Honoring God’s Name

 

Honoring God’s Name

Mal 1:6-7

SUBJECT: NEGLECT OF WORSHIP

THEME: As We Serve God with Respect and Sincerity, Our Ministries Will Honor Him. This Must Be our Number One Priority in a Life of Worship.

RELEVANCE:  Have we succumbed to problems of neglect, expediency-convenience, and outright disobedience? Do we have a proper perspective of God, or do we doubt His faithfulness to His promises?  

Such opinions lead to widespread unfaithfulness, and it affects the worship of others. We need to renew our perspective, reestablish our hope, and promote a proper faithfulness to God.

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Wherever there are privileges there are also perils (Mal. 1:6; 2:1, 7)! What sins were the priests committing as they carried on their duties in the restored temple?

2.  Not surprisingly, the exiles who had returned to Judah and Jerusalem and lost a sense of God's love for them were unable to muster much love for Him in return. This showed in the way they kept up superficial religious behavior which actually insulted God.

3.  Beloved, have we “despised” God by offering unacceptable worship in direct violation of the word. Are we treating God in a way that we would not dare treat our human or spiritual leaders, family members, or fellow church members (1:8). Perhaps it’s time for us to repent also (1:9)!  By our “polluted” worship, and meaningless church exercises we demonstrated our disrespect for God (1:12-14). Aren’t we making the same mistakes?

MESSAGE:

I.  Give God the Honor Worthy of His Name.   (Mal. 1:6-7)

God focuses on the priests, who should have been the spiritual leaders of the land. The priests were not giving honor to God’s name; they were taking the best for themselves.

A.  THE ALLEGATION (Mal. 1:6)

This is the point made in v. 6. A person who is subordinate shows respect for his superior.

   1.  The Standard Expectation.  “A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master”

      — It is Normal for Fathers and Masters to Receive Respect.

      — Honor is high respect, as that shown for special merit; esteem. Glory or recognition; distinction.  The dignity accorded to position.

     A.  Affection— Fatherhood is a Matter of Relationship.   (Mal. 1:6) “If then I be a father”

           1.  Family Love and Responsibilities Reveal our obligations to God.

           2.  The Lord Jesus, Taught on the Fatherhood of God.

Matthew 7:11, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

           3.  The Apostle Paul Taught on the Fatherhood of God.

Hebrews 12:9, Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

           4.   The Obligations of Love and Respect are to Always Mark our relationship With God.

While it is true that many know nothing about showing respect and honor for parents, God expects his children to love and honor Him.   Exodus 20:12, Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

     B.  Assignment— Mastery is a Matter of Responsibility.  (Mal. 1:6) “If I be a master”

           1.  This refers to a Master & Servant Relationship and Service is the main emphasis. 

           2.  The Priest Were Special Servants of God.

                 — Like the rest of God’s people, they came under the claims of children and the responsibilities;                                                     

                 — But, as priests, they were children honored with special trusts. They were favored children, and were obligated to be models to the rest of the children.

           3.  But they offered God crippled and lame animals as sacrifices. Such actions by priests and people revealed contempt for God, whom they should have honored as “the great King” He is (v. 14).

           4.  The obligation of the servant to the master is similar to that of the son to the father, but in the case of the child there is the help of personal affection. 

           5.  It is our duty to honor the Lord.

1 Tim. 6:1-2, Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. [2] And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

APPLICATION: If God is first in our hearts our choices will reflect love for Him, and our every action will honor Him. Those in authority are worthy of respect (1 Sam 24:5-6). David had great respect for Saul, in spite of the fact that Saul was trying to kill him. Although Saul was sinning and rebelling against God, David still respected the position he held as God’s anointed king. David knew he would one day be king, and he also knew it was not right to strike down the man God had placed on the throne. If he assassinated Saul, he would be setting a precedent for his own opponents to remove him some day.

Rom 13:1-7 teaches that God has placed the government and its leaders in power. We may not know why, but, like David, we are to respect the positions and roles of those to whom God has given authority. There is one exception, however. Because God is our highest authority, we should not allow a leader to pressure us to violate God’s word.

