Embracing God's Love: Salvation and Responsibility in Malachi

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the incredible turnout for our recent workday, where many of you came together to serve our church community. Your dedication was a tremendous encouragement and a gift to our church. We also discussed upcoming events, including the car show, and the various ways you can get involved.

Our devotion this week centers on the question: Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their own works or anywhere else? The answer is a resounding no. Salvation is found in Christ alone, and to seek it elsewhere is to deny His role as our sole Redeemer and Savior. Galatians 2:16 reminds us that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law.

We then turned our attention to the book of Malachi, a small but powerful book that will be our focus for the next several weeks. Malachi, a contemporary of Haggai and Zechariah, prophesied during a time when the temple and walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt, but the spiritual fervor of the people had declined. The book is structured in a dialectic format, where God makes assertions, and the people respond with questions or refutations.

In Malachi 1:1-5, God declares His love for Israel, but the people question how He has loved them. This sets the tone for the entire book, highlighting the argumentative nature of the people's relationship with God. God’s love is contrasted with His judgment on Edom, the descendants of Esau, who rejected Him. This passage serves as a reminder that God's love for His chosen people is steadfast, even when they fail to recognize it.

As we delve deeper into Malachi, we will be challenged to examine our own lives and our relationship with God. Are we living in a way that reflects our love for Him, or are we questioning His love through our actions and attitudes? This study will call us to reproof, repentance, reformation, and remembrance, urging us to embrace our responsibilities as God's chosen people.

### Key Takeaways

1. Salvation in Christ Alone: Our salvation is found solely in Christ, not through our works or any other means. To seek salvation elsewhere is to deny Christ's role as our Redeemer. Galatians 2:16 emphasizes that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law. This foundational truth should guide our faith and actions. [04:24]

2. God’s Unfailing Love: God’s declaration of love in Malachi 1:2 is met with skepticism by the people. This reflects a common human tendency to question God's love when faced with difficulties. Yet, God's love is unwavering and demonstrated through His actions, including the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We must recognize and trust in this steadfast love. [32:22]

3. The Burden of the Word: The book of Malachi is described as a burden, a heavy sentence that must be delivered. This underscores the seriousness and urgency of God's message. As we study Malachi, we should approach it with a sense of reverence and readiness to be challenged and transformed by God's truth. [42:31]

4. The Dialectic Nature of Malachi: The structure of Malachi involves God making assertions and the people responding with questions or refutations. This dialectic format highlights the argumentative nature of the people's relationship with God. It serves as a mirror for us to examine our own responses to God's word and whether we are living in obedience or resistance. [53:07]

5. The Consequences of Rejection: The contrast between Israel and Edom in Malachi 1:3-5 illustrates the consequences of accepting or rejecting God's love. While Israel is preserved despite their failures, Edom faces destruction for their rejection of God. This serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal implications of our relationship with God and the importance of living in accordance with His will. [58:56]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - Workday Appreciation
[02:48] - Car Show Announcements
[04:24] - Devotion: Salvation in Christ Alone
[23:17] - Introduction to Malachi
[23:35] - Context of Malachi
[25:20] - Reading Malachi 1:1-5
[27:14] - Prayer for Understanding
[28:18] - The Cost of Real Love
[31:48] - God’s Declaration of Love
[32:22] - Questioning God’s Love
[35:00] - The Dialectic Nature of Malachi
[42:31] - The Burden of the Word
[53:07] - The Argumentative Nature of the People
[58:56] - Consequences of Rejection
[01:09:15] - Invitation to Reflect and Respond

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. Galatians 2:16 - "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
2. Malachi 1:1-5 - "The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever. And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The Lord will be magnified from the border of Israel."

### Observation Questions

1. What does Galatians 2:16 say about how we are justified? ([04:24])
2. In Malachi 1:1-5, how do the people of Israel respond to God's declaration of love? ([25:51])
3. What is the significance of the contrast between Jacob and Esau in Malachi 1:2-3? ([26:16])
4. How does the book of Malachi describe the relationship between God and the people of Israel? ([35:00])

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why is it important to understand that salvation is found in Christ alone and not through our works? How does this impact our daily faith and actions? ([04:24])
2. How does questioning God's love, as seen in Malachi 1:2, reflect common human tendencies when faced with difficulties? ([32:22])
3. What does the dialectic nature of Malachi reveal about the people's relationship with God, and how can this be a mirror for our own responses to God's word? ([35:00])
4. How does the contrast between Israel and Edom in Malachi 1:3-5 serve as a reminder of the consequences of accepting or rejecting God's love? ([58:56])

