Sermon Central
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A Book Of Rememberance
Contributed by James Bryant on Jul 31, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: Do you ever become spiritually depleted when thinking of the state in which our country is in? What of the country? We only answer for ourselves... Read this sermon.
A BOOK OF REMEMBERANCE
(13) Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
(14) Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?
(15) And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
(16) Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
(17) And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
(18) Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
During the time of Malachi writing, the nation of Israel had strayed far from God. There was much sin among the people. Unbelief had moved in with the many of the people. The majority of the people did what they wanted instead of being in the will of God.
Many of the people began to laugh at the prophets and show no regard to the law of God.
In reading this scripture, I began to think of how much that sounds like America today! Many people are strayting from God; Sin is everywhere; There are many who are just not caring about what the Preacher warns.
What once was a moral/godly majority is now a seemingly minority Many things have happened over the last few years that once would have been unheard of:
1. Prohibited the reading of Scripture in public school.
2. Prohibited prayer in public school.
3. Prohibited a Christian manger scene during Christmas in public places.
4. Prohibited the posting of the 10 Commandments.
5. Prohibited (Arkansas Supreme Court) the teaching of Creation in public schools along with evolution.
6. Allowed abortion (Roe v. Wade, 1973).
7. Allowed homosexuality in the military (Don’t Tell, Don’t Ask).
Times back then are much like they are here today.
During this time of which evil abound so, there were many that strayed form God; But there were a few that remained faithful. Back then, those who sought to do right an honor God, would secretly meet in small groups and would encourage one another and fellowship with one another. Those who participated in those meetings of that day would: Talk about the Lord, Think about the Lord, Even sing about the Lord.They were small in number compared to those who sought pleasure of this world. But neverhteless, they were still that few who wanted to do right.
Now what’s interesting here to me is not what the peopel did, but what God did. Look at verse 16.
(16) Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
What did God do? He gave attention to what was going on; He listened; He wrote it down! The Lord enjoyed what he heard so much that he wrote it down in a special book! "A BOOK OF REMEMBERANCE"
The Lord is eavesdropping on us as we gather together.
Though we may often be small in number, he is placing our efforts in his, "BOOK OF REMEMBERANCE."
In such a time where many were full of evil, there were still a few who stood for God! Those few who;
Talked of God; Loved God; Got together and discussed God’s ways! And while they did, God was “eavesdropping.” What God heard was music to his ears! God’s eavesdropping thrilled him! So much so, he decided to make “A BOOK OF REMEMBERANCE.”
Malachi tells us in verse 16 that; God liked it so that he wrote down what was said and who said it. God was listening to HIS people, not what was going on around them.
Many of us often have concerns of that which is going on around us. We wonder what penalty God will put upon this nation for its turning away from him. So then we wonder, “What can we do.” “What do we do during such a immoral/ungodly time as this in America?” I tell you what we are to do; “CONTINUE”
Continue to honor him
Continue to trust in him
Just continue to give praises to his name.
Continue to come to church and worship him
