1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,400 We’ve seen that Malachi in this last book of the Old Testament, 2 00:00:05,400 –> 00:00:08,580 he gives us an exact description 3 00:00:08,580 –> 00:00:12,580 of the challenge that is facing believers today. 4 00:00:12,580 –> 00:00:13,980 In Malachi’s day, 5 00:00:13,980 –> 00:00:17,400 the wicked seemed to be winning. 6 00:00:17,400 –> 00:00:20,600 God didn’t seem to do much to stop them. 7 00:00:20,600 –> 00:00:22,980 The righteous were struggling 8 00:00:22,980 –> 00:00:26,840 and God didn’t seem to be doing much to help them. 9 00:00:26,940 –> 00:00:30,360 God seemed neither to frown on the wicked 10 00:00:30,360 –> 00:00:32,840 nor to smile on the righteous. 11 00:00:32,840 –> 00:00:35,220 And so God’s people began to wonder, 12 00:00:35,220 –> 00:00:38,119 well what’s the point in serving the Lord? 13 00:00:38,119 –> 00:00:39,759 You see that in verse 14, 14 00:00:39,759 –> 00:00:40,720 you have said, 15 00:00:40,720 –> 00:00:45,340 it is vain to serve God. 16 00:00:45,340 –> 00:00:46,439 But through all of this, 17 00:00:46,439 –> 00:00:50,279 we’ve seen that there were some people who remained faithful. 18 00:00:50,279 –> 00:00:51,700 Verse 16, 19 00:00:51,700 –> 00:00:55,980 those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. 20 00:00:56,020 –> 00:01:00,360 And the Lord paid attention and he heard them. 21 00:01:00,360 –> 00:01:03,400 And then we saw that a book of remembrance 22 00:01:03,400 –> 00:01:05,839 was written before the Lord. 23 00:01:05,839 –> 00:01:09,419 In Christ, God remembers your work, 24 00:01:09,419 –> 00:01:13,400 your words, your tears and your desires. 25 00:01:13,400 –> 00:01:17,160 But he does not remember your sins. 26 00:01:17,160 –> 00:01:20,559 God puts a finger of mercy 27 00:01:20,559 –> 00:01:22,839 over the scars of his children, 28 00:01:22,839 –> 00:01:25,599 your sins and your iniquities. 29 00:01:25,599 –> 00:01:29,839 God says, I will remember no more. 30 00:01:30,940 –> 00:01:34,059 Now, we begin today in verse 18 31 00:01:34,059 –> 00:01:36,779 of Malachi and chapter three, 32 00:01:36,779 –> 00:01:39,760 and I want you to notice there that Malachi says, 33 00:01:39,760 –> 00:01:41,820 then once more, 34 00:01:43,059 –> 00:01:45,599 you will see the distinction 35 00:01:45,599 –> 00:01:48,459 between the righteous and the wicked. 36 00:01:48,480 –> 00:01:51,139 between one who serves God 37 00:01:51,139 –> 00:01:55,040 and one who does not serve him. 38 00:01:55,040 –> 00:01:58,500 Now, notice the word once more. 39 00:01:58,500 –> 00:02:02,019 They clearly indicate that there had been times 40 00:02:02,019 –> 00:02:05,220 in the past when the distinction, 41 00:02:05,220 –> 00:02:07,739 the difference between the righteous and the wicked 42 00:02:07,739 –> 00:02:08,940 was clearly seen. 43 00:02:08,940 –> 00:02:10,899 The distinction and the difference 44 00:02:10,899 –> 00:02:12,699 between those who serve God 45 00:02:12,699 –> 00:02:16,619 and those who did not was clearly seen in the past. 46 00:02:16,619 –> 00:02:18,559 When was it seen in the past? 47 00:02:19,399 –> 00:02:22,619 Well, Noah saw the distinction 48 00:02:22,619 –> 00:02:25,440 between the righteous and the wicked 49 00:02:25,440 –> 00:02:27,399 at the time of the flood. 50 00:02:27,399 –> 00:02:28,720 He lived at a time 51 00:02:28,720 –> 00:02:32,399 when the earth was filled with violence. 52 00:02:32,399 –> 00:02:34,899 That’s Genesis chapter six and verse 11. 53 00:02:34,899 –> 00:02:39,320 And God warned him that judgment would come. 54 00:02:39,320 –> 00:02:41,720 Noah then took this message 55 00:02:41,720 –> 00:02:44,860 and he became a preacher of righteousness. 56 00:02:45,179 –> 00:02:46,899 He spoke to people of his day 57 00:02:46,899 –> 00:02:51,039 and of his generation about the judgment that was to come. 58 00:02:51,039 –> 00:02:52,860 No one paid any attention 59 00:02:52,860 –> 00:02:56,960 outside of the small circle of Noah’s own family. 60 00:02:56,960 –> 00:02:58,839 No one else took him seriously. 61 00:02:59,820 –> 00:03:01,800 Noah built the ark, 62 00:03:01,800 –> 00:03:04,419 no doubt, to the great amusement 63 00:03:04,419 –> 00:03:06,839 of people who did not believe his message. 64 00:03:06,839 –> 00:03:09,759 Why would you build this great boat on dry land 65 00:03:09,759 –> 00:03:11,940 miles from any sea? 66 00:03:11,940 –> 00:03:13,179 Then he got into the ark, 67 00:03:13,179 –> 00:03:16,820 no doubt, to the great amusement and scoffing 68 00:03:16,820 –> 00:03:20,399 of people who did not believe what he said. 69 00:03:21,660 –> 00:03:23,339 But then the rains came, 70 00:03:24,699 –> 00:03:26,759 and as the floods rose 71 00:03:26,759 –> 00:03:30,339 and the ark rose with the waters, 72 00:03:31,500 –> 00:03:33,020 everyone 73 00:03:33,020 –> 00:03:34,960 saw the distinction 74 00:03:36,080 –> 00:03:37,619 between the righteous 75 00:03:38,460 –> 00:03:39,419 and the wicked. 76 00:03:40,259 –> 00:03:41,759 Now, you see Malachi 77 00:03:41,759 –> 00:03:44,199 is referring back to times past. 78 00:03:44,199 –> 00:03:46,460 He says once more, 79 00:03:46,460 –> 00:03:49,240 as in the time of Noah, for example, 80 00:03:49,240 –> 00:03:52,240 you are going to see the distinction 81 00:03:52,240 –> 00:03:54,020 between the righteous and the wicked, 82 00:03:54,020 –> 00:03:56,660 and more than that, you’re going to see the distinction 83 00:03:56,660 –> 00:03:59,619 between the one who serves God 84 00:03:59,619 –> 00:04:02,100 and the one who does not. 85 00:04:02,100 –> 00:04:05,259 Now again, going back into the Old Testament story, 86 00:04:05,259 –> 00:04:07,960 Moses saw the distinction 87 00:04:07,979 –> 00:04:11,020 between those who serve God and those who do not. 88 00:04:11,020 –> 00:04:14,039 He saw it in the time of the Exodus, 89 00:04:14,039 –> 00:04:15,660 God said to Pharaoh, 90 00:04:15,660 –> 00:04:20,660 let my people go that they may serve me in the wilderness. 