Malachi 1: 6-14
In our journey through the book of Malachi, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture—a discussion about worship. The people, tired and hopeless, were questioning God's presence. Malachi emerges as the messenger bringing a vital message from their King.
God’s Love Calls us to Worship
In our previous session, we delved into the depth of God's love. This week, the focus shifts to the response elicited by realizing this love—worship. Israel, much like many of our churches today, was caught in the trap of empty, ritualistic worship. God, however, refused to let it continue. Through Malachi, He speaks to us, providing three key characteristics of true, acceptable worship.
1. True Worship is God-Centered, Not Us-Centered
Malachi shifts the spotlight to the priests, addressing accusations toward those responsible for leading worship. God's charge is clear: "If I am a father, where is my honor? If I am a master, where is my fear?" The essence of worship, Malachi reveals, lies in recognizing and honoring the worth of God. Worship, then, becomes a reflection of what we value most.
Is our worship truly centered on God, or have we inadvertently placed other things at the forefront? Is our worship grounded in our preferences or how it makes us feel? It is a sad place when we realize that we no longer have a reverent awe of God in our worship. Many churches are declining because the infinite, holy, amazing God that loves us has become routine and ordinary in the hard hearts of His people.
2. True Worship is Unreserved, Not Half-Hearted
God challenges the priests regarding the quality of their offerings. Bringing the worst of their flock to God, they offer blind, lame, or sick animals. God questions if they would present such offerings to their human governors. This prompts reflection on the sincerity and enthusiasm of our worship.
God desires unreserved worship, not something done half-heartedly. Are we preparing for worship with the same anticipation and dedication we put into other aspects of our lives? Are the activities in our churches done with an excellence that reveals an unreserved dedication to our Lord? Does the state of our facilities show our community that God is great and powerful or that He was great and powerful 35 years ago? We may not have millions, or hundreds, to spend on facility upgrades, but if our homes and cars are kept better than our church, there may be a problem.
3. True Worship is Precious, Not Cheap
In the latter part of the passage, God condemns stolen sacrifices and emphasizes the cost of true worship. Worship is not about offering God what costs us nothing; it's about sacrificial giving of our time, resources, and ourselves. The passage challenges us to consider the value we place on our worship.
If our worship doesn't cost us anything, is it truly worship? God, the great King, desires offerings that reflect the preciousness of His name. Again, this is not a call to sell everything or to take a vow of poverty to enlarge the church’s savings. However, it is a call to examine ourselves and ask what our worship is worth. Are we prepared when we gather for worship, are we engaged as we sing, give, and hear the Word? Is the worship in the pews costly and genuine or are our members simply borrowing (stealing) the worship of the people they paid to lead it?
Application for Church Revitalization
As we navigate the journey of church revitalization, Malachi's message echoes into our present reality. The call is clear:
Embrace Unchanging Love: Let the unchanging love of God be the cornerstone of our worship. As we lead our congregations, remind them that true worship stems from a recognition of God's character and His enduring love.
Rediscover Purpose in Worship: Reflect on the divine purpose of worship. It's not a mere routine; it's a sacred duty to honor the one true God. Guide your church in understanding that worship is about God, not us. The world can spot counterfeits and if our worship is not authentic, it is not valuable.
Foster Unreserved Worship: Challenge your congregation to worship with an undivided heart. Encourage preparation and anticipation, so our worship is not merely a routine but a genuine offering to the Almighty.
Value Precious Worship: Instill in your church the understanding that worship is a precious offering. It requires sacrifice, dedication, and a recognition of God's worthiness. The church will never value worship more than the pastor. If they are going to worship well, we, as leaders, must learn to lead them to worship well through our words and our deeds.
In conclusion, Malachi reminds us that revitalizing our churches begins with revitalizing our worship. Let's lead our congregations to a place of genuine, heartfelt worship that honors the God who is worthy of all praise and adoration.
Note: The purpose of this series is not to offer sermon structure or outlines, but is to provide revitalization pastors and church members with potential application or connection points between the text and aspects of church revitalization that they may be facing in the church.