“Don’t Give God a Headache”

Malachi 2:17-3:5

8/22/10

Just watched movie Devin recommended: “Legion”

 God was fed up w/ human race: decided to wipe us all out: angels sent to destroy

 number of theological points in movie that bothered me: Hollywood, not AAR

but left me wondering: what would we have to do in order for God to give up on us?

 is it even possible for God to stop loving us?

 don’t think so: cares about every detail of our lives: even counts hairs on your head

 infinitely patient: never gives up on us as struggle w/ sin, grow in discipleship

But according to Malachi, we can annoy God: give him a headache

 wear him out w/ with our words: what we say to him, about him

 Bible tells us we don’t need longwinded high oratory to get Lord’s attention

 simple prayer, offering in private, is what God wants

 or even better: for us to shut up when praying: listen to what he has to say to us

True, but according to Malachi, that’s not what makes God want to pull out his hair

Ever happen to you? feel blood pressure rising as listen to someone

believe talk radio is major source of hypertension in our nation

 no matter what political stripe we are, some pundits that annoy, frustrate, outrage

 can’t believe anyone would believe such ridiculous drivel

don’t need to enter realm of politics to experience this kind of irritation

 family member, neighbor, friend, co-worker, classmate who makes no sense?

 not that can’t understand what saying: what saying outrageous or disconnected

did it to Devin recently: asked to clean out mailbox on front of fridge: full to overflowing

 made no logical sense to him: no reason for me to want him to do that

 completely outrageous request on my part: could barely express frustration

Malachi told listeners: that’s what we do to God: give him headache w/ our words

didn’t have clue were doing it: asked how they were bothering God

Two examples: things that we & others continue to say today

 still making God want to reach for Advil

First: get sense of right & wrong confused, lose moral, ethical, spiritual compass

 "All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them"

 have particular issues we want God’s blessing upon, but blind to others

recent editorial about GA

 critical of supporters of homosexual ordination: refuse to accept God’s standards

 ridiculed “morality police” for condemning Caterpillar: armored bulldozers to Israel

 wanted church to enforce God’s morality when it comes to sexual standards

 but keep silent about ethical implications of what corporation does

 raise this example not to debate homosexual rights or Middle East politics

 but to show sometimes keenly aware of right & wrong in some situations, not others

Even worse: rearrange right & wrong to suit our fancy, best interests

 then try to find way to convince selves & others that God agrees w/ us

 those who disagree are dangerous, evil, godless

tempting & dangerous weapon: claim you’re speaking for God

 when actually trying to promote your side, try to support w/ God, Bible, religion

 that kind of stuff really gets under God’s skin

Second way that weary God w/ words: not just replace God’s will w/ our preferences

question if God is doing anything at all: "Where is the God of justice?"

 when see tragedy or injustice in world, ask “why doesn’t God do anything about it?”

 or assume God can’t or won’t: “things getting worse, nothing we can do about it”

natural at point of crisis to ask “where was God when baby died, hurricane hit?”

 that’s not what bothers God so much

 ticks him off when clear-headed & dry-eyed, act as though God absent or indifferent

 you’re good church-going people: would never say it: but may live like it

 take care of yourself, cause no one else will: can’t count on God to take care of

 that’s what sets God off like fingernails on chalkboard

Through Malachi, tells us he’s going to do something about it

 won’t quit loving us & send avenging angels to destroy, like movie

 but is going to act: silence both kinds of comments that annoy him so much

those who wonder where God of justice is will see it overwhelm world

those who confuse their desires for will of God will see him set everything straight

God will come directly & act to change world: will clean house, literally

 revisits topic from earlier in book: slipshod work of temple priests

 would purify them: make them kind of servants that God wants: pure & holy

good news, right? well, not if think about what it takes to purify

 get rid of impurities in precious metal by burning off in refiner’s fire

 eliminate stains from fine linen by washing bleach

not much fun! downright painful when God purifies his servants, you and me

 doesn’t mean simple & easy for us: discipleship involves difficulty at times

 X’s redeeming work in us to burn away impurities, scrub out stains of life

Malachi’s prediction: when God comes, will denounce evil for what it is

 set record straight for those who had turned morality in political football

lists several offenders in particular: may see selves in this

· Sorcerers: try to manipulate physical and spiritual world for their own purposes.

· Adulterers: violate the marriage covenant, most intimate human relationship.

· Perjurers: those who will say anything to advance their cause.

· Labor defrauders: those who refuse to pay people fairly for their work.

o employers and consumers

· Oppressors: fail to protect and care for vulnerable members of society

· Deprivers of justice: think some people have less rights than others

As Xns, know Malachi’s prediction fulfilled in Jesus: God came to earth

 re-emphasized moral order, demonstrated justice: mercy & grace

challenge for us: not to slip into cynical religiosity that he came to get rid of

 make sure we don’t give him a headache