Malachi 1

Malachi 1

Theme: Because of God’s loving relationship to those who trust Him, we must magnify Him in true worship, love, obedience, and service.

Introduction:

Because God verifiably loves us, we must magnify Him even in spite of our misunderstanding. V.1-5

Because God has “chosen” us over the wicked we must magnify Him.

Because God has “chosen” us through Christ we must magnify Him. Ephesians 1:4

Because God verifiably loves us we must magnify Him.

Only Son Sacrificed I John 4:9

Powerful Promises

Forgiveness of Sin; I John 1:9

Eternal Life, relationship with the Father; I John 2:25, John 17:3

Permanent Relationship; Hebrews 13:5

New Name; I John 3:1

Because God verifiably loves us we must proclaim His Name and Greatness in everything to the World. Matthew 28:18-20, Psalms 96:1-3

The result of salvation

The result of praise to God

Because God has “chosen” us over the wicked we must correct our misunderstanding.

Because of our relationship to God we must repent of hurtful worship habits, and put on: love for God, obedience to God, and service to Him. V.6-14

Because of our Parent/child relationship with God we must Love Him and Obey Him.

Since earthly children obey their parents in all things, God expects no less. Ephesians 6:1-3

Since God’s benchmark test for love is obedience, we must obey Him. John 14:15

Because of our Master/servant relationship with God we must Obey Him and Serve Him.

Since earthly master expect service from their servants, God expects no less. Luke 17:7-10

Since God’s benchmark test for love is obedience, we must obey Him. John 14:15

Because of our changed relationship to God we must properly Worship Him.

Problem: Israelites offering inappropriate worship to God.

Defiled v.7-8

Blind

Lame

Sick

Denial v.7

Doings-v.7-9, 12-13

Their actions demonstrated despising

Offered leadership better offerings-would give governor portions

Wearied in worship

Still sought God’s favor

Disgust-God so disgusted that He desired for someone just to close His place of worship. v.10

Doctrine or teaching-God will be praised and worshiped

Denouncement v.14

Solution: Change your worship

Because God mandates He alone must be worshiped, He must be our focus. Exodus 20:3

This excludes worship of any other god.

This excludes worship of self. Colossians 3:5

Because God mandates worship we must worship fully motivated by the joy of our salvation. Psalms 103:1

Because God mandates worship we must not worship in rigid ritualism. Mark 7:6-7

Because God mandates worship we must make it a joyful exercise. Psalms 32:11

Because God mandates worship we must apply the elements found in His Word to our worship activities. (*Note: The next six points taken from Mack and Swavley’s “Life in the Father’s House”)

Learning from the Teaching of God’s Word. Acts 2:42; 5:42: I Timothy 4:13-15

Prayer, the activity of the New Testament Church. Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46; 4:24, 32; 5:12; 6:4

Singing to the Lord and each other. Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16

Purposeful

Planned

Giving to the Lord and the local church-I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:7

Regular-I Corinthians 16:2

Planned-I Corinthians 16:2

Proportional-I Corinthians 16:2

Sacrificial-Macedonians II Corinthians 8; Widow’s Mite Mark 12:41-44

Cheerful-II Corinthians 9:7

Serving others in services

Exercising spiritual gifts to meet the spiritual (or physical) needs of others-I Corinthians 12:28

Friendly and hospitable-James 2:1-9

Conclusion: