Him We Proclaim

Galatians 2:1-10: Summary:Paul returns to Jerusalem, having spent 14 years preaching the Gospel among the Gentiles. His visit is couched in humility. He wants (and needs) still to be grounded in the Gospel. Remember, revelation over 'revelations.' While there, Titus the Greek becomes a case study in justification. Though false brothers slip in like serpents to spy out and throw down the churches' justified freedom in Christ, Paul stands his ground on the Gospel of grace and, in doing so, is backed by Peter, James, John, and the Judean churches. Titus needn't be circumcised to be justified. He's justified by faith in Jesus. Out of this unyielding stance, unity in the one Gospel for the whole world is strengthened. As ambassadors of the living, working Christ, they're together for the Gospel. The only added exhortation to Paul as he departs is the very thing he was eager to do: show no partiality in showcasing the charity of the Gospel he preaches. Therefore, ministry to the poor, those who could not give a return on the apostle's labors, was yet a Gospel priority for them all.

Sermon Outline:

Humility in service of the Gospel. (2:1-2)

Stability in service of the Gospel. (2:3-5)

Unity in service of the Gospel. (2:6-9)

Impartiality in service of the Gospel. (2:10)

Galations 1:11-24: Summary:

Paul continues to assert that he preaches God's Gospel. His source is the risen Jesus. In defense of this, Paul shares his testimony. Centrally, the eternal and sovereign grace of God applied, wherein Christ was effectually revealed to him, made Paul, yes, a Christian, but also an apostle and preacher, though former persecutor, of the Gospel of God's all-sufficient grace in Christ crucified and raised. Paul's understanding of the Gospel is divinely derived---and in no way distinct from the Christian churches and leaders in Jerusalem. The latter's time with Paul rendered only confirmation of the truth: Paul, our persecutor, is now Paul the preacher of the faith we hold in common. The ethnically Jewish churches of Christ trust this report, to the praise of the glory of His grace. Paul has believed and is now preaching the Gospel of God, and the Galatian churches would do best to give his correctives their whole heart.

Sermone Outline:

The source of the Gospel Paul preached. (1:11-12)

The story in defense of the Gospel Paul preached. (1:13-24)

Paul's conversion. (1:13-17)

Jerusalem's confirmation. (1:18-24)

Galatians 1:6-10: Summary:Paul showcases his love for these churches by reproving them as a father, his wayward children. Having begun by the sheer grace of God in Christ, these churches have begun to introduce merits (and demerits) into the equation of salvation, and Paul is astonished and agitated by this. He clarifies: to do this is not to continue in the Gospel. It's to turn from it to no Gospel at all. If you deny the sufficiency of Christ, you deny Christ, the all-sufficient Savior, Himself. There is one Gospel, but multiple distorters of that Gospel. It is the responsibility of the churches to know and safeguard this Gospel against any and everyone who would ever preach against it, Paul included. Again, he doesn't hold back. To preach a non-Gospel as Gospel is to draw down a curse from the apostle. It's to invite upon oneself the curse Jesus suffered for His people. If you say His work didn't suffice for it, you will find yourself under the brunt of it. At heart, faithfulness, as preachers and churches, is a matter of who we serve. If Man, we will bend to the errors that draw their praise; if Christ, we'll stand upon His Gospel, willing to be fools for Him.

Sermon Outline:

The reproofs in Paul's astonishment. (1:6-7)

a: In departing from the Gospel, you're deserting God. (1:6)

b: You're deleting the grace of Christ. (1:6)

c: You're denying your responsibility as churches. (1:7)

The rules of Gospel allegiance. (1:8-10)

a: Revelation over revelations. (1:8-9)

b: Message over messengers. (1:8-9)

c: God and Christ over Man. (1:10)

Galatians 1:1-5: Summary:Galatians begins with introductions that establish Paul's authority for giving necessary correction to Christ's churches against enemy incursions that would negate or nullify the saving truth of the Gospel. He's an apostle, and his apostleship is not of earth. It's from God through the risen Jesus. As the resurrection of Jesus establishes Paul's authority, Paul's apostleship acts as an apologetic or defense of Jesus' resurrection. He's to be heard with ears attuned to Jesus. What he says, he says to every true church. And what remarkable words! He speaks grace and peace to them from God and the risen Lord. And this greeting is rooted in an objective fact: the self-giving of Jesus, for our sins, to deliver us from the present evil age. The will of the Father to justify and sanctify a people for His glory has been manifest in the work of Jesus Christ. As Christians, Christ's work has sufficiently saved us. Let us never be moved in the slightest off this glorious grace and fact.

