The Standard

Standard is defined as an idea or thing used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations.

Historically, people may call an item a standard as they point to its quality or value.

For instance, people may choose a certain luxury car and it is the standard of luxury.

People may choose a certain hotel chain and say it is the standard for service and quality.

Consumers may choose certain restaurant and consider it the standard for fine dining.

At times, there have been historical figures who were considered standard bearers.

This morning, we look at “The Standard,” meaning God’s standard for His people.

Our focal passage will be Malachi 1:6-14, but before we get there…let’s read a verse that describes God’s standard:

Matthew 5:48 ESV

48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus, here in the Sermon on the Mount, set a pretty high standard.

Now if you were with us this past Wednesday evening, we began to discuss the doctrine: The Priesthood of the Believer.

In a nutshell, Christ is the high priest who intercedes for us and we need no additional intercessor. We can come before the Lord in our sacrifice of praise and our spiritual worship.

So when we look at the passage in which Malachi wrote during his day, we must see the parallel application for ours. So this passage is applicable to every believer within the sound of my voice.

Let’s dive in:

Malachi 1:6–14 ESV

6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. 9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. 13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

Notice the sarcasm with which the people approach the Lord God:

Just like in vs. 2, vs. 6 points to their retort back to God, “But you say...”

“How?” — notice that Malachi is not holding back because God is not holding back.

He is addressing things just as they are, no sugar coating.

Think about, people don’t like a bitter address...

We want our medicines with a fruit flavor, that flagrant candle burning in the lavatory, we want a deodorized life, we want things to smell clean, feel comfortable, and make us well.

We want our doctors to make us feel well when the foods we consume making us unhealthy.

We want people to be kind when we have been unkind

We want people to speak well of us when we die and proclaim we were a saint when we appeared the opposite.

As a matter of fact, it is rare for people to move beyond the reaction of a teenager who has been confronted about a wrong doing by their parents. They ask “How”, What did i do, and the normal one is don’t get what I did wrong.

How do we know this is true:

Read vs. 13 again

Malachi 1:13 ESV

13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord.

Just for kicks, let’s read the old Living Bible on this one:

13 “You say, ‘Oh, it’s too difficult to serve the Lord and do what he asks.’ And you turn up your noses at the rules he has given you to obey. Think of it! Stolen animals, lame and sick—as offerings to God! Should I accept such offerings as these?” asks the Lord

The Standard Bearer

Malachi 1:6 (ESV)

6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’

God as a Dad

Have you noticed how people outside of the Church do not take God seriously?

I have seen rock stars call themselves god on MTV 30 years ago, when i was a teen.

I have seen the diluting of God by hollywood.

But God’s word says we are to:

Ephesians 6:2 ESV

2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

What does that mean for our purpose?

How do we walk with Him and for Him? Are we following?

We dishonor Him every time we choose our path over His.

He does not desire a half hearted worship…He spoke on this over in Revelation chapter 3.

God as a Lord

Matthew 7:21 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

If He is actually Lord of our life, we follow what He says.

Proverbs 9:10 ESV

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Be in Awe of His Name

Malachi 1:6 (ESV)

6 ... And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’

His name should always be lifted and praise amongst His people.

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV)

5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Just as those priests had offering to bring before the Lord, we do as well.

His Name Gets Reproached

Malachi 1:7 (ESV)

7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised.

Malachi 1:12 (ESV)

12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised.

They pollute by the offerings they bring.

They pollute because they are willing to submit something against the standard.

Malachi 1:8 (ESV)

8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.

In essence, they were willing to give something to God —less than they would give to a public official.

They were not bringing the first or the best, but the seconds or leftovers.

SNL skit for the restaurant called leftovers.

His name is reproached when we give Him the leftovers of our time, of our gifts, our tithes, our love, and our devotion.

His Name Seems Less Significant

Malachi 1:12–13 ESV

12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. 13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord.

Malachi 1:14 ESV

14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

We must not look at a sacrifice of praise as though it is of no value.

We must not see worship is though it lacks significance.

Both are an outflow of the internal — our worship!

Worship— With Spirit and Truth

Malachi 1:10–11 ESV

10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

First the Lord says don’t worship if it is in vain/without right heart or motive.

Right worship is to recognize the heralding of Truth.

Walking Away, But In...

Check your Heart!

Crush the Idols!

Cling to the King!