Brian Fisher
Grace Bible Church
“Are We Serving a Meal Fit for a King?”
Malachi 1:6-14;
3:8-12
God has demonstrated His commitment to Israel, but Israel's commitment to God is far less than what He deserves. By analogy, if they were to make similar overtures to earthly authorities, their actions would be rejected. So God reminds them exactly who He is - the God with whom they have a special relationship, the God who will be worshipped appropriately by all nations. It is our privilege to worship, and in worshipping appropriately to draw all nations to the Lord.
I. Serving leftovers
A. Worship without cost – Mal. 1:7-8a
Worshipping according to convenience; any old animal will do
Lev. 22:17-22 – unblemished; firstborn; firstfruits
1 Chron.
21:18-24; David – I will not … offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing
Worship that God deserves is sacrificial; that is why it is called “sacrifice”
God owns all; we are stewards of His wealth
Equivalent to stealing – 1:14; 3:8-9
How can you worship God sacrificially?
How to tell what a person values? Look at their checkbook and calendar.
B. Worship without conviction – 1:12-13
With condescension
“despise” = look down on something as if worthless
“My name” = My character, personality, power, works
“sniffing”
Ex – asking your child to set the table for dinner and he rolls his eyes and says “whatever”
PRIVILEGE to worship
At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to serve Him and to bless in His name until this day. Therefore, Levi does not have a portion or inheritance with his brothers; the Lord is his inheritance…
—Deuteronomy 10:8-9
… ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.’ …
—Leviticus 10:3
1 Peter 2:9-10; privilege of entering the very presence of God at any time.
What were the priests thinking?
They knew the Law. They knew they were NOT keeping the Law.
Did they think God doesn’t see? That He is not all-knowing?
Acts 5 – Ananias and Sapphira
Did they think God doesn’t really care? That He is not absolutely holy?
Did they think God doesn’t deserve our best or deserve what He is asking? Did they think they were just doing Him a favor?
God’s response – 1:8-9
Try that out on your governor
1:10; Shut the doors! (don’t even bother bringing your leftovers)
“useless” worship
3:10 – bring the whole tithe; He doesn’t need our money. He wants our heart. Sometimes our hobbies, work, money becomes our idol.
II. Serving our best
A. Because God is worthy – 1:6
He is Father; unique relationship
He is Master
Lord who commands armies
Great King over all the earth – 1:11
The whole earth will become a place for worship
All peoples who believe will become priests
Special people SO THAT nations would be drawn to God
Joseph/Pharoah
Daniel/Nebuchadnezzar; Darius
1 Peter – so that you may proclaim the excellencies
B. Because God gives more – 3:10-12
Take a risk – test me now in this; worship that God deserves is risky
What will His best look like?
When will I receive it?
God gave His best
“…you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”
—1 Peter 1:18-19
Conclusion
How can I give you my best?