Worshipping Together Series

Authenticity is a big deal when it comes to worshipping together. So here’s what I want you to do – tell someone near you the honest truth about how you felt when you got up this morning. See? No one left, got mad, or labeled you. What are you worrying about? Let’s move on, okay?

CONTRAST #2: BEST vs GOOD (Malachi 1:13-14 … “crippled animals”)

I’ve always been amazed at the amount of energy and passion we give our hobbies and favorite teams, and have often wondered why we can’t give that same energy and focus to the praise of our God. I know there are lots of reasons and excuses, but I still wonder – why are we so lackadaisical towards God and so committed to our jobs? Our possessions?

Don’t get me wrong – I don’t think it is an either/or proposition. But I do maintain we should give God the same intensity we give any other relationship or interest.

In this passage, they were more concerned about the cost of operations than the cost of obedience. The result? Offerings and worship that was less than their best. It wasn’t excellent.

In fact, that is the second essential ingredient to worshipping together: EXCELLENCE. Of course, that begs the question, “What is excellence?” Well, let me see if I can define it for you: Doing the best you can with what you have for the right reason.

[EXPOUND…Teachers and workers, musicians and greeters, Facilities and equipment]

Are we doing the best we can with what we have for the right reason? If so, God is pleased with our worship. Period. And if we’re not, he’s disappointed, even if we looked good or “pulled it off.”

So I’ve got a question for you – are you offering less than your best to God and others? If so, you’re affecting the atmosphere of worship at FFC. We need the best you have, and so does God! That’s essential in worship – your best, not your second best. Remember, worship without excellence is complacency. Are you satisfied with complacency or committed or excellence?

Here’s what I want you to do – sing your best with me for a moment, would you? [START SINGING “AMAZING GRACE”] See? Doing your best feels good, doesn’t it? Let’s do it every week!

CONTRAST #3: WHOLE vs PARTIAL (Malachi 3:9-10 … “partial gifts”)

There is an intriguing word in Malachi 3 ... it’s the word “whole.” They were apparently bringing some of the required offerings, perhaps 3%, 5%, maybe 9.5%, but not all. They were bringing a portion of their tithe to God, but not all of their tithe. Not the entire 10%. But what did God want? ALL! Every bit of their 10%. Of course, he is talking here specifically about the aspect of giving their resources, and he says to them, “I am not comfortable with just some of your resources. I want you to go all the way and give completely what you need to give. The full 10%!” That’s a pretty nice God, wouldn’t you say? He’s letting them use 90%...all he was asking for from these Israelites was 10%. Yet, they found ways to give less than what he wanted.

One interesting thing about this passage is that God connects worshipping together with giving together. WOW! In fact, some of you may perhaps be wondering right now, “I thought you were talking about worshipping together? Seems to me you’re talking about money!” Understand something about God – worship without giving is no worship at all. These two components are so closely tied that you find them linked throughout the Bible.