True Worship: Giving God Our Best
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we are blessed to have a partnership with Blue Springs Church in Tennessee, and we are excited to host their team for our basketball camp. We are grateful for your faithful giving, which supports various ministries like VBS, Tri-State Camp, and our new Pickleball program. Please remember to pray for the 300 students we will be ministering to in the next two weeks.
As we turn to the book of Malachi, we conclude our 18-month journey through the Old Testament. Malachi, whose name means "my messenger," delivers God's final message before 400 years of prophetic silence. The people of Israel had drifted from God, struggling with four major issues: believing in God's love, worship and obedience, false worship, and relational problems. Malachi emphasizes that true worship involves loving God and loving others, and that our worship should be genuine and wholehearted.
The people of Israel were offering God their leftovers, both in terms of their sacrifices and their devotion. This dishonored God's name and misrepresented His character to the nations. True worship, as Malachi teaches, involves giving God our best and living lives that reflect His holiness and love. The book ends with a call to confront false worship and to proclaim God's greatness among the nations.
Malachi's message is timeless and relevant. It challenges us to examine our own worship and devotion. Are we giving God our best, or just our leftovers? Are we representing His name well to our neighbors and the nations? As we take communion today, let us renew our commitment to worship God in spirit and truth, and to live lives that honor His name.
### Key Takeaways
1. Believing in God's Love: One of the core issues in Malachi is the people's struggle to believe in God's love. This disbelief often stems from sin and wounds that create a sense of distance from God. True healing begins when we accept God's love and let it transform our hearts and lives. [34:25]
2. Worship and Obedience: Malachi links worship and obedience, emphasizing that true worship leads to a life of obedience. If we truly love God, our actions will reflect that love. Worship is not just about rituals but about living a life that honors God in every aspect. [35:53]
3. False Worship: The people of Israel were guilty of false worship, loving their idols and material possessions more than God. This is a human condition that persists today. True worship requires us to confront and remove idols from our lives, making God supreme. [37:18]
4. Offering Our Best to God: Malachi condemns the practice of offering God leftovers. True worship involves giving God our best—our time, resources, and devotion. This principle challenges us to prioritize God in our lives and to offer Him the first fruits of our labor. [51:26]
5. Proclaiming God's Greatness: The book of Malachi ends with a call to proclaim God's greatness among the nations. Our lives should be a testimony to God's goodness and love. As we engage with our communities, we should strive to make God's name known and honored. [01:03:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:43] - Announcements and Gratitude
[24:18] - Prayer for Upcoming Camps
[25:51] - Correction on Elders' List
[31:09] - Introduction of Becky Hasbrook
[32:46] - Introduction to Malachi
[34:25] - Believing in God's Love
[35:53] - Worship and Obedience
[37:18] - False Worship and Idolatry
[38:48] - Relationship Issues and Divorce
[40:13] - Shallow and Syncretistic Worship
[41:47] - Honor and Relationship with God
[43:22] - Representing God's Name
[44:56] - Hebrew Words for Worship
[46:32] - Going Through the Motions
[48:04] - The Prodigal Son and God's Grace
[49:47] - Knowing God as Father
[51:26] - Offering Leftovers to God
[53:11] - Teaching Children True Worship
[54:59] - Superficial Worship and God's Blessing
[56:30] - True Worship Confronts False Worship
[58:10] - Shutting Down False Worship
[59:31] - Lee Strobel's Testimony
[01:01:11] - Sharing the Gospel Boldly
[01:02:35] - Made to Multiply Training
[01:03:29] - Proclaiming God's Greatness
[01:07:48] - Communion and Renewal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Malachi 1:6-8 (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?’ 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."
2. Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
> "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."
3. Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)
> "And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’"
### Observation Questions
1. According to Malachi 1:6-8, what were the people of Israel doing that dishonored God's name?
2. In Malachi 3:10, what does God challenge the people to do, and what promise does He make if they obey?
3. How does Jesus summarize the commandments in Matthew 22:37-39, and how does this relate to the issues addressed in Malachi? [32:46]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God equate offering polluted sacrifices with dishonoring His name in Malachi 1:6-8? What does this reveal about the nature of true worship? [41:47]
2. How does the challenge in Malachi 3:10 to bring the full tithe reflect the people's relationship with God? What does this say about their priorities and trust in Him? [37:18]
3. How do the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-39 encapsulate the message of Malachi regarding worship and obedience? [32:46]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own worship practices. Are there areas where you might be offering God your "leftovers" instead of your best? How can you change this? [51:26]
2. Consider the idols in your life that might be taking precedence over your relationship with God. What steps can you take to confront and remove these idols? [37:18]
3. How can you better represent God's name to your neighbors and the nations? Think of one specific action you can take this week to honor God in your community. [43:22]
4. In what ways can you ensure that your worship is genuine and wholehearted, rather than just going through the motions? What practical changes can you make in your daily life to reflect this? [46:32]
5. How can you actively proclaim God's greatness in your daily interactions? Identify one person or group you can share God's love with this week. [01:03:29]
6. Reflect on the connection between worship and obedience in your life. Are there areas where your actions do not align with your professed love for God? How can you address this inconsistency? [35:53]
7. As you take communion, how can you renew your commitment to worship God in spirit and truth? What specific steps will you take to live a life that honors His name? [01:07:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Accepting God's Transformative Love
Description: One of the core issues highlighted in the book of Malachi is the people's struggle to believe in God's love. This disbelief often stems from sin and wounds that create a sense of distance from God. True healing begins when we accept God's love and let it transform our hearts and lives. When we doubt God's love, we are more likely to drift away from Him, leading to a life that lacks the fullness and joy that comes from a close relationship with our Creator.
Accepting God's love means allowing it to penetrate the deepest parts of our being, healing our wounds, and transforming our hearts. It requires us to confront the lies and doubts that have taken root in our minds and replace them with the truth of God's unwavering love. As we embrace His love, we will find ourselves drawn closer to Him, experiencing the peace and joy that come from knowing we are deeply loved by our Heavenly Father. [34:25]
Malachi 1:2-3 (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 but Esau I have hated."
Reflection: Think about a time when you doubted God's love for you. What specific steps can you take today to remind yourself of His love and allow it to transform your heart?
Day 2: Worship Through Obedience
Description: Malachi links worship and obedience, emphasizing that true worship leads to a life of obedience. If we truly love God, our actions will reflect that love. Worship is not just about rituals but about living a life that honors God in every aspect. This means that our worship should extend beyond the walls of the church and into our daily lives, influencing the way we interact with others, make decisions, and prioritize our time and resources.
Obedience to God is a natural outflow of genuine worship. When we worship God in spirit and truth, we are compelled to live in a way that pleases Him. This involves aligning our actions with His commands and seeking to honor Him in all that we do. True worship is not confined to a specific time or place but is a lifestyle of devotion and obedience to God. [35:53]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): And Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to obey God? How can you turn your daily actions into acts of worship that honor Him?
Day 3: Confronting False Worship
Description: The people of Israel were guilty of false worship, loving their idols and material possessions more than God. This is a human condition that persists today. True worship requires us to confront and remove idols from our lives, making God supreme. Idolatry can take many forms, including the pursuit of wealth, status, relationships, or even personal comfort. These idols can easily take the place of God in our hearts, leading us away from true worship.
Confronting false worship involves a deliberate and honest examination of our hearts to identify the idols that have taken root. It requires us to repent and turn away from these idols, choosing instead to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. True worship is marked by a wholehearted devotion to God, where He is the ultimate focus and desire of our hearts. [37:18]
Ezekiel 14:6 (ESV): "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations."
Reflection: Identify an idol in your life that has taken precedence over your relationship with God. What steps can you take today to remove this idol and refocus your worship on God alone?
Day 4: Offering Our Best to God
Description: Malachi condemns the practice of offering God leftovers. True worship involves giving God our best—our time, resources, and devotion. This principle challenges us to prioritize God in our lives and to offer Him the first fruits of our labor. When we give God our best, we acknowledge His worthiness and honor Him as the supreme authority in our lives.
