Printer Friendly VersionAs we continue our sermon series today, it is very easy for
the subject of faith to meet the criteria for core value consideration. After
all, the Bible instructs us to “live by faith” (2 Corinthians
5:7), and that “Without faith it is impossible to please God”
(Hebrews 11:6). The great love chapter of the Bible tells us that “Now
these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”
(1 Corinthians 13:13). I’ve always wanted to add, “But not by
much!” Faith and hope are at the very core of the Christian community.
The thesis of this sermon could be summed up with the following
quote from F. B. Meyer: “Unbelief puts our circumstances between us
and God. Faith, on the other hand, puts God between us and our circumstances.”
The people of Malachi’s day were crying and complaining about the circumstances
of life. They asked, “Where is the God of justice?” (2:17). The
text indicates their question was less than sincere. Faith can indeed move
mountains but it cannot camouflage sin. The picture portrayed in this scripture
is of a people who had gotten themselves in trouble on the front end, and
then tried to justify themselves with religious language.
I have a little sign in my office that unfortunately speaks
to me every week: “If I could kick the person most responsible for my
troubles, I wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week!” Many times,
if not most of the time, we get ourselves in trouble. Almighty God saw right
through the hypocrisy of these people who were talking the right talk, but
were not living the life. “You have wearied the Lord with your words”
(2:17). We must understand today, your talk talks, and your walk also talks.
In fact, your walk talks louder than your talk!
There are two things going on here, two things that cause one to doubt and ask, “Where is God?” The first is sin, and the second is circumstances. Both impact our faith. Disbelief (sin) destroys faith, while distress over circumstances damages our faith. George Mueller said, “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of faith is the end of anxiety.” Let’s try to answer this question today: “Where is God?”
This is good news. He is here. Somebody say, “Amen!”
The writer of Hebrews tells us that “faith is being sure of what we
hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). The message
of faith is about believing in something that is not necessarily apparent.
Faith is seeing the invisible, hearing the inaudible, touching the intangible,
and accomplishing the impossible. Our responsibility is to seek God, to look
for Him, to listen for His voice. However, the greatest faith may actually
be that which is able to keep believing even when the heavens are seemingly
silent. A victim of the German Holocaust scratched these words into the wall
before his death: “I believe in the sun—even when it does not
shine; I believe in love—even when it is not shown; I believe in God—even
when He does not speak.”
When questions arise about crisis and evil in life, the tendency
is to ask God for immediate answers. Why is this happening? When is it going
to end? Where are you? The prophet Malachi answers these questions: “See,
I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly
the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant,
whom you desire, will come” (3:1). It would take faith on the part of
Malachi’s people to believe in the coming Messiah. It takes faith in
our day to believe that Messiah did in fact come. He is here!
This passage is proof that people have always turned to the Lord in times of crisis. If you have not had a crisis lately in your life, hold on, one will be coming. That is not pessimistic thinking; it’s simply the reality of a sin-cursed world. As uncomfortable as a crisis is, it can also prove to be a great faith builder: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned” (Isaiah 43:2). Have faith, God is with you.
This could be perceived as bad news. God is coming to judge.
Somebody say, “Ouch!” As we have stated in the earlier sermons
of this series, the message of Malachi’s prophecy is a call to repentance.
You can mask faith and spirituality by talking the right talk, but watch what
you are asking for! Ultimately, the Lord will appear: “But who can endure
the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears?” (3:2). In today’s
vernacular the message is clear, “You want me? Here I am; you’re
faith is about to become sight!”
True faith can stand the test, and even increase, in the worst
of circumstances. It may not be a pleasant experience, but it leaves you with
a stronger faith. The prophet illustrates this testing as “a refiner’s
fire or a launderer’s soap” (3:2). The first picture is metal
hanging over fire, burning away the dross, leaving a pure surface. The second
image is of soap and water being applied to stained garments, and then literally
being squeezed or stomped on in order to be cleansed. Can anybody relate?
My grandfather was getting ready to discipline me years ago;
before he whipped me, he said, “Now David, this is for your good!”
Have faith, we can come out of a crisis better. “He will sit as a refiner
and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold
and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,
and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as
in days gone by, as in former years” (3:3-4).
We cannot overlook the warning God’s coming judgment brings. When confronted with a holy God, sin will not be tolerated. “‘So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,’ says the Lord Almighty’” (3:5).
This is great news! God keeps His word, He does not change.
Let’s all say, “Amen.” The wording of the scripture is fascinating
to me: “I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are
not destroyed” (3:6). The prophet uses the name of Jacob which literally
means a trickster and deceiver. Jacob is the name of one who changes with
the latest trend or fad of life. Jacob is the name of someone who constantly
takes shortcuts in life. On purpose, the author of this passage contrasts
the inconsistency and instability of humankind with the unchanging nature
of Almighty God. Wow!
Have faith! Whatever the sin or circumstance you find yourself in today, God is here to meet your need. He does not change. He has promised never to leave you. He has pledged to be with you until the end.
Bill Griffin told the story of a citywide crusade held in Indianapolis
when he was pastoring in the city several years ago. Every night in the services
an announcement was made that on Friday night there would be a special healing
service. Every night after the services were complete a little, crippled boy
would come up to the preachers on the platform and say, “Friday night
is the healing service, right? You are gonna pray for me and God is going
to heal me, right?”
Early in the week the preachers were optimistic and encouraged
the young man, “Yes, Friday night is the healing service. We are going
to pray for you and God is going to heal you.” Bill Griffin admitted
as the crusade moved closer to Friday, he began thinking about what would
happen to this little, crippled boy if they prayed for his physical healing
and nothing happened? Would it crush the little lad’s spirit?
The largest crowd of the crusade was on Friday night. Hundreds
came forward to be prayed for. The little, crippled boy did not have anyone
to help him down front and was one of the last to make it to the altar. The
little boy placed his crutches on the altar, knelt down to pray, smiled at
Bill Griffin and said, “OK preacher, I’m ready. Pray for my healing!”
Bill Griffin anointed the bent and crippled foot of this little
boy. He confessed that as he began to pray he was still worried about what
was going to happen to this little guy’s spirit if the foot was not
healed. He prayed longer for the little boy than he had for anyone else that
night around the altars. He did not want to open his eyes and still see that
bent and crippled foot. Finally, he opened his eyes. The foot was still bent,
twisted, and crippled.
Bill Griffin said what followed was the greatest demonstration
of faith he had ever witnessed in 50 years of ministry. The little boy was
smiling when he said, “Preacher, go get that box for me on the front
row.” While the preacher was going to get the box, the little boy began
taking off the special shoe and brace that held his crippled foot in place.
When Bill Griffin returned with the box in hand, the little boy shouted, “Preacher,
open the box, I bought some new shoes for tonight!”
The miracle of healing took place when the little boy slipped the brand new shoe over his bent and crippled foot. Faith (belief) without works (action) is dead. This little boy prayed for rain and brought his umbrella. Have faith!
