Sermon Summary

This week, Pastor Chris continued in Malachi with a word on leaving a Godly legacy. Each of us are currently living a legacy and will leave it behind us when we pass away. The question is whether we will leave one of destruction or Godly blessing. A believer with a blessed legacy will live in such a way that counts for eternity. We are each part of a storyline that God the Father has been writing through His people that will last forever. 

Legacy: something handed down or received from an ancestor or predecessor. 

Faithful Legacy 

  • The legacy of the faithful is distinctly different than the wicked.
  • The legacy of the faithful are God’s treasured possession and listens to them.

Malachi 3:16–18 (ESV)

16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

Fear of the Lord: The awe and respect we have of the Lord, and the relationship we have with Him.

8 Blessings of the Fear of the Lord: 

  1. Will keep us on the path (Jeremiah 32:40). 
  2. Produces a secure household (Exodus 1:21). 
  3. Provides clarity and direction (Psalm 25:12). 
  4. Positions our hearts to receive answers (Hebrews 5:7). 
  5. Assures that God’s great goodness abounds (Psalm 31:19). 
  6. Promises angelic protection (Psalm 34:7). 
  7. Supplies His provision (Psalm 34:9). 
  8. Provides assurance of food (Psalm 111:5). 

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Destructive Legacy 

  • A destructive legacy is created when people are insistent that they don’t need God or His instructions.
  • A destructive legacy leads God to finally gives sinners everything they ever wanted – separation from Him.

Malachi 4:1 (ESV)

1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 

Godly Legacy 

  • The legacy of the Godly serve the Son of Righteousness who dispels the gloom, oppression, and injustice. 
  • The legacy of the Godly have joy in all circumstances. 

Malachi 4:2-3 (ESV)

2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. 

The Legacy Journey 

  • An indication of a blessed culture is one filled with men who treasure their children (4:6).

Malachi 4:4–6 (ESV)

4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

Ways Father’s Hearts are Turned Away: 

  • Ignoring them
  • Mistreating them 
  • Embittered with them

Ways Children’s Hearts are Turned Away: 

  • Rebellious
  • Disobedient 
  • Entitled 

Turn Your Heart to Jesus and Your Family:

  • Give Him and them your best. 
  • Be kind to them. 
  • Be gracious and patient, not critical.
  • Forgive and roll the burden onto God.

Want to Leave a Godly Legacy? 

  • Take responsibility to follow Christ.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

  • Take responsibility for your role as a husband.

“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” – Genesis 2:18

  • Take responsibility for your role as a father.

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4

  • Surrender and depend on God.

Discussion Questions

1. Ask yourself, if I went to be with the Lord tomorrow what would I be remembered for? Is this what you want to be remembered for? 

2. Pastor Chris said, “What we fear will control us.” Do you agree?

3. How would you define fear of the Lord? How is fear of man a snare for someone seeking to do God’s will?

4. Which of the 8 blessings of fear of God do you desire more of? 

5. What distinguishes a righteous versus wicked person (see Malachi 3:18)?

Application Questions

1. Have you strayed from the path of blessing and veered onto the path of destruction? Are you currently producing a destructive legacy? Get prayer with a friend or mentor this week. Repent and return to the Lord and His path of blessing for you.

2. Do you struggle with fear of man? Are you constantly concerned with what others think? Rebuke this scheme of fear and walk in the opposite spirit this week. Declare that you fear God and not man, in Jesus’ name. 

3. Meditate this week on the type of legacy you want to leave. Commit in your heart to live with eternity in mind and in the fear of the Lord.