'The Last Ten Words' - Ronald L. Dart
Sermon delivered by Ronald L. Dart - 2/5/00
---
Do you know the last ten words of the Old Testament? Here they are: “...lest I come and smite the earth with a curse" (Malachi 4:6)
These words lay out starkly what the stakes are in this game we are playing. Crises make good drama, and extermination of all life on the planet is the ultimate crisis. But Malachi isn't talking about a movie. Neither was Jesus when he said, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. ... For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
The world is becoming a very confusing place. Churches are changing before our eyes in ways we never imagined possible. Doctrines of an eternity in hell used to scare people in the ancient world don't really work anymore, so preachers are having to reconsider.
The result of all this is a kind of confusion, and the most common response to confusion is inaction. When you don't know what to do, it is not entirely irrational to do nothing. It may not be irrational, but it can be fatal. And that is the warning of Malachi & Jesus. Utter destruction is in our future. Unless...And it is the "unless" that I want you to think about today.
---
Do you know the last ten words of the Old Testament? Here they are: “...lest I come and smite the earth with a curse" (Malachi 4:6)
These words lay out starkly what the stakes are in this game we are playing. Crises make good drama, and extermination of all life on the planet is the ultimate crisis. But Malachi isn't talking about a movie. Neither was Jesus when he said, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. ... For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
The world is becoming a very confusing place. Churches are changing before our eyes in ways we never imagined possible. Doctrines of an eternity in hell used to scare people in the ancient world don't really work anymore, so preachers are having to reconsider.
The result of all this is a kind of confusion, and the most common response to confusion is inaction. When you don't know what to do, it is not entirely irrational to do nothing. It may not be irrational, but it can be fatal. And that is the warning of Malachi & Jesus. Utter destruction is in our future. Unless...And it is the "unless" that I want you to think about today.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Believe That Nothing Is Too Hard for the Lord
When we begin listing all God has done, it helps remind us that, truly, there is nothing too hard for Him.
Top Music Videos
Christian News
The latest news and hot topics trending among Christian music, entertainment and faith life.