Offerings of Leftovers
Notes
Transcript
I. Welcome & Opening Prayer
I. Welcome & Opening Prayer
Pitch Volunteer Dinner— Date Bumped to Jan. 3...
Pitch Reading Plan— Contact...
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!! Open in Prayer!!
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II. INTRODUCTION — LOW ESTEEM FOR HOLY THINGS
II. INTRODUCTION — LOW ESTEEM FOR HOLY THINGS
Illustration: Paul Harvey’s 23-year-old frozen turkey
Illustration: Paul Harvey’s 23-year-old frozen turkey
"Around Thanksgiving a few years ago, radio commentator Paul Harvey shared a true story of a woman and her frozen Thanksgiving turkey.
Butterball Turkey Hotline— answering consumer questions
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Woman Called: 23 Y.O. Turkey Still Safe??
Representative: SAFE (BELOW FREEZING) — FLAVOR DETERORIORATED — NOT RECOMMEND EATING IT…
Woman: “That’s what I thought. We’ll give the turkey to our church.”
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Takeaway: Funny Story w/ Serious Problem:
Key Point: SOMETIMES LOW ESTEEM for GOD = PROVEN THROUGH LAX OFFERINGS...
Focus: TRUE NOT ONLY TODAY—BUT a PROBLEM for THOUSANDS of YEARS...📷
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Transition: TODAY:
WE’LL SEE THIS SITUATION WAS PREVALENT in MALACHI’S DAY
& WE’LL SEE WHAT GOD THOUGHT ABOUT IT...
READ PASSAGE: V6-14
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III. Passage Reading:
III. Passage Reading:
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.
Church, this is God’s Word for us this morning...
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IV. CONTEXT RECAP — THE LORD’S UNFAILING LOVE
IV. CONTEXT RECAP — THE LORD’S UNFAILING LOVE
New Book: Malachi
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Historical Setting:
Historical Setting:
Reconstruction Era: 450-500 B.C.
Context: POST-EXILE—JUDAH RETURNED from BABYLON
STILL UNDER PERSIAN RULE
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TEMPLE REBUILT—ENTHUSIASM FADED...
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Last Week:
Last Week:
PEOPLE DOUBTED GOD’S LOVE
👉 Takeaway: LOVE = TIED to COVENANT FAITHFULNESS—NOT PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCE — LOOK @ EDOM!
Focus: TODAY—WE’LL SEE HOW POORLY THAT LOVE WAS RECIPROCATED… 📷
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Transition: LOOK W/ ME @ LORD’S ASSERTION,, V.6
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V. Passage Exposition
V. Passage Exposition
1. THE LORD’S ASSERTION — DESPISED HONOR (v. 6)
1. THE LORD’S ASSERTION — DESPISED HONOR (v. 6)
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.
Malachi’s Rhetoric Recap:
Malachi’s Rhetoric Recap:
GOD MAKES ASSERTION
PEOPLE’S RESPONSE = NOTED
GOD OFFERS REBUTTAL
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1. GOD MAKES HIS CLAIM THROUGH MALACHI:
1. GOD MAKES HIS CLAIM THROUGH MALACHI:
FATHERS = HONORED
MASTERS = FEARED...
BUT GOD—FATHER & MASTER of ALL— DESPISED?!
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A. Background: YAHWEH = ISRAEL’S FATHER
A. Background: YAHWEH = ISRAEL’S FATHER
CHOOSING THEM as COVENANT-PEOPLE
GRANTING ABRAHAM ISAAC in OLD AGE
Problem: YAHWEH’S LOVE for ISRAEL = NOT RECIPROCATED…
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B. Background: YAHWEH = LORD of CREATION
B. Background: YAHWEH = LORD of CREATION
**NOTE: “LORD of HOSTS” = GOD of ANGEL ARMIES
HOW COME NO RESPECT/FEAR?!
