WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.240 You may find it helpful to have your Bibles open with you again to Malachi. It's on page 801 of the church Bibles. 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:24.839 It's been said before that example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing. 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:41.299 If that's true, isn't it? We know that even in church life we are moved to behave and think and pray and even worship in a certain way through examples of others. 00:00:42.420 --> 00:00:44.640 We're so easily influenced, aren't we? 00:00:45.760 --> 00:00:54.679 So as we turn to Malachi this morning, his message will be particularly searching for a certain group of people here this morning. 00:00:55.720 --> 00:00:57.160 The influencers. 00:00:58.880 --> 00:01:05.300 The leaders who shape our worship and our spirituality in this church. 00:01:06.880 --> 00:01:13.320 Malachi's search, like it, penetrates and we wonder where is it going to land this morning? 00:01:14.480 --> 00:01:16.719 Drop your eye down to chapter 2 verse 1. 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:23.420 And now, O priests, this command is for you. 00:01:23.980 --> 00:01:25.400 Malachi addresses the priests. 00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:30.980 He addresses them in chapter 1 verse 6 as well at the beginning of our reading this morning. 00:01:32.740 --> 00:01:35.939 So easy to blame leaders, isn't it? 00:01:36.599 --> 00:01:38.180 When things go wrong. 00:01:38.180 --> 00:01:42.440 But in their case, in Malachi's time, there was truth in that. 00:01:43.600 --> 00:01:48.440 There lies a gloomy undercurrent in the relationship between God and his people. 00:01:48.520 --> 00:01:53.620 Do you remember after the return from exile, this little group are sent back to Judah. 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:58.000 And they're going through the motions of living as God's people. 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:01.260 There is structure to their worship. 00:02:01.260 --> 00:02:02.760 The temple is built. 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:06.400 But there is no substance to it. 00:02:06.520 --> 00:02:09.480 And the priests are the ones held responsible. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:14.259 Now I want to say that we do not have priests in this church. 00:02:14.259 --> 00:02:15.379 Okay? 00:02:16.739 --> 00:02:22.060 But Malachi is talking, isn't he, here, to the people who influenced the congregation. 00:02:22.899 --> 00:02:25.879 They would have been the men who ran the sacrifices. 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:27.479 They taught the scripture. 00:02:28.359 --> 00:02:30.139 They were the ones who set an example. 00:02:30.139 --> 00:02:37.859 The apostle Paul shows a link between the Old Testament priesthood and New Testament ministry. 00:02:38.779 --> 00:02:44.519 He calls himself a minister of Jesus Christ in the priestly service of the gospel of God. 00:02:46.399 --> 00:02:51.079 And so the spotlight of Malachi is this morning on the minister. 00:02:52.299 --> 00:02:54.159 And on the associate minister. 00:02:55.479 --> 00:02:56.579 On the elders. 00:02:56.979 --> 00:02:57.979 On those who teach. 00:02:58.319 --> 00:02:59.560 On those who lead worship. 00:03:01.139 --> 00:03:03.699 The heat is on this pulpit. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:05.239 And the man who stands in it. 00:03:06.539 --> 00:03:07.279 And on the elders. 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:08.299 And on the deacons. 00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:13.399 Because their example is more than just the main thing in influencing you in all of us. 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:18.039 Now, the rest of you don't get to sit there and rub your hands together now. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:19.439 And think this is going to be juicy. 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:24.199 Because all of the people are involved here. 00:03:25.699 --> 00:03:29.199 Elders and deacons are not on some kind of higher level of spirituality. 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:30.899 That is nonsense. 00:03:30.899 --> 00:03:31.199 That is nonsense. 00:03:32.259 --> 00:03:37.280 What is expected of them is universally expected, actually, of all Christians. 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:46.039 But I do want you to be aware, as Malachi addresses the priests here, of who influences you. 00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:48.240 And how they do that. 00:03:48.979 --> 00:03:50.639 And what your leaders are up to. 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:53.739 So that you can pray for them. 00:03:53.739 --> 00:03:55.019 And you can encourage them. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:57.500 And you can call them out, if necessary. 00:03:58.699 --> 00:04:03.119 Because in Malachi's day, the problem wasn't that they didn't have leaders. 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:04.339 Or they weren't there. 00:04:04.739 --> 00:04:06.159 Or they weren't doing enough. 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:08.959 Their problem was not that their schedules were empty. 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:11.180 But their hearts were empty. 00:04:12.540 --> 00:04:14.120 Chapter 2, verse 8. 00:04:14.280 --> 00:04:17.540 God says to them, you've caused many to stumble. 00:04:17.840 --> 00:04:21.040 It's an awful appraisal of a minister, isn't it? 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:23.319 He led many to stumble. 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:25.439 He ruined the church. 00:04:25.540 --> 00:04:27.980 I wonder if you've heard stories like that. 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:31.400 Maybe you've been hurt by church leaders. 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:33.759 Who've behaved badly in the past. 00:04:34.799 --> 00:04:36.560 And we're easily influenced, aren't we? 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:41.099 So he diagnoses the problem early on as he speaks to them. 00:04:41.159 --> 00:04:44.639 He says, something is missing in your service, priests. 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:47.359 And this affects the whole congregation. 00:04:47.359 --> 00:04:49.079 It is not technique. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:51.399 It is not strategy. 00:04:51.719 --> 00:04:54.039 It is not that your programs are wrong. 