1.  Introduction ~ as Jesus’ followers should we be anxious? Matt 6:34 

     1.1.  this is not just advice, it is a frame of mind Matt 6:31-33  

2.Context ~ God’s call is simple: trust Him Mal 3:1-2 

3.  Here He Comes ~ is the basic message in an interesting passage

     3.1.  God says “& the Lord (האדוֹן) [hā ’ā ḏônʹ] whom you seek”

     3.2.  “I/My” refers to God Mal 3:1 who is coming to judge

     3.3.  “Behold” (הִנְנִ֤י) [hin nȋʹ] followed by “I send” (שֹׁלֵחַ֙) [šō lē ḥǎʹ] 

4.  The Messenger ~ Mal 3:1a-b is sent by the Lord YHWH Mal 3:1h

     4.1.  Mal 3:1c-d if “Lord” (האדוֹן) [hā ’ā ḏônʹ] is YHWH then who…

             4.1.1.  is the “messenger” (מַלְאָכִ֔י) [mǎl ’ā ḵiʹ] who precedes Him?

     4,2,  this passage clearly addresses the “last days” Acts 2:16-17 

             4.2.1.  the idea of a predecessor is from Isa 40:3  John 1:22-23 

5.  The Messenger, #2 ~ now comes up in Mal 3:1c-d & Mal 3:1-e-f 

     5.1.  YHWH is identified as the “God of justice” in Mal 2:17 

             5.1.1.  based on parallelism we can tease this out 

     5.2.  the “Messenger of the covenant” is a mystery found in 2 Cor 3:17 

6.  Covenant ~ Jer 31:31-33 this fulfills Abraham’s covenant Gen 22:18 

     6.1.  it wasn’t what the Jews expected Mal 3:1c-d  Matt 25:13 

7.  Still Future ~ & it will not be a fun time Mal 3:2  Rev 6:17 

     7.1.  on that day 2nd chances are gone forever 2 Thess 1:9-10 

     7.2.  for those w/faith in Jesus it will be different 2 Cor 4:1  Rom 8:1 

             7.2.1.  even so, there will be a refining 1 Cor 3:11-15 

     7.3.  we are priests of God 1 Pe 2:9-10 offering sacrifices Rom 12:1-2 

8.  Application ~ 1st-the coming of the Lord will be in judgment 

     8.1.  but God offers more Rom 13:14  Gal 5:16  Matt 6:33 

     8.2.  there is something surprising about this kind of life Matt 25:20-21 

 

For Contemplation:

If I take the Lord’s return seriously, how does my life demonstrate that?

 

Homiletical Idea:

We must remember the fear of the Lord along with the love of God.

 

For Prayer:

Father, guide me into a life that leaves me ready for Your coming!