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**Disclaimer: Understanding “Fear of the Lord”
**Disclaimer: Understanding “Fear of the Lord”
REMEMBER—GOAL ISN’T TERROR
FEAR = UMBRELLA TERM
TERROR
REVERENCE
🗝️Takeaway: GOD WANTS to BE RIGHTLY ESTEEMED & RESPECTED as KING of CREATION—GOD.🗝️
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Problem: PEOPLE of MALACHI’S DAY—ESP. PRIESTS— DESPISED GOD
Quote, Scholar: God wasn’t breathtaking to them anymore. He wasn’t significant to them anymore.”[1
Priests accused of despising God’s name
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Transition: SEEN LORD’S ASSERTION—NOW WE’LL SEE the PEOPLE’S RESPONSE— NEXT PT. of V6
(V6b) But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
NOT VERBAL
DIDN’T “SAY” THEY HAD LOW ESTEEM for GOD...
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Transition: PERHAPS NOTHING SPOKEN—BUT ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 7-8
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2. THE BASIS FOR THE CHARGE — POLLUTED SACRIFICES (vv. 7–8)
2. THE BASIS FOR THE CHARGE — POLLUTED SACRIFICES (vv. 7–8)
Malachi 1:7–8 (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.
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.
God = Lowly Esteemed in Offering— Blind, Lame, Sick
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Background: Leviticus
Background: Leviticus
GOD HAS OPINIONS
“UNBLEMISHED” ANIMALS = REQUIRED💡
EVEN the “PEACE/FELLOWSHIP OFFERING” (LEV. 3) WAS to BE WITHOUT BLEMISH!!
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Malachi’s Day:
Malachi’s Day:
PEOPLE BRINGING LOUSY OFFERINGS
PRIESTS OFFERING THEM!
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On the Surface: Understandable…Right??
ECONOMICAL WORSHIPER—TAKES LEAST COST POSSIBLE.
BLIND SHEEP —NOT HELPING ANYONE
SICK COW—HE’S a GONER ANYWAYS
LUCKY the GOAT—SORRY…
GOD CALLS THIS EVIL.😬
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their WORSHIP—WAS EVIL.
**AIMING to HONOR GOD—THEY DISHONORED HIM.**
(V.8b) Charge: PRESENT THAT to YOUR GOVERNOR IF YOU THINK IT’S UP to PAR!!
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Exhort: GOD DESIRES OUR BEST—BECAUSE HE DESERVES OUR BEST.
GOOD ENOUGH—SHOULDN’T BE in the WORSHIPER’S VOCABULARY
“KILLING TWO BIRDS W/ ONE STONE” SHOULDN’T BE OUR APPROACH in SERVING GOD
SERVICE to GOD—SHOULDN’T BE ECONOMICAL or CONVENIENT
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Modern Believers, Guilty of Ancient Problem??
GIVING GOD LEFTOVERS??
Illustration: HAVING GUESTS OVER—GIVE BEST.
Illustration: HAVING GUESTS OVER—GIVE BEST.
TESTING NEW RECIPES— “I’D SERVE THAT to GUESTS”
Don’t Serve:
UNTESTED RECIPE
BAD DINNERS
BOX DINNERS— IT’S HOMEMADE!
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Imagine, Esteemed Guest Comes to Dinner: YOU BUST OUT LAST WEEK’S SPAGHETTI??
😬😬BUT WE DO it FOR GOD ALL the TIME😬😬
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COME to CHURCH—IF WE’VE GOT NOTHING BETTER to DO
SPEND HOURS w/ TECHNOLOGY—SECONDS W/ GOD...
GOD GETS MARGIN—IF WE HAVE ANY....
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Transition: Problem = Worse
PEOPLE ACTUALLY BELIEVED THEY WOULD GET SOMETHING in RETURN!
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 9-10
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3. THE LORD’S REFUSAL — REJECTED WORSHIP (vv. 9–10)
3. THE LORD’S REFUSAL — REJECTED WORSHIP (vv. 9–10)
Malachi 1:9–10 (ESV)
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.