00:04:54.139 --> 00:04:55.879 Priests and elders and ministers. 00:04:56.099 --> 00:04:57.120 What was missing? 00:04:57.979 --> 00:05:01.359 Well, what is in your heart is missing, first of all. 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:05.500 Namely, fear and honour. 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:09.819 Fear and honour is missing from your hearts. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:12.379 Just look at verse 6 of chapter 1. 00:05:13.479 --> 00:05:16.439 A son honours his father and a servant his master. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:19.139 If then I'm a father, where is my honour? 00:05:20.339 --> 00:05:22.599 And if I'm a master, where is my fear? 00:05:23.859 --> 00:05:25.859 This is what is missing, priests. 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:30.060 You're not afraid of me, says God. 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:31.920 You don't respect me. 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:36.639 He uses the image of a father, doesn't he there, to make his point. 00:05:36.819 --> 00:05:39.319 Now I love that image of God being our father. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:41.720 A God who comforts us. 00:05:41.800 --> 00:05:43.000 A God who protects us. 00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:46.399 And shows affection towards us as a good father should. 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:51.319 But you know, that is not the only thing a good father should do, is it? 00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:59.599 And maybe we've gone slightly askew on that, of our model of a father in our modern age on TV. 00:05:59.860 --> 00:06:05.000 He is the kind of beer-guzzling, man-cave-dwelling, bringer of fun. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:08.139 He's like the playmate, isn't he, for the kids. 00:06:08.139 --> 00:06:10.579 There is that, of course. 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:15.879 But there needs to be that combination of affection and fear. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:18.879 Of respect and honour. 00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:23.120 The Lord says, honour your father and your mother, doesn't he? 00:06:23.159 --> 00:06:24.599 Not play with your father. 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:31.580 We all know, don't we, that there are things that we would not do if father walked in the room. 00:06:32.780 --> 00:06:35.200 Hands quickly jerk out of the biscuit tin. 00:06:36.140 --> 00:06:42.220 The weapon used against your brother or your sister, your sibling, is quickly hidden behind your back, isn't it? 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:45.820 We don't do this or that when dad walks in. 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:55.959 And so God says, if you like calling me father, if I am your father, you cannot have the affection without the respect. 00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:59.339 Where's my respect? Where's my fear? 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:04.879 I walk in the room, priests, and yet your behaviour doesn't seem to change. 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:10.779 And if I'm your master, if I'm your boss, where's my fear? 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:15.300 Whose opinion matters most of you? 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:19.480 You know how to fear your master, your boss at work. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:21.379 So where's my respect and fear? 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:27.279 As we think about fear and honour with God, don't get me wrong on this. 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:38.839 Because reverence, fear and honour of God is not the same as dourness and legalism and barren silence and sternness. 00:07:40.100 --> 00:07:45.279 Somebody once said that the best way that Satan can destroy reverence is to caricature it. 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:49.120 And he's done a really good job of that, hasn't he? 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:56.959 He gives us the picture of the kind of 1950s grey, stunted, boring Christian. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:59.079 The joyless Christian. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:06.839 He's gotten us into thinking that fearing God is dry and old-fashioned and slightly dramatic. 00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:10.060 But it isn't that. 00:08:10.359 --> 00:08:12.939 To fear God is to have that sense of awe. 00:08:14.419 --> 00:08:21.500 The priests that serve in a considered and reverent and sincere, heartfelt way. 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:28.059 And God reflects in chapter 2 on a time when Levi, when the priests did do that. 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:30.100 Just look at chapter 2 verse 5. 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:34.019 He, Levi, stood in awe of my name. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:36.279 That is how the priests should be. 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:41.519 God, the consuming fire, is warming, isn't he? 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:43.620 And comforting and life-giving. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:46.820 And yet, fire is fearsome and dangerous. 00:08:48.200 --> 00:08:51.659 You should fear and honour me and you're not doing that to priests. 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:57.600 I want you to remember that he is speaking here to a particular group of people. 00:08:57.779 --> 00:09:01.219 He is addressing the priests at a particular time. 00:09:01.339 --> 00:09:06.399 So I don't want you to go and look for things in your own lives that may not necessarily be there. 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:11.100 I don't want you to become overly introspective and self-pitying. 00:09:11.199 --> 00:09:13.639 I know many of you do fear the Lord. 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:15.079 I know that. 00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:21.379 But perhaps some of us and all of us really need to think about this again. 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:26.639 We need to ask whose opinion of our life matters most. 00:09:27.580 --> 00:09:28.560 Our boss? 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:30.240 Our family? 