GIVING GOD YOUR BEST

SERIES: GIVE YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER

TEXT: MALACHI 1:6-14

Malachi’s message is addressed to the priest who served and ministered in the temple under the Old Testament. 

In the New Covenant (Testament) in Christ, all believers are priests-1st Peter 2:9, “But you are 

A Chosen race.

A Royal priesthood.

A Holy nation

A people for God’s own possession.

So that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Revelation 1:6, “And has made us kings and priests unto God and his father, to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

One of the cordial doctrines in the christian faith is the “priesthood of the believer.”

In the New Testament church there are not two classes of people, the CLERGY and the LAITY (docotomy) but all are people of God (Laos).

As we see in the sin, actions and attitudes of the temple priest in Malachi these can also be seen in our modern church-Malachi 1:6-14.

Last Sunday we learned that before God gave His people discipline, correction, He wanted them to know He loved them. “I have loved you and I still do”-Malachi 1:2. We also said that there are five universal languages of love. Each one of us has at least two languages of love and if people don’t speak your language of love you cannot feel loves!!

1. Time spend together alone.
2. Touch-physical touch of love.
3. Affirmation-words of complement and praise.
4. Gifts of love.
5. Acts of service.

It is important that you study the languages your wife, husband, children speak so that you can minister love to them.

God was about to discipline His children. Discipline is metted on the foolish child!!

God’s love must be open to discipline. Love is not based on emotion, feelings but on commitment. Discipline is given to the party in the wrong, so that reconciliation and restoration can occur.

The words God gave to the priests could easily be addressed to worshippers at FBA/AR.

The priest of Malachi’s day had played church, religion for so long-that serving in the temple was a drag.

God wanted the honor due a father, the respect due a master given to him.

Instead of honor and respect, God was given contempt-Vs. 13, despise, careless disdain. 

When you don’t know who God is, soon you won’t know who you are-Vs. 10.

God expects the very best. Are you tired of going to church, worshiping, giving, serving God? Let us learn:-

OFFERING LESS THAN YOUR BEST-1:7-8.

• They tarnished God’s name by allowing people to bring less than perfect, blemished offerings to God.
• The offerings had to be perfect because they pointed or typified Jesus, the perfect sacrifice for sin.
• It is true the economy was weak, times were tight in Israel but God was still expecting acceptable offerings.
• The priest allowed the people to bring the blind, lame, sick animals to be offered as sacrifice to YHWH.
• Jewish law stated animals like these were to be thrown to the dogs. They were bringing “dog food” to God.
• Malachi wrote Vs. 8 that the local county government wouldn’t accept the sacrifice they were offering to their Father God!!
• There are two things each one of us wants, more of money and time. God expects His children to give the best of both.
• People who say they love God can easily prove it with their cheque book-Love gives-Matt. 6:21.
• Your love for God is going to be proven by what you give to Him.
• Many christians spend money on cars, homes, gifts, pleasure, family and friends and they give 50, 100, 200, 500 shillings to God!!
• God deserves the best not your left overs.

GETTING LESS THAN YOU ARE BLESSED TO HAVE-Malachi 1:9-10.

• Israel was bringing “dog food” offering to God hoping they would get T-bone steak blessings back.
• They wanted God’s favor/blessings but their “Less-Than-Excellent” offerings sealed heaven’s blessing from entering their lives.
• God blesses obedience and respect and honor.
• Because of His people’s approach to worship and giving God said two of the saddest statements in the Bible.

1. I am not pleased with you.
2. I will not accept your sacrifice.

• Today are you walking in favor, are you blessed? Take a look at yourself.
• God is going to be glorified, blessed, magnified by the nations-1st Peter 2:5.
• God stopped talking to Israel for 400 years!! You think you can give the “silent treatment?” God does it better.
• The blessing Israel rejected will be found by the nations-Vs. 14.
• Giving and receiving is a law that applies to the saint and sinner. God’s name is “feared among the nations.”

CONCLUSION

• Our second best does not honor God.
• Our second best does not please God.
• Our second best does not satisfy us.
• The worshippers were miserable.

1. They went to worship but never worshipped.
2. They burned sacrifice but never became sacrifice.
3. They heard God loved them, but they never experienced it.

• God is worthy of our best we have to offer.
• God deserves our tithe, not a tip.
• Today start giving, worshiping, serving like you love Him.