All Churched Out Series

“All Churched Out” Malachi Series Pt. 3 July 7, 2013

Introduction

A Malachi’s message is addressed to the priests who served/ministered in the Temple under the old covenant.

1 In the new covenant in Christ, all believers are priests!

a 1 Peter 2:9 (NASB) 9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Revelation 1:6 (KJV) 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

b One of the cardinal doctrines in the Christian faith is the “priesthood of the believer.”

aa As we see in the sin, actions, attitudes of the temple priests in Malachi, these can also be seen in our modern church.

2 Malachi 1:6-14 (NASB) 6 " 'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Your name?' 7 "You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, 'How have we defiled You?' In that you say, 'The table of the LORD is to be despised.' 8 "But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts. 9 "But now will you not entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts. 10 "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD of hosts, "nor will I accept an offering from you. 11 "For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations," says the LORD of hosts. 12 "But you are profaning it, in that you say, 'The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.' 13 "You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the LORD of hosts, "and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?" says the LORD. 14 "But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King," says the LORD of hosts, "and My name is feared among the nations."

a Last Sunday, we learned that before God gave His people discipline, correction. He wanted them to know He loved them. - “I have loved you and still do!”

Malachi 1:2 (NASB) 2 "I have loved you," says the LORD..

b He is about to discipline/correct those He has chosen to be in covenant with.

aa This kind of love must be open to discipline.

bb This love is not based on emotion, feeling, but on commitment.

cc Discipline is given to the party in wrong, so reconciliation & restoration can occur.

c (IL) Give spouse silent treatment, flair anger, speak your mind... etc.

B The priests being addressed could just as easily be addressed to Worshipers at FBC.

a The priests had played church, religion for so long that v.13 says they approached to serving in the temple with a “Hey, this whole church thing is a drag.”

Malachi 1:13 (NASB) 13 "You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the LORD of hosts, "and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?" says the LORD.

1 God wanted the honor due a father, the respect due a master.

a Honor is an ongoing practice, not a one time event. (DAD)

b Respect is to fear/awe the power/acts of God. (BOSS)

2 Instead of honor/respect, He got contempt. (v.13)

a See pg. 1.

b Despise: careless, contempt, disdain.

c When we don’t know who He is, soon we don’t know who we are, our motivation/confidence suffers.