Sermon Outline:

Why Christ's churches should listen to Paul. (1:1-2)

What Christ's churches need to hear (and heed). (1:3-5)

Grace and peace to us. (1:3)

Through Christ's all-sufficient sacrifice. (1:4)

To the everlasting glory of God. (1:5)

Malachi 4:1-6: Summary:

By Malachi, the unchanging Lord of love addresses the distinction that will be made at the Day of the Lord. For the wicked, it will be as a burning oven, certain to set all the wicked ablaze without hope of regrowth. The same Day, for the righteous, will be as a healing sun. The light of Christ will disperse the darkness. Our wounds for His sake will be mended, our battle scars, renewed as youth, our tears, wiped forever away, our lives in His footsteps, once and for all vindicated. The righteous will rise and come out on top. Whether a soul is lost or found, let it be prepared. Let it be known that the Day is coming when such a distinction will be made. Let each and all remember the Law (live by the Word of God) and look for Elijah (John) who, by targeting the hearts of fathers, will make a people prepared for Christ. Can we, the Israel of God, do better in light of Christ's second coming? Ready yourself for the coming of the Righteous One by devoting yourself to righteousness.

Sermon Outline:

The coming Day of the Lord with respect to the wicked. (4:1)

The same Day with respect to the Lord's righteous ones. (4:2-3)

Preparations for the Day of divine distinction. (4:4-6)

a. Listen to Moses. (4:4)

b. Listen to ‘Elijah.’ (4:5-6)

Malachi 2:17-3:18: Summary:

There is an esteem for God that distinguishes the lovers of God in time and for eternity. Israel and his priesthood had failed at this point. They wearied God with their words as those who had wearied of God in their hearts. Once more, they'd lost touch with His love, and it showed. They questioned His justice, withheld His due, depreciated His service and, in these ways, shot themselves in the soul. But not without hope. Amazing. The Lord is coming to purify His people. He will establish justice. Yet never to be discounted, He's immutably patient, offering Himself to sinners in return for repentance---a faithfulness that looks beyond this world to the day that being faithful in all God's service now, trusting and treasuring through trial, will be forever vindicated.

Sermon Outline:

Israel's wearying words (and the Lord's distinguishing ones). (2:17-3:15)

a: Where is the God of justice?

b: How have we robbed Him?

c: What does it profit to serve Him?

God's Israel made visible, now and forevermore. (3:16-18)

Malachi 2:1-16: Summary:

Unfortunately, the sons of Levi have not followed in Levi's footsteps. Accordingly, God will curse their blessings. Their ministry, mighty in producing godless lives, will be disavowed of God's pleasure and power. Oh that they would have hearts for God that listened well and taught what was true to the good of souls. Because they didn't, the people didn't live faithfully. In their disregard for the sanctuary, they were faithless to one another, allowing idolatry to take root; more, in their lust for godless living, they also disregarded the sanctity of marriage and its aim: godly offspring. When God's ministers fail, marriages and families, home and church, these institutions intended to reflect the glory of the Gospel, are likely to crumble. Thankfully, we have a High Priest Who will never fail us and, in His mercy, He lives to make us a priesthood of believers devoted to a ministry with lasting power in the lives of those it envelopes.

Sermon Outline:

Levi's ministry, or a faithfulness to take to heart. (2:1-9)

Israel's failures, or a faithlessness to guard against. (2:10-16)

a. Faithlessness toward the sanctuary of God. (2:10-12)

b. Faithlessness toward the sanctity of marriage. (2:13-16)

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.