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:33.900 Who do we strive to please most? 00:09:35.520 --> 00:09:37.320 And the priests particularly. 00:09:37.560 --> 00:09:38.940 It is so subtle, isn't it? 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:40.940 It's become normalised for them. 00:09:41.400 --> 00:09:44.400 So much so that they don't know they're even doing it. 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:45.759 Chapter 1 verse 6. 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:48.980 We get another one of these arguments in Malachi. 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:52.779 God says, you've despised my name. 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:56.299 And they say, how have we despised your name? 00:09:58.480 --> 00:10:00.199 We're oblivious to it, aren't they? 00:10:01.559 --> 00:10:02.779 God says, well hang on. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:05.459 I can tell you there is no awe in your heart. 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:10.480 And I can see that from what is in your hands. 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:13.259 No awe in your heart. 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:15.819 Because of what is in your hands. 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:17.139 Secondly. 00:10:18.819 --> 00:10:23.480 I can tell from the gifts that you bring to me as priests. 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:26.059 That your heart is not in it. 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:30.519 Go to someone's house for a meal, don't you? 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:33.600 And maybe take a gift with you. 00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:35.319 A box of chocolates or whatever. 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:39.600 But imagine I come round to your house. 00:10:39.780 --> 00:10:43.740 And I bring round a half-eaten box of chocolates. 00:10:44.180 --> 00:10:45.640 I've eaten all the ones I like. 00:10:45.800 --> 00:10:48.060 And I've left you with all the hazelnut ones. 00:10:48.780 --> 00:10:50.879 And I've sucked off all of the chocolate. 00:10:51.780 --> 00:10:53.860 And put the hazelnuts back in the boxes. 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:57.379 And I say, oh thanks for having me for dinner. 00:10:58.539 --> 00:11:01.820 But my gifts show my attitude, don't they? 00:11:03.180 --> 00:11:07.580 And the offerings and the sacrifices that they were bringing were defective. 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:12.200 They'd offer blind and lame and sick animals. 00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:15.379 When they could have brought so much more. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.259 Verse 14. 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:20.180 Cursed be the cheats who have a male in his flock and vows it. 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:22.300 And yet sacrifices a blemished animal. 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:29.560 They were bringing second-hand used, broken, worn-out goods. 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:32.179 That they got at the jumble sale. 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:34.500 And they were wrapping it up, putting a bow on it. 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:36.059 And hoping that God didn't notice. 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:40.479 And God says, if you're doing that, priests. 00:11:40.599 --> 00:11:43.059 I know that your hearts are not in it. 00:11:44.439 --> 00:11:47.039 And actually you might as well not bother at all. 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:50.839 Look down with me at chapter 1, verse 10. 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:55.199 Oh, that there were one who would shut the doors. 00:11:55.679 --> 00:11:58.759 That you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain. 00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:01.299 That is a staggering verse, isn't it? 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:08.559 Under what possible circumstance would it be better to close the temple down altogether? 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:13.000 The whole sacrificial system was mandated by God. 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:14.259 They had to do it, didn't they? 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:15.759 It was part of the law. 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:17.840 It was a non-negotiable. 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:20.860 But there is one exception here. 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:24.899 It would be better to call it a day. 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:26.720 To put a stop to the whole thing. 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:31.960 If you're going to bring me second-rate offerings, you might as well not bother. 00:12:33.700 --> 00:12:38.120 The professionals, the influencers, the priests, they are saying, aren't they? 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:40.840 What is the bare minimum that we can get away with? 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:46.440 And what they were doing was warping the whole purpose of worship. 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:53.000 It would have been interesting to ask them, wouldn't it, what do you think the purpose of your sacrifices is? 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:56.139 Why are you worshipping God? 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:58.039 It would be interesting to ask you that. 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:01.980 What makes church worship successful? 00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:05.639 We get to the end of a service and we think, well, that was good. 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:08.100 When it's done well. 00:13:08.179 --> 00:13:10.659 How do we rate our church experience? 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:13.559 What are you actually here for? 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:16.779 Are you here for what it makes you feel? 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:19.799 How it stirs your emotions? 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:22.519 Whether you like the songs or the preaching? 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:25.120 Of course those things are good, aren't they? 