WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:13.759 Thank you, guys. 00:00:14.780 --> 00:00:15.939 Thank you, James. 00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:17.980 You wrote a beautiful song. 00:00:18.859 --> 00:00:20.100 Grateful for that. 00:00:21.100 --> 00:00:29.219 It helps us to feel and to see, as this passage will this morning, where the hurt is. 00:00:30.379 --> 00:00:34.780 And where the hope is at the same time. 00:00:35.159 --> 00:00:36.219 Thank you for that. 00:00:37.159 --> 00:00:40.359 Turn with me to Malachi again this morning. 00:00:43.539 --> 00:00:50.640 God, through his prophets, has been calling his people back to himself because he's like that, right? 00:00:51.019 --> 00:00:53.780 He loves us dearly. 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:57.719 He grieves when we wander from him. 00:00:57.719 --> 00:01:02.500 He longs to welcome us back home to himself. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:10.219 He's been doing it generation after generation through the centuries as we've seen these prophets, 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:16.840 Micah and Zephaniah and Haggai and Malachi, coming with these very similar messages of repentance. 00:01:16.840 --> 00:01:25.500 And then even within each of those prophets' ministries, to the same group of people, they've said this thing over and over. 00:01:25.760 --> 00:01:27.340 To the same people. 00:01:27.500 --> 00:01:28.159 Repent. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:30.800 A call to repentance. 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:33.719 To renewed relationship with God. 00:01:34.800 --> 00:01:36.000 Because we need it. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:42.879 Friends, we need it again this morning, don't we? 00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:46.159 This is a short but powerful passage. 00:01:46.540 --> 00:01:49.359 Much as I tried, there's no outline this morning. 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:54.099 We're going to read this passage, Malachi 2.17 through 3.5. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:02:01.840 And then we're just going to walk right through it together to understand it and see what God would say to us this morning. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:07.200 So I'd encourage you to keep a Bible open and follow with me through the sermon today. 00:02:07.260 --> 00:02:08.180 That'll be your outline. 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:19.080 First, let's read God's holy, inerrant, infallible word that he promises will not return to him void. 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:25.000 That means that it will work in your heart and in mine today for his purposes. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:26.760 That's good news. 00:02:27.980 --> 00:02:29.860 Malachi 2.17 00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:37.340 You have wearied the Lord with your words, but you say, how have we wearied him? 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:43.000 By saying, everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord and he delights in them. 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:46.800 Or by asking, where is the God of justice? 00:02:48.140 --> 00:02:51.460 Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:54.860 And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. 00:02:55.379 --> 00:03:00.240 And the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:04.920 But who can endure the day of his coming? 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:07.739 And who can stand when he appears? 00:03:08.739 --> 00:03:12.519 For he is like a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap. 00:03:13.259 --> 00:03:16.179 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:20.439 And he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:23.500 And they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 00:03:24.179 --> 00:03:30.139 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old, as in former years. 00:03:30.139 --> 00:03:33.539 Then I will draw near to you for judgment. 00:03:35.059 --> 00:03:40.919 I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:46.719 against those who oppress the hired worker and his wages, the widow and the fatherless, 00:03:47.359 --> 00:03:49.839 against those who thrust aside the sojourner. 00:03:50.679 --> 00:03:55.439 And do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts. 00:03:56.019 --> 00:03:56.899 Let's pray together. 00:03:56.900 --> 00:04:02.560 Father, we give you thanks for your word. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:06.460 And we plead for your help. 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:11.960 We need renewal, revival in our hearts. 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:16.600 Your spirit is the one who brings that and he does it through the word. 00:04:16.780 --> 00:04:21.019 And so, Father, do it now in us for your glory. 00:04:22.340 --> 00:04:22.860 Amen. 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:23.019 Amen. 00:04:26.899 --> 00:04:27.479 Amen. 00:04:27.479 --> 00:04:27.959 Amen. 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:28.479 Amen. 00:04:28.479 --> 00:04:31.959 Perhaps some of you like me have had this experience. 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:37.439 You're driving along the interstate with a 70 mile per hour speed limit. 00:04:37.599 --> 00:04:44.159 And you're cruising at 75 or 77 or 78 or whatever you've picked. 00:04:44.620 --> 00:04:49.299 And all of a sudden, this guy comes just flying past you. 00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:54.239 He must be going at least 90 miles an hour, probably 100. 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:58.019 And you think, I hope they catch that guy. 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:05.600 And then maybe the second or the third person that whizzes past you like that, you start to think, 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:07.740 I can't believe these policemen. 00:05:08.400 --> 00:05:10.540 Where are they anyway when you need them? 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:14.220 You've felt that before, right? 00:05:14.220 --> 00:05:22.860 Well, I suspect some of you have also had it happen where just a couple minutes after those reckless drivers fly past you 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:27.480 and there's nobody stopping them, you look in the rearview mirror and there's blue lights flashing. 00:05:28.020 --> 00:05:32.120 And you think, yes, finally, justice. 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:37.540 Someone who can catch the guy going 100, justice will be served. 00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:42.400 Except that those blue lights don't whiz past you like those other guys. 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:45.260 They stay right there behind you. 00:05:45.960 --> 00:05:53.180 And eventually, you pull off to the side and you think to yourself, I wasn't the one speeding. 00:05:53.939 --> 00:05:57.020 And he says, sir, I've got you at 82 and a 70. 00:05:58.320 --> 00:05:59.480 And you think, me? 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:04.040 I thought you were going to ask me for the license plate of that other guy. 00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:05.640 I mean, I'm the good guy here. 00:06:05.700 --> 00:06:06.520 I'm on your team. 00:06:06.600 --> 00:06:08.220 We're going to catch the bad guys, right? 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:12.540 What do you mean you got me at 82 and a 70? 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:13.680 You better get going. 00:06:13.780 --> 00:06:14.600 They're getting away. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:23.060 You just honestly can't believe that you're the one on the receiving end of this so-called justice. 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:39.420 I don't know if you've felt that before, but whether it's on the road or anywhere else, we all have this tendency to think that God's justice, his just judgment is for someone else. 00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:40.360 Right? 