3:16: Close To The Heart Of God

 

Series Summary

In this series, called 3:16, we will be exploring several significant passages in the Bible that are located at the 3:16 chapter and verse marker in their respective books. These passages cover a wide range of variety, from a variety of authors, covering a variety of topics, through a variety of time periods of Israel’s and the church’s history. The only common denominator in this series is where each of those passages is located in the Bible, at a 3:16 mile marker. You likely already know that all Scripture is inspired by God. That fact is stated in 2 Timothy 3:16, which is one of the 3:16’s we’ll look at in this series. But while all Scripture is inspired, the chapter and verse designators are not. Those came later – the Old Testament around the 13th century, and the New Testament a little later. They were added to help make it easier to find a particular passage, especially when someone was trying to manipulate a bulky, awkward scroll instead of a book. But, even though the verse numbers aren’t inspired, it’s curious that so many weighty passages are found at the 3:16 mile marker. Maybe God knew that we needed some things to be easy to remember. In this series, we will be looking at several different passages that are found at 3:16, in different books of the Bible. In some cases, we may only look at the verse, or maybe two or three. For others, we may need a good portion of the chapter in order to understand it completely. But all of them are found at the 3:16 point. Among the 3:16's we'll examine are John, Genesis,  Proverbs, Colossians, Daniel, Ephesians, 1 Peter, 2 Timothy, and more. It'll be unique. It’ll be enlightening. And we hope you’ll join us as we examine the 3:16’s of the Bible!

Sermon Summary

In Malachi, at the end of the Old Testament, we see a brief description of what God's people were called to, but not living up to. Malachi offers them a glimpse of how their lives should be. In verses 16-18, he highlights that being close to the heart of God starts with reverence and faithfulness. He describes those who fear the Lord as a community who gather together to talk about him, to worship him, and to grow in their faith together. And God takes special notice of them. He writes their names in a “book of remembrance,” showing that he cherishes those who seek him. To be close to God begins with a heart that honors him, seeking to live in a way that reflects his character. God promises to show his people compassion, calling them his treasured possession. He assures the Israelites, as well as his church today, that their faithfulness does not go unnoticed. Our response should be to follow through with the instructions that Malachi gives Israel, to live in community with one another, and to seek him in every aspect of our lives.