Malachi 1:6-2:9

What Is True Worship?

How to Honor God and Avoiding Insincere Practices

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-2:9 Topic: Addressing the Priests’ Failure to Honor God and the Consequences of Insincere and Corrupt Worship Practices

1 Peter 2:9 “9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Introduction

Imagine if you will

1) The Charge of Careless Worship

In Their Disrespectful Stance

Malachi 1:6–7 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.

Exodus 20:7 “7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

Isaiah 43:15 “15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.””

Revelation 1:8 “8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.””

Immortal, Invisible

Author: Walter C. Smith

Date: 1867

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:17 “17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Immortal, invisible God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;

Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above

Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

3 To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;

In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;

We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,

And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.

4 Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,

Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;

All praise we would render; O help us to see

’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!.

Quote: Charles Spurgeon - “When God is regarded with indifference, the very essence of worship is lost.”

How is your profession of God today? How do you view Him? Are you bringing Him Honor!!??

In Their Deplorable Sacrifices

Malachi 1:8–9 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. 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.

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.

Leviticus 22:20–22 “20 You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you. 21 And when anyone offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the Lord to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering from the herd or from the flock, to be accepted it must be perfect; there shall be no blemish in it. 22 Animals blind or disabled or mutilated or having a discharge or an itch or scabs you shall not offer to the Lord or give them to the Lord as a food offering on the altar.”

Genesis 4:3–4 “3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,”

Luke 21:1–4 “1 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.””

Quote: A.W. Tozer - “The offering acceptable to God is the overflow of a heart that delights in His worth.”

Exalting Jesus in Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi God’s Complaint against Israel’s Priests for Their Apathetic Attitudes toward Worship (Malachi 1:13–14)

if there’s no sacrifice in your sacrifice, it’s not a sacrifice.

What are you holding back from God?

Is God calling you to something that you are neglecting to fulfill ?

Is your giving sacrificial or sacrilegious!?? Are you giving your best or whatever is left over?

In Their Disdainful Attitudes

Malachi 1:10–13 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. 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.

Jeremiah 23:1–2 “1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord.” - Warnings against corrupt shepherds.

Colossians 3:23 “23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”

Philippians 2:14 “14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,”

Hebrews 13:15–16 “15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Quote: John Piper - “When leaders lose their reverence, the people quickly follow.”

When the church ceases to be glorious she ceases to win converts !!

Illustration: The Trojan Horse - How something that appears honorable can be filled with deceit.

Application: Evaluate the sincerity / authenticity of your worship. Is your worship heartfelt and honoring God, or are is it just routine?

Malachi 2:1 ESV

1 “And now, O priests, this command is for you.

1 Peter 2:9 “9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

2) The Consequence of Careless Worship

They Receive Curses Instead of Blessings

Malachi 2:1–3 ESV

1 “And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it.

1 Peter 2:9 “9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Deuteronomy 28:15–19 “15 “But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. 16 Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the field. 17 Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 18 Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. 19 Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.”

John 14:15 “15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Quote: Matthew Henry - “God will turn blessings into curses when His name is dishonored.”

They Experience Spiritual Corruption and Stumbling

Malachi 2:4–7 ESV

4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts. 5 My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. 7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

Levi was a man of godly character (2:5).

Malachi 2:5 “5 My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.”

Levi was a man of godly commitment (2:6)

Malachi 2:6 “6 True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.”

Levi was a man of godly communication (2:7).

Malachi 2:7 “7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.”

These priests disobeyed the LORD

These priests distracted the people

These priests disregarded the promise of God

These priests demonstrated partiality

Pray for Our proclamation - That you would be men and women who preach and teach the gospel, the whole counsel of God.

Pray for Our purity. - The greatest gift you can offer to his church is his personal holiness before the Lord. Pray for his purity.

Pray for Our leaders’ marriages. The enemy would love nothing more than to destroy marriages. What God has brought together, Satan would delight in tearing asunder.

Pray for Our protection. - The enemy is likened to a roaring lion seeking to destroy and devour leaders in the church (1 Pet 5:8).