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:28.940 But verse 10 shows us, isn't it? 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:31.080 God says, oh, that the doors were shut. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:31.860 Why? 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:35.100 I have no pleasure in you. 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:43.259 The whole point of the temple, the whole point of the priests and the worship, God says, is my pleasure. 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.740 It's all for me. 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:50.620 Verse 10, he says, it's my altar. 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:53.399 It's about me. 00:13:53.399 --> 00:14:02.980 When that's not the main aim, however wonderful that we might feel, we might as well say, Paul Hosea, don't bother opening up in the morning. 00:14:04.579 --> 00:14:10.600 When the priests are doing it all for their own sake, for a bit of prestige or praise or even for money, 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:15.059 what was in their hands showed God what was in their hearts. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:20.419 It's like that they are coming to God's house and they are guests. 00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:26.879 And the gifts that you are bringing, he says, they are the stuff that you don't want anyway, the duds of the flock. 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:29.000 It is jumble sale Christianity. 00:14:31.099 --> 00:14:31.500 Spirituality. 00:14:32.599 --> 00:14:35.079 And God is saying, you're taking the mick here. 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:39.620 Verses 8 and 9, you know how to give good gifts. 00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:40.259 That's the thing. 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:44.039 You know how to give good gifts to the people who you really respect. 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:44.779 Your governor. 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:51.459 And you wouldn't give a gift like that to him or to your boss and expect a blessing. 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:53.899 Your governor, who isn't even legit. 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:56.559 He's put there by a Persian emperor. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:59.120 He's not even your true master. 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.860 So why think you can do that with me? 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:03.740 You can pull a fast one with me. 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:07.419 You wouldn't turn up to work half asleep. 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:17.459 You wouldn't yawn through a board meeting and do your work on a bit of scrap of paper and expect smiles and a raise from your boss. 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:21.879 You think you can give me the dregs, the second hand stuff. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:23.860 Stuff that you're not bothered about. 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:32.719 So the priests, they were responsible for letting the congregation get away with things like this. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:35.860 Their gifts set the tone. 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:39.120 And it's so subtle, isn't it? 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:41.480 Because the structure is all there. 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:43.379 The worship is happening. 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.720 There's lots of activity. 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:47.060 There's lots of sacrificing going on. 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:48.320 The temple is running. 00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:50.040 All of the programs are running. 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:51.500 And it's all very busy. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:56.500 But God says structure is not much without substance. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:16:07.019 I think one of the ways that we are susceptible as a church is in our giving, financial giving. 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:09.159 But I'm not going to talk about that again. 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:13.899 But also in our formal worship in the time that we're in now. 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:16.159 And it's a really crucial time, isn't it? 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:19.120 As we come together to worship God on a Sunday. 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:22.000 And God commands that we do that. 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:24.919 It's in our service. 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:31.299 And these orders of service that we get, that we print out every week, they're really important. 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.319 They're well thought through. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:38.159 They follow a certain pattern of worship that is biblical. 00:16:39.459 --> 00:16:43.539 The gospel, if you haven't noticed, is re-enacted every week. 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:48.980 As we hear God's call to worship and as we confess and as we hear his word. 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:54.000 And so these orders of worship are important and they're right. 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:58.940 We pride ourselves, I think, in what we call reformed worship. 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:06.299 But structure is no substitute for the lack of substance. 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:15.220 And if we come half asleep, we come and say our prayers and we get through the script. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:21.579 Jesus says God is seeking worshippers to worship him in spirit and in truth. 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:24.339 Not jumble sale worshippers. 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:30.699 And the elders and the leaders are responsible examples of that. 00:17:32.699 --> 00:17:38.699 Salvador Dali, the painter, said that the secret of my influence is that it's always remained a secret. 