“Who is there?”
“God”
“is there anyone else there?”
So with salvation we are always keen to do what we can to get us to heaven. But the Lord says don’t hold on to your good works, Hold on to me. Let go of everything but the cross> Its what the Lord Jesus has done for us is enough to get us to heaven.
It is a change Of Lord.
It is a change from rubbishy religion to real relationship.
2. Remembrance
God Listens To Us The words, "Heard" and "Hearkened" means to "pick up the ear, to listen, give heed, and to pay attention." God was aware of their words of adoration, their walk of consecration, and their ways of separation. He had been observant and attentive of their faithful life.
God's Lists Us A book of remembrance was kept by God of their walk, ways, and words. God had kept a record of their commitment. It was an ancient custom of kings to keep a record of benefactor's names so that they might be given proper recognition.
Esther 6:1 "On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasueru."
God is keeping a record on each of us. Psa.56:8: "Thou tellest my wanderings: Put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: Are they not in Thy book?"
God Loves Us "And they shall be mine." We often joke about "claiming" someone. God unhesitatingly claimed these as His own. He declared, "They belong to me." They were a property and possession that He in which He was pleased and of which He was proud.
I Cor.6:19-20, "What? Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God In your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods."
We belong to God by creation. He made us. We also belong to God by salvation. He saved us.
He Sees Us As His Precious Possession. He called them His "jewels." The word speaks of a treasured or precious possession. A king in a sense of the word owned everything over which he ruled. He owned every building, every farm, and all the lands. But in his palace he kept a treasure chest of his own in which he stored precious stones are other valuables. This was his treasured possession (jewels). This treasure chest was his "segullah" which is the word that is translated "jewels."
God loves everyone equally, but His faithful ones seem to hold a special place in His heart. It is not an act of favouritism on God's part, for He is no respecter of persons. But as we love all, there are some that are special to our heart; those who love Him and exalt Him in their life are "jewels."
17 “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of Hosts, “a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
"And they shall be mine."
The Psalmist declared in 58:11 "Verily there is a reward for the righteous..." God will bless and reward the faithful.
There is a Difference
Judgment was about to fall on the ungodly. But when that judgment fell, the righteous and faithful would be delivered. It is a promise of God's protection. They were called "sons" Just as an earthly father watches over his son, our Heavenly Father watches over His children.
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Repentance is always the first step towards revival. Rick Warren.
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
There is A Destiny
Next week as we llok at Malacho 4 we will see how there is a day of judgement coming. There is a separation of those who know the Lord and those who don't.
There are two destonies, and the issue is repentance.
Today you may be feeling that you repented once 40 years ago, and have no further need of repentance. Repentance is the every day, day by day normal christian life. You need to repent each day.The Lord says to you "Return to me and I will return to you. In James 4 it says Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
You have as much need today to pray a prayer of repentace as the person who has never prayed it. So I invite you to praqy with me now...
14 You have said: “It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? 15 So now we consider the arrogant to be fortunate. Not only do those who commit wickedness prosper, they even test God and escape.”16 At that time those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name. 17 “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of Hosts, “a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. 18 So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
1. Repentance
Repentance is biblical word. The Old Testament thunders, “repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin” Ezek 18:30.
The New Testament also vigorously exhorts men and women to repent Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!
Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and turn back, that your sins may be wiped out so that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Acts 17:30 Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because He has set a day on which He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
But this theme proclaimed so emphatically by prophets and apostles is scarcely ever mentioned by contemporary preachers. The clear trumpet blast calling men and women to repentance is conspicuous for its absence from the modern pulpit. We have preached the dignity of humanity rather than its depravity. We have declared our goodness rather than our wickedness. We have vindicated ourselves rather than confess our guilt.
God called to the people of Malachi’s day “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts. But you ask: “How can we return?” “Your words against Me are harsh,” says the Lord. Yet you ask: “What have we spoken against You?”
God told them once (Mal 3:7-12), and now He tells them again!
14 You have said: “It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? 15 So now we consider the arrogant to be fortunate. Not only do those who commit wickedness prosper, they even test God and escape.”
Gone is the mourners bench, gone are the tear stained cheeks of godly sorrow for sin and gone is the joy in heaven over wanderers returning to the father’s house.
None of us wants to accept blame for our sins. But either the Bible is wrong or we are wrong.
What is repentance? God called Malachi to call on the people to repent.
“Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts.”
Things could not be simpler. “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts.” But look at how we foul things up.
Repentance is not penance. Penance is the voluntary suffering of punishment for sin, and does not necessarily involve a change of conduct or character. They may do some religious rituals but this act does not mean that their guilt has been absolved.
Repentance is not remorse. Judas was remorseful over his sin of betrayal of the Son of God, but his shallow regret led to suicide instead of to God, because remorse is not true repentance.
Repentance is not self hatred. You may hate yourself for your sinfulness but staying there leads only to despair and self destruction.
There are three elements in genuine repentance.
