Malachi 1:1-14: Summary:

This book, mighty in zeal and reproof, accordingly begins with a declaration of God's love for Israel. This love is magnified by its contrast in the history of Esau and Edom, whom God hated. This opening scene is meant to fuel love for God, expressed in biblical worship; at the same time, however, it gives the reason (and rebuke) for Israel's polluted worship. They doubt the love of God. They've lost touch with it; and you cannot lose touch with the love of God for sinners without the corresponding corruption of worship. Setting aside His love is inviting evil to creep into a people's practice. Signifying a shift in one's zeal for the glory of God, it degenerates true worship by demanding less---from the clergy, from the congregation, from our lives, from our hearts. It makes our loving Lord worthy of less than our all. It muddies His reputation and, as He doesn't take kindly to that, as He will be feared among the nations, He will chastise an Israel that, for a loss of 'love that calls out to Love,' fails to be a looking-glass upon His divine greatness.

Sermon Outline:

The love of God for His people, stated and magnified. (1:1-5)

The lovelessness of that people for God, clarified and reproved. (1:6-14)

God despised when His altar is cheapened. (1:6-9, 13b-14)

God despised when upholding His worth is wearisome. (1:10-13a)

Putting the pieces together: Gospel-centered worship matters globally.

Haggai 2:1-23: Summary:The Lord sends Haggai with three more messages to support the people in the building of God's house and beyond it. He speaks first to the means of the House---serving in the strength that He supplies. He speaks next to the ministry of the House---its sanctifying effect in the life of His people. Finally, he speaks to the man of the House---by Zerubbabel, the Lord will resume the Davidic dynasty, effectively bringing His throne and His house together. He will bring about an exodus event by the regal authority of God---a prophecy that finds its fulfillment in the death and resurrection of Jesus. So we have a House built by God that sanctifies a people through the reign of Christ. The local church is a visible outpost of the Kingdom of God on earth.

Sermon Outline:

The means for God's house made glorious. (2:1-9)

The ministry of God's house made glorious. (2:10-19)

The master of God's house made glorious. (2:20-23)

Haggai 1:1-15: Summary:The Lord speaks through Haggai to a spiritually negligent people. They don't share the same concern of their covenant Lord for the glory of His house. Not recognizing the signs of His displeasure, they seek their profit in this world only to be perpetually frustrated by its returns. The Lord speaks to recenter their lives around Him, His glory, and Kingdom. Ever in His hands, the Sovereign of our circumstances proves the Sovereign of spirits, stirring them up to a work that, by its destruction, finally directs us to a true house of God that can never be destroyed, a house of greater glory - the Church of our risen Lord Jesus.

Sermon Outline:

Realigning hearts with the building of God's house. (1:1-11)

Advancing to action in the building of God's house. (1:12-15)

Applying Haggai 1 to the building of God's house today.

Zephaniah 3:1-20: Summary:Zephaniah pronounces woe on the people of God for a spiritual ugliness, spanning prophet, priest, and people. The primary indicator of death and decay? An unwillingness to be corrected by the Word of God; indeed, they turn attempted correction into accelerated corruption. In the midst of this, the remnant of grace may wonder, 'Will we ever see the beauty of the Lord upon His people again? Will we ever have cause again to joyfully sing aloud?' The first of two main imperatives, God charges His people to wait for His deliverance. He will judge all who have given truth a bad name. He will then create a new people bearing His loveliness, a praying, humble, sincere, well-fed, and fearless sheepfold from all the world; and as the Chief Shepherd is evidently in their midst, they're exhorted to sing aloud with all their heart. For those who mourn for it, He will create and sustain a people reflecting the radiance of His Almighty grace.

Sermon Outline:

Weeping over a people of God proving their rebelliousness. (3:1-8)

Singing over a people of God bearing His loveliness. (3:9-20)

Zephaniah 2:1-15: Summary:While the ungodly world gathers to play God, the remnant of grace gathers to seek the Lord, which is essential, both, to our preservation as God's true and distinctive people and, thereby, our evangelization of an ignorantly taunting world on the cusp of condemnation. It is quite the burden that Zephaniah is made to bear and unload, that while God's Word has been recovered and reformation seems to be underway, God's people must be warned of judgment with the world instead of celebrating the grace that's so obviously set them apart from within it. Outward reformation without inward regeneration and/or revival is not agreeable to saving faith.

