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Whole Hearted Love Mal. 1:1-2, 6-14 Aug. 12, 2007

Introduction

Who wants half hearted love? No one, especially not God! So let us determine to give God our Whole Hearted Love.

1. The . . Dispatch Related To Whole Hearted Love. 1:1-2

A. The . . Details Of The Dispatch.

<>        1. The Dispatch Given By God. 1:1a, 2a
                "An oracle: The word of the LORD. . ." v 1a
                ". . . I have loved you," says the LORD." v 2a

        2. The Dispatch Given To Israel. 1:1b
            ". . . to Israel . . ."

<>        3. The Dispatch Given through Malachi. 1:1c
            ". . . through Malachi."

<>B. The . . Doubting Of The Dispatch. 1:2b
        ". . . But you ask: "How have You loved us?" <>

        The Lord gives a dispatch in detail to Israel, and He gives it through the prophet Malachi. The dispatch proclaims God's love, and surprisingly the people of Israel question God's love. Who today questions God's Love? I suggest those of enormous ingratitude, ignorance, or the illiterate.

2. The . . Demonstration Related To Whole Hearted Love. 1:2c, 2d &2e

<>A. The . . Examination From The Demonstration. 2c
        "Wasn't Esau Jacob's brother?"

<>B. The . . • Enunciation From The Demonstration. 1:2d
        This is the LORD's declaration.

<>C. The . . Explanation From The Demonstration. 1:2e
        "Even so, I loved Jacob,

Why the Lord follows with an explanation to demonstrate His love; adds to the fact of His love. He asks if Esau was Jacobs's brother, and every Israeli person knew how God had made a choice of Jacob over Esau, therefore expressing more love to Jacob. The love of God is demonstrated as the nation from Jacob is chosen; but the nations of Esau were rejected. Do you think God chose our land for His abundant blessings?

3. The . . Distinctions Related To Whole Hearted Love. 1:6-8a

<>A. The Distinctions Noted In . . Absence Of Honor. 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 the LORD of Hosts to you priests, who despise My name." Yet you ask: "How have we despised Your name?"

<>B. The Distinctions Noted In. . Abuses Of Honor. 1:7-8a
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?

Under inspiration Malachi makes a distinction in noting the absence of honor as the people do not properly honor God like they do their father's or masters. Then Malachi reports God calling attention to abuses in the defiled offerings presented on His altar. I do not like to look at the giving records of church members although in times past I have been expected to do that. One reason I don't like to look at them is the sickening response I get in knowing the lack of faithful tithes from some so called leaders. Some with very big mouths have small pocket books.

4. The . . Disbelief Related To Whole Hearted Love. 1:8b - 10

<>A. The Disbelief Caused A Call For. . Comparison. 1:8b
8b Bring it to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?" asks the LORD of Hosts.

<>B. The Disbelief Caused A Call For. . Considerations. 1: 9
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.

<>C. The Disbelief Caused A Call For. . Closing 1:10
10 "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.

God expresses disbelief at the actions of the people, and asked if the governor would be pleased with such faulty sacrifices. When the people considered their actions do they deserve the favors of God? Absolutely not! Do you find it surprising that God calls for someone to close the doors to His temple? The Lord did not express pleasure in their worship. A similar kind of expression can be found in Rev. 3:16. If God gave us a written statement about our worship would he be pleased?

5. The . . Declaration Related To Whole Hearted Love. 1:11-14

<>A. The . . Premise Related To The Declaration. 1:11a
       ". . . "For My name will be great among the nations, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name in every place because My name will be great among the nations," says the LORD of Hosts.

<>B. The . . Profaning Related To The Declaration. 1:12-13
       12 But you are profaning it when you say: "The Lord's table is defiled, and its product, its food, is contemptible." 13 You also say: "Look, what a nuisance!" "And you scorn it," says the LORD of Hosts. "You bring stolen, lame, or sick animals. You bring this as an offering! Am I to accept that from your hands?" asks the LORD.

<>C. The . . Pretense Related To The Declaration. 1:14
       14 "The deceiver is cursed who has an acceptable male in his flock and makes a vow but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King," says the LORD of Hosts, "and My name will be feared among the nations.

The bottom line remains in this; the Lord will be praised throughout the world. He declares that premise, and the presentations of pure offerings of praise, and lifestyle will be offered on this earth forever. The priority of worship centers in the praise of the Lord. Several criticize the music that some youth sing and play, but several of these songs really praise the Lord, and older adults need to appreciate any avenue that exalts our Lord. Certainly we ought to be able to blend some Youth Praise into our normal worship styles. This is especially true when we see all ages truly expressing Whole Hearted Love. Amen? Amen!