91 00:04:21,559 –> 00:04:25,760 And that theme of God’s people serving him 92 00:04:25,760 –> 00:04:28,980 is repeated again and again and again 93 00:04:28,980 –> 00:04:32,559 throughout the story of the Exodus. 94 00:04:32,559 –> 00:04:37,559 And when God’s people reached the Red Sea 95 00:04:37,920 –> 00:04:40,920 the difference between those who served him 96 00:04:40,920 –> 00:04:44,920 and those who did not was clearly, clearly seen. 97 00:04:44,920 –> 00:04:49,000 God pulled back the Red Sea 98 00:04:49,000 –> 00:04:52,720 so that his people crossed on dry land. 99 00:04:52,720 –> 00:04:56,660 But when those who wanted to destroy them came after them. 100 00:04:56,660 –> 00:04:58,679 Then the water is covered them over. 101 00:04:58,679 –> 00:05:02,940 Everyone knew the distinction 102 00:05:02,940 –> 00:05:05,299 between those who serve God 103 00:05:05,299 –> 00:05:08,100 and those who do not serve him. 104 00:05:08,100 –> 00:05:11,440 So there were times in the past, 105 00:05:11,440 –> 00:05:13,779 for example, the time of Noah, 106 00:05:13,779 –> 00:05:15,899 or the time of Moses. 107 00:05:15,899 –> 00:05:18,880 When the clear distinction, 108 00:05:18,880 –> 00:05:21,100 the vast difference, 109 00:05:21,100 –> 00:05:23,119 between the righteous and the wicked 110 00:05:23,119 –> 00:05:25,480 were clearly seen. 111 00:05:25,480 –> 00:05:27,160 The difference, the distinction 112 00:05:27,160 –> 00:05:29,519 between those who served God 113 00:05:29,519 –> 00:05:31,700 and those who do not serve God. 114 00:05:31,700 –> 00:05:34,820 But in Malachi’s days, 115 00:05:34,820 –> 00:05:37,540 well, God’s people saw that, 116 00:05:37,540 –> 00:05:39,220 verse 15, 117 00:05:39,220 –> 00:05:42,119 evil doers not only prosper, 118 00:05:42,119 –> 00:05:44,320 but they put God to the test 119 00:05:44,320 –> 00:05:47,540 and they escape. 120 00:05:47,540 –> 00:05:48,980 And so, 121 00:05:48,980 –> 00:05:52,040 in Malachi’s day, as in our day, 122 00:05:52,040 –> 00:05:55,220 some people began to wonder, 123 00:05:55,220 –> 00:05:57,959 well, God doesn’t seem to judge the wicked 124 00:05:57,959 –> 00:06:01,119 so what’s then the point of being righteous? 125 00:06:01,119 –> 00:06:06,119 They said, verse 14, it’s vain to serve God. 126 00:06:06,359 –> 00:06:09,140 What is the prophet 127 00:06:09,140 –> 00:06:13,440 in our keeping his charge? 128 00:06:13,440 –> 00:06:15,760 Now, that’s the question. 129 00:06:15,760 –> 00:06:18,079 And in these verses that we’re looking at 130 00:06:18,079 –> 00:06:19,720 in this short series, 131 00:06:19,720 –> 00:06:21,739 God gives us the answer. 132 00:06:21,739 –> 00:06:25,839 And that is why these verses are such an encouragement 133 00:06:25,839 –> 00:06:28,619 for faithful believers. 134 00:06:28,619 –> 00:06:32,320 There will be a day of reward 135 00:06:32,320 –> 00:06:34,339 for the righteous. 136 00:06:34,339 –> 00:06:36,540 There will be a day of reward 137 00:06:36,540 –> 00:06:39,519 for those who serve the Lord. 138 00:06:39,519 –> 00:06:42,440 And on that day brothers, sister in Christ, 139 00:06:42,440 –> 00:06:46,260 you are going to see clearly 140 00:06:46,260 –> 00:06:48,940 the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, 141 00:06:48,940 –> 00:06:50,420 the difference between the one 142 00:06:50,420 –> 00:06:53,220 who serves God and the one who does not, 143 00:06:53,220 –> 00:06:57,019 you will see the difference as clearly as Noah did, 144 00:06:57,019 –> 00:06:59,859 as clearly as Moses did in the Exodus, 145 00:06:59,859 –> 00:07:01,600 and you will see that the difference 146 00:07:01,600 –> 00:07:04,420 is absolutely vast. 147 00:07:05,700 –> 00:07:06,640 Now, here’s the question, 148 00:07:06,640 –> 00:07:09,739 what is this day of reward going to be like 149 00:07:09,739 –> 00:07:13,179 for those who are in Christ? 150 00:07:13,179 –> 00:07:16,559 Well, I want us to see four things about it today. 151 00:07:16,559 –> 00:07:20,019 You on that day are going to be treasured, 152 00:07:20,019 –> 00:07:22,260 you’re going to be spared, 153 00:07:22,260 –> 00:07:24,459 you’re going to be healed 154 00:07:24,480 –> 00:07:28,459 and you are going to be free. 155 00:07:28,459 –> 00:07:32,540 First then, you will be treasured. 156 00:07:32,540 –> 00:07:35,200 Chapter 3 and verse 17, 157 00:07:35,200 –> 00:07:38,660 they shall be mine, 158 00:07:38,660 –> 00:07:41,339 says the Lord of hosts, 159 00:07:41,339 –> 00:07:46,339 in the day when I make up my treasured possession. 160 00:07:48,059 –> 00:07:50,779 Now, the Old King James version of the Bible 161 00:07:50,779 –> 00:07:52,540 translates the phrase here, 162 00:07:52,720 –> 00:07:57,279 my treasured possession as my jewels. 163 00:07:57,279 –> 00:07:59,880 And I love that translation, 164 00:07:59,880 –> 00:08:04,799 in that day when I make up my jewels, 165 00:08:04,799 –> 00:08:07,760 they will be mine, 166 00:08:07,760 –> 00:08:09,579 says the Lord. 167 00:08:10,600 –> 00:08:11,640 Take that picture, 168 00:08:11,640 –> 00:08:15,320 God’s people are his jewels, 169 00:08:16,320 –> 00:08:18,480 his treasured possession. 170 00:08:19,760 –> 00:08:22,359 Now, just think about what that means, 171 00:08:22,380 –> 00:08:26,799 that God would describe you as one of his jewels. 172 00:08:27,660 –> 00:08:30,519 Let me give you seven quick observations about jewels 173 00:08:30,519 –> 00:08:33,380 to help you think about what that means. 174 00:08:33,380 –> 00:08:37,260 First, jewels are treasured. 175 00:08:37,260 –> 00:08:39,119 You think about an engagement ring 176 00:08:40,140 –> 00:08:42,700 or any piece of jewelry that you have been given 177 00:08:42,700 –> 00:08:45,559 by someone who loves you, 178 00:08:45,559 –> 00:08:48,140 given for a special occasion, 179 00:08:48,140 –> 00:08:50,719 jewels are treasured. 