Malachi

Advent: A Time To Remember

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , , , , , ,

Advent is nearing and Christmas is just around the corner. As I walked through the church building this morning, there was delightful laughter and creative chatter filling every space. Lights, decorations, and greenery were going up, as glitter found places to eternally abide. Yet, for many, this season is filled with busyness, even stress. Still, Advent invites us to slow down. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming”… a translation of the Greek word parousia, which means “presence” or “arrival.” It is a time of preparation in anticipation of the arrival of Christ. It is a time to remember His story and rest in His presence.

As we come to the end of the year, the end of our “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” series, the end of the book of Malachi, and the end of the Old Testament, it feels as though we are standing at a place of tremendous importance. The closing verses of Malachi are burdened with the weight of the past and restless with the anticipation of the future. They form a connection between the Old and New Testament – a bridge between what God has said and done in the past and what He will say and do in the future. Here is what the prophet records in the final three verses of his message to God’s people:

Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction. (Malachi 4:4-6)

Malachi connects remembering God’s Word to the Messiah’s coming. Since the moment sin and the curse entered Creation, the promise of a Victor, Redeemer, and King ached in the hearts of men and caused Creation to groan with anticipation of its coming redemption (Rom 8:22-23). As the Old Testament unfolded over the centuries, the hope in the promised anointed King who would arrive and put this world – broken by sin – back together again seemed to turn into doubt. So, in God’s final oracle of the Old Testament, He reminds and reassures His people of His certain promises recorded in His Word: “The Messiah will come, and when He comes, hearts will be changed and evil will be destroyed!” What an incredible way to bridge the Old and New Testament!

So, here we are today. We find ourselves in the era between Savior Jesus’ first coming and King Jesus’ second coming. We need to remember the words of the angel as he spoke to Mary in Luke 1:31-32:

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus [which means “God saves”]. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.

This message is the Good News – the Gospel that is for all people! God has come “to seek and save” (Luke 19:10). The Good News is for Israel, for the lost sinner, and even for the follower of the Savior. Jesus’ first coming as the Suffering Servant reassures us of His return as the Glorious King! Let us then remember and prepare ourselves for His return. Spend time reading and meditating on His Word. This is what Advent asks us to do: simply remember, rest in His presence, and joyfully prepare for His return as the King to end all kings!

Joshua 1:7-9 (ESV) – “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

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All Forward, Hard!

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , , ,

Over the years of serving as a youth pastor, my wife, Krista, and I have taken many students down to Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope, West Virginia, for what we called our Faith Fusion Trip. The purpose was to “fuse” the incoming freshmen into the senior high group through three days filled with cooperative adventure activities. While we utilized a variety of measures like a high ropes course, caving, rappelling, and paintball, the most impactful activity for accomplishing our “fusion” goal was the whitewater rafting trip down the Lower New River. It was a mentally taxing and physically demanding day that left every participant feeling exhausted, accomplished, and connected.

However, before our group could even think about navigating down the river and through its treacherous rapids, the river guides put us through an essential training course on crucial commands and rowing techniques. It was important to quickly understand, respond, and obey the commands of the guides and to do so in unison. Understanding the difference between “All forward!” and “All forward, hard!” and “Highside!” can make the difference between staying in the raft or the raft flipping and all its contents winding up in the river. Everybody in the raft is essential in serving the greater purpose of getting down the river and protecting the valuable contents inside the raft.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul reminds his readers that those who serve the Lord should be viewed in a particular way. By extension, they should regard themselves in the manner described in chapter 4:

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful… do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)

The text defines Paul and his fellow workers as servants or “under rowers” and stewards or “caretakers” of the Gospel. What is more, every follower of Jesus is likewise to be faithful in serving and administering the Gospel. As under rowers we are to pick up the oars and dig into the waves while our Captain, the Lord Jesus, providentially directs us. And while we may not receive recognition for our efforts below deck, our Captain above will not forget our faithful labor.

Malachi 3:16-18, describes this dynamic as service springing from a person that has great reverence and high regard for God. In turn, God commends the few but faithful “who feared the LORD and esteemed His name.” He describes them as His treasured possessions, His sons, and as being distinct in their devout service. The prophet Malachi explains that these servants “spoke with one another” (v. 16) in order to encourage each other to remain faithful. He further indicates that God would record their service in a “book of remembrance” and ultimately reward them for their devotion.