00:06:40.459 --> 00:06:42.699 There's somebody else that needs that. 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:45.720 We assume we're the cowboy in the white hat. 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:47.860 We're the good guys. 00:06:48.340 --> 00:06:48.540 Right? 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:48.660 Right? 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:53.780 Kids, have you ever thought, I'm one of the good kids? 00:06:55.260 --> 00:06:56.480 Have you thought that before? 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:01.800 I grew up thinking that, you know, I'm one of the good kids. 00:07:02.140 --> 00:07:05.200 Other kids got in trouble at school, but I didn't. 00:07:05.800 --> 00:07:09.900 I was especially careful to behave when I was at church. 00:07:10.080 --> 00:07:10.259 Right? 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:11.000 Yeah? 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:11.740 You do that? 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:12.540 Uh-huh. 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:14.439 And then I played a lot of baseball. 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:20.079 And so my team played baseball games basically every weekend. 00:07:20.219 --> 00:07:26.279 Except, you know, on Sundays I went to church and the rest of the guys on my team played baseball. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:29.819 So I was really one of the good kids. 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:30.139 Right? 00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:40.659 There were bad kids out there and I knew I wasn't perfect, but the bad kids were the other ones and I was a good one. 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:54.320 So if we needed to talk about sin and repentance, if somebody needed to apologize or change, it was somebody else, not me. 00:07:54.800 --> 00:08:05.960 If God wanted to come deal with someone about their behavior or have a pastor preach sermons about repentance for weeks on end, I could give him a list of names to talk to. 00:08:05.959 --> 00:08:10.899 Here they are, God, you should talk to them, not me. 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:22.399 Someone from another political party, someone clearly less spiritual than I am, someone not at church as often as I am. 00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:28.719 God's people have started feeling that way in Malachi's day. 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:31.799 And Malachi wants to warn them. 00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:37.539 Listen, it's a warning about the danger of feeling like you're the guy in the white hat. 00:08:37.940 --> 00:08:40.680 Of feeling like you're one of the good kids. 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:43.879 There's a danger in that. 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:48.460 That we might miss God's call to our hearts. 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:52.560 It's actually where this passage starts. 00:08:52.559 --> 00:09:05.000 It's a warning that God's people have started getting critical, not just of others doing those bad things, but of God himself and how he's handling it or not. 00:09:06.579 --> 00:09:09.319 Where are those policemen when you need them anyway? 00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:14.219 Verse 17, where is the God of justice? 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:14.460 Jesus. 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:22.040 And we're told the way that some of God's people are acting is wearying God. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:25.100 That's not a good sign, is it? 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:35.320 When God who is eminently patient and slow to anger and long suffering is weary with your words, that's not good. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:38.580 What are they saying that's causing that? 00:09:38.580 --> 00:09:43.660 They're saying everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord. 00:09:45.560 --> 00:09:48.020 God delights in the bad guys. 00:09:48.400 --> 00:09:50.440 He doesn't care about us. 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:53.840 Where is that so-called just God anyway? 00:09:54.840 --> 00:09:58.120 They don't see justice in the world around them. 00:09:58.220 --> 00:10:03.500 The Persians are stronger and richer and they don't even follow Yahweh. 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:10.659 The Jews have worked hard for God on his temple and it's not paying off. 00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:12.639 It's not making their city great again. 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:19.340 Some wealthier Jews are even taking advantage of poorer ones and they're getting away with it. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.519 They've had enough. 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:34.159 God, they tell each other, is not as holy, righteous, and on top of things as he says he is. 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:42.240 If he is just, he's certainly not powerful enough or loving enough to show up here and fix things. 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:57.000 And God gets weary of this because we falsely accuse him of unfaithfulness and completely avoid or ignore our own unfaithfulness. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:11:00.519 We accuse him of being asleep at the wheel. 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:04.180 We blame God and keep ourselves off the hook. 00:11:06.680 --> 00:11:10.159 Now let me be clear on this before we read further. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:16.500 The Bible is full of examples of crying out to God in the face of injustice. 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:17.740 Okay? 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:23.240 They're all over the place being passionate about it, emotionally pleading with him desperately. 00:11:23.839 --> 00:11:25.559 And this is commended. 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:27.000 It's a good thing. 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:30.120 It's all through the Psalms lamenting, 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:32.360 How long, O Lord? 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:33.659 Deliver me. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:35.600 Bring justice against my enemies. 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:38.399 Oh, that you would come and help me. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:46.319 And God loves to hear his children cry to him and long to understand him and know him more. 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:47.740 He loves that. 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:50.799 This is not that. 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:51.720 Okay? 00:11:51.819 --> 00:11:52.399 This is different. 00:11:53.319 --> 00:11:55.899 This is an accusatory complaint. 00:11:57.079 --> 00:12:03.519 Character assassination of God in order to relieve ourselves of guilt. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:08.500 In fact, you'll notice here that the words are not spoken to God, are they? 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:11.879 They're actually spoken to other people. 00:12:13.439 --> 00:12:19.340 We could say it's gossiping about God, not crying out to him. 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:25.360 Some among God's people have begun focusing on how God should be acting for me, 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:28.460 rather than how I should be acting for God, 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:33.620 overlooking their own sin and blaming God for what they see in the world around them. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.500 Where is the God of justice? 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:44.620 And chapter 3 opens with a simple response to that question. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:46.740 It's right here. