Malachi, chapter number two.
Scripture Reference
“And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them unto him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 2:1-7)
Introduction
Sermon Title: “What Would God Say About You”
Preacher: Dr. Terry LeQuieu
Malachi chapter 2 confronts the priests of Israel with sharp words from the Lord — not only warning of curses for disobedience but also highlighting a legacy in Levi that honored God. While Malachi wrote to Israel’s priests, the New Testament teaches Christians that we are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Thus the message applies to every believer: God evaluates our reverence, our speech, our separation, our relationship with Him, and the fruit our lives produce. The question the preacher presses us to answer is blunt and personal: if God were to speak about you, what would He say?
“What would God say about you?”
Quote from Preacher
“What would God say about you?”
Outline
- Reverence Revealed — The Reverence That Levi Showed
The Scripture says “the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.” Reverence is not mere knowledge of God; it is a heart attitude that produces obedience. Dr. LeQuieu summarizes this as a “belief that behaves.” You can hear sermons constantly, but unless you take them to heart they will be noise. Genuine reverence motivates holy living and safeguards blessing; refusal to lay truth to heart brings divine correction and even cursing of blessings (Malachi 2:1–3).
- Practical meaning — Fear of God produces obedience, consistent choices, and a lifestyle that honors Him.
- Warning — Hearing without heart application invites God’s discipline; blessings can be turned into trials when we persist in disobedience.
- Speech That Speaks Truth — The Respect With Which Levi Spoke
“The law of truth was in his mouth.” What’s in the heart issues through the mouth (Matt. 12:34). Levi spoke God’s truth because he had God’s Word in his heart. The priest’s role was to communicate divine truth accurately, not to offer personal opinion over God’s Word. The church still needs leaders and members who value Scripture as authoritative and who let truth shape speech and teaching (Mal. 2:6; Acts 6:2–4).
- Practical meaning — Fill your heart with Scripture (Ps. 119:11); your speech will follow and point others to God.
- Application for leaders — Shepherds must prioritize prayer and study so they can give sound doctrine; members must discern Word-based teaching from mere opinion.
- Righteousness in Separation — The Righteousness of Levi’s Separation
Levi’s separation from sin was visible: “iniquity was not found in his lips.” Christian separation is not isolation; it is holiness lived out “from” the world and “unto” God (2 Cor. 6:14–7:1). When we separate unto the Lord we accept His promises and change our behavior. True separation produces consistent living that resists apostasy and apathy.
- Practical meaning — Separation demands both refusal of sin and intentional pursuit of God’s ways (Rom. 12:1–2).
- Caution — Separation without being “unto God” will leave a void; always replace what you leave behind with devotion to Christ.
- Relationship Reflected — Levi’s Walk With God
God testifies, “he walked with me in peace and equity.” The greatest testimony is a life that walks with God. Walking with God produces everyday evidence: conversation, priorities, choices, and presence. A hidden Christian life will be revealed by consistent obedience, private devotion, and public fruit. The question is not only what you say on Sunday but what your life shows Monday through Saturday.
- Practical meaning — Cultivate private devotions and public faithfulness so your walk with God is unmistakable.
- Family and witness — Show your children, coworkers, and friends a genuine walk; your lifestyle becomes a sermon.
- Result of Service — Turning Others From Iniquity
Because Levi walked with God, he “did turn many away from iniquity.” Authentic Christianity influences others. You may not see immediate fruit, but faithful living, encouragement, and small acts (phone calls, texts, consistent example) are means God uses to draw others from sin to Christ. Service in the shadows often yields lasting fruit in lives and families.
- Practical meaning — Your faithfulness matters; you are an instrument in God’s hand even when you feel unnoticed.
- Encouragement — Keep investing in people; God multiplies faithful seeds beyond what you see.
Summary
God’s indictment of corrupt priests in Malachi is serious: God will curse those who refuse to lay His commands to heart; He will transform blessings into judgment when people persist in disobedience. Yet God also commemorates those who stood for Him. Levi’s legacy—reverence, truthful speech, righteous separation, a walking relationship with the Lord, and fruit that turned others from sin—offers a blueprint for what God wants of His people. The core call is practical and personal: let belief behave, let Scripture rule speech, separate unto God, walk with the Savior, and serve so others are drawn from iniquity.
Quote to Ponder
“We need a belief that behaves.”
Application for the Week
Practical, specific steps to respond to this message. Pick one or two to work intentionally on this week and ask a friend or accountability partner to check in with you.
- Daily Devotion Commitment
Set aside 15–30 minutes each morning or evening to read Scripture and pray. Focus this week on Malachi 2 and Psalm 119:11. Write one truth you will apply each day and record a short sentence in a notebook describing how it changed a choice or attitude.
- Speak Truth — Monitor Your Mouth
Before speaking, ask: “Will this glorify God?” If you catch yourself repeating worldly talk, stop and replace it with a Scripture verse or a prayer. Aim to memorize one short verse this week (e.g., Matthew 12:34 or Psalm 19:14) to help renew your speech.
- Practice Separation — Remove one temptation
Identify one habit, app, relationship, or entertainment that is leading you toward compromise. Remove or limit it this week and replace that time with reading the Bible, serving, or praying. If you are unsure, ask a mature believer to advise you.
- Public Walk, Private Devotion
Take one public step this week that shows you walk with God: invite a coworker to church, share a brief testimony with a friend, or serve on a ministry team. At the same time, increase private devotion (Bible + prayer) so the public action is rooted in authentic relationship with Christ.
- One Act of Encouragement
Contact someone who influenced your faith (a teacher, deacon, Sunday school teacher) and thank them. Or reach out to a younger believer or teenager with a short encouraging message and prayer. Small acts turn many away from iniquity.
- Assess Your Assurance
If you have any doubt about salvation, speak to a pastor or trusted Christian today. Review Romans 10:9–10 and ask for prayer. The preacher invited those unsure to come to the altar; do not delay securing your standing before God.
Lord willing, take one or two of these steps seriously this week. Ask God to make the words true of you: that you reverence Him, speak His truth, separate unto Him, walk with Him, and by His grace turn others from iniquity. If God were to open the book and speak of you, what would He say? Make that answer the prayer of your heart this week.
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