Chuck Smith addresses God's controversy with man as depicted in Malachi, emphasizing the people's misguided accusations against God, claiming that serving Him is futile and that the wicked prosper more than the righteous. He highlights that such sentiments often stem from a lack of true commitment to God, where individuals prioritize their own desires over divine service. Smith encourages believers to engage in conversations that honor God, illustrating the importance of fellowship and shared faith. Ultimately, he reassures that those who reverence the Lord are treasured by Him and will be spared in judgment.

"GOD'S CONTROVERSY WITH MAN" Intro: The book of Malachi deals with many controversies God had with the people. I. "YOUR WORDS HAVE BEEN STOUT OR STRONG AGAINST ME." A. "What have we said against you?" 1. They had made two basic charges against God. a. It doesn't pay to serve God (verse 14.. b. The wicked are better off than the righteous (verse 15.. B. I have heard people make these same charges against God. 1. Usually made by one who is not fully committed. a. To analyze their lives God is not first, THEY ARE. 1. They can't afford to give to God, but always seem to manage to spend on themselves. 2. They don't have the time, "to read the Word and pray, time for movies or television or magazines or whatever." 2. They have not truly served God. a. They have offered lip service. b. In reality they seek that God should serve them. 1. They are really saying God hasn't obeyed their commands. 2. He hasn't given me what I wanted. 3. If God is the Lord and you His servant, how is it that you want to always give the orders and never listen? 3. "It is vain to serve God, what profit to try to live right?" a. The dividends of the Christian life are not all given now. 1. Consider the eternal rewards of the righteous life vs sinful. 4. Those who live for themselves are happy, the wicked prosper and are better off. a. How do you know they are happy? b. The New Testament tells of a rich man who went away from Jesus sad. 5. What folly to charge God foolishly. a. I hate to hear it done, it hurts me. b. How much more must it hurt Him? II. THERE IS OTHER TALK GOING ON ABOUT GOD. A. They that reverence the Lord spake often one to another. 1. How beautiful to be in a fellowship where the conversation can be upon the Lord. 2. You can tell where a persons heart is - listen to what they want to talk about. a. New clothes, new jewelry, new furniture. b. What trite empty conversation pieces. 3. "Oh the Lord was so good to me this week." a. He freed me from a real fleshly hang-up, my motorcycle blew up. 4. It doesn't pay to serve God, it doesn't pay to live right my new bike blew up this week. B. God claims these as His, they are His treasure. 1. He promises to spare them in the day of judgment.