00:17:40.199 --> 00:17:43.359 And great influence happens like that, doesn't it? 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:45.979 Without us knowing it. 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:47.659 And it happens so subtly. 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:51.939 It can happen just as leaders shape the culture of the church. 00:17:52.899 --> 00:17:56.659 In the secret things for ill or for good. 00:17:58.679 --> 00:18:03.799 So often how the leaders do it as well as what they do. 00:18:03.959 --> 00:18:05.439 How they lead in prayer. 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.359 How they preach. 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:08.419 How they teach. 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:10.119 How they live. 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:15.679 Richard Baxter, the great pastor of the 17th century. 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:23.079 He wrote a book to student pastors called The Reformed Pastor in the mid-1600s. 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:26.500 And it sobers ministers up really. 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:31.539 He says a pastor might spend an hour preparing to speak for a minute on a Sunday. 00:18:32.459 --> 00:18:37.799 But he feels that an hour seems too much to study how to live all week. 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:42.879 Preachers say be doers of the word and not hearers only. 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:44.379 But he turns that around. 00:18:45.139 --> 00:18:47.919 We ought to be doers of the word and not speakers only. 00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:51.259 And Malachi agrees, doesn't he? 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:59.059 He's saying that there is much more to the priesthood than ticking boxes and bringing offerings. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.559 Than doing the bare minimum. 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:10.079 And so much more to pastoring and deaconing and eldering and leading and influencing than ticking boxes and getting the job done. 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:18.919 It was said of the preacher Robert Murray McShane that a non-believer came into one of his services once. 00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:24.179 And he was apparently converted in the first two words of his opening prayer. 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:27.740 And the words were simply, holy father. 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:31.000 And this guy in the congregation was converted. 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:33.080 But it wasn't just those words, was it? 00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:34.640 It was the way he said it. 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:38.360 And the life that went with the prayer. 00:19:40.320 --> 00:19:42.240 McShane feared God and honoured him. 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:43.340 He brought his best. 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:48.919 But the priests here, they lead people astray. 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:53.519 Because their gifts and offerings and service were just the bare minimum. 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.859 And the influence spread. 00:19:57.279 --> 00:20:00.959 And God says you might as well not bother at all. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:05.079 What was going on there? 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:10.439 Looking at this passage, I think it's just that they were underwhelmed. 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:13.580 And they were bored with the work. 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:15.420 They were underwhelmed with God. 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:19.720 God reads their minds, doesn't he, in verse 13. 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:23.840 You say, what a weariness this is. 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.940 And you snorted it. 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:28.720 Now they weren't just weary in the work. 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.759 That is normal, isn't it? 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:32.360 To be tired in the service of the Lord. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.620 To be fed up once in a while. 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:36.440 Or to get discouraged or to be tired. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:38.080 That is not what they were doing. 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.580 They weren't weary in the work. 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:41.899 They were weary of the work altogether. 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:45.259 They'd say, what a drag. 00:20:46.419 --> 00:20:47.460 What a nuisance. 00:20:48.399 --> 00:20:49.319 Coming to church. 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:49.939 Serving. 00:20:50.919 --> 00:20:51.659 Serving the Lord. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.919 I'll just give the bare minimum. 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:56.919 And God judges them for the influence they have. 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:59.379 For this jungle sale religion. 00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:02.399 I've seen what's in your hearts. 00:21:02.439 --> 00:21:04.259 Because I've seen what's in your hands. 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:07.940 And thirdly, I've seen what's on your lips. 00:21:08.879 --> 00:21:10.200 Seen what's on your lips. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:17.160 Just drop your eye down to chapter 2, verse 7. 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:22.080 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge. 00:21:22.800 --> 00:21:25.560 And people should seek instruction from his mouth. 00:21:26.320 --> 00:21:29.040 For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:32.379 When the priesthood was set up. 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:37.180 God gave the responsibility of the priesthood to the tribe of Levi. 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:39.619 And they had to do two things, really. 