Sermon Short for December 9th, 2018
COMING CLEAN
Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3:1-6, Luke 1:68-79
The prophets Malachi and John the Baptist are a good pair to talk about as we journey through Advent. They both talk about the coming of God. Oddly, though, they seem of mixed opinions: is this a good thing or a bad thing? I think of it as both.
The good news? Is there good news in Malachi? He not only warns of the judging advent of God into our lives, but also promises us God’s gracious refinement. The good news behind Malachi’s bad news is that God will not let us be until we are good.
And John came, an austere, embarrassing, convicting messenger of the Lord to prepare us for God’s grace; God’s cleansing to come in Jesus Christ. And we come now, continuing into Advent with the call to examine, refine and purify whatever there may be in us, which does not sit right with the idea of God coming into our lives.
COME CLEAN