The truth is, “rowing” for the Lord and for the spread of the Gospel can sometimes feel exhausting, thankless, and without demonstrative results. Also, being “below deck”, we may not see where our Captain is leading. Nevertheless, He is the Captain – the Guide who will direct us to the places in which He has providentially prepared for us to serve. His command is, “All forward, hard!”

So, are you rowing? Are you grabbing the oars of service to take the Gospel wherever God directs so that He may be made known? If not, join in! It’s worth it! And if you are, remain faithful, so you may be rewarded by hearing the Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

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And Justice For All

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , , ,

The first English words I ever learned , besides “What’s up, Doc?”, were the words to the Pledge of Allegiance. When work moved my family stateside, my parents quickly enrolled me at the local elementary school. I was both terrified and excited. While I felt like an alien among all of my classmates, I loved my teacher, Ms. McDonald, and was thrilled about our school’s mascot – the Wass Wolves! Every morning at Wass Elementary School in Troy, Michigan all the little fifth grade girls and boys would stand up next to their desks, face the American flag, place their right hand on their heart, and recite the pledge in unison. Can you still recite it today? I am certain you can:

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
And to the Republic for which stands,
One nation under God,
Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Do you remember participating in this morning routine? For many children it is a formative exercise helping them to appreciate traits that are to be the foundation of community and society in general: unity, freedom, and justice. Maybe more importantly, these values are firmly established in the character of God. The God of the Bible is eternally triune, the Rescuer of those shackled in sin, and the just Judge of all (Ecc 3:17; see also Isa 33:22).

Now to be honest, when justice crosses my mind, it is usually from the perspective of having been wronged. I desire God to fix a wrong perpetrated against me. I often equate justice with “fairness”, in particular when I am the one holding the short end of the stick. Consequently, I selfishly and presumptuously wag my proverbial finger at God and label Him as heartless, indifferent, and unjust when His justice fails to align with my expectations of equity (Mal 2:17). Rarely do I realize that God’s standard of justice consistently finds me as the perpetrator and breaker of His law. The truth is, you, me, and everybody else has either been wronged or wronged someone else, because everybody sins and falls short of God’s perfect standard (Rom 3:23). We are all guilty before the Judge and awaiting our rightful sentence. The surprising twist is that God functions both as Judge and Justifier. The prophet Malachi details God’s plan of justice in the following manner:

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.” (Malachi 3:1-4)

In these verses God promises His people that justice will be served. God’s plan will include a messenger who will clear the way for Jesus’ first arrival as a sacrificial substitute (see also Jn 1:23; 1:29). Furthermore, the Messiah will come a second time to His Temple, fulfilling all of the Old Testament promises, and cleanse His people, Israel. Those who repent and believe in Jesus’ substitutionary work will be declared righteous. The verse that follows (v. 5) indicates that those who reject the provided Substitute, Jesus, will ultimately be found guilty and condemned. In short, God’s justice is satisfied through the punishment of either the Substitute or the condemnation of the sinner.

The amazing conclusion that we must come to is simple: God’s justice is right and good. He will NEVER be unjust. His goal is twofold: first, it is to refine us like silver (Mal 3:3) in order that Christ’s image might be reflected in our soul. Second, it is to declare us righteous in Christ and to perfectly judge His enemies. Glory to God for His compassion and abundant pardon!

Isaiah 55:6-9 (ESV) – “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

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The Weight of Glory

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , ,

There are places that put a lump in your throat, bring tears to your eyes, cause your gaze to fall and your voice to drop to a whisper. Maybe, like me, you have stood silently in the rain observing the sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, sat in the 130-year-old pews of the Ryman Auditorium visualizing the artists that have graced its stage, or gazed upon the beaches and waves below the Normandy American Cemetery where thousands of young men gave their lives on D-Day.

These places, and many like them, overwhelm their visitors with a sense of honor.

It seems that in today’s culture it is necessary to define the word “honor”, for the word has lost both meaning and, more importantly, practice. To honor someone means to esteem and respect them in light of their position or actions. Furthermore, it means fulfilling and keeping certain obligations that demonstrate this high regard. Honor could be described as awe, reverence, and adoration. In the Old Testament it is often used interchangeably with the word “glory” and used in the context of worship.