Titus 2:9-10, Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; [10] Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

1 Peter 2:17-19, Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. [18] Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. [19] For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

   2.  The Indictment Clarified.    (Mal. 1:6) “Where is mine honor?” “. . . where is my fear?”

God’s complaint against Judah is that, though He has called this people into a relationship with Himself, the people have refused to honor Him.

     A.  Where is God’s Honor as Your Father?

            1.  God was the Father of Israel by creation, election, preservation, watchful guardianship (Deut 32:6; 64:8).   Exodus 4:22, And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

Isaiah 63:16, Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

            2.  Out of Personal Affection for Him We Should Honor Him. 

                   — The word “honor” also means “glory.”

                   — The glory of God is spoken of frequently throughout the Scriptures (He is even called “the King of glory,” Ps. 24:7-10).

                   — The fact that glory and honor are due to the LORD is far beyond dispute.

            3.  Israel’s actions go beyond disrespect; they have “despised” God’s name (v. 6).

                A.  To regard with contempt or scorn or hold as insignificant.

                        1.  To feel contempt or look down on someone or something because it is thought to be bad, worthless, or distasteful.

                        2.  To regard as unworthy of one’s notice, consideration or interest. It may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

                        3.  Contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, or feeble.

                B.  The opposite of highly esteeming.

            4.  As the prophet pointed out, a son honors his father—and God had been a Father to Judah.

                   — The fifth of the Ten Commandments states that children are to honor their parents (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16).

                   — Disobedient children who rebelled against discipline were to be stoned (Deut. 21:18-21).                                 

                   — Therefore should the nation which considered itself a “son“ of the Lord be less obedient?

     B.  Where is God’s Fear as Your Master?

            1.  A Master's Claim Only Illustrate God’s Claims of Honor from Us.

                  — Israelites might consider the Lord the Master of Israel. Scripture presents Israel as the Lord’s servant.  Isaiah 44:1-2,  Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: [2] Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

                  — How could the nation that was the Lord’s servant be disrespectful to Him?  

            2. “Fear” of God does not mean being terrified of Him;

                  — It means a proper respect and reverence for Him,

                  — A reverence that leads to worship and obedience.(Deut. 6:5 with Deut. 6:13).

                  — Where is the fear, respect, reverence the Lord deserves. “If I be a Master, where is my fear? saith the Lord. of host.”

            3.  A servant shows respect to his master;

                   — God is rightly called “Lord” and “Master” by His people.

                   — Why then was God treated in Judah as unimportant?

Luke 6:46, And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

             4.  There is no necessary affection in this relationship, there is simply obligation and duty. A servant is bound to serve.

                   — Apply to the priests, who were precisely the servants of Jehovah's house, or temple.

                   — He had a right to claim service that would honor him, that would show reverence and fear, and would make others think highly of him. But that kind of service the priests were failing to render.

     C.  Where is God’s Honor as Your LORD?  “You O priests, that despise my name.”

          1.  Despise Means:

                A.  To regard with contempt or scorn.

                B.  To dislike intensely; loathe.

                C.  To regard as unworthy of one's interest or concern.

                        — A failure to look at attentively; observe closely.
                        — A failure to take into account; consider.

                D.  The opposite of highly esteeming.

          2.  God’s Name Means:

                A.  The Name of God is God himself and all that has to do with him.

                B.  In ancient Israel, a name was a symbol of a person’s character, works, and reputation. Therefore, this charge was most serious.

                C.  They were dishonoring God by defiling his name (Mal.1:6). How?  By not giving their best on the altar.

   3.  The Denial Offered.

        A.  The people of Judah react to this charge with another caustic reply. You can almost hear the tone of outraged innocence. “Wherein have we despised thy name?”

        B.  The priests have grown so callous and have so obscured true worship by their Pharisaical externalism, that they claimed to be utterly unaware of how they have shown contempt of God.

CONCLUSION:

The priests had “despised” God by offering offensive sacrifices in direct violation of the law (1:6-8; see Deut 15:21). They were mistreating God even disrespecting His name (1:8). Malachi was right to call them to repentance (1:9)! Are we making the same mistakes with our worship?