Audio Sermons

Building Up the Church of Christ:

Reckless Faith

Life B-P Church Worship Service, 28^th July 2024

Text: Malachi 2:1-9 

1. Recipients of God’s Message (2:1)

1.1.     Old Testament Priests:

1. From the tribe of Levi, from 20-50 years, serve according to the schedule assigned.
2. Mediator between God and men: took care of the ministries of the temple (repair, doorkeeper) – sacrifices, worship (musicians, singers), Word of God.

1.2. Universal Priesthood:

1. A human high priest is no longer necessary as Christ is our Mediator (1Tim. 2:5) and Great High Priest (Heb. 3:1).
2. Every believer is made a priest (1Pet. 2:5) where he can access unto God without the need of a human agent.

2. Refusing God’s Word (2:2)

2.1. Refusing to Hear:

1. Shema: God’s command is to hear: “Hear, O Israel …” (Deut. 6:4-6). They chose not to hear.
2. Sent: God sent them prophets – they killed them.

iii. Spoke: God spoke to them directly – they rather not.

2.2. Responding to God’s Word:

1. Spiritual: build your faith by the hearing of God’s Word (Rom. 10:17).
2. Swift: be swift to receive God’s Word (Ps. 62:11).

iii. Selective: be not selective in hearing God’s Word – even when it is a reproof (2Tim. 3:16-17).

3. Rejecting God (2:2)

3.1. Rejecting God:

1. They hardened their hearts against God – Isaiah called to preach to a group of people who hardened their heart against God (Isa. 6:9-10).

3.2. Righteousness of God:

1. God offering the people peace (the Gospel) before exercising His judgment.

3.3. Return unto God:

1. Do not harden your heart (Heb. 3:12-13) for God will offer pardon and forgiveness unto all who seek Him in repentance and humility (Ps. 51:17).

4. Reckless Faith (2:2)

4.1. Obedient Faith: when we choose to listen and obey

1. Blessedness: the way to blessedness is to trust and obey – to read, hear and keep God’s Word (Rev. 1:3).
2. Builders: both heard the Word, but only the wise builder acted on the instruction of the architect (Matt. 7:24-27).

4.2. Reckless Faith: when we choose not to listen and obey

1. Cursing (2:2-3): God will turn all our blessings into a curse – to those who choose to honour God, God will honour; but to those who despise the Lord, God will reject (1Sam. 2:30).
2. Cases: the sons of Aaron – Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2) and Samuel – Hophni and Phinehas (1Sam. 2:12-17).

iii. Corruption (2:4-8): God has given His great blessing and the promise of the covenant unto them which is to life and peace but they have totally corrupted it and caused others to stumble.

4.3. Closing: Do not be reckless in your faith and treat the spiritual things of God in disdain. Listen to God’s Word, obey it and search our hearts constantly before the Lord (Ps. 139:23-24).