180 00:08:51,619 –> 00:08:55,200 And if you have ever been told in your life 181 00:08:55,200 –> 00:08:58,820 by some cruel person that you are nothing, 182 00:08:58,820 –> 00:09:02,400 or if you have ever felt 183 00:09:02,400 –> 00:09:05,200 that you count for nothing, 184 00:09:05,200 –> 00:09:09,099 I want you to hear from the Bible today 185 00:09:09,099 –> 00:09:11,520 that in Jesus Christ, 186 00:09:11,520 –> 00:09:14,940 you are God’s treasured possession. 187 00:09:16,179 –> 00:09:18,559 You’re one of his jewels. 188 00:09:18,559 –> 00:09:22,280 Second, jewels are beautiful. 189 00:09:22,280 –> 00:09:24,559 They sparkle. 190 00:09:24,559 –> 00:09:26,359 Now, right now as believers, 191 00:09:26,359 –> 00:09:29,520 we’re kind of diamonds in the rough, so to speak, 192 00:09:29,520 –> 00:09:33,940 but one day every believer will be like a jewel, 193 00:09:33,940 –> 00:09:37,219 polished, shining, sparkling, 194 00:09:37,219 –> 00:09:40,539 reflecting the radiance and the beauty 195 00:09:40,539 –> 00:09:42,780 of Jesus Christ himself. 196 00:09:43,979 –> 00:09:46,280 Do you know, as a boy growing up in Scotland, 197 00:09:46,280 –> 00:09:49,419 I remember singing in church a song 198 00:09:49,419 –> 00:09:51,039 that I haven’t heard for years. 199 00:09:51,039 –> 00:09:52,679 Perhaps you’ll never have heard it at all, 200 00:09:52,679 –> 00:09:56,599 but it’s taken directly from this verse, 201 00:09:56,599 –> 00:09:58,919 and the first lines go like this, 202 00:09:58,919 –> 00:10:00,239 when he cometh. 203 00:10:01,119 –> 00:10:05,619 When he cometh to make up his jewels, 204 00:10:05,619 –> 00:10:09,080 all his jewels, precious jewels, 205 00:10:09,080 –> 00:10:11,739 his love and his own, 206 00:10:11,739 –> 00:10:14,280 like the stars in the morning, 207 00:10:14,280 –> 00:10:17,179 his bright crown adorning, 208 00:10:17,179 –> 00:10:21,880 they shall shine in their beauty, 209 00:10:21,880 –> 00:10:26,179 bright gems for his crown. 210 00:10:26,179 –> 00:10:28,219 Jewels are beautiful. 211 00:10:28,219 –> 00:10:30,239 Thirdly, jewels are expensive. 212 00:10:31,140 –> 00:10:33,260 You have been purchased. 213 00:10:33,260 –> 00:10:35,119 You have been bought 214 00:10:35,119 –> 00:10:39,260 at a great and indescribable price. 215 00:10:39,260 –> 00:10:42,500 The Son of God loved you 216 00:10:42,500 –> 00:10:45,479 and gave himself for you. 217 00:10:46,500 –> 00:10:49,580 That was the price it took 218 00:10:49,580 –> 00:10:52,619 to make this jewel his own. 219 00:10:53,880 –> 00:10:56,859 And then fourthly, jewels are guarded. 220 00:10:56,859 –> 00:10:58,619 You know our grandchildren 221 00:10:58,619 –> 00:11:01,400 have plenty of strings of plastic beads 222 00:11:01,400 –> 00:11:05,039 and they can get left anywhere around the house, 223 00:11:05,039 –> 00:11:07,940 but jewels are of great value 224 00:11:07,940 –> 00:11:10,880 and therefore they are carefully guarded. 225 00:11:11,820 –> 00:11:16,700 And you will be kept and guarded by almighty God 226 00:11:16,700 –> 00:11:19,880 and when God’s jewels are gathered, 227 00:11:19,880 –> 00:11:22,960 not one of them will be missing. 228 00:11:24,179 –> 00:11:26,580 And then fifthly, jewels are to be worn. 229 00:11:28,119 –> 00:11:29,179 When they’re worn, 230 00:11:29,179 –> 00:11:33,500 jewels say something about the person who wears them. 231 00:11:33,500 –> 00:11:35,659 And think about this, 232 00:11:35,659 –> 00:11:40,640 God’s glory is going to be put on display 233 00:11:40,659 –> 00:11:44,679 forever, forever, 234 00:11:44,679 –> 00:11:48,640 in the redeemed lives of those who serve him, 235 00:11:48,640 –> 00:11:53,640 You’re gonna be for his glory forever and forever. 236 00:11:53,719 –> 00:11:58,159 Sixthly, jewels are owned. 237 00:11:58,159 –> 00:11:59,440 That’s why God says here, 238 00:11:59,440 –> 00:12:03,380 they shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, 239 00:12:03,380 –> 00:12:05,599 in the day when I make up my jewels, 240 00:12:05,599 –> 00:12:07,320 my treasured possession. 241 00:12:07,320 –> 00:12:10,479 The great purpose of God has always been 242 00:12:10,500 –> 00:12:13,340 to redeem a people for himself. 243 00:12:13,340 –> 00:12:15,799 The Lord, we read in Psalm 4, in verse 3, 244 00:12:15,799 –> 00:12:19,840 has set apart the godly for himself. 245 00:12:20,900 –> 00:12:22,559 And the Apostle Paul tells us that, 246 00:12:22,559 –> 00:12:26,500 Jesus gave himself to redeem us, 247 00:12:26,500 –> 00:12:31,500 to purify for himself, a people for his own possession, 248 00:12:31,940 –> 00:12:34,359 to make us his own. 249 00:12:34,359 –> 00:12:35,500 Peter puts it this way, 250 00:12:35,500 –> 00:12:38,200 you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, 251 00:12:38,239 –> 00:12:41,580 a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, 252 00:12:41,580 –> 00:12:43,840 a people belonging to him. 253 00:12:44,799 –> 00:12:47,239 And John says in the Book of Revelation, 254 00:12:47,239 –> 00:12:50,640 that Jesus Christ is worthy. 255 00:12:50,640 –> 00:12:53,919 He’s worthy to take the scroll and open it’s seals, 256 00:12:53,919 –> 00:12:57,679 because he was slain and it was by his blood, 257 00:12:57,679 –> 00:13:01,799 that people were ransomed for God, 258 00:13:01,799 –> 00:13:03,539 to become his own. 259 00:13:04,640 –> 00:13:05,840 Jewels are-owned. 260 00:13:06,440 –> 00:13:09,880 The greatest thing about being a Christian believer 261 00:13:09,880 –> 00:13:13,400 is that you belong to God himself. 262 00:13:13,400 –> 00:13:15,580 You are his treasured possession. 263 00:13:17,219 –> 00:13:21,780 And then jewelry can be moved. 264 00:13:21,780 –> 00:13:24,440 Think about this, you have your money in a home 265 00:13:24,440 –> 00:13:26,039 and you move to another place. 266 00:13:26,039 –> 00:13:27,539 You can hardly take your home with you, 267 00:13:27,539 –> 00:13:28,900 you have to leave it behind, 268 00:13:28,900 –> 00:13:30,820 but if you move to another place, 269 00:13:30,820 –> 00:13:32,799 you’ll take your jewels with you. 270 00:13:33,940 –> 00:13:35,799 And God speaks here about a day 271 00:13:35,840 –> 00:13:39,940 when he will make up his jewels. 