Cheap Worship Series

Sermon Series on Malachi #2

Cheap Worship

In the latter half of chapter 1 we see that the priest were no longer honoring God they were offering blemished sacrifices Cheap sacrifices.The questions we should ask ourselves Do I honor God? Not just with lipservice but does my actions honor God?

Malachi 1:6-14

Verse 6 is a call to Honor. God is still calling us to honor Him. Do you honor God? That is the question that we must answer this morning. I want us to look at 3 ways the Israelites were dishonoring God and 3 ways we can show Him honor.

1. Do you like the Israelites defile what you give Him. (Malachi 1:7-8)

A. They were offering polluted sacrifices. They were giving God what was left not what was right.

a. Deuteronomy 15:21 And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God.

b. Was it mean that God would not accept a sacrifice other than perfect?

c. No, this is a picture of His Son.

d. Not only that, but God deserves the very best.

e. Try that one on your governor.

f. They wanted a cheap religion.

g. The table of the Lord is no good.(verse 12)

h. His food is gross. NO DUH! They made it that way by the sacrifices that they brought!

i. Oh what weariness! (verse 13)

B. How about you? Are you offering polluted sacrifices to God?

a. Do you give God your very best? Or just what you have left?

b. Do you give God what is left of your time, or does your schedule revolve around Him?

c. How about your tithe? (we will touch more on that later in this series)

d. How about your gifts and talents?

e. Try that on your president.

f. Do you just want a cheap religion?

g. David would not have a cheap religion. (2 Samuel 24:24)

h. How about it? Is God’s house the best it can be because we bring the best we have?

i. Oh what weariness it is to go to church, to serve the Lord.

2. By responding to Him with our worship, fear and reverence. (Malachi 1:14)

A. God says that some were being deceivers.

a. Vow a vow and did not what was required. (Lev. 22:18-20)

b. There was a ritual going on but it was not worship.

B. How about you are you being a deceiver?

a. Do you come to church and look good but your heart is far from Him.

b. Do you fear God? Or is it just something you are supposed to do.

c. “For I am a Great King” says the Lord of hosts “and My Name is to be feared among the nations.”

3. By realizing our need of His grace and acceptance. (Malachi 1:9; Gen 4:6-7)

A. The good news is that God forgives us if we but call upon him.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

B. How about you have you just been playing church?

C. Are you just interested in a cheap religion? True worship is not cheap?

D. Are you giving God what is left or what is right?