Verse Opens: PEOPLE’S IDEA, “ENTREAT GOD’S FAVOR”
Modern Equivalent: “BUTTER HIM UP” // “BROWNIE POINTS”
THEY EXPECTED BLESSING in RETURN for LOUSY OFFERINGS!!
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(v10) God’s Response: SHUT the DOORS!😨
FIRES KINDLED in VAIN! POINTLESS WORSHIP! DON’T BOTHER!
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Modern Equivalent: Church Doors Shut
Modern Equivalent: Church Doors Shut
CHURCH W/ CLOSED DOORS = SAD.... OR REALLY???
**DID GOD LEAVE DECADES EARLIER??**
WHAT = DISPOSITION of OUR HEARTS this MORNING??🤔
ARE WE WASTING TIME BUILDING the FIRE HERE?
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IF GOD is SERVED LEFTOVER SPAGHETTI—HE’LL THROW IT AWAY & LEAVE.
Historical Reality:
Historical Reality:
CONSIDER DESTRUCTION of TEMPLE in 70A.D.
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Transition: GOD HAS STRONG OPINIONS for REASON...
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 11
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4. THE LORD’S COMING GLORY — CERTAIN HONOR (v. 11)
4. THE LORD’S COMING GLORY — CERTAIN HONOR (v. 11)
Malachi 1:11 (ESV)
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.
GOD WILL GET GLORY HE DESERVES
Challenge: WILL WE BE a PART of IT?
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ISRAEL—GOD’S CHOSEN— WERE MISSING IT…
BUT ONE DAY— PURE OFFERINGS WOULD COME—FROM the NATIONS!
A DAY is COMING—WILL WE BE a PART OF IT?!
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Transition:
NAME GREAT AMONG NATIONS
BUT PROFANED AMONGST PRIESTS...
PROBLEM GETS WORSE...
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 12-13
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5. PROFANING GOD’S TABLE — WEARY WORSHIP (vv. 12–13)
5. PROFANING GOD’S TABLE — WEARY WORSHIP (vv. 12–13)
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.
PRIESTS DIDN’T SEE the PRIVILEGE of POSITION
GOD’S WORK = WEARINESS/HARDSHIP
Hb. Background: WORD = USED for ISRAEL’S TRAVELS in WILDERNESS!
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Modern Era:
Modern Era:
GOD’S WORK & WORSHIP CAN BE SEEN as BURDENSOME
PASTOR—CERTAINLY NOT EXEMPT… DAYS I’M NOT as EXCITED as OTHERS…
SUNDAY = MY MONDAY MORNING—W/ KEY WEEKLY TASK DUE.
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Addressing Drudgery:
Addressing Drudgery:
LET US NOT FORGET— SERVING GOD = PRIVILEGE🙌
WE MUST KEEP the RIGHT HEART POSTURE.
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Quote, “Before God ever accepts your gift, He inspects your heart.”
IF OUR WORSHIP = HALF-HEARTED & BURDENED—GOD ISN’T INTERESTED… 👀
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Box Checking Christianity:
Box Checking Christianity:
Challenge: IF YOU COME to CHURCH to CHECK RELIGIOUS BOX & RETURN HOME—
— GOD WOULD RATHER YOU STAYED HOME.
GOD WANTS WORSHIP—BUT NOT APART from YOU.
GOD DOESN’T WANT 1 HR—HE WANTS YOU.📌
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IF YOU’RE WORRIED MORE ABOUT CASSEROLE BURNING— LEAVING BY 11:35—HEART ISN’T HERE.
IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL—HEART ISN’T HERE
IF YOU’RE JUST “PAYING YOUR DUES” GOD ISN’T INTERESTED.
IF WE’RE ALL THIS WAY—GOD WANTS US to CLOSE OUR DOORS & NOT WASTE HIS TIME.
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Modern Era, Religiously Apathetic:
Modern Era, Religiously Apathetic:
SERMONS SHOULD BE 15-20 MINUTES—FOR ATTENTION—MORE STORY THAN SCRIPTURE....