272 00:13:40,780 –> 00:13:41,619 What does that mean? 273 00:13:41,619 –> 00:13:44,140 Well, very clearly right now, 274 00:13:44,140 –> 00:13:48,099 God’s jewels are dispersed in the world. 275 00:13:49,000 –> 00:13:52,500 But God says a day is coming 276 00:13:52,500 –> 00:13:55,880 when he’s going to gather his jewels together 277 00:13:55,880 –> 00:13:59,280 and he’s gonna bring them all home. 278 00:14:00,659 –> 00:14:03,580 Think about this, brother, sister in Christ, 279 00:14:04,419 –> 00:14:08,400 every time a Christian dies, 280 00:14:09,260 –> 00:14:14,020 God brings one of his jewels home. 281 00:14:16,099 –> 00:14:19,500 And here God speaks of a day 282 00:14:19,500 –> 00:14:23,460 when he will make up his jewels. 283 00:14:23,460 –> 00:14:27,960 That is a day when he will gather them all together. 284 00:14:29,119 –> 00:14:32,020 One day God will gather his redeemed people 285 00:14:32,020 –> 00:14:35,059 from all the corners of the earth. 286 00:14:36,059 –> 00:14:38,979 And this is the desire of Jesus Christ. 287 00:14:38,979 –> 00:14:42,359 You have it in John in chapter 17 and verse 24, 288 00:14:42,359 –> 00:14:45,539 where Jesus says so beautifully to the Father, 289 00:14:45,539 –> 00:14:50,460 Father, I desire that they also who you have given to me, 290 00:14:50,460 –> 00:14:53,580 that they will be with me where I am. 291 00:14:53,580 –> 00:14:55,940 This is why Jesus Christ came into the world. 292 00:14:55,940 –> 00:14:57,760 This is why he went to the cross. 293 00:14:57,760 –> 00:15:00,619 This is why he rose from the dead. 294 00:15:01,619 –> 00:15:05,020 Christ came to purchase the jewels. 295 00:15:05,739 –> 00:15:08,320 And his great desire, 296 00:15:08,320 –> 00:15:11,640 is that we, his treasured possession, 297 00:15:11,640 –> 00:15:15,799 will be with him forever and forever. 298 00:15:16,880 –> 00:15:21,380 Now says the Lord in Malachi chapter three in verse 17, 299 00:15:21,380 –> 00:15:24,539 they shall be mine 300 00:15:25,559 –> 00:15:29,380 in the day when I make up. 301 00:15:30,039 –> 00:15:35,039 My jewels, the first and greatest thing 302 00:15:35,219 –> 00:15:39,679 about the day of your reward, Christian brother or sister, 303 00:15:40,799 –> 00:15:43,739 is that you will be with Christ, 304 00:15:44,599 –> 00:15:48,520 you will be his treasured possession, 305 00:15:49,520 –> 00:15:54,520 and you will be with him forever and forever. 306 00:15:54,580 –> 00:15:59,580 And on that day when you are with the Lord, 307 00:16:01,460 –> 00:16:05,960 you will see the distinction 308 00:16:05,960 –> 00:16:08,080 between the righteous and the wicked, 309 00:16:09,599 –> 00:16:11,460 between the one who serves him 310 00:16:12,359 –> 00:16:14,179 and the one who does not serve him, 311 00:16:14,179 –> 00:16:15,859 and you’re gonna see that 312 00:16:15,859 –> 00:16:19,780 there is all the difference in the world. 313 00:16:19,820 –> 00:16:24,099 First, you will be treasured. 314 00:16:25,520 –> 00:16:30,520 And second, on that day, you will be spared. 315 00:16:31,679 –> 00:16:35,440 I will spare them, God says, 316 00:16:36,820 –> 00:16:41,140 as a man spares his son who serves him. 317 00:16:42,200 –> 00:16:46,840 Now what will God spare us from? 318 00:16:47,840 –> 00:16:52,440 Well, the answer to that is stated very clearly 319 00:16:52,440 –> 00:16:54,200 in chapter 4 in verse 1, 320 00:16:54,200 –> 00:16:57,900 where God describes the day of judgment. 321 00:16:57,900 –> 00:16:59,659 God says, For behold, 322 00:17:00,700 –> 00:17:05,699 a day is coming, burning like an oven, 323 00:17:07,099 –> 00:17:12,099 when all the arrogant and all evil doers will be stubble. 324 00:17:12,939 –> 00:17:17,939 The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, 325 00:17:19,839 –> 00:17:22,339 says the Lord of hosts, 326 00:17:22,339 –> 00:17:27,339 so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 327 00:17:34,000 –> 00:17:35,479 Utter destruction. 328 00:17:35,479 –> 00:17:39,959 The wicked will not stand in the judgment, 329 00:17:40,020 –> 00:17:42,520 nothing they have done will last. 330 00:17:44,199 –> 00:17:47,199 Now, if you picture a wildfire sweeping 331 00:17:47,199 –> 00:17:51,719 through the trees of a forest after the fire has passed, 332 00:17:51,719 –> 00:17:56,719 all that is left are the charred remains. 333 00:17:56,819 –> 00:18:01,520 If a living branch remained in the tree, 334 00:18:01,520 –> 00:18:04,040 then new shoots could grow. 335 00:18:04,920 –> 00:18:09,119 If a living root remained in the ground, 336 00:18:09,119 –> 00:18:11,699 then a new plant could grow. 337 00:18:12,599 –> 00:18:17,599 But a tree without root and without branch has no future. 338 00:18:20,900 –> 00:18:25,859 It is only the remains of a tree that once was. 339 00:18:28,000 –> 00:18:30,760 And that, my friend, is the future 340 00:18:30,760 –> 00:18:33,599 for those who do not fear God 341 00:18:33,599 –> 00:18:35,880 and those who do not serve him. 342 00:18:36,780 –> 00:18:41,780 The arrogant and the wicked will be stubble. 343 00:18:43,479 –> 00:18:48,479 The day will leave them neither root nor branch. 344 00:18:51,920 –> 00:18:56,500 But God says to those who serve him, 345 00:18:57,479 –> 00:19:00,680 I will spare them. 346 00:19:01,619 –> 00:19:06,619 Now every Christian knows that whatever we’ve done 347 00:19:06,719 –> 00:19:09,380 for the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives, 348 00:19:09,380 –> 00:19:12,560 we could have done better, and we should have done more. 349 00:19:14,560 –> 00:19:16,880 The more you serve the Lord, 350 00:19:16,880 –> 00:19:19,920 the more you are going to feel and see 351 00:19:19,920 –> 00:19:23,260 your own many, many sins and failings. 352 00:19:24,459 –> 00:19:26,920 We find ourselves often saying, 353 00:19:27,819 –> 00:19:31,500 we are unworthy servants. 