Big Idea:

Before God ever accepts your ACTS of worship, he inspects your HEART in worship.

• 1^st takeaway: Worship is a way to give God our best, not our leftovers.
• 2^nd takeaway: Empty, apathetic worship offends God.
• 3^rd takeaway: Our priest, Jesus, transforms our hearts as we worship.

Sermon Overview:

As we consider how to be disciples on mission in Poway, California, Pastor Jason begins with an analogy to help us understand how worship can become worthless. Consider medals, such as the  Congressional Medal of Honor and the "Stolen Valor Act" which illustrates how something sacred like military honor is cheapened and desecrated when it is treated lightly, faked, or sold for profit. In the 1990’s a company was found guilty of doing such dishonorable activities! In today’s passage, something similar is happening: what was sacred had become cheapened and made dishonorable. What was it? God’s name!

 God's Charge: His Name is Dishonored (Malachi 1:6)

The prophet Malachi confronts the people, and primarily the priests, for despising God's name (Malachi 1:6). The priests, who were mediators representing the people's heart to God, failed to show the honor due to a Father and a Master. The people's spiritual problem was an unexamined "blind spot"—they were genuinely unaware of how they were dishonoring God.

God's Evidence: Cutting Corners (Malachi 1:7-10)

The priests and the people showed their dishonor through their sacrifices. They were presenting "defiled food" (blind, lame, or sick animals) on the altar, which was strictly forbidden by the Law (Leviticus 22).

Takeaway 1: Worship is a way to give God our best, not our leftovers.

This principle applies to New Covenant believers, who are called to present their entire lives as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). True worship is comprehensive, extending beyond Sunday to time, energy, focus, and finances—giving God the "first fruits" and not the bare minimum.

God was so offended by this worthless worship that He wished someone would "shut the temple doors" to stop the useless fire (Malachi 1:10).

Empty, Apathetic Worship (Malachi 1:12-14)

The sermon identifies the root attitude as apathy. The people and priests saw their worship as a "nuisance" or a tiresome burden, going through the motions with a lackadaisical heart. They offered sacrifices that cost them nothing, effectively acting as deceivers and swindlers toward a "great King." Apathy causes people to lose their sense of wonder and awe towards God.

Condemned Leaders and the Perfect Priest (Malachi 2:1-9)

Malachi condemns the unfaithful priests, contrasting them with the faithful covenant of Levi, who showed reverence and taught true instruction (Malachi 2:4-7). These failed priests forfeited their right to their role.

Takeaway 2: Empty, apathetic worship offends God.

Takeaway 3: Our priest, Jesus transforms our hearts as we worship.

The failed earthly priests point to the need for the Perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:26-27). He is holy, sinless, and offered Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice, abolishing the need for animal sacrifices.

Through His priestly role, Jesus intercedes for us and transforms our impure hearts, allowing us to approach the "throne of grace with boldness" (Hebrews 4:16) to receive mercy and find grace. We are invited to confess our worthless worship and let Christ reorder and cleanse our hearts.