Half-hearted Worship Malachi 1:6-10

First Problem:

Israel was skeptical of God’s love for them.

Second Problem:

Israel was half-hearted and self-centered in worship

Condition of the Priests

Malachi 1:6 6 A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But

if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? says Yahweh of

Hosts to you priests, who despise My name.” Yet you ask: “How have we despised Your name?”

Picture 1: God as Father

Malachi 1:6a 6 A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But

if I am a father, where is My honor?

Condition of the Priest: 1. Not concerned about honoring God

Picture 2: God as Master

Messing with Sasquatch:

Messing with Sasquatch:

A. Encounter Big Foot

Messing with Sasquatch:

A. Encounter Big Foot B. Instead of fear, they mess with him

Messing with Sasquatch:

A. Encounter Big Foot B. Instead of fear, they mess with him C. They don’t get away with it

Condition of the Priest: 1. Not concerned about honoring God. 2. No fear of God

Malachi 1:6 6 A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But

if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? says Yahweh of

Hosts to you priests, who despise My name.” Yet you ask: “How have we despised Your name?”

Picture 3: Yahweh of Hosts

Picture 3: Yahweh of Hosts A. Self-Existing Lord of the army of Heaven

Picture 3: Yahweh of Hosts A. Self-Existing Lord of the army of Heaven B. Self-Existing creator of the stars (universe)

Root Problem:

The priests did not sense the greatness of God.

“Failed to feel the gravity of God.”

How did this problem express itself?

Malachi 1:6-8 6 A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But

if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? says Yahweh of

Hosts to you priests, who despise My name.” Yet you ask: “How have we despised Your name?” 7 “By

presenting defiled food on My altar.” You ask: “How have we defiled You?” When you say: “The

LORD’s table is contemptible.” 8 “When you present a blind animal for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when

you present a lame or sick animal, is it not wrong? Bring it to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.

Big Idea:

The priest failed to feel the greatness of God and this led to half-hearted and self-centered worship.

Leviticus 1:1-4 1 The LORD called to Moses from the Tabernacle and

said to him, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you present an animal as an

offering to the LORD, you may take it from your herd of cattle or your flock of sheep and goats. “If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the

herd, it must be a male with no defects.

Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the LORD.

1. God does not want our half-hearted worship.

Malachi 1:9-10 9 “And now ask for God’s favor. Will He be gracious to us? Since this has come from your hands, will He show any of you favor? “asks the LORD of Hosts. “I wish one of you would shut the temple doors, so you would no

longer kindle a useless fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and I will

accept no offering from your hands.”

Why were they even offering anything?

1. God does not want our half-hearted worship. 2. You will offer your life as a sacrifice to something.

Malachi 1:8 8 “When you present a blind animal for sacrifice, is it

not wrong? And when you present a lame or sick animal, is it not wrong? Bring it to your governor!

Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.

“When you meet the real Jesus, you always find two things that are shocking, He demands more than you thought and He offers you more than you ever dreamed.” -Tim Keller

What are you giving your best to?

1. God does not want our half-hearted worship. 2. You will offer your life as a sacrifice to something. 3. Offer your life to God on purpose.