354 00:19:33,060 –> 00:19:37,160 But God says, of those who serve him, 355 00:19:38,300 –> 00:19:40,160 I will spare them. 356 00:19:41,420 –> 00:19:44,880 I’ll spare them as a man spares 357 00:19:44,880 –> 00:19:47,260 his son who serves him. 358 00:19:48,920 –> 00:19:52,300 Friends, that is an amazing statement. 359 00:19:53,859 –> 00:19:54,699 Think about this. 360 00:19:54,719 –> 00:19:59,500 God created angels who once served him and then rebelled 361 00:20:00,760 –> 00:20:02,699 and he did not spare them. 362 00:20:04,079 –> 00:20:09,079 Peter says God did not spare angels when they sinned 363 00:20:10,280 –> 00:20:12,040 but he cast them into hell 364 00:20:12,040 –> 00:20:14,880 and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness 365 00:20:14,880 –> 00:20:17,040 to be kept until the judgment. 366 00:20:17,040 –> 00:20:19,959 He did not spare the angels who rebelled 367 00:20:20,479 –> 00:20:24,819 and God did not spare the ancient world 368 00:20:24,819 –> 00:20:27,619 in its wickedness and in its violence. 369 00:20:27,619 –> 00:20:31,459 Peter says he did not spare the ancient world 370 00:20:31,459 –> 00:20:35,839 but brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly. 371 00:20:37,859 –> 00:20:41,579 God did not spare angels who rebelled. 372 00:20:41,579 –> 00:20:45,219 God did not spare the ancient world. 373 00:20:45,819 –> 00:20:49,719 God did not spare his own son. 374 00:20:51,780 –> 00:20:54,599 Romans chapter 8, in verse 32, 375 00:20:54,599 –> 00:20:57,260 he did not spare his own son 376 00:20:57,260 –> 00:21:01,280 but gave him up freely for us all. 377 00:21:02,979 –> 00:21:07,979 But God, who chose in Christ Father and Son together 378 00:21:09,380 –> 00:21:14,380 to redeem us, says, I will spare you. 379 00:21:16,219 –> 00:21:21,219 I will spare you, father-like he tends and spares us. 380 00:21:25,400 –> 00:21:28,819 Well, our feeble frame he knows. 381 00:21:28,819 –> 00:21:31,000 Thank God for that. 382 00:21:31,000 –> 00:21:34,739 In his arms, he gently bears us 383 00:21:34,739 –> 00:21:38,520 and rescues us from all our foes. 384 00:21:39,880 –> 00:21:44,780 God says I will spare them as a man spares his son 385 00:21:44,819 –> 00:21:47,579 who serves him, and on that day when you are 386 00:21:47,579 –> 00:21:50,599 spared the judgment of God, brother and sister, 387 00:21:50,599 –> 00:21:54,660 then you will see the distinction 388 00:21:54,660 –> 00:21:57,060 between the righteous and the wicked, 389 00:21:57,060 –> 00:22:00,500 the vast difference between the one who serves God 390 00:22:00,500 –> 00:22:02,479 and the one who does not serve him, 391 00:22:02,479 –> 00:22:06,359 and you will say there is all the difference in the world. 392 00:22:10,199 –> 00:22:14,619 A day is coming, a day of reward 393 00:22:14,640 –> 00:22:16,939 for God’s children, for those who fear him, 394 00:22:16,939 –> 00:22:18,119 for those who serve him, 395 00:22:18,119 –> 00:22:21,819 and on that day, you’re gonna be treasured. 396 00:22:22,900 –> 00:22:24,300 You’re gonna be spared. 397 00:22:25,939 –> 00:22:29,739 And then a third thing, you are going to be healed. 398 00:22:29,739 –> 00:22:32,920 Look at Malachi chapter four and verse two. 399 00:22:32,920 –> 00:22:37,920 But, for you who fear my name, 400 00:22:39,099 –> 00:22:43,479 the son of righteousness will rise 401 00:22:43,479 –> 00:22:46,800 with healing in its wings. 402 00:22:48,160 –> 00:22:53,160 Now I just love the way that God speaks to us in pictures. 403 00:22:53,160 –> 00:22:57,119 And here God speaks to us in the beautiful image 404 00:22:57,119 –> 00:22:59,160 of a morning sunrise. 405 00:22:59,160 –> 00:23:03,599 The son of righteousness shall rise. 406 00:23:05,920 –> 00:23:08,219 When our family had the opportunity 407 00:23:08,219 –> 00:23:12,819 of visiting the Grand Canyon a number of years ago, 408 00:23:12,819 –> 00:23:16,339 we went out in the morning to watch the sunrise. 409 00:23:16,339 –> 00:23:19,699 What an unforgettable experience that was. 410 00:23:19,699 –> 00:23:23,140 When we got up, of course, everything was dark, 411 00:23:23,140 –> 00:23:24,540 and we stumbled around, 412 00:23:24,540 –> 00:23:28,579 finding our way to the particular area 413 00:23:28,579 –> 00:23:32,739 where a marvelous view could be taken in, 414 00:23:32,739 –> 00:23:35,579 found ourselves in the dark, 415 00:23:35,579 –> 00:23:39,420 a place to sit a rock, to sit on. 416 00:23:40,180 –> 00:23:45,140 And then, looking out into the utter darkness, 417 00:23:45,140 –> 00:23:49,459 began to see a glow on the horizon – 418 00:23:49,459 –> 00:23:55,979 the light of another world dawning on ours. 419 00:23:55,979 –> 00:23:58,699 And as the light dawned, 420 00:23:58,699 –> 00:24:00,979 we saw the beauty of the Grand Canyon. 421 00:24:00,979 –> 00:24:04,540 It had all been hidden in the darkness, 422 00:24:04,540 –> 00:24:07,260 but when the sun rose, 423 00:24:07,619 –> 00:24:10,239 it could all be clearly seen. 424 00:24:11,420 –> 00:24:13,939 Now, God takes that beautiful picture 425 00:24:13,939 –> 00:24:15,219 that we can all grasp 426 00:24:15,219 –> 00:24:16,739 of the sun rise 427 00:24:16,739 –> 00:24:19,260 and he says to those who fear him, 428 00:24:19,260 –> 00:24:25,660 Now, this is what it’s going to be like for you. 429 00:24:25,660 –> 00:24:28,459 There’s a glorious world 430 00:24:28,459 –> 00:24:32,180 that right now you cannot see. 431 00:24:32,180 –> 00:24:35,699 But when the sun of Righteousness rises, 432 00:24:35,699 –> 00:24:38,819 you will see splendors that are beyond anything 433 00:24:38,819 –> 00:24:41,020 that you can imagine right now. 434 00:24:41,020 –> 00:24:44,020 Eye has not seen 435 00:24:44,020 –> 00:24:47,219 and the ear has not heard 436 00:24:47,219 –> 00:24:51,599 all that God has prepared for those who love him. 437 00:24:53,260 –> 00:24:57,140 Now, God is speaking to us in a picture here 438 00:24:57,140 –> 00:25:00,699 and of course, the picture is an image, 439 00:25:00,699 –> 00:25:02,979 a picture of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 440 00:25:03,020 –> 00:25:07,180 Jesus is the Son of Righteousness. 