Brian Fisher
Grace Bible Church
“The Privilege of Service”
Malachi 2:1-9
Revelation 5:9-10 provides a vivid explanation is given for the significance of Jesus Christ's death. "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.'" Priesthood is our calling and destiny. We were created and redeemed to represent God upon the earth. It is our greatest privilege. Malachi warned the priests of his day, and he warns us today, that we should not take God or this privilege lightly.
The Priests had lost the vision of the greatness of God. Consequently, they lost their sense of the privilege to serve. They cut corners and gave half-hearted worship. Malachi reminds them of their privilege.
I. A Privileged Priesthood – 2:5-7
A. For Levitical Priests
1. Special covenant relationship
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
Life: Abundant life; Dt. 5:33; John 10:10
Peace: Right relationship with God
2. More intimate access to God; to the Holy Place and Holy of Holies
“stand daily ministering”
Offer sacrifices, burn incense, replace the bread, lead singing
3. Greater access to God’s word; access to repository of scripture at Temple; training in God’s word
4. Opportunity to share in eternally significant ministry: Teach God’s word. Teach the people to worship
B. For all believers – 1 Peter 2; Rev. 5:9-10
1. Complete access to presence of God (the veil has been torn)
2. Divine empowerment to worship and serve
3. Divine empowerment to understand God’s word – 1 Cor. 2:9-13
4. Greater revelation – things into which angels long to look
5. Eternally significant ministry
C. For Grace Bible Church believers
1. Wealth of biblical materials (translations, commentaries, dictionaries, books, computer-based resources)
2. Training opportunities – IBS; online seminary courses
3. Freedom to worship openly
4. Freedom to share faith openly
5. Spiritually open and edifying community
6. Vast financial resources (compared to rest of the world)
With great privilege comes great responsibility. To whom much is given, much is required.
II. An Accountable Priesthood – 2:1-2a
A. Primary responsibility – glorify God’s name; represent God before the people and the people before God.
Meaning of “glory”; dishonored God’s reputation
Specifically: Recall last week’s message (giving leftovers rather than their best; irreverence toward God)
This week: Improper motives toward the people – 2:9
Partiality; only teaching the rich; not rebuking the powerful
Misrepresent GOD; no partiality with God
James 2:1-6; If God is partial, it is toward the needy
1 Tim. 6; Suppose that godliness is a means of gain
B. Results
1. Cursing – 2:2
Removal from place of blessing; Cain
Curse your blessings; ineffective in ministry
2. Descendants won’t serve – future; 2:3
3. Humiliation – present; 2:3
Figure of speech; Ritually disqualified
Loss of privilege of service
Privilege, not a right to serve the Lord
Moses – Num. 20:8-12
Paul – 1 Cor. 9:27
Revelation 2:5; Ephesus
III. The Ideal Priesthood – 2:4-7
(disciplined
in order to preserve the priesthood)
A. Know the word
Bereans
B. Teach God’s word – 2:6a; 2:7a
Make disciples; disciples are learners; all are teachers
Heb. 5 – all are teachers
Dt. 6
C. Live the word; “walked with Me” – 2:6b
D. See lives transformed by the word – 2:6c
E. REPRESENT GOD – 2:7
We don’t speak for ourselves, or live for ourselves, or work for ourselves.
For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
—Romans 14:7-8
2:5 – Fear the Lord… not man
Conclusion
Take God seriously
Serve with joy