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:48.680 Here I am. 00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:52.580 Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:55.759 And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. 00:12:56.039 --> 00:13:02.200 And the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:05.960 I haven't left you. 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:09.639 I'm not unreliable. 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:12.519 I have a plan. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:16.840 I love that about our God. 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:24.539 Even when we weary him, he doesn't give up to get away from that. 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:28.019 Rather, he comes near to us. 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:37.679 Any delay in the coming of the God of justice is for the purpose that all might repent, that more might know him. 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:41.620 God is not slow, but patient. 00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:49.399 Desiring that none would perish, but that all would come to repentance, Peter says. 00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:52.519 God's justice is sure. 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:54.759 He is coming. 00:13:55.819 --> 00:14:01.059 In fact, not only is the God of justice coming to make everything right, 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:05.659 but someone's even coming to prepare the way for him. 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:09.339 So, two different people in this verse. 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:14.620 The messenger and then God himself. 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:16.839 Let me clarify those for you. 00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:22.179 The messenger preparing the way, we learn later, is John the Baptist. 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:28.159 John comes, if you remember the New Testament, and he preaches a message of what? 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.019 Repentance. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:35.000 Turn away from your idols and turn back to God. 00:14:35.699 --> 00:14:38.620 Prepare your heart to receive the king. 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:44.480 As the herald running before the king, he's removing obstacles for God to come to his people 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:48.139 and fellowship with them and justice and righteousness and glory. 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:52.519 That's the first person who's coming. 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:56.199 And then the second figure is Jesus. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:15:01.299 It's a bit confusing because he is also called messenger. 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:09.659 But messenger of the covenant is not the same as my messenger in this verse, 00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:14.819 but rather it's the same as the Lord, the divine figure. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:17.120 He's the one you will delight in. 00:15:17.439 --> 00:15:19.719 He is coming, says Yahweh. 00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:23.079 He will come suddenly to his temple, right? 00:15:23.219 --> 00:15:24.879 To be among his people. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:27.519 To dwell with them in relationship. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.819 Which is why repentance prepares the way 00:15:30.819 --> 00:15:35.079 so the holy God can even be able to live with them. 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:39.379 God doesn't give up on his people. 00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:45.379 Rather, he draws near to them. 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:50.780 But when the God of justice comes, 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:54.879 it's no light thing for anyone. 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:57.860 I'm coming, says God. 00:15:58.220 --> 00:16:00.179 But don't presume you're ready. 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:04.519 Especially if you're looking at everyone else's sin 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:06.740 and ignoring your own. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.580 Verse 2. 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:11.799 But who can endure the day of his coming? 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:15.019 And who can stand when he appears? 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:18.279 You have to have clean hands and a pure heart. 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:22.620 For he is like a refiner's fire. 00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:24.759 And like fuller's soap. 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:27.899 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. 00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:30.100 And he will purify the sons of Levi 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:32.000 and refine them like gold and silver. 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:35.559 Hey, you with the white hat. 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:38.740 You who think you're the good guys. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.779 Be careful. 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.220 He's saying. 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:46.899 Jesus comes to purify worshipers for Yahweh. 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:50.740 And it's a painful purifying. 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:54.600 Two images here for Jesus' work, right? 00:16:55.559 --> 00:17:00.860 The refiner's fire and fuller's soap. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:04.700 The refining fire that burns away the dross 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:07.039 so that the silver is clean 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.940 and the refiner can see his image 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:11.240 reflected back to him in it. 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:12.240 It burns. 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:15.339 And the fuller's soap. 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:17.359 You may not be familiar with that. 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:21.399 It scrubbed the dirt off of things like sheep's wool 00:17:21.399 --> 00:17:23.019 to make it clean. 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:25.819 Both purify. 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:30.439 And both are painful. 00:17:32.199 --> 00:17:34.259 Some of this purification process 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:36.740 will involve removing people 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:39.159 from the people of God for judgment 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:42.079 because they will not repent and worship Yahweh. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:45.619 Some of the purification process 00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:47.019 that Jesus brings 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:50.619 will be for those whose hearts are softened, 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:52.199 for those among God's people 00:17:52.199 --> 00:17:54.079 who would worship Yahweh. 00:17:54.939 --> 00:17:57.419 But they need clean hands and a pure heart 00:17:57.419 --> 00:17:59.299 or they can't stand before him. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:03.279 And so Jesus is turning their hearts back to him. 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:05.799 That's what Jesus comes to do, right? 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:08.139 That's the work of Jesus. 00:18:08.659 --> 00:18:09.599 That's what it's about. 