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:46.819 He says to them in Deuteronomy that they will teach Jacob your rules and Israel the law. 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:50.940 And they shall put incense and burnt offerings on the altar. 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:55.259 And these priests fail at doing both of those things, don't they? 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:58.820 Their sacrifices and gifts are not good. 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:02.940 And their teaching is wrong as well. 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:06.580 They teach people what they want to hear rather than what God says. 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.400 Look at verse 9. 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:11.100 They show partiality in their instruction. 00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:15.440 One answer to one set of people is different to another set of people. 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:17.900 Depending on how the priest likes them or not. 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:22.720 And he says you've caused many to stumble by your instruction. 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:27.080 We don't know exactly what they were saying or what they weren't saying. 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:30.720 Maybe they were not prepared to say difficult things. 00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:34.680 Maybe they were teaching too harshly. 00:22:34.780 --> 00:22:36.340 Maybe they were being legalistic. 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:39.500 They weren't preaching Christ enough. 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:41.460 Or they didn't grasp grace. 00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:46.380 God says either way, they should have been like the Levi of old again. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.940 Once upon a time, Levi. 00:22:49.320 --> 00:22:49.980 Verse 6. 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:51.900 True instruction was in his mouth. 00:22:52.060 --> 00:22:54.120 No wrong was found on his lips. 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:57.780 He walked with me in peace and in uprightness. 00:22:57.820 --> 00:22:59.320 And he turned many from iniquity. 00:23:00.280 --> 00:23:02.840 His life matched his teaching. 00:23:04.800 --> 00:23:08.500 George Whitefield was on a boat across the Atlantic. 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:11.900 He was military chaplain on the Whittaker in the 18th century. 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:16.220 And there were two other ships kind of escorting this ship. 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:22.400 And he noticed as soon as he boarded that the moral tone was particularly low on the ship. 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:25.300 They used to swear at him. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.900 They used to gamble. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.460 They would call him a phony. 00:23:29.780 --> 00:23:32.780 They would deride him, calling him an imposter. 00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:34.780 But he understood the power of influence. 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:39.059 And he understood the power of true instruction in the Lord's words. 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:45.799 He said that his mission was to save, to know nothing and teach nothing except Christ crucified. 00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:49.700 So every day he read public prayers. 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.700 He witnessed. 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:57.980 He would go out on the deck at night and try and meet the sailors and reason with them about the gospel. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:24:07.940 He would preach every morning until eventually two of the captains of these ships would stand either side of him as he preached. 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:15.620 And eventually the captain of the Whittaker ordered a drumbeat to mark the time for worship. 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:21.160 And all three ships came together and worshipped Whitefield's God. 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:21.839 It's amazing. 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:25.519 That was the power of true instruction. 00:24:26.419 --> 00:24:28.980 Turning many away from wrong living. 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:33.079 But we've seen it go the other way, haven't we? 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:41.220 And in the priesthood here we see a pattern which has been repeated in churches actually ever since. 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:45.039 The beginning of chapter 2, God speaks to them. 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:47.980 He says, I'll send my curse upon you. 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:50.379 I'll curse your blessings. 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:55.540 They were the blessings that they were giving to the people on behalf of God. 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:59.060 God says, I'm going to make them futile. 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:02.280 I'm going to make your work ineffective. 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:07.440 I'm going to turn your sermons into sedatives. 00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:11.440 I'm going to put your congregation to sleep. 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:15.020 I'm going to make you ineffectual. 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:18.760 And you'll be held in contempt by your congregation. 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:22.339 There's this powerful imagery, isn't there, in verse 3. 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:24.619 I'll spread dung on your faces. 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:33.900 It was the dung that was in the entrails of the animals that would have been sacrificed, that was thrown away and burnt. 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:40.000 And God says, I'll unceremoniously daub that on your face. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:45.640 Faces that should have been lifted to the Lord are going to be covered with dung. 