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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. QUESTION: DOES GOD LOVE ME?
A. DECLARATION OF GOD’S LOVE
Mal 1:2a “I have loved you,” says YHWH.
1. Demonstrated to Israel (Jer 31:3; Lam 3:22-23; Ps 145:3-4)
2. Demonstrated to Us Today (Eph 5:25-27)
B. CONTRADICTION OF GOD’S LOVE
Mal 1:2b But you ask, “How have You loved us?”
1. Contrary People of Israel (Ex 32:1-4; II Kings 17:6-9; Ezek 16:58-63)
2. Contrary People Today (Rev 3:17)
II. ANSWER: YES, GOD LOVES ME
A. FACT OF GOD’S LOVE
Mal 1:2c “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s [twin] brother?” declares YHWH. “Yet I loved Jacob
1. Choice of Israel (Gen 25:23)
2. God’s Plan Doesn’t Change (Zech 2:12)
B. CONTRAST OF GOD’S LOVE
Mal 1:3 but I hated Esau! I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.
1. Permanent Punishment (Ezek 25:12-14)
2. Encouragement/Hope for Israel
C. DEFIANCE OF GOD’S LOVE
Mal 1:4 If Edom says, ‘We are shattered but we’ll rebuild the ruins,’ then YHWH-Sabaoth replies, ‘They may build, but I will tear down; they will be called ‘The wicked country,’ and ‘The people with whom YHWH is eternally angry.’
1. Man’s Efforts are in Vain (Ps 103:10)
2. Rebels Then and Now (Psalm 2:1-4)
III. THEREFORE: GOD’S LOVE IS PRAISED
A. EXPLANATION OF GOD’S LOVE
Mal 1:5a Your own eyes will see this
1. Witness God’s Judgment/Grace (Rom 9:10-15)
2. Esau & Jacob DESERVED God’s Wrath (Ps 89:28-33; II Sam 7:13-14; Hab 3:2)
B. EXALTATION OF GOD’S LOVE
Mal 1:5b and you’ll respond ‘Great is YHWH beyond the border of Israel!’
1. Praise the Glory of His Grace (Titus 3:3-7; Eph 1:6; Rev 5:9-10)
2. Reveling in God’s Love (Rom 5:8; 8:35-39; John 3:16; I John 4:10)