441 00:25:07,180 –> 00:25:10,260 Light dawned in this dark world 442 00:25:10,260 –> 00:25:12,859 when he came, when he was born 443 00:25:12,859 –> 00:25:15,800 and light will shine in all of its beauty 444 00:25:15,800 –> 00:25:17,619 and all of its brilliance 445 00:25:17,619 –> 00:25:21,199 when he returns in power and in glory. 446 00:25:21,199 –> 00:25:23,079 And I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed this 447 00:25:23,079 –> 00:25:27,180 but in the Carol, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 448 00:25:27,180 –> 00:25:29,579 that we sing so often at Christmas, 449 00:25:29,660 –> 00:25:31,760 we have absolutely these words 450 00:25:31,760 –> 00:25:34,560 that are taken directly from this verse 451 00:25:34,560 –> 00:25:35,939 in the Book of Malachi. 452 00:25:43,939 –> 00:25:44,839 And maybe you’ve thought 453 00:25:44,839 –> 00:25:46,380 when you’ve seen the words on the screen, 454 00:25:46,380 –> 00:25:47,699 oh, they’ve made a mistake. 455 00:25:47,699 –> 00:25:49,380 It should be S-O-N, 456 00:25:49,380 –> 00:25:51,020 no, it’s S-U-N, 457 00:25:51,020 –> 00:25:53,599 because it comes right out of this verse 458 00:25:53,599 –> 00:25:55,540 in the Book of Malachi. 459 00:25:55,540 –> 00:26:00,540 Jesus Christ is like the rising of the sun, 460 00:26:01,000 –> 00:26:04,260 bringing the light and the warmth of a new world. 461 00:26:04,260 –> 00:26:06,880 Hail the Son of Righteousness, 462 00:26:06,880 –> 00:26:10,140 light, and life to all he brings, 463 00:26:10,140 –> 00:26:13,540 risen with healing in His wings. 464 00:26:13,540 –> 00:26:17,359 That’s right out of Malachi, right here. 465 00:26:18,819 –> 00:26:23,640 For you, who fear the Lord, 466 00:26:23,640 –> 00:26:27,540 the son of righteousness will rise 467 00:26:28,680 –> 00:26:32,800 with healing in its wings. 468 00:26:34,099 –> 00:26:36,719 Now, I want you to notice 469 00:26:36,719 –> 00:26:40,640 that when the son of righteousness rises, 470 00:26:40,640 –> 00:26:43,020 that is, when Jesus comes again, 471 00:26:43,959 –> 00:26:47,739 for you who fear Him, for you who serve Him, 472 00:26:49,000 –> 00:26:53,280 that will be the day of complete healing 473 00:26:54,479 –> 00:26:59,479 the son of righteousness rises with healing in its wings. 474 00:27:03,959 –> 00:27:08,859 Now, some wounds are so deep 475 00:27:10,260 –> 00:27:13,439 that they are never fully healed in this life 476 00:27:15,099 –> 00:27:19,160 and some losses are so great 477 00:27:20,040 –> 00:27:25,040 that they can never fully be made up in this life. 478 00:27:26,300 –> 00:27:30,420 And perhaps you know what it is to say from the heart, 479 00:27:30,420 –> 00:27:35,099 I will never have the life that I would have had 480 00:27:35,099 –> 00:27:38,300 if this had not happened to me. 481 00:27:40,619 –> 00:27:42,380 Yes, God has helped you, 482 00:27:43,780 –> 00:27:45,280 but scars remain. 483 00:27:46,280 –> 00:27:47,479 And like Jacob, 484 00:27:48,199 –> 00:27:50,099 you walk with a limp. 485 00:27:52,060 –> 00:27:55,180 Now, I want you to take this in from the Bible today. 486 00:27:56,719 –> 00:27:58,520 That though there are some wounds 487 00:27:58,520 –> 00:28:02,780 that are never fully healed in this life. 488 00:28:02,780 –> 00:28:04,780 And though there are some losses 489 00:28:04,780 –> 00:28:08,900 that can never be fully made up in this life. 490 00:28:10,060 –> 00:28:11,859 When Jesus Christ returns, 491 00:28:11,859 –> 00:28:14,099 when the son of righteousness rises, 492 00:28:14,119 –> 00:28:18,140 he will rise with healing in his wings, 493 00:28:19,500 –> 00:28:24,520 and God himself will wipe all tears from your eyes. 494 00:28:27,760 –> 00:28:30,420 You will be completely whole, 495 00:28:31,459 –> 00:28:36,459 you will enter into his presence with fullness of joy, 496 00:28:36,500 –> 00:28:41,500 and you will serve him as you always wished you could. 497 00:28:42,060 –> 00:28:44,239 When the son of righteousness rises, 498 00:28:44,239 –> 00:28:45,920 when Jesus Christ returns, 499 00:28:45,920 –> 00:28:48,780 he will bring healing in his wings, 500 00:28:48,780 –> 00:28:52,739 and then you are going to see the distinction 501 00:28:52,739 –> 00:28:55,040 between the righteous and the wicked, 502 00:28:55,040 –> 00:28:59,140 between those who serve God and those who do not serve God, 503 00:28:59,140 –> 00:29:00,060 and you’re going to say, 504 00:29:00,060 –> 00:29:02,540 there’s all the difference in the world. 505 00:29:04,280 –> 00:29:07,040 And then here’s a fourth thing that is very wonderful. 506 00:29:07,760 –> 00:29:11,739 On that day you’ll be treasured, 507 00:29:11,739 –> 00:29:15,760 you’ll be spared, you’ll be healed, 508 00:29:16,800 –> 00:29:21,359 and on that day you will finally be free. 509 00:29:21,359 –> 00:29:23,979 I want you to notice what God says 510 00:29:23,979 –> 00:29:27,079 in Malachi chapter four in verse two. 511 00:29:27,079 –> 00:29:29,979 “‘For you who fear my name, 512 00:29:29,979 –> 00:29:33,020 “‘the son of righteousness shall rise 513 00:29:33,020 –> 00:29:34,359 “‘with healing in its wings 514 00:29:34,420 –> 00:29:38,619 “‘and you shall go out leaping 515 00:29:40,060 –> 00:29:44,599 “‘like calves from the stall.’” 516 00:29:44,599 –> 00:29:48,579 Now I just love that picture. 517 00:29:48,579 –> 00:29:50,140 Think about what this is like. 518 00:29:50,140 –> 00:29:54,839 Here are cows, and they’ve spent the entire winter 519 00:29:54,839 –> 00:29:58,439 in a barn, but when the spring comes 520 00:29:58,439 –> 00:30:01,219 they’re let out into the field. 521 00:30:01,219 –> 00:30:03,359 Imagine what that’s like for calves 522 00:30:03,359 –> 00:30:05,380 that were born in the barn. 523 00:30:05,380 –> 00:30:07,900 They’ve never seen a field before. 524 00:30:07,900 –> 00:30:10,819 They never even knew that such a thing existed. 