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:12.679 Not hiding your sin, 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:15.059 but running with it to him 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:18.339 so that he can cleanse you of all your sin. 00:18:18.459 --> 00:18:20.219 That he can renew your heart 00:18:20.219 --> 00:18:23.159 to worship Yahweh again. 00:18:25.219 --> 00:18:27.859 Kids, let me explain it to you this way 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:30.579 because those are both confusing images, okay? 00:18:30.879 --> 00:18:32.559 What God is saying here 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:36.339 is not that you have to be perfect, 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:41.759 but that you must run to Jesus with your sin 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:44.559 so that he can make your heart clean. 00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:46.079 Let me ask you this. 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:49.000 Kids, would you ever eat spaghetti 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.419 with a white dress on? 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.000 No, no, no. 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:54.819 I hope you would never do such a terrible thing. 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:56.339 But imagine that you did. 00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:57.339 You were so hungry 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:59.700 and you were in such a hurry to eat the spaghetti 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:01.960 that you rushed over and you tripped. 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.960 And the whole plate of spaghetti 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:05.980 goes all over your white dress. 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.059 Oh, no. 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:10.200 It's a huge mess, right? 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:13.920 That's what our sin is like. 00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:18.180 Every one of us is as dirty before God 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:22.039 as a white dress with spaghetti all over it. 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.680 And when that happens, 00:19:23.879 --> 00:19:26.180 you may think like some of us adults, 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:27.180 you know what I need to do? 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:29.819 I need to go hide this dress somewhere. 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:32.480 Mom will never know this happened, right? 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:34.319 Maybe she hasn't seen it yet. 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:37.279 But what happens if you go put that dress 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:39.059 in a corner somewhere? 00:19:39.379 --> 00:19:41.740 That stain just sets in, doesn't it? 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.859 Deeper and deeper. 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.559 And you put it away. 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:49.379 But what happens if you actually run right away 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:51.359 as soon as it happens to mom? 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:55.619 Mom, the fire or the soap 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:57.599 that Malachi is talking about, 00:19:57.959 --> 00:20:00.059 it's like goop, okay? 00:20:00.219 --> 00:20:01.559 I mean, he didn't say it that way, 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:02.279 but that's what he meant. 00:20:03.179 --> 00:20:06.099 Goop, your parents probably have something like this. 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.500 This stuff is amazing. 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.219 You know what you do with it? 00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:11.819 You rub it on the stain, right? 00:20:12.159 --> 00:20:13.619 And you scrub it in 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:15.859 and you may have to be rough with it 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:17.659 and it may hurt the fabric some, 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:19.740 but it gets the stain out. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:21.539 You put it in the washing machine 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.819 and the clothes rub 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:25.339 and it gets rid of that terrible stain 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:27.579 on your white dress. 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:32.799 That's what Jesus does with our sin. 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:36.680 He wants us to run to him right away, 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:38.180 even though it might hurt some, 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:40.000 even though it might be hard 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.720 and he will cleanse us 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.859 and make us new 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:45.019 so that the stain is gone 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:46.619 and we love him even more 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:48.440 for how amazing he is, right? 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:51.299 This thing says it's the ultimate stain lifter. 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.720 That's not true. 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:54.839 Jesus is. 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:57.400 Jesus, not just your white dress. 00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:00.720 Jesus wants to take that dark stain on your heart 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.379 and say, I can deal with that. 00:21:02.639 --> 00:21:03.559 Bring it to me. 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:05.599 The big mess you've made, 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:08.119 I know how to take care of that. 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:10.759 I can clean that up for you. 00:21:11.699 --> 00:21:13.500 So when I say repent, 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:17.359 it means run to Jesus with your sin, 00:21:17.459 --> 00:21:19.019 with your mess, 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:21.299 because he can handle it. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:23.379 That's what repent means, kids. 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.559 And Malachi is telling us this morning, 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:30.559 we all need Jesus' purifying work. 00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:33.739 Your leaders are particularly highlighted 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:37.099 as needing Jesus' purifying work. 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:39.200 So we all need to be running to him, 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:41.059 not minimizing our sin, 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:42.960 thinking he needs to go fix others 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.000 out there somewhere. 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:49.279 I particularly want to challenge us here this morning. 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.700 Listen to this, 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:55.660 or you're missing Malachi's message. 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:58.559 If it doesn't hurt, 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.839 you're not near Jesus. 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:04.419 You may say you know him. 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.179 Jesus is, 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:07.659 he's just working in my life. 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:10.379 This is what Jesus would have me do. 00:22:10.679 --> 00:22:11.359 I'm a Christian. