Malachi 1:10-14

We must be very careful with our worship towards a Holy God

Useless Worship

Worship is for a purpose; therefore, it must be intentional

Pleases God (far too underrated) and benefits the worshipper (Ps. 1)

Worship is not an empty gesture, nor is God dependent on it (Mt. 3:7-12)

Meanwhile, they showed contempt and weariness

There is nothing wrong with the rituals, but the heart behind it was not in line with the significance of the object of that worship (Ps. 40:6-8)

Both structured and spontaneous worship are great, but the heart must be in line

Their poor efforts are best displayed through the source text

Pure worship comes from a pure heart, and a pure heart worships in line with scripture.

There is no worship without truth (Jn. 4:20-24)

Comparison and Prophecy (v. 11, 14b)

Consider (in context) the absurdity of other nations worshipping God (Rom. 9:4-5)

We take it for granted today, but this being prophesied is astounding

The heathen would worship acceptably while Judah was not -> first the governor comparison and now this

Unacceptable

God could not be any more clear regarding this. There is no partial credit given.

God’s reason for not accepting the sacrifice is quite reasonable. He’s a great king (Col. 1:9-20)

When you are not convinced of the importance of the object, the acts of service will never be right

There is supreme value and worth in Christ! Worship in spirit and truth!