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be seeking salvation or validation through your own works rather than through faith in Christ alone? How can you shift your focus back to Christ? ([04:24])
2. When faced with difficulties, do you find yourself questioning God's love? How can you remind yourself of God's unwavering love during challenging times? ([32:22])
3. The book of Malachi challenges us to examine our relationship with God. Are there ways in which your actions or attitudes might be questioning God's love? What steps can you take towards reproof, repentance, and reformation? ([35:00])
4. How can you approach the study of Malachi with a sense of reverence and readiness to be challenged and transformed by God's truth? What practical steps can you take to prepare your heart and mind for this study? ([42:31])
5. The consequences of rejecting God's love are illustrated through the fate of Edom. How does this sobering reminder influence your understanding of the eternal implications of your relationship with God? ([58:56])
6. In what ways can you actively embrace your responsibilities as one of God's chosen people, reflecting His love in your daily life? ([41:26])
7. How can you ensure that your responses to God's word are marked by obedience rather than resistance? What specific changes can you make to align your life more closely with God's will? ([35:00])

Devotional

### Day 1: Salvation in Christ Alone
Our salvation is found solely in Christ, not through our works or any other means. To seek salvation elsewhere is to deny Christ's role as our Redeemer. Galatians 2:16 emphasizes that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law. This foundational truth should guide our faith and actions. [04:24]

Bible Passage:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection:
What are some ways you might be relying on your own efforts for salvation? How can you shift your focus to trust fully in Christ's finished work on the cross today?

### Day 2: God’s Unfailing Love
God’s declaration of love in Malachi 1:2 is met with skepticism by the people. This reflects a common human tendency to question God's love when faced with difficulties. Yet, God's love is unwavering and demonstrated through His actions, including the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We must recognize and trust in this steadfast love. [32:22]

Bible Passage:
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a recent time when you doubted God's love for you. How can you remind yourself of His unwavering love and faithfulness in that situation?

### Day 3: The Burden of the Word
The book of Malachi is described as a burden, a heavy sentence that must be delivered. This underscores the seriousness and urgency of God's message. As we study Malachi, we should approach it with a sense of reverence and readiness to be challenged and transformed by God's truth. [42:31]

Bible Passage:
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection:
How can you prepare your heart to receive and act upon the challenging truths found in God's Word this week?

### Day 4: The Dialectic Nature of Malachi
The structure of Malachi involves God making assertions and the people responding with questions or refutations. This dialectic format highlights the argumentative nature of the people's relationship with God. It serves as a mirror for us to examine our own responses to God's word and whether we are living in obedience or resistance. [53:07]

Bible Passage:
"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." (Isaiah 1:18, ESV)

Reflection:
In what areas of your life are you resisting God's guidance? How can you begin to respond with obedience and trust instead of argument and doubt?

### Day 5: The Consequences of Rejection
The contrast between Israel and Edom in Malachi 1:3-5 illustrates the consequences of accepting or rejecting God's love. While Israel is preserved despite their failures, Edom faces destruction for their rejection of God. This serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal implications of our relationship with God and the importance of living in accordance with His will. [58:56]

Bible Passage:
"See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven." (Hebrews 12:25, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What steps can you take today to draw closer to Him and live in accordance with His will?

Quotes

1. "If you have faith in Christ, are you seeking your salvation through your own works or anywhere else other than in Christ alone? That's the question. And the answer, of course, is no. They should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ. To seek salvation through good works is the denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior." [02:48] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What is necessary for salvation is a complete dependence and trust upon Christ as being the propitiation of your sins, the satisfaction of God's wrath against your sins personally. As we often say, and we'll say again before I leave this morning, he died for you as you and in your place. And that purchased your salvation." [04:24] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "It's in Christ alone, by faith alone is what our salvation is. I hope that you're fully aware of that this morning. And I hope that you've come seeking to receive something from the Lord today." [04:24] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God loves the chosen ones. Are you the chosen one now? This is what I am going for here. I want you to know if you are a covenant bearing Christian you are that way because God loved you and there is a reciprocation to that relationship." [41:26] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When I read the Bible the challenge should be this I should say to myself what I am reading is an oracle what I am reading is a burden what I am reading is a heavy sentence and this heavy sentence has past present future and eternal implications." [48:26] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Every time I open the word of God or you open the word of God you ought to have a feeling in your heart I should have a feeling in my heart that the Lord God has tapped me on the shoulder and said hey listen to this that's how the Bible should be read that way." [49:28] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Does the word of God speak to you does it impact you does it interact with you does it implicate you does it influence you if it were a personal note addressed to you from God with great burden and intense urgency that's how it's supposed to be read." [50:33] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "He created the world and everything in it. He created humanity and he has endured the failures of humanity for thousands of years. Is that not love? I think it's love. He has given you life. He has given you daily bread and sustenance. For most everybody in this room, he's given prosperity and he has led you forward." [54:59] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "At Calvary, he provided redemption for the entire world. God so loved the world. All the people, in the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that by faith he provides new life to all that believe, and rightly understood, it's clear that he gives you every breath, every heartbeat, and he does that in spite, in spite of your faithfulness to him or acceptance of him." [57:00] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The ones who accepted God, they are loved. They have been loved. The ones who rejected God, they are hated, because they've hated God. And you say, well, what do you mean hated God? They've hated God. Well, that's what repentance is. When today, when somebody says, I'm lost, I need to be saved, and we say to them, repent and believe the gospel, the repentance is repenting from disbelief, repenting from hating God. Turn to believing and loving God." [01:05:44] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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