Stand Firm and Win Your Souls

• Malachi 3:13–4:6
• Psalm 98
• II Thessalonians 3:6–16
• Luke 21:5–19

Malachi 3:13–4:6 (NLT)

¹³ “You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord.

“But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’

¹⁴ “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? ¹⁵ From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’ ”

·        “God, what good does it do to be good?”

·        God reminds us that though he’s withholding his judgment for now, there is an expiration date

¹⁶ Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.

¹⁷ “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. ¹⁸ Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

^4:1 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

² “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. ³ On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

·        It feels like you’re getting stepped on right now, God says it won’t always be like that

o   So be good. Don’t give up!

⁴ “Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant—all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel.

Ps 98 is all about God winning the victory against evil, and that his justice is good

Psalm 98 (NLT)

¹ Sing a new song to the Lord,

for he has done wonderful deeds.

His right hand has won a mighty victory;

his holy arm has shown his saving power!

² The Lord has announced his victory

and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!

Psalm 19:1–4 (NLT)

¹ The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

The skies display his craftsmanship.

² Day after day they continue to speak;

night after night they make him known.

³ They speak without a sound or word;

their voice is never heard.

⁴ Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,

and their words to all the world.

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.

Romans 1:20 (NLT) For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

2 Peter 3:9b-10a (NIV) [God] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ¹⁰  But the day of the Lord will come…

⁷ Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!

Let the earth and all living things join in.

⁸ Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!

Let the hills sing out their songs of joy

⁹ before the Lord,

for he is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with justice,

and the nations with fairness.

·        Who isn’t glad that God will bring justice and judgment? (MULTILINE)

·        So in the meantime, live your lives the way you should

2 Thessalonians 3:6–16 (NLT)

⁶ And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.

·        Meaning: Build your lives on the foundation (tradition) of the Apostles

¹¹ Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. ¹² We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. ¹³ As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

·        It’s by learning to be obedient to Christ in everyday situations that we grow/mature into people that need not fear God’s judgment

Philippians 2:12b (NIV) …continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…

·        Not “figure out how to receive salvation”

·        Paul was writing to  “all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons” (v1:1)

·        You already have salvation if you believe in Jesus

·        Bring to the surface the holy new life God has planted in you

By Standing Firm, You will Win Your Souls

Luke 21:5–19 (NLT)

⁹ And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.”¹⁰ Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.

¹² “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.

¹³ But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.¹⁴ So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,¹⁵ for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!¹⁶ Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you.

¹⁷ And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.

·        You who follow me will be persecuted for following me

o   By the government

o   By friends and family

o   And culture will be against you – everyone will hate you

o   Some of you will be killed

¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish!

o   Even if this body is killed, you’ll live on – and you’ll get a better body in the resurrection

¹⁹ By standing firm, you will win your souls.”

·        By bearing up in difficult circumstances you will “gain” your whole soul/being/mind-will-emotions

o   Hard times are meant to be transformative

o   It’s a big deal to stay faithful in little ways