THIS COMMANDMENT IS FOR YOU

MALACHI 2:1-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

“Wait Brother Rick, this is for the priests.” “That’s right- but who are the priests today?” “Baptists don’t have priests.” “Wrong. Baptist churches do not have priests, but one of the hallmarks, yea, one of the distinctive of Baptists is that they believe in the Bible doctrine of the priesthood of the believer.”

1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

I. THE WARNING [v. 1-3]

1. Do not Listen? [v. 1-2a]

Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

2. Do not Learn? [v. 2b, Jer. 12:7-17]

3. Do Not Linger! [v. 2c-3]

II. THE WAY [v. 4-7, Isaiah 30:21]

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

1. A Holy Origination [v. 4-5, 2 Peter 1:21]

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2. A Holy Expression [v. 5-6, Amos 3:3] Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

3. A Holy Expectation [v. 7, Romans 6:1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

III. THE WICKEDNESS [v. 8-10]

1. Far Reaching Corruption [v. 8, Mark 9:42]

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

2. Far reaching Consequences [v. 9, Psalms 18:21, 119:168]

For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee

3. Far Reaching Considerations [v. 10, Galatians 6:10]

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.