Malachi 1:1-4:6 The Heart of God Reveals My Heart

Malachi 1:1-4:6 The Heart of God Reveals My Heart

We have gone through a series on the Minor Prophets. We have seen how the people of God should reveal God’s heart. Now, we take this to a more personal level. In the book of Malachi, there are a series of questions. These questions were asked by the people to the prophet. God answers through the prophet answers to these questions.

The seven questions in this book help us address seven different problems in our lives which God wants us to give to Him. I have taken the seven questions in Malachi and personalized them as reflective questions. The point of the book of Malachi is that the people of God did not show the heart of God. They needed a check-up on their hearts. They needed to see if their hearts lined up with God’s heart, when it came to His people. Is your heart in line with God’s heart today?

The test is to ask these questions and compare what has happened to you this year. No matter what your circumstances, we can all do a “yearly” spiritual heart check-up. So as we go these questions, we will take a brief moment to reflect and pray. While I would not expect anyone to share what they learn through this sermon, you are free to text your answer if you feel it would be helpful to the entire church.

1. Has God loved me? (1:1-5)

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you ask: “How have You loved us?” (Malachi 1:1, HCSB)

This question reveals my heart concerning LOVE.

2. Have I disrespected the name of the Lord? (1:6-2:9)

Yet you ask: “How have we despised Your name?” (Malachi 1:6, HCSB)

This question reveals my heart concerning WORSHIP.

3. Have I brought disfavor from God? (2:10-16)

Yet you ask, “For what reason?” (Malachi 2:14, HCSB)

This question reveals my heart concerning LEADERSHIP.

4. Have I questioned God’s justice? (2:17-3:6)

You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” When you say, “Everyone who does what is evil is good in the Lord’s sight, and He is pleased with them,” or “Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17, HCSB)

This question reveals my heart concerning RELATIONSHIPS.

5. From what wrong do I need to repent? How have I questioned God with my ignorance? (3:7-12)

“Since the days of your fathers, you have turned from My statutes; you have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts. But you ask: “How can we return?” “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!” You ask: “How do we rob You?” “By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions. (Malachi 3:7-8)

This question reveals my heart concerning FAITH.

6. Have I spoken arrogantly against God? (3:13-15)

“Your words against Me are harsh,” says the Lord. Yet you ask: “What have we spoken against You?” (Malachi 3:13, HCSB)

This question reveals my heart concerning RESPONSIBILITY.

7. How has my witness impacted others around me? (3:16-4:6)

“At that time those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name.” (Malachi 3:16, HCSB)

This question reveals my heart concerning HOPE.

As we wrap up this series, I want us to reflect on our lives and God’s part in it. Let’s share any testimonies we may have in which God has been speaking to us or has helped us.

How has God shared His heart with you this year?

Take a look at these seven questions. As Christians, the question to ask is if my heart lines up with God’s heart? Let’s make the next day, the next week, even the next year a time when we reveal God’s heart through our lives.