The Honor of God

The Bored Church

Recently I was mindlessly scrolling through FB although it was not as mindless as I thought.

I encountered several of my friends had posted some common statements.

Some professing Christians others were atheist. In multiples they were posting about “Where is God...” “If God were all good why all this evil...”

I thought this is not too far removed from what I have heard in churches. We have heard in times past the end was here.

1988 a book published about the rapture and the 88 reasons why it would happen in 1988.

Of course that next year he came out with another book on why 89 would be the end of the world… 90-2000 each year had a predicted end date

People have grown tired of hearing the same thing … and turned to idle not idol worship…we don’t have idols anymore right?

This is a huge problem there is no room in the Body of Christ for apathy.

Malachi the Oracle of the Lord

Divine messenger

unknown where he came from or where he goes from this point.

some consider this to be an angel

The people of Israel are no longer divided they are experiencing freedom from oppression

Free to worship at will

The Love of God for His People

Malachi 1:2 ESV

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob

The word used for love is one that is conveys an entreating of because of a close relationship

it is made in perfect tense and reads better I have loved I love and will love you

Jer 31:3 an everlasting love

Contending with the Love of the Lord

How have you loved us?

People in calamity declare how can God love

The Latter over the Former

Jacob over Esau (Malachi 1:2-3)

Esau sells his birthright

Israel first and the gentile is the latter

Latter rain Amos

Edom will be ruined (v4)

Israel will see how those outside of their borders will honor the Lord

The Honor of God

Malachi 1:6 ESV

“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?’

Close attention to the wording

Lord, Lord of Hosts, Master, Father

Neither the priest nor the congregation have reverence or honor for the Lord.

Sunday is the only day

Don’t devote too much time

The Lord’s table may be despised

follow some ignore others

Pick and choose gospel

Unwanted Offering

Malachi 1:7–9 ESV

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. 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. 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.

blind lame and sick…

the left overs

only out of convenience

Abel’s offering vs Cain’s offering

You give more to this world than to the Lord

Mal 1:10 Shutting the door on the church

The Bored church

Malachi 1:13–14 ESV

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. 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.

scoffing in disbelief

bring even what has died as an offering

marriage

children

career

Curse to the one who having something of value to offer denies it and only brings that which is dead

A Generation that will Honor His Name

Malachi 1:11 ESV

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.

The latter who will bring honor to His name

The religious will profane it

I have loved you

The generation of people that profanes the Lord, His Love, and His offering. Its a people who are free to worship no longer oppressed but are frankly bored and do not want to honor God. Yet God is raising those who will honor Him.