Introduction: I am going to speak on the subject," Getting God's Gracious
Attention." My text is found in the book of Malachi, the third chapter, verses
sixteen and seventeen.
I am going to show you how to live a life that find's favor with God. The kind of
life that makes God proud of you! We, as parents, love all of our children, but
they may not all live a life we can be proud of. I think God was beaming with
pride, when he said; "Have you seen my servant Job, that there is none like him
in all the earth?" (Job 1:8). Is God proud of you? Would you like to be the object
of His special attention? Would you like knowing that you are, "the apple of God's
eye"?
Let's examine what these people were doing, that made them so special to God.
I. THEY FEARED GOD. (Vs. 16)
Please listen carefully while I share some background information concerning
our text. Malachi lived after the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. At this time, the
Jew's had returned from Babylon, the Temple had been rebuilt. The walls around
Jerusalem were complete. All was well, except for the sad fact that the people
had, once again, drifted into a backslidden spiritual condition. The priest's were
living sinfully as well. Jewish men were divorcing their Jewish wives and
marring heathen women. Many were worshiping idols and engaging in sexual
orgies associated with the worship ceremonies. Although, the Law of God was,
again, being ignored, and ungodliness, worldliness, and brazen sin were on
every side; there was a remnant who maintained their integrity and their zeal
to serve the Holy God. No wonder God took special notice of them!
So, what was this select group of people doing that attracted God's gracious
attention? First of all, our text states that they feared God. The word 'fear', as
is in the text, mean's 'reverence.' It is impossible to properly reverence God
without respecting His Word. These people honored and heeded God's Word.
Scripture tells us that, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word became
flesh, dwelt among men, and that Word, was God." (John 1) So it is clear that
it is impossible to reverence God and pay little regard to His Word.
These people were demonstrating their reverence to God by being obedient
to His Word(Law). In Malachi's time the priest's were offering sacrifices that
were not acceptable to God. It was a direct violation of His Law. The people
were bringing the blemished and puny animals from their herd as sacrifices.
They were unwilling to offer God their best. God's Law stated that the people
were to offer their very best. This bunch did not fear God. Their worship was
insincere. They had reduced the worship of God to cold, form and ritual. This
group was only 'going through the motions'.
Many professing Christian's belong to this group. They never give to God, their
best. Their experience with God is not vibrant. They have plenty of religion, but
God has none of them! We will never become the object of God's gracious
attention until we give Him our best. Jesus illustrated this point very clearly when
He said to the Rich Young Ruler, "One thing you are lacking.." Jesus wanted
all of him, not just part of him. Jesus had many followers, but only three of them
received His special attention.
Can you truthfully say, "I give God my best." Now that's a mouth full! Does God get
your best when it comes to your prayer life? What about your finances? How
about your service? If you are a teacher in the church, are you the best you could
be? Whatever our service to God, If we truly reverence Him, we will give to Him,
'The Best', and nothing less.
This small group of God loving, God fearing people, gave Him their very best.
And God smiled upon them. God heard and answered their prayers, and blessed
their lives. When we give our best to God we will get God's gracious attention.
( ILL) C. H. Spurgeon once said something very close to this:
"I want to live so that every time I look up to God and say; "I love you."
He will look down at me and say; "I know it Spurgeon, I know it."
II. THEY THOUGHT UPON HIS NAME ( v. 16 )
In other words, they meditated upon the Lord. God was constantly in their
thoughts, and this brought comfort to their souls and peace to their minds.
Although they lived in troublesome times, their generation was exceedingly
wicked, and godly people were a minority. They kept their minds focused God-
ward. I believe they meditated continually upon God's precious promises.
1. God's promise to bless them.
2. God's promise to provide for them.
3. God's promise to protect them from their enemies.
4. God's promise to forgive them their sins.
5. God's promise to love them.
Isaiah 26:3- "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee;
because he trusts in you."
Romans 8:6- "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life
and peace."
When our mind's are centered on the Lord, and our thoughts reflect faith instead
of fear, then God is pleased. For "Without Faith, It Is Impossible To Please Him."
Whenever God's people resist the negatives around them and refuse to fear
the trouble that surrounds them, they become the objects of God's gracious
attention. The Bible proves this is true over and over again.
(1) Daniel, facing the den of lions.
(2) Daniel's friends who refused to bow, bend, or burn.
(3) Paul and Silas singing at midnight.
III. THEY SPOKE OFTEN OF GOD TO ONE ANOTHER. ( V. 16 )
What was the nature of their conversation? It was about the goodness of God.
I believe as they sat together on benches on a warm summer night, they talked
about the 'good old days' when God blessed His people wonderfully because
they were obedient to His Word. They remembered all Israel were living right
and enjoying God's favor. I can imagine one of them saying to
another, "remember the time God separated the Red Sea, and all our father's
walked through it on dry land?" "Boy, were those Egyptian's surprised!" "Yes."
"And do you remember when they marched around the walls of Jericho?" "Yes."
"I bet that was a walk they never forgot!" And an old man speaks loudly, and
says, "And let us not forget Achan, who took the accursed thing, and brought
sin in the camp and provoked God's wrath." "We must not be influenced by those
among us who have forsaken the Lord. We must remain faithful. We must fear
God, love Him with all our heart, and be zealous in serving Him!" No doubt they
spoke of the glory days of Solomon and the magnificent temple he built, and
how the glory of God came into the Holy of Holies with such grander that the priests
couldn't even stand on their feet to minister! Yes, they enjoyed the privilege of
God's gracious attention.
Yes, this remnant who loved God. Spoke often to one another about Him. It was
easy to do because God was always on their mind! They encouraged one
another, strengthened one another. Their speech edified. Their speech inspired.
They positively contributed to each others faith. The Bible warns that in the last
days, perilous times would come. The Scripture warns of love for God growing
cold. The Bible warns of abounding iniquity. It speaks of a great falling away from
the faith. It is urgent that we fear God, reverence His Word, think upon His
wonderful name, speak often about His greatness and His goodness, and
never forget His precious promises!
Conclusion: Because these people genuinely feared God. And constantly kept
God on their minds. And Because they spoke often about His
greatness, goodness, and His precious promises; God was especially
attracted to them. He looked upon them as his jewels. His special treasure.
The rewards of attracting God's gracious attention are listed in our Scripture
text. They are:
(1) God heard them and hearkened unto them.( 16b)
(2) God recorded everything in His book.( 16 c)
(3) God promised them a share in His glory. ( 17:a)
(4) God promised them grace. ( 17:b)
Now, if someone were to reverence you, and think often about you, and speak
well of you, and always tried their best to please you. Wouldn't you take special
notice of them? Sure, you would! And God will take special notice of us too
if we do likewise. Therefore, let us be as this holy, dedicated, God fearing,
remnant was.
Note: This sermon was influenced by a message I heard the late, Dr. Jack Hyles
(Pastor of, First Baptist Church, Hammond, IN.) preach, years ago.
