Getting Started:

1. Have you argued with God? (Somehow God allows it without destroying us — isn’t that gracious?)
2. In the Psalms we have laments; in Malachi — disputation (mutual accusation)!

THE PEOPLE’S ACCUSATION (2:17):

1. The people’s accusation: God you’re not there / God you’re not fair / God you don’t care! (v. 17)
2. Examine the assumption beneath the accusation: God, I could do a better job than you!
3. The assumption leads to alienation: distrust leads to distancing.

GOD’S ANSWER TO THE ACCUSATION (3:1-5):

1. God dignifies us with an answer, even though the question wearies him (2:17)
2. The answer is on our terms but His, not from our perspective but His.

“I am more than fair. I am just.”
1. God says: “I am not absent, I will come to you!” (v. 1)
2. We have assurance that He will right all wrongs, as the judge of all the earth (v. 5). But also a warning — “I will draw near to you for judgment”.
3. Reflect on this: We are quick to insist on justice when sins are committed against us, but assume we deserve mercy when we sin against God and others.

“I am more than fair. I am loving.”
1. God says: “I will come to cleanse!” (v. 2). Two images: refiner’s fire and fuller’s “soap”. Soap was actually caustic alkaline lye.
2. The image of caustic lye reminds us that God’s cleansing can sometimes cause pain.
3. Pain can make us doubt whether the arduous journey of sanctification and transformation is worth it.
4. We must journey together and help each other look beyond the pain to the promise: of worship and restored relationship (vv. 3-4).
5. “God’s refining exists because worship doesn’t”. Jesus saves us from our sins and for a purpose — to worship God and be with Him forever!

Conclusion

Don’t stay stuck, you don’t have to. Don’t delay; respond today!

 
Sunday Worship Songs at cefc.sg/sws
Next Week’s Topic: Malachi 3:6-12
Next Week’s Speaker(s): Rev Tan Kay Kiong (BPJ), Rev Sandra Chi (WDL) & Rev LDW (SKG)