The Great and Awesome Day of the LORD

Context

• After their division, both Israel and Judah eventually fell into enemies’ hands and were exiled from the Promised Land.
• Years later, a remnant returned to rebuild the temple, the walls, and a community of God-followers.
• Once the people settled into the land, Malachi preached against their apathetic spiritual conditions.

Content

• Depending upon your stance regarding the gospel, the day of the LORD will either be greatly terrifying or greatly fulfilling.
• In hell, arrogant evildoers will receive what they always wanted – an existence devoid of the presence of God (Mal. 4:1).
• In heaven, humble God-fearers will greatly rejoice as they watch God take what was broken and make it right again (Mal. 4:2).
• A day is coming when those who have been knocked down by the world will rise to trample over the ashes of their persecutors (Mal. 4:3).
• Even as time progresses, God’s commandments will not adjust to cultural leanings (Mal. 4:4).
• God promised a forerunner who would clear the path for the coming Messiah.
• One clear indicator of the Messiah’s reign on a culture is how stable the family unit is (Mal. 4:6).

Concept

• God sees every single one of us as either righteous or unrighteous.
• Christ has prolonged his glorious return and maintained your fleeting breaths in order for you to respond to this gospel message.
• Since we were unable to keep the Law, Christ came to live a perfect life and to take our rightful place in the way of God’s wrath.
• Jesus died in your place – not because he had to but because he chose to.