First there is conviction. There is a conviction that you are going wrong. There is a conviction that you have lost your way.
On Palm Sunday, hundreds responded to Robert "Evel" Knievel's testimony by asking to be baptized on the spot. Knievel told the congregation in Orange County, California, how he had refused for 68 years to accept Jesus Christ as Lord. He believed in God, but he couldn't walk away from the gold and the gambling and the booze and the women. “I don't know why I fought it so hard," he said. "I just did”
But Knievel knew people were praying for him, including his daughter's church, his ex-wife's church, and the hundreds of people who wrote letters urging him to believe. And then something indescribable happened during Daytona Bike Week this March.
“I don't know what in the world happened. I don't know if it was the power of the prayer or God himself, but it just reached out, either while I was driving or walking down the sidewalk or sleeping, and it just—the power of God in Jesus just grabbed me. … All of a sudden, I just believed in Jesus Christ. I did, I believed in him! … I rose up in bed and, I was by myself, and I said, 'Devil, Devil, you bastard you, get away from me. I cast you out of my life.' … I just got on my knees and prayed that God would put his arms around me and never, ever, ever let me go.”
Evel Knieval had been going down the road the wrong way. He became convinced he was going the wrong way and needed to turn.
“Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts.
Repentance is like that. Its like a sign saying “Go Back You Are going the wrong way.”
The second element of repentance is true contrition. Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.” “Repentance” Greek Metanoia, to think after.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death.
This godly sorrow is not a shallow sentiment or an empty emotion> It is a sincere regret over past sins and an earnest desire to walk in a new path of righteousness. Matthew 26:75 and Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Thirdly repentance carries the idea of changing; changing your mind, changing your attitudes, changing your ways. “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves report about us what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Repentance is turning from and turning to. Its turning to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only One who can save us.
It is a change of Saviour.
A fellow fell over the edge of a cliff, and on the way down grabbed onto a tree root. As he hung there, unable to move up and very unwilling to let go and fall down to his death, he called out
“is there anyone up there?”
“Yes”
“Can you help me?”
“Let go of the tree”
“Who is there?”
“God”
“is there anyone else there?”
So with salvation we are always keen to do what we can to get us to heaven. But the Lord says don’t hold on to your good works, Hold on to me. Let go of everything but the cross> Its what the Lord Jesus has done for us is enough to get us to heaven.
It is a change Of Lord.
It is a change from rubbishy religion to real relationship.
2. Remembrance
God Listens To Us The words, "Heard" and "Hearkened" means to "pick up the ear, to listen, give heed, and to pay attention." God was aware of their words of adoration, their walk of consecration, and their ways of separation. He had been observant and attentive of their faithful life.
God's Lists Us A book of remembrance was kept by God of their walk, ways, and words. God had kept a record of their commitment. It was an ancient custom of kings to keep a record of benefactor's names so that they might be given proper recognition.
Esther 6:1 "On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasueru."
God is keeping a record on each of us. Psa.56:8: "Thou tellest my wanderings: Put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: Are they not in Thy book?"
God Loves Us "And they shall be mine." We often joke about "claiming" someone. God unhesitatingly claimed these as His own. He declared, "They belong to me." They were a property and possession that He in which He was pleased and of which He was proud.
I Cor.6:19-20, "What? Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God In your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods."
We belong to God by creation. He made us. We also belong to God by salvation. He saved us.
He Sees Us As His Precious Possession. He called them His "jewels." The word speaks of a treasured or precious possession. A king in a sense of the word owned everything over which he ruled. He owned every building, every farm, and all the lands. But in his palace he kept a treasure chest of his own in which he stored precious stones are other valuables. This was his treasured possession (jewels). This treasure chest was his "segullah" which is the word that is translated "jewels."
God loves everyone equally, but His faithful ones seem to hold a special place in His heart. It is not an act of favouritism on God's part, for He is no respecter of persons. But as we love all, there are some that are special to our heart; those who love Him and exalt Him in their life are "jewels."
17 “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of Hosts, “a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
"And they shall be mine."
The Psalmist declared in 58:11 "Verily there is a reward for the righteous..." God will bless and reward the faithful.
There is a Difference
Judgment was about to fall on the ungodly. But when that judgment fell, the righteous and faithful would be delivered. It is a promise of God's protection. They were called "sons" Just as an earthly father watches over his son, our Heavenly Father watches over His children.
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Repentance is always the first step towards revival. Rick Warren.
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
There is A Destiny
Next week as we llok at Malacho 4 we will see how there is a day of judgement coming. There is a separation of those who know the Lord and those who don't.
There are two destonies, and the issue is repentance.
Today you may be feeling that you repented once 40 years ago, and have no further need of repentance. Repentance is the every day, day by day normal christian life. You need to repent each day.The Lord says to you "Return to me and I will return to you. In James 4 it says Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
You have as much need today to pray a prayer of repentace as the person who has never prayed it. So I invite you to praqy with me now...
# posted by Groseys messages @ 5:48 PM 