God begins the book of Malachi by proclaiming His love for Israel (1:1-5). Yet, there is a sharp contrast between God’s devotion and love for His chosen people, and their heartless disrespect for their Father (Jer 31:9) and Master (Is 42:19). Even more surprisingly, the ones who should have understood God’s deserved honor most readily, were the ones who made God’s worship offensive and shameful namely, the priests. So, Malachi challenges the priesthood to give God the glory He deserves:

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name …” (Malachi 1:6)

How could it have come to this? How could the priesthood – those familiar with His statutes and commandments – despise God’s name? Why would God need to rebuke His sons and servants of their negligence, apathy, and hardheartedness? Could it be that they had forgotten that their Father loved them, that their Master owned everything, and that, as King, He deserved devotion and obedience? Is it possible that we, a royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9), also lose sight of God’s glory and worth?

A few years ago a friend of mine introduced me to one of C.S. Lewis’ books that I was only familiar with by its title, The Weight of Glory. My friend indicated that other than the Bible, it had become the most influential book in his life, so much so that he read through it every year. Before he moved out of the area, my friend gifted me his copy of Lewis’ book and it has received a special place in my library ever since. In any case, the author makes this powerful observation and indictment of people finding gratification in lesser things:

Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

Wow! Honoring the Father, fearing the Master, worshiping the King, is not merely giving God what He deserves. It also has a powerful effect upon us! Apparently, the priest’s boredom with God caused them to ignore His commands and experience His rejection. In contrast, an arresting awe of God functions dynamically as His transforming grace is bestowed on us! As we honor the Lord, walk in the Spirit, and live in His presence, we share in His glory. Paul encourages us with these words: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor 3:12-18). Just another reason to make worship a constant, enthusiastic, and conscious way of life!

Psalm 100:1-5 (ESV) – “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

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Indubitably!

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , , , ,

“I doubt it.”

It’s a common, quick response to a variety of questions: “Will you join us for dinner while you’re in town?” or “Do you think you will pass the exam?” or “Is there a chance we might get a discount?” “I doubt it.” Though the response can be applied to both positive or negative outcomes, it seems to carry an apathetic tone that rarely leaves the hearer satisfied. It lacks a sense of certainty and clarity.

In contrast, I love the word indubitably. Just the sound of the word makes me smile. When employed, it is almost exclusively connected to optimism and positivity. It carries with it a sense of anticipation that something wonderful is about to happen: “Are you going to have ice cream after dinner?” or “Do you have that sweatshirt in my size?” “Indubitably!” The word gushes with a tone of “without a doubt” and “of course”. It’s definitely a word we should use more often and follow with a big, fat exclamation point, don’t you think? Indubitably!

Clearly, there are some things that require hesitation and care, but there is one truth that should never be doubted – God’s love for you! As the curtain falls on the Old Testament, God has one last message that will be delivered by His messenger, Malachi. In many ways, God’s oracle is an echo of what the prophets preceding Malachi have told Israel: “Return to your God!” However, God has a powerfully personal proclamation for His people. Malachi begins his announcement this way:

The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob …”

What a tremendous statement! “I have loved you.” In these four words, God communicates that His love is pledged, proven, plenary, and personal. He lavishes it on whomever He chooses (1 Jn 3:1). There is nothing particularly lovely or lovable about the recipients. As a matter of fact, neither Jacob, his brother, Esau, nor their father, Isaac, nor his father, Abraham, were particularly “good”. On the contrary, they were rebellious sinners, as were their descendants whom God was admonishing. None of them, including the twin brothers, Jacob and Esau, had anything that would make them worthy of God’s affection. We too were once self-righteous, powerless, indignant, and given over to destruction (Rom 3:24, 26, 28). Yet God didn’t leave us in our hopeless wreckage. He sent His Son as Savior – a Redeemer greater than all of our sin:

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

God sets His love on sinful, rebellious, hateful, and ignorant people. He doesn’t find people who are beautiful to love. Rather, He makes the objects of His love beautiful! His love changes everything about us!

May we truly be grateful and confident in God’s love for us. As objects of God’s lavish love, our reasonable act of worship is to love our Heavenly Father in return. We should loathe our own sin, dream of being holy, and trust Christ to continue our spiritual transformation. Pray that our church would never doubt God’s love for them and that He would always receive the glory due Him. Doesn’t that make sense? Indubitably!

Ephesians 3:16-21 (NIV) – “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

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