Malachi 3 v 6
New Year’s Sunday 2000 – Malachi 3 v 6 by Ian Wilson
When pondering a motto text for year 2000 it can be difficult. There are so many great texts in God’s word that would be appropriate.
- 1 Samuel 7:12 “Called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us”.
- Deut. 33:25 “And as thy days, so shall thy strength be.”
- Exodus 33:14 ” My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”
What assurances we could find in many texts of scripture I believe our motto text takes in all of the above –
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”
The immutability of our God means that his promises never change. As I considered the year 2000 my what changes lie ahead in the future for all of us.
- There are moral changes.
My, the standards of the world have really plummeted surely we cannot expect them to get any better? - There are scientific changes.
The last century moved from the space age to the video age I suppose now it’s the internet age .Even our food has not been exempt from change. What will we be eating in the future? As they experiment with GM foods. - There are political changes.
The changes that have taken place here in Northern Ireland over the past two years are amazing whether you agree or not, doesn’t cannot change the facts. I wonder what we are in for? - There are personal changes.
For some old age is creeping in for others children will face the 11 plus, new schools, new challenges, for others marriage for some young adulthood, employment, changes changes changes. “The times they certainly are a changing”
It is mind blowing if we sit down and considered all that has happened or that which could happen.
I thought as God’s people in this changeable world we need to be reassured of some certainties. The greatest certainty of all is the immutability of God.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”
It was said of Jesus Christ:
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.
Isn’t it good that no matter what the future holds he holds the future and he never changes?
There are many perfections or attributes of God that we draw comfort from but I would say this truth underpins them all.
- We all know that the Lord is gracious – but what if he could change?
- We all know that the Lord is forgiving- but what if he could change?
- We all know that the Lord protects his children – but what if he could change
- We all know how powerful God is – but what if he could change?
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”
This truth is borne out in scripture not only in the verse we read but we could mention
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
In all the changes that are going on and will go on our God never changes – “hallelujah, what a saviour!”
If God could change it would imply that he could get better it would imply that there was something missing. Our God by his very essence cannot and will not change.
When we think of this great text we are reminded of what God has done in the past I want just simply to think of three areas that affect our lives, and see what this text means to us as we face this New Year.
OUR COUNTRY
How God has blessed this land of ours for many years now the gospel has been preached from corner to corner souls have been saved, churches established, missionaries sent throughout the world from this tiny homeland of ours.
And yet it appears that things have changed no longer is there the fear of God in this land that there once was. No longer is Gods word held in reverence. It appears that as a nation we have turned our back on God.
But God says to this land of ours:
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”
2 Chron. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
This is a promise from an unchanging God. Some men may make promises and break them, give us assurances that there is nothing to support but this promise is from an unchanging God.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
We can rest on the promises of an unchanging God.
The unchanging God who never breaks his promise whose word never changes says to this land of ours –
2 Chron. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
J Barton Payne said of this verse- “It expresses Gods requirement for national blessing .whether in Solomon’s land or Ezra or ours.Those who believe must forsake their sin turn from the life that is centred in self and yield to Gods word and then and only then will heaven send a revival”.
How God would bless this land of ours if we as his people really humbled ourselves, prayed and repented.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”
As God blessed this land in the past he can still do it may this text encourage us all in this land of ours.
OUR COUNTRY
OUR CHURCH
As we look back over the last century. We can surely say that the Lord has blessed the work here in Grove, souls have trusted the Lord and have been baptised and added to the fellowship. The saints have grown in the Lord and some have gone from this place to serve the Lord elsewhere.
To this church this morning. The Lord says at this new millennium.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”
What the Lord had done in the past he can and still will do today.
1. Are we prepared to follow the church charter?
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2. Are we prepared to obey the great commission?
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
1 Cor. 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
What about the churches conduct?
Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
1 John 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”
What an assuring text we have before us this morning God has not changed have we?
1. COUNTRY 2. CHURCH
CONGREGATION
I want to make this text personal to you at the beginning of year 2000.
Could there be disappointments ahead for 2000?
Yes it is quite possible someone could let you down someone you counted on may not fulfill what is expected.
Our God is eternal that means that there was never a time he was not and he always will be. No matter who will let you down the Lord will always be there.
Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
I am the lord I change not the eternal God is your refuge.
Could there be times of doubt ahead?
Times when nothing seems clear any longer?
Times when we doubt whether we will make it through?
Philip. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I am the Lord I change not as I cared for you in the past I will not forsake you in the future .
Will there be difficulties ahead ?
Times when like Elijah we have to lie down the journey is too great for us.
But is not our God omnipotent?
Rev. 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
He is the all-powerful one
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
The power with which he made this world
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
The power with which he saved us
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
That power is available to us – Has he lost any of his power?
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”
Will decisions have to be taken?
Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Psalm 147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
Has time diminished his knowledge?
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
What blessed assurance for this new millennium. God is never surprised, amazed or taken unawares its good he is on our side.
For the disappointments- he is never a disappointment.
For the difficulties- nothing is too hard for him.
For the doubts – he will supply our needs.
For our decisions – he has perfect wisdom.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”
But let me finish with a word to the unsaved.
Perhaps you have entered this new millennium in darkness.
1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
God is absolutely and perfectly holy. Sin is an abomination to God
Deut. 25:16 For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.
I am the Lord I change not – unsaved friend this brings you no comfort for an unchanging God must punish sin. God must send sinners to Hell.
But this text brings some hope for you –
God keeps his promises –
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
“I am the Lord I change not,” if you call today at the beginning of this millennium you shall be saved.
Are you in darkness? “I am the Lord I change not” your sins will be punished by a holy unchangeable God. But if you will trust the Lord as your saviour because of Calvary you can be saved.
In this changeable world we are thankful for an unchanging God
Our country – can look to this unchanging God.
Our church can look to this unchanging God.
Our congregation can look to this unchanging God.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”.
©2002 Used by permission of the author.
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