THE BLESSINGS OF FEARING GOD Lesson 3 The

THE BLESSINGS OF FEARING GOD Lesson 3 The Book of Malachi

Introduction • Malachi 3 reveals the coming of God’s messenger. • Malachi 3 foreshadows Jesus’ purifying work. • Malachi 3 emphasizes the importance of giving. • Malachi 3 teaches us somethings about God’s character.

I. The Coming of God’s Messenger (Malachi 3: 1) A. In Malachi 3: 1, God promised to send His messenger. B. Who is God’s messenger in Malachi 3: 1? C. John the Baptist (Matthew 11: 7 -11; Mark 1: 2) D. The “messenger of the covenant” in Malachi 3: 1 refers to Jesus Christ.

E. “Over three hundred times the prophets predicted specific facts regarding the coming Lord” (John L. Kachelman, Jr. , Malachi: A Prophet’s Response to a Tired Faith, page 61). F. How were God’s prophets in the Old Testament able to make such accurate predictions? G. The Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1: 10 -11; 2 Peter 1: 20 -21)

H. The fulfillment of Old Testament in the New Testament confirms the veracity and trustworthiness of the Bible.

II. Jesus’ Purifying Work (Malachi 3: 2 -7) A. The process of refining is to remove all impurities. B. Jesus is portrayed as a “Refiner of silver” (George Williams, Lord, I Need An Attitude Adjustment, 68). C. Jesus’ work is a purifying work (2 Timothy 2: 19 -21). D. How does Jesus purify us today?

E. The blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1: 7) F. As the Refiner, Jesus will one day inspect us or judge us. G. The Great Judge will not be pleased with (Malachi 3: 5): 1. 2. 3. sorcerers adulterers liars

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. oppressors of wage earners oppressors of widows oppressors of orphans oppressors of aliens, strangers, or immigrants the irreverent

III. Robbery Without a Gun (Malachi 3: 8 -12) A. God’s people robbed Him of “His honor, reverence, worship, and His money, and then they were upset because they were in an economic recession” (Williams, page 74). B. “You cannot rob God of all that is sacred to Him and expect good in return” (Williams, page 74). C. Who was the tithe in the Old Testament for?

1. the work of God and the workmen of God (Num. 18: 21 -22) 2. God’s triplets: strangers, orphans, and widows (Deut. 26: 1215) D. God dared His people to test Him by giving generously (Mal. 3: 10). E. “When we surrender our money to God, we release the floodgates of heaven’s blessings upon our lives” (Williams, page 77).

F. God’s blessings cannot always be measured in material blessings. G. Blessings are not always what we receive from God, but what “the Lord keeps from happening in our lives” (Williams, page 77).

IV. The Skeptics vs. the God-fearers (Malachi 3: 13 -18) A. The skeptics in Malachi 3: 13 -15 spoke against God questioned whethere was profit or benefit in serving God. B. Some of God’s people were selfish. C. Some of God’s people felt like the Lord owed them something. D. But the God-fearers in Malachi 3: 16 -18 respected God and served Him sincerely.

E. Is there a benefit and profit in fearing God and obeying Him? F. Yes! Your name is recorded in the Book of life (Revelation 20: 1115; Luke 10: 20).

Conclusion • The Book of Malachi teaches us about the character of God. • God keeps His Word (Malachi 3: 1). • God has a soft spot (Malachi 3: 5). • God does not change (Malachi 3: 6). • God can bless and curse (Malachi 3: 9 -10).

• God will reward and bless those who fear & obey Him (Malachi 3: 16).