The question turns from God’s love for His people, to His people’s love for God.
God loves His children, those in Christ. The question is, do His children love Him? Malachi shares the complacent nature in which worship had become. The white hot passion for the glory of God was replaced by a weak attempt to go through the motions. Malachi leaves us with what not to do in 2017.
Cheapening the Greatness of God v.6
To fear the Lord is to be in awe of Him!
Matthew 15:8-9 ““‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Choosing Greed vv.7-9
John 12:4-5 “But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
God puts the responsibility upon the priest because they are to inspect the offerings prior to the sacrifice. Who is responsibility for your worship offering and sacrifice? 1 Peter 2:5 “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” If you are a Christian, it is your responsibility!
In 1 Samuel 2:12; 17 we see Eli’s two sons, priest who didn’t take the offering of worship seriously.
Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord.
Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord, for the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.
Closing the Gate to His Grander vv.10-11
Counterfeiting God’s Glory vv.12-14
John 12:32 “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
The worship of God should reflect the value we put upon it!
Worship should cost us our best! Time, money, effort, talents, rest!
Examples of Complacent Worship
– Comfortable Worship- Allowing worship style preferences to drive the service.
– Compromising Worship- Denying biblical instruction in order to appeal to the world. (People are thirsty for the truth. God’s Word is the living water) If left to their own choice, they choose junk food over nourishment.
– Comparison Worship- Comparing styles and differences in different churches.
– Comatose Worship- Not seeking the Holy Spirit to move or being too prideful to display His movement.
Getting ready to gather with God’s people is an important step before you go to church this weekend. Here are 10 “not’s” to remember as you go:
1. I have not prepared for worship if I haven’t prayed beforehand.
2. Church is not about me.
3. I cannot worship well if I have unconfessed, unforsaken sin in my life.
4. Worship through music is not about my preferences.
5. I do not know all the burdens my pastor carries to the pulpit.
6. The Bible is not just a book.
7. The gospel is not intended to make me feel comfortable.
8. I have not given sacrificially to God’s work until it costs me something.
9. If nothing changes in my life after the service, I have not genuinely worshiped God.
10. Many believers around the world will not have the privilege of worshiping that I have.
Christ-Centered Worship
Cost- getting up and preparing to worship physically, mentally, spiritually. If you prepare for work, but you don’t prepare for worship. Your priorities are out of balance.
Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Communicates- Is my heart prepared to hear from God. Are the detractions out of the way?
Connects (Closer in relationship through worship)
Conquers (causes repentance)
Conceives (gives birth to transformation)
God loves His children, those in Christ. The question is, do His children love Him? Malachi shares the complacent nature in which worship had become. The white hot passion for the glory of God was replaced by a weak attempt to go through the motions. Malachi leaves us with what not to do in 2017.
Cheapening the Greatness of God v.6
To fear the Lord is to be in awe of Him!
Matthew 15:8-9 ““‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Choosing Greed vv.7-9
John 12:4-5 “But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
God puts the responsibility upon the priest because they are to inspect the offerings prior to the sacrifice. Who is responsibility for your worship offering and sacrifice? 1 Peter 2:5 “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” If you are a Christian, it is your responsibility!
In 1 Samuel 2:12; 17 we see Eli’s two sons, priest who didn’t take the offering of worship seriously.
Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord.
Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord, for the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.
Closing the Gate to His Grander vv.10-11
Counterfeiting God’s Glory vv.12-14
John 12:32 “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
The worship of God should reflect the value we put upon it!
Worship should cost us our best! Time, money, effort, talents, rest!
Examples of Complacent Worship
– Comfortable Worship- Allowing worship style preferences to drive the service.
– Compromising Worship- Denying biblical instruction in order to appeal to the world. (People are thirsty for the truth. God’s Word is the living water) If left to their own choice, they choose junk food over nourishment.
– Comparison Worship- Comparing styles and differences in different churches.
– Comatose Worship- Not seeking the Holy Spirit to move or being too prideful to display His movement.
Getting ready to gather with God’s people is an important step before you go to church this weekend. Here are 10 “not’s” to remember as you go:
1. I have not prepared for worship if I haven’t prayed beforehand.
2. Church is not about me.
3. I cannot worship well if I have unconfessed, unforsaken sin in my life.
4. Worship through music is not about my preferences.
5. I do not know all the burdens my pastor carries to the pulpit.
6. The Bible is not just a book.
7. The gospel is not intended to make me feel comfortable.
8. I have not given sacrificially to God’s work until it costs me something.
9. If nothing changes in my life after the service, I have not genuinely worshiped God.
10. Many believers around the world will not have the privilege of worshiping that I have.
Christ-Centered Worship
Cost- getting up and preparing to worship physically, mentally, spiritually. If you prepare for work, but you don’t prepare for worship. Your priorities are out of balance.
Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Communicates- Is my heart prepared to hear from God. Are the detractions out of the way?
Connects (Closer in relationship through worship)
Conquers (causes repentance)
Conceives (gives birth to transformation)
Commissions- mobilizes us for the Great Commission