Chapter 4 winds up Malachi's prophecy and brings to a close the Old Testament. Here we read of the day when Yahweh -acts- - also known as -the Day of the LORD,- a recurrent theme in the OT. We learn that this Day is certain and it will be a day of fiery punishment on sinners but a day of joy and victory for God-fearers-believers. Before that Day Yahweh will send -Elijah,- a prophecy which Jesus affirms is fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist. This Day in which God acts in judgment and salvation will be great and awesome.

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The Day God Acts

On the eighth day after his birth from Mary in Bethlehem Jesus received his name at the time of his circumcision. This name had been chosen by God and conveyed, first to Mary, and later to Joseph by the angel- You shall call his name Jesus --Yeshua- in Hebrew- for he will save his people from their sins. Both Jesus' personal identity and his mission or work are in his name- Yeshua -Hebrew- or Jesus -English- means Yahweh is salvation.

Jesus Gets His Name

In the midst of the unbelief and rebellion of the people of Judah we see a godly remnant does exist. They fear Yahweh and desire to serve him. These are fundamental and key aspects of a relationship with God - to fear -reverence- him and serve him - this brings glory to God and good to ourselves.

Fearing and Serving Yahweh

There is One who hears our every word, our conversations with one another. Our words betray our attitudes, our thoughts. God regards with great seriousness what we say about him. The writing of the prophet Malachi forcefully illustrates this truth.

The Listener

The giving of tithes and offerings was an integral part of OT worship, yet these Hebrews of Malachi's day had proven faithless to the covenant in this matter also. This sermon examines that situation and also some of the issues for the Christian church in the matter of tithes and offerings under the New Covenant.

Honoring Yahweh in Tithes and Offerings

John's account of the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth is unique in the gospel narratives. It is the last one produced and as an eyewitness to Jesus teachings and actions he selects 7 sign miracles in which Jesus showed his glory as the incarnate Word. He also records 7 I Am statements of Jesus related to the very name of God, Yahweh, I AM THAT I AM.-John uses the psalms, law and prophets to show Jesus as the Promised One, the Messiah. The covenant Lord himself come in the flesh, a true human and true deity. His purpose is clearly stated- John 20-30-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book- 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Telling the Story 3- John Book of Signs

In this passage Yahweh gives an answer to the people's complaint, -Where is the God of justice-- God responds by saying that he will send a -messenger- to prepare for his own coming and the divine one who would come is -The Messenger of the Covenant.- This One would bring messages from God to the people regarding His nature and will, as well as the proper response they must have- repentance from sin and faith in God. In addition, this Messenger would establish the covenant by his own blood, purify God's people from sin, and come to judge the world. This Messenger from God is Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Messenger of the Covenant

Although we do not know the day of the year in which was born of Mary we do know what happened on the eighth day of his life. In fact two very significant things transpired. First he was circumcised and thus formally entered into the covenant God made with Abraham and his offspring and he cam under the law covenant God made with Israel by the hand of Moses. This message answers two questions. What is the meaning of Jesus' circumcision- His circumcision involves not just him but as the fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. The second question is how do the deeds done by Christ in our behalf become a reality in our lives-

The Eighth Day- Jesus' Circumcision

The people of Judah were confronted by Yahweh because they were faithless to one another, to him, and to their wives. What is the antidote for faithlessness by God's people- It is to remember the nature of our God- he is unswervingly faithful. Likewise Christ was totally faithful to his Father in the mission to redeem the elect. And the apostles were devoted to faithfulness to Christ - most of whom died as martyrs in their glad devotion to their Savior. Self-denying faithfulness is the way of joy in the Christian life - nothing less will do.

Be Not Faithless

How do you begin to tell the narrative of Jesus of Nazareth son of Mary in the days of his ministry- There are four gospel narrative accounts and Luke is one of them. He begins with the birth narratives and continues in an orderly sequence to Jesus resurrection and ascension. His narrative uses certain key names or titles to communicate who Jesus is and what he came to do.

Telling the Story -2 Luke

Perhaps at no other time of year is good Biblical theology sung as it is during the Christmas season. There is much fluff in some Christmas songs that has little to do with Jesus and the coming of Messiah but there are a number of Christmas- Advent hymns that carry the message of who Jesus is and why he came and the result of our faith in him. This podcast considers two of Charles Wesley incarnation hymns- Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus and Hark- the Herald Angel Sings.

Christmas Hymns Theology

One of my favorite hymns is -I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art- or modern English I Greet You Who Are My Sure Redeemer. In this episode we read and explore the meaning of the text. It is a personal word addressed directly to the Lord Jesus whom we acknowledge to be our Redeemer Savior King who did suffer for us. We turn to him to request what we need most in light of his glorious person and nature. --Hymn attributed to John Calvin--I greet thee, who my sure Redeemer art,-My only trust and Saviour of my heart,-Who pain didst undergo for my poor sake--I pray thee from our hearts all cares to take.--Thou art the King of mercy and of grace,-Reigning omnipotent in every place--So come, O King, and our whole being sway--Shine on us with the light of thy pure day.--Thou art the life, by which alone we live,-And all our substance and our strength receive--O comfort us in death's approaching hour,-Strong-hearted then to face it by thy pow'r.--Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness,-No harshness hast thou and no bitterness--Make us to taste the sweet grace found in thee-And ever stay in thy sweet unity.--Our hope is in no other save in thee--Our faith is built upon thy promise free--O grant to us such stronger hope and sure-That we can boldly conquer and endure.--Words-public domain

A Personal Word to Jesus

On the 8th day of his birth, according to the Law, Jesus was circumcised and also given given his name. Both Mary and Joseph were told by divine messengers to call him -Jesus.- We learn that this is the Greek equivalent of -Joshua- in the Old Testament which means -Yahweh is salvation.- So the name -Jesus- given to the infant of Mary is saying that this is Yahweh who has come in the flesh to bring salvation to his people. Jesus' name thus encapsulates the divine greatness of his person and work.

The Magnificent Name of Jesus

How do you begin to tell the story, the narrative of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Mary and Messiah. We have four written narratives in the New Testament. Two are written by direct apostles who travel with Jesus during the 3 years of his ministry, Matthew also called Levi and John. Two are written by close associates of apostles. Mark related the memories and preaching of Peter. Luke is a close associate and travel companion with Paul. He uses personal historical research to give an orderly account. Then we have a fifth narrative of Jesus current ministry in heaven based on the fulfillment of the Old Covenant by Jesus in the Epistle to the Hebrews. All these writings we refer to as the Gospel. They have the power when received in faith to connect us to God in Jesus his unique Son.

Telling the Story -1 Matthew and Mark

Gift giving is often an activity of the Christmas season. But it can be very superficial and phony. How do we assess our giving- We ask hard questions of ourselves and give honest response before God. Here are some questions to help us in this process.

Christmas Gift Assessment

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