Being Wholehearted

Being Wholehearted Text: Malachi 1:6-14

God hates half-heartedness! The Shiloh Eagles football team has not had a winning season in 6 years. As the new season begins, the Eagles lose the first three games due to their half-heartedness and apathy. Coach Grant Taylor challenges the players to give God their best effort… on and off the field.

Show video clip of “Facing the Giants.”

6 “ A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ 7 “ You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, ‘ In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘ The table of the LORD is contemptible (mere nothing).’ 8 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” Says the LORD of hosts. 9 “ But now entreat God’s favor, That He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, Will He accept you favorably?” Says the LORD of hosts. 10 “ Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” Says the LORD of host. “ Nor will I accept an offering from your hands. 11 For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the LORD of hosts. 12 “ But you profane it, In that you say, ‘ The table of the LORD is defiled; And its fruit, its food, is contemptible (mere nothing).’ 13 You also say, ‘ Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” Says the LORD of hosts. “ And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” Says the LORD. 14 “ But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished— For I am a great King,” Says the LORD of hosts, “ And My name is to be feared among the nations.

Introduction: What is the value of giving your best? Are you wholehearted? Being half-hearted and filled with apathy produces bad attitudes and mediocre results. So what is your commitment level? If you don’t respect your own commitment level, others won’t either. God wants His children to be wholehearted and committed to excellence! When we do our best for God we maximize our influence on others, we produce quality work, and we yield a reward back from God! (How many of you have seen the video report of the happy traffic control police!) He’s stationed at 1 intersection that takes thousands in Houston TX. 15 min. to go through. People are very angry, but when they see this police many times after the long wait people will pull over just to watch him direct more traffic!

I. God asks the question, “Where is My honor? Where is My reverence? God’s people were giving Him their leftover time, love, worship and money! Vs.9 God say’s, “But when you need Me you expect Me just to jump!” Vs. 14 God brags on Himself saying, “ For I am a great King…”

A. Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

B. As a believer, we are commanded to do everything we do as unto the Lord! Paul say’s, as we gain this new attitude of excellence we will receive the reward of the inheritance…

C. Jeremiah 29: 13-14 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

D. God say’s, “ I will bring you out of your captivity!” He say’s, “I will bring you back into a resting place!”