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.539 Of course I'm a Christian. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.939 What else would I be? 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.679 Does it hurt? 00:22:19.439 --> 00:22:21.299 Because if it doesn't hurt, 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:23.480 it's not Jesus. 00:22:25.959 --> 00:22:26.659 It's true. 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:28.639 The ministry of Jesus brings joy 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:30.940 and freedom and cleansing 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.920 and healing. 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:34.020 Yes, all those things. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:36.140 But he does it this way. 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:38.600 He is like a refining fire. 00:22:39.280 --> 00:22:40.500 Fuller's soap. 00:22:40.780 --> 00:22:44.360 His purifying work burns away the dross. 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.580 That's how it happens, right? 00:22:46.040 --> 00:22:48.340 It scrubs away the dirt. 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:50.560 It tears away our idols 00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:51.680 that we're clinging to. 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:54.120 It's a painful purifying. 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:54.239 Purifying. 00:22:54.719 --> 00:22:56.539 Or else it's self-righteous, 00:22:56.699 --> 00:22:57.939 self-deception, 00:22:58.419 --> 00:23:00.379 believing my clothes were already white 00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:01.679 and didn't need it. 00:23:02.659 --> 00:23:03.819 It's one or the other. 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:06.019 It's painful purifying 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:08.059 or it's self-deception, 00:23:08.679 --> 00:23:10.219 believing you're clean without him. 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:15.459 It hurts, doesn't it? 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:18.620 When Jesus draws you out of the comfort 00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:23.079 you find in your financial security 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:28.559 and he tells you to trust him instead 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:30.860 of what's in your bank account. 00:23:32.360 --> 00:23:34.340 It hurts, doesn't it? 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:38.480 When Jesus calls you to follow him 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.660 in a specific decision 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:42.160 and you have to let go of the approval 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.600 of others to do it 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:45.540 and that's an idol that you love 00:23:45.540 --> 00:23:46.500 and ugh. 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:50.800 It hurts, doesn't it? 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:52.420 When Jesus shows you 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:54.820 you're not loving someone 00:23:54.820 --> 00:23:56.980 but you're using them 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.800 in the relationship 00:23:57.800 --> 00:23:59.019 to feel affirmed 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.860 and comfortable yourself. 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:05.519 I told you a few weeks ago 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:07.000 I was making a running list 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.519 in my office of idols 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:10.660 God is exposing in me 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:13.220 through this Minor Prophets series. 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.599 Those were three of them 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:18.319 where he's been working repentance 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:20.720 in my heart lately. 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:22.440 It's a painful process 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:24.819 and there are a lot of others. 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:28.500 But I share those with you this morning 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:31.000 to remind you that this repentance 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:33.119 that he's calling all of us to 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:34.680 is not merely for those 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.700 who have killed someone 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.799 or robbed a bank. 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.000 Right? 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.759 We think of repentance 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.980 sometimes that way. 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:43.139 Repentance is daily 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:44.759 moment by moment. 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:46.019 It's a lifestyle 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.519 that's normal 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:49.599 the way we relate to God 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.720 and he calls us 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.220 to that lifestyle 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:54.160 where our hearts grieve 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:56.000 broken relationship with him 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.440 where we're constantly 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.639 turning back to him 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.960 and then rejoicing 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.000 over and over again 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.160 that he restores 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.480 our relationship. 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:05.319 That's how we relate to him. 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:07.460 It's not just some big sin 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.420 you get caught in 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:10.079 but the daily state 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.920 of your heart 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:12.600 toward God. 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.799 Are you willing 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.460 to stop looking 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:18.360 at others' problems 00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:20.779 and see where your heart 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:23.440 has strayed from God? 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.700 If you are, 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.759 Jesus delights 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:28.120 to meet you there 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.460 to heal and restore 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.460 that relationship 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.319 between you and your father. 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:34.679 and that's the hopeful part. 00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:35.319 Right? 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:37.240 Jesus purifies us. 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.839 He does. 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:40.519 And then end of verse 3 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:42.439 and then after he refines them 00:25:42.439 --> 00:25:43.279 and purifies them 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.240 they will bring offerings 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.859 and righteousness 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.619 to the Lord. 