PEOPLE SPEND HOURS WATCHING SPORTING EVENTS —
— IN COLD
— PAID to GET IN.
HOURS WATCHING T.V. — PAID FOR
🥱🥱“ “CHURCH BETTER BE DONE QUICK—
— & GOD FORBID THEY PASS an OFFERING PLATE.” 🥱🥱
STAY HOME.
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“I Get To”
“I Get To”
Leadership Guru, J. Maxwell: Replace “I’VE GOT TO,, W/ “I GET TO”
WE SHOULD SEE SERVING GOD—SUNDAY WORSHIP— A PRIVILEGE!
WE “GET” to BE PART of WHAT GOD is DOING in the EARTH—WHAT A PRIVILEGE!!
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In Malachi’s Day: WEIGHT of GOD’S GLORY BECAME a BURDEN
LET THIS NOT BE SAID of US....
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Transition: GOD HAS a FINAL WORD for THESE GUYS…
LOOK W/ ME @ V.14
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6. FINAL WARNING — THE GREAT KING (v. 14)
6. FINAL WARNING — THE GREAT KING (v. 14)
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.
AGAIN—GOD WILL GET WORSHIP HE’S DUE.
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Another Problem: PEOPLE VOWING NICE ANIMALS—SUBSTITUTING W/ BLEMISHED ONES!
=> WAVING SERVICE AROUND
NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH…
The Lord of Heaven Knows the Truth.
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Final Time: GOD is a GREAT KING—HE WILL RECEIVE the GLORY & HONOR HE is DUE… 💡
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Transition: PEOPLE PROVED THEIR LACK of LOVE for GOD—BY LOUSY OFFERINGS—
— DESPITE WHAT GOD HAD DONE for THEM…
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GOSPEL CONNECTION — HEAVEN’S BEST
GOSPEL CONNECTION — HEAVEN’S BEST
CHURCH—SOMETIMES WE SHOWCASE LOW ESTEEM for GOD BY LOUSY WORSHIP…
Crazy Truth: GOD HASN’T GIVEN US WHAT WE DESERVE…
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Humankind’s Lack of Worth
Humankind’s Lack of Worth
AS SINFUL HUMAN BEINGS WE DON’T DESERVE ANYTHING GOOD from GOD
TRANSGRESSED AGAINST HIM
WE’VE ALL FAILED to SERVE HIM…
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DESPITE DESERVING GOD’S LEAST--- HE GAVE HIS BEST...🤯
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
THAT’S HOW MUCH HE LOVED US...
DESPITE HOW LITTLE WE DESERVED.
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An Offer from God:
An Offer from God:
DESPITE the TIMES WE’VE SPIT in GOD’S FACE—
— HE OFFERS US TERMS of RECONCILIATION in HIS SON…
JESUS PAID the PRICE for EVERY TIME WE’VE INSULTED GOD:
WITH REBELLION
or HEARTLESS WORSHIP
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THROUGH FAITH in HIM—
— WE CAN RECEIVE a CLEAN SLATE—FORGIVENESS W/ GOD— FOR ALL the TIMES WE’VE FAILED HIM…
WE CAN RESPOND—WILLINGLY TODAY—OR SOMEDAY WE’LL BE FORCED to ACKNOWLEDGE THAT “CHRIST is LORD”
THE CHOICE is OURS....
… HE WILL GET GLORY—WILL HE GET it FROM US?
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Invitation: IF YOU’RE HERE TODAY— AND YOU HAVEN’T BEEN RECONCILED to GOD THROUGH FAITH in JESUS CHRIST
HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING FAITH—I’D LOVE to SPEAK W/ YOU AFTER the SERVICE…
LET US NOT LOSE SIGHT of the FACT that GOD GAVE HIS BEST WHEN WE DESERVED HIS LEAST...
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Transition: NOW,, ALL in ALL,, WHAT is the SCRIPTURE SAYING to US THIS MORNING?
