The three assigned readings for Series C, 2nd Sunday of Advent are Malachi 3:1-7b; Philippians 1:2-11 and Luke 3:1-4 (15-20). Chosen to preach on is Malachi 3:3, “He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver, He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.”
Though the 2nd Sunday in Advent focuses on the work of John the Baptist, it is also a Sunday used by congregations to encourage proper stewardship. Verse 3 of Malachi 3 is suitable for both purposes as it speaks of making an offering to the Lord which He considers as pleasant. The key phrase to focus on in verse 3 is to make the offering “in righteousness.” The sermon could begin with the following questions, “Put your hand up if you are righteous enough to give an offering to the Lord?” Be prepared that rarely do any hands go up. Why?
Part of the reason for not thinking that we are righteous enough to give an offering to the Lord is because it sounds so self-righteous. Who really imagines that their works meet the demands of God to be credited as righteous? The problem with that reasoning is that once again we are thinking as human beings and not as God thinks. Part of the theme of www.lawgospel.com is that sermons are to be ways in which we help the listener to think like God. So let’s ask God the question as to whether or not we are righteous enough to give Him an offering.
The answer is found in Malachi 3 which speaks of the messenger who will be sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah of the new convenant. The text goes on to reveal that the Messiah will be the One Who will purify the sons of Levi so that the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the Lord. The sermon will need to point out how the listeners are considered by God to be part of the new Judah and Jerusalem and Israel from Romans 9. The other message is that the Messiah is going to save us without any contribution or cooperation on our part by suffering and dying on the accursed tree.
The ministry of John the Baptizer may also be included from Luke 3 with an explanation of how his ceremonial baptism can be contrasted with the Pentecost baptism. Reference can also be made to last week’s reading about the “LORD our righteousness” which robe of righteousness is given as a gift to us in the Pentecost baptism. One can also reference the epistle’s verse of Philippians 1:6 where it is revealed that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Again, the lawgospel theme is carried throughout the sermon that according to the Law we are never righteous enough by our own works to offer anything to God. But the Gospel promises reveal that through faith in Jesus Christ, we are considered by righteous in God’s sight! Is there anything else worth more than that?
Name:Tom Baker