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.700 They can now 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.500 because of Jesus. 00:25:47.879 --> 00:25:48.819 The offering of Judah 00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:49.399 and Jerusalem 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.919 will be pleasing to the Lord 00:25:50.919 --> 00:25:52.279 as in the days of old 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:54.319 and as in former years. 00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:55.939 As we repent, 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:58.099 he promises to make us 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:59.079 into worshipers 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:00.339 who worship God 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.299 from the heart. 00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:02.759 That's the hope 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.359 of the gospel 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.539 offered to us 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.179 in the context 00:26:05.179 --> 00:26:05.819 of a passage 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:07.000 that primarily 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.659 is meant 00:26:07.659 --> 00:26:09.000 to warn us 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.299 toward Jesus. 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.759 That's what will happen 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.859 when you find him 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:14.839 and he works on you. 00:26:17.439 --> 00:26:18.359 And Malachi ends 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:19.279 this section 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.859 with these 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:21.379 sobering words. 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:23.500 Then I will draw near 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.079 to you 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:25.919 for judgment. 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:28.620 I will be a swift witness 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:29.779 against the sorcerers, 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.320 against the adulterers, 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.279 against those 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:33.300 who swear falsely, 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.200 against those 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.800 who oppress 00:26:34.800 --> 00:26:35.800 the hired worker 00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:36.800 and his wages, 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.340 the widow 00:26:37.340 --> 00:26:38.259 and the fatherless, 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.100 against those 00:26:40.100 --> 00:26:40.980 who thrust aside 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.720 the sojourner. 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:45.180 And do not fear me, 00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.500 says the Lord of hosts. 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:49.640 Y'all, 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:51.100 this is not an exhaustive list 00:26:51.100 --> 00:26:52.140 of all the big sins 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:53.680 we need to repent of, 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:56.360 but rather examples 00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:58.560 of what it looks like 00:26:58.560 --> 00:26:59.620 when people stop 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:01.640 fearing God. 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:04.299 You see that at the end, 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:04.620 right? 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:06.720 The wicked among 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.600 God's covenant people 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:10.380 do all these things 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:12.019 because they don't 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.840 fear me. 00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:17.460 They have a worship problem 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:19.039 before they have 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:21.940 a specific sins problem 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:23.559 in their lives. 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.279 And the fact 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:25.299 that their hearts 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.180 haven't come back 00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:26.860 to love 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:28.240 and trust God 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.680 looks like 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.940 these things. 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.799 Sorcery. 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.480 Using God 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.680 or other gods 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:36.420 to get what we want. 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:38.140 Manipulating God 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.259 by going to church, 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.759 looking for the good life 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:42.000 by just being associated 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.200 with Christianity. 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.200 Adultery. 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:49.059 including that in your heart 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.799 where you use 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.920 someone else you know 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:52.220 or you don't know 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:53.880 to get what you want. 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.400 Dishonesty 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:57.900 in order to care 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:59.200 for yourself. 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:01.799 Neglecting the least 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.500 of these 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:03.539 because you're not 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:05.100 where Jesus would be 00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:06.759 as Thurman challenged 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.660 us last week. 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:09.539 Not reflecting God's heart 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.960 because your lives 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.620 and schedules 00:28:11.620 --> 00:28:12.640 are full, 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:14.360 consumed with other people 00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:15.339 just like you 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.279 without regard 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.119 for the poor 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:18.000 and the refugee 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.959 and the voiceless. 00:28:20.679 --> 00:28:21.319 Ouch. 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:24.359 God's heart 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:25.859 is for faithfulness, 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.959 truth, 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:29.179 mercy to the least 00:28:29.179 --> 00:28:30.559 and the left out 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:33.159 are ours 00:28:33.159 --> 00:28:35.539 like that. 