Pray for Our perseverance. - Ask God to empower them to stand firm to the end, looking to Jesus as their source, strength, and example of faithful service (cf. Heb 12:1–4).

Matthew 18:6 “6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

James 3:1 “1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

Matthew 5:13–16 “13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Quote: R.C. Sproul - “The integrity of our witness is bound up in the authenticity of our worship.”

They Suffer Loss of Covenant Closeness

Malachi 2:8–9 ESV

8 But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, 9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”

Hosea 4:6 “6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”

Quote: Dietrich Bonhoeffer - “Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our Church.”

Illustration: A leaking submarine - Even a small compromise can lead to a great disaster.

Application: Reflect on the consequences of insincere worship in your life. Seek genuine repentance and a return to true worship.

3) The Cure to Careless Worship

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Seek the Discernment of God’s Will

Colossians 1:9–10 ESV

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Explanation: True worship leads to understanding and approving what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Quote: Rick Warren - “The closer you get to God, the clearer His will becomes.”

Application: Seek God’s guidance in all areas of life through prayer and reflection, pursuing alignment between your actions and His will.

Pursue the Renewal of Your Mind

Ephesians 4:22–24 ESV

22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Explanation: True worship requires a transformation through the renewal of our minds. This involves rejecting worldly patterns and embracing God's perspective.

Quote: J.I. Packer - “The renewing of the mind is a lifelong project.”

Illustration: The Gardener - Just as a gardener removes weeds and nurtures plants, we remove harmful thoughts and nurture godly ones.

Application: Regularly engage with Scripture to transform your thinking and align it with God’s truth.

Be a Living Sacrifice

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Explanation: True worship involves offering our bodies as living sacrifices. This means dedicating our entire lives to God, living in a way that is holy and pleasing to Him.

Quote: A.W. Tozer - “We must never rest until everything inside us worships God.”

Illustration: The Olympic Athlete - Just as athletes dedicate their bodies for their sport, we dedicate our lives to God.

Exalting Jesus in Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi Conclusion: Christ as the Image of God, Worthy of Spiritual Worship

Living sacrifices, as opposed to dead sacrifices, regularly crawl off the altar on which they are laid. So we must continually recommit ourselves to God.

Application: Examine how your actions reflect dedication to God. Are you living a life that is a sacrifice to Him?

Conclusion

Summarize the importance of honoring God with sincere worship. Encourage practical steps to ensure that worship is genuine and God-honoring. Pray for a revival of true worship in the community.

Closing Prayer

Ask for God’s help in cultivating a heart of true worship and reverence. Pray for leaders to model integrity and honor in worship.

Group Questions

How does our worship reveal how highly we esteem God’s name?

Read Deuteronomy 28. How does this text resemble Malachi’s message?

What does it mean to be a man of godly commitment like Levi, and how do we see this perfectly manifested in Jesus?

Discuss the divergence between “servile” fear and “filial” fear and how they inform our relationship to God.

How can you practice godly communication? Who are you discipling, and what does that look like?

Who are some other leaders who have led many people astray? What did they teach? How did they live?

Who are the leaders who have had the biggest impact on your life? How did they encourage you in your Christian faith?

Who in your life can you lead spiritually? What are some lessons from this passage that can shape your investment in those disciples?

Why are leaders judged more strictly?

Which of the above prayers can you commit to pray for your leaders? Why does this seem especially important to you?

Who is someone you admire for their devotion to their craft? What would your worship look like if it reflected such devotion?

What are some characteristics of worthless worship in our own day?

If worship is an attitude of the heart, why did it matter what Israel brought for their sacrifices?

How had God shown Himself to be a father to the people of Israel? What are some other ways Israel failed to treat Him as a father?

What are we called to contribute in worship? How can we despise God in our contribution?

To what/whom are you tempted to give your highest worship—that which only belongs to God?

How can we often reflect the hypocrisy that Israel demonstrated in verse 9?

How does Matthew 22:15–22 instruct us on what we are to give God in worship?

How can cultural, casual Christianity resemble Israel’s defective worship?

How does the coming of Christ empower meaningful worship greater than was possible in the OT?