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VI. APPLICATION — FIRST & BEST TO GOD
VI. APPLICATION — FIRST & BEST TO GOD
Passage Idea:
God will get the glory He deserves—the only question is will He get it from us?
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WE HAVE the PRIVILEGE of RESPONDING to GRACE…
NO WORSHIP
NO SERVICE
NO GOOD WORK
NO NOTHING
WILL EARN US FAVOR/RIGHTSTANDING W/ GOD...
BUT THOSE—FORGIVEN BY GRACE—OUGHT to RESPOND in GLAD-THANKS W/ GENUINE WORSHIP…
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Challenge: WHAT DO OUR LIVES SAY ABOUT OUR ESTEEM for GOD?🤔
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.
IN LIGHT of GOD’S MERCIES— PUT YOURSELF on the ALTAR—GIVING YOUR ALL to HIM…
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Illustration: African Believer
Illustration: African Believer
“There was a, “… young believer who had attended church shortly after being baptized in Africa.
During part of the service, they were passing the plate. Because she was a new believer, this was an unfamiliar practice.
She saw people taking money out of their pockets and their wallets and putting it into the offering plate. She, as a new believer and living in menial conditions, reached into her pockets and realized she had no money.
As the plate was being passed down her row, the usher handed it to her.
She didn’t know what to do so she set it on the ground, and she stood inside the plate before speaking out loud, “God, I don’t have any money but You can have all of me.”
HOW MUCH is TOO MUCH? IF GOD is REALLY SUPPOSED to BE #1??
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Areas to examine:
Areas to examine:
1. Life —(YOUNG PEOPLE ESPECIALLY)
UNIQUE BLESSING—GIVING YOUR BEST YEARS to GOD’S SERVICE—FIRST & BEST of YOUR LIFE
DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOU’RE SETTLED DOWN
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2. Time (SPIRITUAL THINGS a PRIORITY—OR ONLY IF WE HAVE EXTRA TIME??)
FIRST THING in MY DAY—PRAYER & BIBLE READING— OR IT WOULDN’T GET DONE.
Contrast KB Strength Training
Challenge: DOES GOD GET the FIRST SLOT of YOUR DAY?
OR ONLY a FEW MINUTES BEFORE BED—IF YOU HAVE TIME?
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Consider Habits:
NO TIME for BIBLE READING— HOURS a DAY on PHONE
NO TIME for MIDWEEK SERVICE— WATCHING T.V. INSTEAD.
TOO TIRED for CHURCH SUNDAY— BUSY SATURDAY
Survey (2023): AVERAGE AMERICAN SPENDS 63 TIMES MORE TIME on T.V.
THAN PERSONAL RELIGIOUS PRACTICE— BEFORE DOOM-SCROLLING & TIC-TOC!!
GOD = GETTING LEFTOVERS…
NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY—THIS PROVES HOW YOU TRULY FEEL ABOUT HIM. 😬
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3. Resources — BIBLE GIVES PRINCIPLE of FIRST-FRUITS...
IF GIVING = LAST—IT WON’T HAPPEN…
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**Disclaimer** WE SHOULDN’T BE LEGALISTIC—THIS = RESPONSE to GRACE
DON’T FALL INTO “BOX-CHECKING CHRISTIANITY"
Takeaway: WE MUST GUARD AGAINST GIVING GOD our LEFTOVERS
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Turning to Communion: 2 Things
1. CONSIDER WHO YOU’RE SERVING— GOD
LORD of HOSTS
GREAT KING
WORTHY ONE
2. LOOK @ YOUR LIFE
DOES YOUR LIFE’S OFFERING,, RESEMBLE WHAT YOU SAY?
IS HE GETTING FIRST & BEST?
OR LEFTOVERS?
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Conclusion:
Conclusion:
IF HE ISN’T FIRST—HE’LL GET the SLIM PICKINGS…
INSTEAD—LET US “SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM & RIGHTEOUSNESS” as TOP PRIORITY—
GIVING OUR VERY BEST to HIM....AMEN?
!! Close in Prayer!!