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:39.279 If you see any 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:40.339 of these struggles 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.379 in your heart 00:28:41.379 --> 00:28:42.359 and life, 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:44.299 the call is simple, 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:46.059 painful, 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.180 but simple. 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.799 It's repent. 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:50.379 Listen, 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.559 these verses 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:53.019 are trying to tell us 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:54.980 all signs point 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.379 towards repentance. 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:59.119 Every verse 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:01.019 in this passage 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:01.619 is saying 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:02.279 repent. 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.579 repent. 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:04.720 The wearied response 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.240 of God 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.980 to His people 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:07.259 who focus on others' 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.559 sins rather than 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.099 their own, 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:09.819 repent. 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.619 The preparation 00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:12.899 of John the Baptist 00:29:12.899 --> 00:29:13.759 to get us ready 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.759 for God to come 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:16.680 screamed one word, 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:17.680 repent. 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:20.359 The ministry of Jesus 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:21.399 is one that works 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.139 to purify 00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:23.460 those who realize 00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:24.879 that they're speeding too, 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.660 that they have stains 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.740 on their clothes too, 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.639 that they don't reflect 00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:29.519 God's image 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:31.879 or even long to sometimes. 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.880 So repent. 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.140 And in the warning 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:36.440 of a prophet 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.820 God sends 00:29:37.820 --> 00:29:39.660 to speak His word 00:29:39.660 --> 00:29:41.220 to His people, 00:29:43.020 --> 00:29:43.500 repent. 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.220 Listen, 00:29:48.320 --> 00:29:49.860 if God's pulling you over 00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:50.760 this morning, 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:54.120 arresting your heart, 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.320 so to speak, 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:56.600 it's not merely 00:29:56.600 --> 00:29:57.760 to be a killjoy 00:29:57.760 --> 00:29:58.920 in your life. 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.860 It's not like you're 00:30:00.860 --> 00:30:01.700 driving so fast. 00:30:02.540 --> 00:30:03.800 That's not who He is. 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.380 He's not out 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.700 to get you like that. 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.380 Rather, 00:30:07.520 --> 00:30:09.120 He's arresting you 00:30:09.120 --> 00:30:10.640 to call you back 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:11.240 to Him, 00:30:12.280 --> 00:30:13.200 to show you 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:14.860 where life really is, 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:15.740 to remind you 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.500 where it's found, 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:17.680 perhaps even 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.500 to point you 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.580 to this table 00:30:19.580 --> 00:30:21.260 where His justice 00:30:21.260 --> 00:30:22.840 is poured out 00:30:22.840 --> 00:30:24.240 not on you, 00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:27.540 but on His Son 00:30:27.540 --> 00:30:29.220 fully. 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.960 where Jesus 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:32.640 underwent the ultimate 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:34.180 refiner's fire 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:35.200 so that you could 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:37.180 finally and forever 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:39.220 be purified. 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:42.380 Your repentance 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:44.220 may be painful 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:45.759 and may start 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.759 with tears. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.960 It usually does. 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.100 But Yahweh 00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:51.900 sent the messenger 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:53.039 of the covenant 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:54.559 so you would know 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.720 that you can walk 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.640 into that repentance 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:58.259 because it ends 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:59.940 not with tears 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:01.160 and pain 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:02.820 but with joy 00:31:02.820 --> 00:31:04.560 and life. 00:31:05.300 --> 00:31:06.140 That's what He 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:07.220 came to do. 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:08.259 It's what He said 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:08.920 to His disciples 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:10.280 even in that painful 00:31:10.280 --> 00:31:11.080 moment for Him 00:31:11.080 --> 00:31:11.840 on the night 00:31:11.840 --> 00:31:12.640 He was betrayed. 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:15.020 Jesus took bread 00:31:15.020 --> 00:31:18.800 and what He was 00:31:18.800 --> 00:31:19.420 picturing was 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:20.040 going to hurt. 