Offering our best to God means intentionally setting aside the best of what we have to offer, whether it be our time, talents, or resources. It is an act of worship that demonstrates our love and reverence for Him. By giving God our best, we show that He is our highest priority and that we trust Him to provide for our needs. [51:26]
Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV): Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Reflection: Reflect on how you allocate your time, talents, and resources. Are you giving God your best, or just your leftovers? What changes can you make to prioritize offering your best to Him?
Day 5: Proclaiming God's Greatness
Description: The book of Malachi ends with a call to proclaim God's greatness among the nations. Our lives should be a testimony to God's goodness and love. As we engage with our communities, we should strive to make God's name known and honored. This involves living in a way that reflects His character and sharing the message of His love and salvation with others.
Proclaiming God's greatness is not just about words but also about actions. It means living a life that is consistent with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God. As we embody His love, grace, and truth, we become living testimonies of His greatness. Our lives should inspire others to seek and honor God, drawing them into a relationship with Him. [01:03:29]
Psalm 96:3-4 (ESV): Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
Reflection: How can you actively proclaim God's greatness in your community today? Think of one specific action you can take to reflect His love and goodness to those around you.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The whole Bible is about worship. It's who we worship and how we worship. The whole Bible is about loving God and loving others. Out of our worship for God, we are able to bless other people." [32:46] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and what's the second one? Love your neighbor as yourself. There's no such thing as having to learn to love yourself. We already do. The question is, will we learn to love people with God's love? That's the question." [33:30] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Sometimes, you're going to meet people, and maybe you're here, and you struggle with that. It's usually because of sin and wounds, because we're disobeying God. We feel distant, and also because of wounds that people have given us, and we've held on to them, and they're deep. And it's a hard, it's a hard belief sometimes. It's just like he's a mile away or a billion miles away, and that's what he says to them. Your struggle is primarily a love problem." [35:10] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He says, you come to me, and you offer your leftovers, and you think it's good. You think it's sufficient. Now, you come to my house. If I were in charge, I would give you leftovers, because that's all I can do. So, I like leftovers. I like when the casserole gels and sits there for a few days. I just scrape the green stuff off, and I go with it. It don't matter. But if you came to my house, our house, Glenna would never, ever, ever give you leftovers. She would say, we don't treat guests that way." [51:26] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He says, you try taking these things to your governor and you see what your governor says. Verse nine and then you could put then instead of now then and treat 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." [54:59] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Malachi ends with God saying, you have a love problem. You have a love problem. You love yourself, your idols, your things, your stuff too much. It's a unique book that it's only 55 verses, and 47 of those 55 verses, God is actually speaking. It's like Malachi is a court reporter, and he's just simply writing down what God says." [33:30] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He says, by the way, I'm not so bothered by how you live or what you give or the sexual relationships you're having. Those are all symptoms. I'm bothered by the fact that you could take my name on and still live like the world. That's the main thing in the book. You make my name look bad. I don't look well to the nations because when they hear Yahweh, they shake their head, and say, well if those people are representing Yahweh and that's what they want me to be like, I don't want to be like them." [41:47] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He says, here's the problem. We have a relationship problem and an honor problem. We don't have the relationship we're meant to have. And therefore, you don't honor me the way you're called to do. He said, a son would naturally honor his father unless the father were cruel or absent or mean. And in the book, God says to them, I've not been cruel to you. And I've not been absent. I've not been mean. I've been nothing but good and bless you." [41:47] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "True worship motivates us to lovingly confront false worship. Would you write down in yourself and then others it leads you to confront the idols in your life in yourself and then in others. True worship says there's no room for making God supreme and worshiping God and worshiping other things on the equal par to God." [56:30] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He says, just like he did in Psalms, I'm angry with the wicked every day. He says, I have no pleasure in you at all and I'll not accept your offering. Almost no one believes that. Matter of fact, they will say, I'm angry with you as long as you're sincere. Any roads you choose will get up to the top of the mountain. Any road you choose, just be sincere. Here's what he says to them, you're sincerely wrong. You're as sincere as the day is long, but you're wrong." [58:10] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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