Religious Hypocrisy and the Coming of Christ

I. The Symptoms of His People's Religious Hypocrisy - Mal. 1--3
A. Found in our perceptions
1. A misconception of the Lord's love - Mal. 1:2
B. Found in our reactions
1. Being defensive because of obsession
a) "In what way have You loved us?" - Mal. 1:2
b) "In what way have we despised Your name?" - Mal. 1:6
c) "In what way have we defiled You?" - Mal. 1:7
d) "In what way have we wearied Him?" - Mal. 2:17
e) "In what way shall we return?" - Mal. 3:7
f) "In what way have we robbed You?" - Mal. 3:8
g) "What have we spoken against You?" - Mal. 3:13
C. Found in our attitudes
1. Lack of honor and respect toward God - Mal. 1:6
2. Lack of appreciation for the things of God - Mal. 1:7-8
3. Offering mere lip-service - Mal. 1:9
4. Mercenary service - Mal. 1:10
D. Found in our worship
1. Profaning worship by our actions - Mal. 1:12
2. Becoming routine and tiresome - Mal. 1:13
3. Becoming hypocritical - Mal. 1:14
E. Found in how we handle the Word of God
1. Heartless and disgraced - Mal. 2:1-2
2. Showing partiality - Mal. 2:8-9
F. Found in improper relationships
1. Profaning the Lord's holy ordinance of marriage - Mal. 2:10-12
2. Dealing treacherously with divorce - Mal. 2:13-16
G. Found in our evaluations
1. Misrepresenting God's character - Mal. 2:17
H. Found in how we handle money
1. Robbing God - Mal. 3:8-10
I. Found in our words
1. Harsh words that undermine living for God - Mal. 3:13-14
2. Words that are not righteous - Mal. 3:15
II. God's Unchangeable Love and His Promises for His People - Mal. 1--4
A. The way God loves His people
1. Based on His election in the past - Mal. 1:1-3 (cf. Rom. 9:11-14)
2. Based on hope in the present - Mal. 1:2, 5
3. Based on a heritage in the future despite failure - Mal. 1:2-3, 5; 3:6
a) The example of Edom without a future - Mal. 1:3-5
B. The promises for His people
1. The promise of true worship - Mal. 1:11; 3:2-4
a) Continuous - Mal. 1:11a
b) Universal - Mal. 1:11b
c) Pure - Mal. 1:11c
d) A testimony - Mal. 1:11d
e) Based on righteousness - Mal. 3:2-3
f) Pleasant - Mal. 3:4
2. The promise of a forerunner (John the Baptist) - Mal. 3:1a; 4:5-6
a) The messenger preparing the way - Mal. 3:1a (cf. Matt. 11:7-15)
b) Elijah the prophet - Mal. 4:5-6
3. The promise of the coming Christ - Mal. 3:1b-3; 4:2
a) The Lord to His temple - Mal. 3:1b
b) The Messenger of the covenant - Mal. 3:1c
c) The Refiner - Mal. 3:2-3
d) The Sun of Righteousness rising with healing in His wings - Mal. 4:2
4. The promise of an open heaven - Mal. 3:10-12
a) Financial blessing - Mal. 3:10
b) Earthly blessing - Mal. 3:11
c) Becoming a blessing on the earth - Mal. 3:12
5. The promise of becoming His jewels - Mal. 3:16-18; 4:6
a) By constant fellowship - Mal. 3:16a
b) By esteeming His name - Mal. 3:16b
c) By being possessed by the Lord - Mal. 3:17a
d) By being spared - Mal. 3:17b
e) By being one who serves God - Mal. 3:18
f) By being turned to God's original purpose with the patriarchs - Mal. 4:6
6. The promise of the Day of the Lord - Mal. 3:17; 4:1, 3-5
a) A day of judgment for the wicked - Mal. 4:1, 3
b) A day of reward for the righteous - Mal. 3:17
c) A day of the "two witnesses" - Mal. 4:4-5
(Moses and Elijah, cf. Rev. 11:3-4)