Sunday – June 24, 2012

June 24, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

Esteem the Name Of God from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Which group are you in? Are you standing with those who think it is not profitable to follow God, or do you stand with those who fear the Lord and esteem His Name? It is an important question because no matter how often you go to church, only one group is recorded in the Lord's book of remembrance. Join us Sunday as we continue in Malachi 3:13-18 and see the beautiful people who "Honor Your Heavenly Father." Come for the worship and stay for the fellowship


Word On Worship – June 24, 2012 Download / Print

Malachi 3:16-18
They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

Do you sometimes watch people around you deny God, yet they seem to receive greater blessing than believers and especially you? You would never say it, but you cynically think it in your heart: “What profit is there in serving God? It doesn’t pay!” Here’s the message of Malachi: God records everything. The God who does not change not only records our foolish actions, but God keeps record of all that we do and say in His name. Asaph in Psalm 73 was looking at the prosperity of the wicked and was thinking “It’s a waste of time serving God!” Asaph had honest and painful questions, but when he took them before God he saw their action in terms of eternity. You must keep eternity’s values in view, because in the end we will win!

There is a second group of people found in verses 16 through 18. God calls these people jewels; God’s jewels. “My jewels — they shall be mine.” He gives this beautiful name jewels to those who, in an age of compromise, an age of worldly values, apathy and indifference still speak about the Lord and who fear the Lord. I think these are some of the most beautiful verses in all of Scripture. God says they are a remnant people; true to Him throughout all of time.

Now I want you to note both of these groups, those who were the judges and those who are the jewels, claimed to be among God’s people. What makes the difference? The difference is the jewels feared the Lord. The book of Proverbs tells us “To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” These were people who, in the midst of all that was going on around them, reverenced God and submitted to His authority and no one else’s.  They began to fear God more and fear others less. They feared the Lord, they thought upon His name, and then they spoke often about Him.

Here’s the question out of Malachi’s message for all of us: what do our lips portray about our heart? Do you talk often, one to another, about Him? Don’t miss the fact even in Malachi’s day the remnant kept company together. They encouraged one another and they promoted love and faith in each others hearts. They did not forsake the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some, as they saw the Day approaching. They kept company with those who were talking about the Lord, thinking on His name and who feared the Lord. Can I give you a bit of advice? Keep company, not only in the assembly, but in your personal private company, with those who talk about the Lord, not about other Christians!

What do you think?