525 00:30:10,819 –> 00:30:14,040 Their whole life has been winter in the barn, 526 00:30:14,040 –> 00:30:16,500 and suddenly the doors are opened 527 00:30:16,500 –> 00:30:19,619 and they’re released into a whole new world. 528 00:30:21,219 –> 00:30:24,140 They’ve been eating dry silage, 529 00:30:24,140 –> 00:30:27,040 and now they are eating lush grass. 530 00:30:28,079 –> 00:30:30,900 Their only movement has been very limited 531 00:30:31,040 –> 00:30:32,979 because they’ve been crammed in the barn. 532 00:30:32,979 –> 00:30:35,760 Now they’re released into the open field 533 00:30:35,760 –> 00:30:38,160 and they leap with joy. 534 00:30:39,260 –> 00:30:41,000 And they leap with joy 535 00:30:41,000 –> 00:30:44,319 because they are released into a new world. 536 00:30:44,319 –> 00:30:47,599 Now, God says to those who fear him, 537 00:30:47,599 –> 00:30:51,000 this is what it will be like for you. 538 00:30:52,079 –> 00:30:55,199 You shall go out leaping 539 00:30:56,180 –> 00:30:59,680 like calves from the stall. 540 00:31:01,579 –> 00:31:03,939 Now, isn’t that a great promise for all of us today? 541 00:31:03,939 –> 00:31:06,699 I mean, we’re tired of living with restrictions. 542 00:31:08,020 –> 00:31:11,359 But I want to apply this especially 543 00:31:12,819 –> 00:31:14,459 to those who know what it is 544 00:31:14,459 –> 00:31:19,099 to feel the restriction, as it were, 545 00:31:19,099 –> 00:31:21,339 of life in the barn. 546 00:31:22,699 –> 00:31:27,500 See, some of you are restricted by old age, 547 00:31:28,300 –> 00:31:32,339 by long-term conditions of ill health, 548 00:31:34,260 –> 00:31:37,380 some of you by a life-changing injury. 549 00:31:39,180 –> 00:31:42,180 The world has become smaller for you. 550 00:31:44,020 –> 00:31:45,219 And it isn’t easy. 551 00:31:46,699 –> 00:31:49,339 Not much scope to do much 552 00:31:49,339 –> 00:31:50,780 for the cows in the barn. 553 00:31:53,099 –> 00:31:56,099 Now, I want you to hear this promise today 554 00:31:56,380 –> 00:31:58,900 and to draw strength and encouragement from it. 555 00:31:58,900 –> 00:32:02,780 It’s a promise that’s given to all who fear the Lord. 556 00:32:03,900 –> 00:32:06,939 You shall go out 557 00:32:07,859 –> 00:32:10,859 like cows leaping 558 00:32:12,099 –> 00:32:13,420 from the stall. 559 00:32:15,420 –> 00:32:18,699 And then on that day, 560 00:32:18,699 –> 00:32:21,619 you are going to see the distinction 561 00:32:21,619 –> 00:32:23,439 between the righteous and the wicked. 562 00:32:23,439 –> 00:32:26,920 You’re going to see there’s all the difference in the world 563 00:32:26,920 –> 00:32:31,479 between those who serve God and those who do not. 564 00:32:33,579 –> 00:32:35,579 Now, what then are we to do 565 00:32:35,579 –> 00:32:40,579 in the light of this marvelous, marvelous promise? 566 00:32:41,400 –> 00:32:44,680 A great day, a day of reward is coming. 567 00:32:45,680 –> 00:32:48,680 What are we to do now in the light of that? 568 00:32:48,680 –> 00:32:51,699 Let me just suggest briefly in closing these three things. 569 00:32:51,739 –> 00:32:55,640 First, we must wait patiently. 570 00:32:55,640 –> 00:32:58,079 That day has not yet come, 571 00:32:58,079 –> 00:33:01,800 and we live in a world that is not as God made it 572 00:33:01,800 –> 00:33:06,459 and not as it will be when God has redeemed it. 573 00:33:06,459 –> 00:33:09,140 This world is filled with pain 574 00:33:09,140 –> 00:33:13,099 that perplexes the people of God. 575 00:33:13,099 –> 00:33:18,099 Evildoers prosper, and they put God to the test. 576 00:33:18,739 –> 00:33:21,060 That’s what we see. 577 00:33:21,060 –> 00:33:24,359 So of course, faith lives with questions. 578 00:33:24,359 –> 00:33:27,239 Why did God allow this? 579 00:33:27,239 –> 00:33:30,040 Why did he not do something to stop it? 580 00:33:31,280 –> 00:33:35,319 But when faith is confronted with unanswered questions, 581 00:33:35,319 –> 00:33:36,760 here’s what faith does. 582 00:33:36,760 –> 00:33:39,560 It waits patiently. 583 00:33:41,140 –> 00:33:44,640 Faith recognizes that we cannot yet see 584 00:33:44,640 –> 00:33:48,099 what will one day be revealed. 585 00:33:48,099 –> 00:33:51,160 Hope that is seen is not hope. 586 00:33:52,199 –> 00:33:54,500 Who hopes for what he’s already seen? 587 00:33:55,380 –> 00:33:58,219 But if we hope for what we do not see, 588 00:33:58,219 –> 00:34:01,060 we wait for it patiently. 589 00:34:01,060 –> 00:34:05,500 That’s Romans chapter eight and verse 24 and 25. 590 00:34:05,500 –> 00:34:09,679 Faith knows and believes that a day is coming 591 00:34:09,679 –> 00:34:11,959 when you will see the distinction 592 00:34:11,959 –> 00:34:13,699 between the righteous and the wicked. 593 00:34:13,699 –> 00:34:16,100 You will see the vast difference 594 00:34:16,120 –> 00:34:17,879 between those who serve the Lord 595 00:34:17,879 –> 00:34:19,399 and those who do not. 596 00:34:19,399 –> 00:34:21,520 On that day, you will be treasured. 597 00:34:21,520 –> 00:34:23,919 You will be spared. 598 00:34:23,919 –> 00:34:26,800 On that day, you will be healed. 599 00:34:26,800 –> 00:34:29,699 And on that day, you will be free. 600 00:34:30,639 –> 00:34:32,520 So wait patiently. 601 00:34:33,479 –> 00:34:37,419 And as you do, serve faithfully. 602 00:34:38,320 –> 00:34:39,600 I wonder, have you noticed 603 00:34:39,600 –> 00:34:41,699 as we’ve spent these three weeks in these verses 604 00:34:41,699 –> 00:34:44,959 that actually serving God is the theme 605 00:34:45,020 –> 00:34:46,520 that runs right through them? 606 00:34:47,600 –> 00:34:52,600 Verse 14, these verses start out with the question, 607 00:34:52,899 –> 00:34:56,219 what do you get out of serving God? 608 00:34:56,219 –> 00:34:59,659 Some people are saying it’s vain to serve God. 609 00:34:59,659 –> 00:35:03,360 What is the profit of our keeping His charge? 