MALACHI
Restoring Honor…
Haggai and Zechariah had urged the people of God to complete the temple of God… and they did – with expectations of the messianic age – that did not occur.
Due to a misunderstanding about God and His ways the people began to be obedient up to a point; they did what was easily recognized as faith…
- Rebuild the temple… OK
- Extend mercy… OK – but within “reason”.
- Be inclined towards the things of God… (attend gatherings, know some scripture and talk about God in certain circles)… OK
YET: behind the scenes out of the public forum
- The priests (religious leaders) remained corrupt in their dealings of sacrifice – keeping the best for themselves.
- Worship had become routine and rote – it was more about the external than the internal – how their lives appeared before other men.
- Divorce remained widespread among the nation – people did what was best in their own eyes.
- A spirit of indifference was prevalent particularly towards orphans and widows who were being ignored – the people regarded themselves before others.
Then as now – God considers the heart.
Ultimately God called the people to consider what they inclined their heart towards – where their affection was directed – and – what they honored… not only with their lips but with their lives.
Malachi is a book that confronts a faith that appears genuine yet when held up to the light is not sincere.
- “Sine-cera” (sin-ah care-ah)– meaning “without wax”
• Dishonest or untalented sculptors in ancient Rome would use wax to cover up their flaws… Externally the creation looked good… yet when held to the light the cracks and flaws were evident.
Malachi deals with the issue of a faith that is “recognizable” externally but upon closer examination is not honorable. He does this by examining the primary thing people can withhold from God and very few people will ever notice… giving.
Malachi address A spirit of poverty.
Understand that a spirit of poverty has nothing to do with wealth. You can be a millionaire and be in bondage. John Rockefeller when asked “how much is enough” replied… “just a little more.” That my friends is a spirit of poverty from one of the wealthiest people in the history of the world.
POVERTY – is a spirit of fear that never has enough… never satisfied… never content…
Read chapter 3 of Malachi
Malachi has been used to provoke people into providing a tithe to God – a tithe means 10% - a dime for every dollar.
While I agree with the TITHE I do not agree with the intent of what I’ve heard from those who would choose to use these verses as coercion to get people to give.
- If you don’t give your tithe… God will not bless you.
- If you don’t give to God… God will not answer your prayers.
- If you don’t give to God… things will come up to take your money anyway.
- If you give to God – he will open up the storehouses of heaven and you will live in abundance. (last time I checked the word “need”
is not synonymous with abundance)
Yeah… not what I read in the bible… God answers the prayers of those who have never given to honor Him – he heard your prayer of salvation… Throughout scripture God has and will provide for people who withhold from Him.
An issue with giving is the expectation - I don’t give to get… I give to show honor…
- A spouse gives themselves to their partner out of honor and delights in that other person.
- A soldier sacrificially gives his life to his country out of honor.
- Parents sacrifice and give to the needs of their family out of honor and affection.
What I desire is where I will position my heart…
The position of me heart determines where I give my affection…
- I voluntarily come into agreement with what I desire.
- Affection cannot be coerced.
- I cannot “force” myself to desire – desire is an act of volition.
- I am free to choose what I desire.
- So… where my heart is placed is what I will give my affection to.
What I have affection towards is what I will reflect…
- You will “be able to see” what I have affection towards.
That which I reflect is what I take delight in…
- I don’t “labor” for something I delight in.
• that is not to say it does not take effort…
What I take delight in is what I will give myself to…
- When I give myself to something it is joyful. I give without expecting anything.
- Giving without delight cancels out the giving.
What I give myself to is what consumes me….
- If it costs me everything… it is worth it.
- No matter what others think… I will present my life and my resources as an offering.
What consumes me is what I will show honor towards…
Imagine a culture of honor and giving that considers:
- As I shop at a store I am there to honor the person behind the counter.
- As I sit and eat at a restaurant I am there to give and honor the person who serves my table.
- As I find a need in the body of believers and I am able to help with my talent… I give and do that out of honor for that person…
When I GIVE I fill a need – when we GIVE GENEROUSLY I extend HONOR.
Kings give to kings not because they need anything from the other – it is to bestow honor to whom honor is due. Giving is a sincere demonstration of what consumes your life, what has your affection, what you value.
It’s not necessarily the amount given what is necessary is giving generously so as to extend honor.
LUKE 21:1-4 the parable of the widows mite -
Itis possible to can give a certain amount (at least 10%) and it can be “more” than others. However, if my giving is not done from a posture of generosity and honor (in the kingdom economy) it is “less than” the person who gives less (their less 10%) but does it with affection.
So this morning I am asking you to consider what you are giving honor to:
Summit Life Church was established just about a year ago. In that time we have seen; marriages restored, people set free from addiction, healing of physical ailments, and moments with God unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
And I anticipate greater things in the days to come.
For that to occur a culture of honor must develop – a culture that gives generously.
When I choose to give generously I am choosing to RESTORE HONOR.
Imagine a place where people can go on Monday nights to be encouraged and loved as they are set free from addiction, depression, loneliness and fear.
Imagine an environment where people can come to receive prayer for healing on Saturday afternoons…
A culture that fully embraces the mandate “nothing is impossible with God.”
See a place where teenagers will establish a “different normal” where they honor God, their parents, their peers and teachers.
A place where children will learn to love God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ under the presence of His Spirit;
Imagine a place where children in addition to giving a tangible Mother’s day or Father’s day present will HONOR their parents by prophesying over their lives.
A setting where everyone is supported and encouraged to use their specific anointing and gifts to bring God’s kingdom to earth;
For that to take place – I must be willing to give generously and to usher that Spirit.
- I must be willing to honor the LORD.
• I’m not giving to get something back… that is a vending machine.
• I’m giving generously to extend HONOR to GOD.
The parable of the talents – (Luke 19:11-27) is about being entrusted with resources – and HONORING what I have been asked to do by GOD. How freely you give will determine what God can trust you with in the future.
Miracles signs and wonders inhabit a lifestyle that demonstrates generosity.
• Loaves and fish can only multiply if I am willing to give them away.
Nothing is transformed and multiplied until it is placed in the hands of Jesus.
For me… when it is time to consider an offering I think about this:
- This money may have been used to buy pornography.
- This money may have been used to buy drugs.
- This money could be used to buy another material possession that will ultimately fade away.
- This money could be used to build a material kingdom here on earth.
BUT RIGHT NOW these are soldiers in my army and I am going to commission them right now to go into a realm where they will affect the course of world history.
- RIGHT NOW Jesus will take something that is natural and make it supernatural.
- RIGHT NOW I choose to demonstrate what consumes me – establishing the kingdom of God here on earth.
- RIGHT NOW I will express what I give affection to.
- RIGHT NOW I choose to release the spirit of radical generosity and honor in this city – it begins with ME.
My efforts (including money) if not directed toward the kingdom of God in reality amounts to nothing.