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.420 He broke it 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:23.620 and gave it 00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.400 to His disciples 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:25.480 as I'm ministering 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:25.980 in His name 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.660 give this bread 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.040 to you 00:31:27.040 --> 00:31:27.540 and He said 00:31:27.540 --> 00:31:28.400 take eat 00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:29.840 this is my body 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:31.380 which is broken 00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.759 for you 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.840 do this 00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:34.740 in remembrance 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.440 of me 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.620 and in the same way 00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.340 after supper 00:31:37.340 --> 00:31:38.440 He took the cup 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:38.820 and said 00:31:38.820 --> 00:31:39.620 this cup 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:40.580 is the new covenant 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.579 in my blood 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.980 shed for many 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:44.460 for the forgiveness 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.720 of their sins 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.639 but His blood 00:31:46.639 --> 00:31:47.279 was going to have 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:47.980 to be shed 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:48.799 and He said 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.899 drink of it 00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:50.559 and do it 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.179 in remembrance 00:31:51.179 --> 00:31:51.759 of me 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.579 for as often 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.059 as you eat 00:31:53.059 --> 00:31:53.720 this bread 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:55.679 and drink this cup 00:31:55.679 --> 00:31:56.779 you proclaim 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:58.240 the Lord's death 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:00.439 until He comes. 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:03.359 If that's 00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:04.079 what you're here 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:04.559 to do 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.579 to proclaim 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.579 His death 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.659 if you come 00:32:07.659 --> 00:32:08.619 as a sinner 00:32:08.619 --> 00:32:09.679 repenting 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:11.279 of that sin 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.960 and saying 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.600 I need to run 00:32:12.600 --> 00:32:13.420 back to Jesus 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.080 who took 00:32:14.080 --> 00:32:14.980 the justice 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:16.580 that I deserve 00:32:16.580 --> 00:32:18.080 then come 00:32:18.080 --> 00:32:19.420 joyfully 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:21.380 weeping 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:22.460 and rejoicing 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.820 to this table 00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:25.779 if you don't 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.340 know Him 00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:28.180 if you haven't 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:28.980 thrown yourself 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.539 on Jesus 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.620 as your only hope 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:32.160 then the call 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:32.860 of God's word 00:32:32.860 --> 00:32:33.480 to you this morning 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:34.279 would be not to come 00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:34.880 to a table 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:35.420 like this 00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:36.279 that pictures 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:36.759 something 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.320 that for you 00:32:37.320 --> 00:32:38.240 is not a reality 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.160 in your heart 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:40.400 but rather 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:41.040 He's saying 00:32:41.040 --> 00:32:41.860 to you this morning 00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:43.279 come to Jesus 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.960 there's no other way 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.759 to find yourself 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:46.320 safe 00:32:46.320 --> 00:32:47.320 from the justice 00:32:47.320 --> 00:32:47.940 of God 00:32:47.940 --> 00:32:48.759 and to know 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.779 your heavenly Father 00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:51.080 we'd love for you 00:32:51.080 --> 00:32:51.580 to come 00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:52.720 and talk with us 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.840 we'd love to pray 00:32:53.840 --> 00:32:54.180 with you 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:55.060 we'd love to tell you 00:32:55.060 --> 00:32:56.759 more about Jesus 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:58.640 let me pray 00:32:58.640 --> 00:32:59.300 and we'll celebrate 00:32:59.300 --> 00:32:59.820 together 00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:03.720 Jesus for your 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:05.160 sacrifice 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:07.400 for sinners 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.140 like us 00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:09.420 we are so grateful 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:12.920 Holy Spirit 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:13.400 make us 00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:14.279 repentant 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.000 sinners 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:17.360 who would come 00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:18.220 running 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:18.720 not 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.960 with anything 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.800 in our hands 00:33:20.800 --> 00:33:21.460 to offer 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.800 to our Father 00:33:22.800 --> 00:33:24.140 but clinging 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:25.540 desperately 00:33:25.540 --> 00:33:26.440 to Jesus 00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:29.300 remind us 00:33:29.300 --> 00:33:29.840 of that 00:33:29.840 --> 00:33:30.380 remind us 00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:31.360 that because of Him 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:32.439 you welcome us 00:33:32.439 --> 00:33:33.439 to this table 00:33:33.439 --> 00:33:35.879 that's amazing 00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:36.319 grace 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:36.799 give us 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.879 delight in that 00:33:37.879 --> 00:33:38.659 as we celebrate 00:33:38.659 --> 00:33:39.799 in Jesus name 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.939 Amen 00:33:40.939 --> 00:33:42.599 our host team members 00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:43.219 will usher you 00:33:43.219 --> 00:33:43.779 to tables 00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:44.819 forward and back 00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:45.839 we will celebrate 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.799 God's love 00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.599 for us together 00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:52.799 for more information 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:54.079 visit us online 00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:55.379 at southwood.org