610 00:35:03,360 –> 00:35:05,020 What are we getting out of it? 611 00:35:05,840 –> 00:35:08,280 And do you notice that in verse 17, 612 00:35:08,280 –> 00:35:11,139 the people that God spares on the day of judgment, 613 00:35:11,139 –> 00:35:11,979 who are they? 614 00:35:11,979 –> 00:35:13,479 They are the ones who serve Him. 615 00:35:14,300 –> 00:35:15,899 And you notice in verse 18, 616 00:35:15,899 –> 00:35:18,620 that when God reveals the distinction 617 00:35:18,620 –> 00:35:20,340 between the righteous and the wicked, 618 00:35:20,340 –> 00:35:22,620 another way of saying that is the difference 619 00:35:22,620 –> 00:35:24,060 between those who serve Him 620 00:35:24,060 –> 00:35:27,080 and those who do not serve Him. 621 00:35:27,080 –> 00:35:30,060 So the righteous person is the one who serves God 622 00:35:30,060 –> 00:35:32,340 and the unrighteous person, the wicked person, 623 00:35:32,340 –> 00:35:34,100 is the one who does not serve God, 624 00:35:34,100 –> 00:35:36,479 lives for himself or for herself. 625 00:35:37,899 –> 00:35:40,580 It’s all about who you serve. 626 00:35:41,580 –> 00:35:44,580 And Malachi says the day is coming 627 00:35:47,120 –> 00:35:49,939 when you will see this distinction 628 00:35:51,020 –> 00:35:52,780 between the one who serves God 629 00:35:54,060 –> 00:35:57,479 and the one who does not serve Him. 630 00:35:59,840 –> 00:36:03,939 So learn to live in the light of that day. 631 00:36:05,679 –> 00:36:09,179 Live your life as it were backwards. 632 00:36:09,219 –> 00:36:12,520 In other words, start by looking 633 00:36:12,520 –> 00:36:16,100 at where you want to be on that day 634 00:36:16,100 –> 00:36:18,199 that Malachi describes here. 635 00:36:19,419 –> 00:36:23,540 One day, the distinction between the righteous 636 00:36:23,540 –> 00:36:24,379 and the wicked, 637 00:36:24,379 –> 00:36:26,260 between those who serve God and those who do not, 638 00:36:26,260 –> 00:36:28,899 is going to be clearly seen by everybody, 639 00:36:28,899 –> 00:36:30,340 both the righteous and the wicked, 640 00:36:30,340 –> 00:36:32,580 those who serve and those who do not. 641 00:36:32,580 –> 00:36:35,000 Now, on that day, where do you wanna be? 642 00:36:36,580 –> 00:36:37,500 Well, I want to be. 643 00:36:37,540 –> 00:36:40,899 And surely brother, sister, you want to be 644 00:36:42,179 –> 00:36:44,439 in the company of those who serve God. 645 00:36:45,939 –> 00:36:49,919 Therefore, as I want to be in the company 646 00:36:49,919 –> 00:36:52,000 of those who serve God then, 647 00:36:53,379 –> 00:36:55,060 I will serve God now. 648 00:36:56,280 –> 00:36:58,899 And I will seek to serve him every day 649 00:36:58,899 –> 00:37:03,159 that he gives to me from now till then. 650 00:37:04,179 –> 00:37:05,879 Only one life, 651 00:37:06,780 –> 00:37:11,780 till soon be past only what’s done for Christ will last. 652 00:37:17,120 –> 00:37:18,879 And then the last thing is this, 653 00:37:18,879 –> 00:37:23,679 that as we wait patiently, and as we serve faithfully, 654 00:37:24,760 –> 00:37:26,580 we look forward joyfully. 655 00:37:27,719 –> 00:37:32,560 Jesus said, if anyone serves me, 656 00:37:33,500 –> 00:37:35,879 he must follow me 657 00:37:37,179 –> 00:37:40,540 and where I am there my servant also will be. 658 00:37:40,540 –> 00:37:44,899 Do you see this, as you serve the Lord, Jesus Christ, 659 00:37:44,899 –> 00:37:47,560 Jesus says, it’s inevitably the case 660 00:37:47,560 –> 00:37:48,879 that you will follow me. 661 00:37:50,139 –> 00:37:52,760 You are going to be with me, where I am, 662 00:37:52,760 –> 00:37:55,479 where I am there my servant will be. 663 00:37:56,939 –> 00:37:58,260 Brother, sister in Christ, 664 00:37:58,300 –> 00:38:03,040 what lies ahead of you is absolutely glorious. 665 00:38:04,100 –> 00:38:06,659 The son of righteousness is going to rise 666 00:38:06,659 –> 00:38:08,899 with healing in its wings. 667 00:38:08,899 –> 00:38:11,300 You’re going to be going out leaping 668 00:38:11,300 –> 00:38:14,280 like calves released from the stall, 669 00:38:14,280 –> 00:38:18,739 God will wipe all tears from your eyes, 670 00:38:20,080 –> 00:38:24,020 serving Jesus is always worth it, 671 00:38:25,419 –> 00:38:27,620 no matter what the cost, 672 00:38:28,580 –> 00:38:30,820 and when your faith is tested, 673 00:38:30,820 –> 00:38:32,540 remember the day is coming 674 00:38:32,540 –> 00:38:34,800 when you will see the distinction 675 00:38:35,739 –> 00:38:37,280 between the righteous and the wicked, 676 00:38:37,280 –> 00:38:40,919 between those who serve him and those who do not. 677 00:38:40,919 –> 00:38:45,919 Therefore, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 678 00:38:45,979 –> 00:38:50,979 let us be steadfast, let us be immovable. 679 00:38:51,679 –> 00:38:53,340 Whatever the circumstances, 680 00:38:53,340 –> 00:38:56,899 let us always be abounding 681 00:38:57,000 –> 00:39:00,820 in the work of the Lord because we know 682 00:39:00,820 –> 00:39:05,820 that in Christ our labor is not in vain. 683 00:39:10,219 –> 00:39:11,699 Will you pray with me, please? 684 00:39:13,040 –> 00:39:18,040 Our Father, we thank you for the marvelous encouragement 685 00:39:18,360 –> 00:39:22,239 of the glorious day when the Son 686 00:39:22,239 –> 00:39:26,060 of righteousness will rise with healing 687 00:39:26,060 –> 00:39:29,820 in its wings, Lord Jesus, come quickly. 688 00:39:30,939 –> 00:39:33,739 And until the day when faith is turned 689 00:39:33,739 –> 00:39:38,739 into sight, grant that whatever the circumstances 690 00:39:39,860 –> 00:39:44,860 of our life or our world, we may wait patiently, 691 00:39:46,580 –> 00:39:51,580 serve faithfully, and look forward with joy 692 00:39:53,219 –> 00:39:58,080 until faith is turned to sight, and your purposes 693 00:39:58,080 –> 00:40:01,959 are brought to completion, and every tear 694 00:40:01,959 –> 00:40:06,600 is wiped from our eyes, and we shall be at home 695 00:40:07,620 –> 00:40:12,620 with you forever and ever, through Jesus Christ, 696 00:40:13,399 –> 00:40:14,419 our Lord. 697 00:40:15,739 –> 00:40:16,580 Amen.