Sermon Outline:

The ungodly world and the Lord's certain woes. (2:4-15)

The remnant of grace and the Lord's sanctifying remedies. (2:1-3)

Gather together, yes, gather.

To seek the Lord.

And keep at it---as you see the Day drawing near.

Believe, the Lord will be awesome for His own.

Zephaniah 1:1-18: Summary

The glorious creator of everything sends his word through Zephaniah. "I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth!" Turning on its head Israel's expectation that the Day of the Lord is a time for rejoicing, Zephaniah lays out the coming devastation the earth and its inhabitants will experience because of the sin of man, and more specifically, the sin of God's covenant people.

Nahum 3:1-19: Summary: Nahum continues to share God's oracle concerning Nineveh and Assyria's fate. Beginning with a woe concerning the bloody city, God puts judgment in perspective, focusing on the victims of Assyria's policies. Following are three taunts that reflect on Assyria's claims to power. Though strong, Nineveh will fare no better than its victims. Though sure of its military dominance, it will find no refuge in the day that the tables turn. Despite its long reach, its presence and impact will evaporate. And in the end, no one remains to mourn Assyria's downfall. All her victims rejoice to be free of her. So will God do to every empire that sets itself up against God's glorious and just reign.

Sermon Outline:

Woe - God versus city (3:1-7)

Taunt - God versus empire (3:8-17)

Dirge - God versus king (3:18-19)

Nahum 2:1-13: Summary: As Nahum continues to explain the vision, he sketches in detail the demise of Nineveh and the demise of the empire. Despite the seeming strength of Nineveh, it is already ready to topple. Unbeknownst to it, YHWH is already here. He chides them to prepare, but it is for nothing. The march to the city is a song of increasing ruin and failure, shaming Assyria's military might and aspirations, as well as the king's claims to provide for his people's security. Nineveh's commitment to violence, to idolatry, to glorying in its strength leaves room for nothing but judgment from God as he restores the hope of his people.

Sermon Outline:

hope (2:1-2)

unmitigated defeat (2:3-10)

the divine warrior (2:11-13)

Nahum 1:1-15: Summary: Nahum receives a vision from God. God arrives in glorious mastery of his creation, jealous, avenging, wrathful, and ready to judge those who would stand against him, to steal his glory. Yet, the master of all, the one who can pursue his enemies into darkness, is a stronghold for those who take refuge in him. Nahum is a master artist, a deft poet. His subject will one day bring the full weight of his wrath on those who oppose him, but in an act anticipating this final judgment, God utters destruction for Assyria and comfort to Judah - at least, a Judah that takes its refuge in the Lord of the day of trouble. It's great news for some, but devastating news for all those standing in opposition to a holy and just God.

Sermon Outline:

Opening credits (1:1)

The main feature (1:2-8)

The previews (1:9-15)

Jonah 4:1-11: Summary: God has relented, and Jonah is exceedingly angry about it. He has nothing good to say about the goodness of God's glory applied to the Ninevites. In fact, he'd rather the Lord take his life than live in a world where God's love envelopes the world. The gentleness of God with Jonah is divine. He asks him to reflect on whether he's doing well in being angry that a city of souls has been spared. While he stews outside the city, God comforts him beyond his ability to comfort himself. His kind sovereignty comes into prominent view. He appoints a plant, then a worm to kill it, then a wind to afflict the prophet, and all to make a point: Jonah's angry over grace removed from him, whereby he's made to experience a wilting wind, but he has no pity for graceless souls standing on the precipice of eternal judgment. Grace removed from him, anger; grace applied to Nineveh, anger. Dreadfully self-centered, he's invited to consider, over against a plant, God's heart for people. It's a final prod to cultivate a gracious, Christ-like heart. Will Jonah do it? What will we do? So the book ends. Salvation belongs to the Lord.

Sermon Outline:

Jonah angry with God. (4:1-3)

God gentle with Jonah. (4:4-11)

A question to expose Jonah. (4:4)

A provision to comfort Jonah. (4:5-6)

An affliction to test Jonah. (4:7-9)

A lesson to change Jonah. (4:10-11)