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:52.180 I'll return the trash that you brought to my house as a gift upon you. 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:57.740 And hasn't that happened again and again? 00:25:58.620 --> 00:26:10.580 Where churches sit empty, not because they've lost touch with young people, or they haven't got enough money, or they don't know how to use social media, or they haven't got a snazzy enough website. 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:15.699 But because their instruction has caused many to stumble. 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:18.879 And they've stopped preaching the gospel. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:21.319 And God has made them ineffective. 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:33.539 J.I. Packer compares the content of preaching a hundred years ago to what it is now in many churches. 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:38.599 He says, the subject of the gospel was God and his ways with men. 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:45.399 But the subject now is man and the help God gives him. 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.939 See the difference there? 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:52.080 And God has judged them for the influence they have on society. 00:26:53.059 --> 00:27:02.360 You know, you see, don't you, so often churches, church buildings that are nightclubs, or pubs, or markets, or whatever. 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:11.000 And there is something in this, isn't there, that God has said, if you're going to do jumbled sale Christianity, then actually don't bother. 00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:13.700 We might as well close the doors. 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:15.660 We might as well stick a pub in there instead. 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:19.440 That actually would be better for everybody concerned. 00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:23.640 And the church in so many places is held in contempt. 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:31.759 Not because it doesn't agree with society, but because it doesn't stand out from the culture. 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:33.600 And it has dung on its face. 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:41.920 As we draw to a close, you might feel like you've just been through a meat grinder for the last 25 minutes. 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.920 All right. 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:42.960 All right. 00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:49.560 I'm aware that if we get this passage wrong here, we'll actually just learn to fake it better. 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:53.880 As elders and as leaders, as all of us, as we worship. 00:27:55.680 --> 00:28:00.240 And elders might think, who is worthy for this task, really? 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:05.299 We look at our leaders, don't we, and we think we're stuffed. 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:06.819 We should do. 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:16.859 This passage, this passage, this rebuke on the priests makes us very aware of the importance of those who influence us. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:20.179 And the importance of the priests. 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:27.299 And we need a much better priest than the Israelites had here, don't we? 00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:33.180 If the doors are going to stay open in this church, we need a better priest. 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:38.320 We know eventually the Levitical priests were removed. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:42.720 The temple was destroyed in 70 AD. 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:47.860 You might as well close the temple down, God says. 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:49.900 And since you haven't, I will. 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.779 And he does. 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:58.319 But as we go through Malachi in chapter 3, Malachi speaks of a messenger. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:03.200 Who is going to come to the temple and he is going to refine. 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:06.680 He will come quickly to his temple. 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:08.819 He'll come like a refiner's fire. 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:12.119 And who can endure the day of his coming. 00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:15.720 And Jesus Christ comes, doesn't he, in the New Testament. 00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:19.460 And he quickly comes to his temple. 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:26.960 And he turns over the tables in the literal jumble sale that is happening in the temple. 00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:30.500 And he says, I'll destroy this temple. 00:29:30.639 --> 00:29:32.700 I'll shut the doors of this temple. 00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:34.859 And I'll rebuild it. 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:41.740 Jesus Christ comes and he does what Malachi's priests have not done. 00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:48.859 And he brings a heart and hands and lips full of things that please God. 00:29:50.199 --> 00:29:56.639 He comes as a pure and perfect and unblemished lamb sacrifice. 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:58.159 The best of the flock. 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:02.299 I'm awful at giving good gifts. 00:30:02.459 --> 00:30:04.599 Emma is really good at giving good gifts. 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:06.699 She's not here now so she won't be embarrassed by this. 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.899 She's always organised. 00:30:08.199 --> 00:30:09.819 She remembers people's birthdays. 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:12.199 Buys the present in advance. 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.980 And it's always great. 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:15.740 I forget things. 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:20.639 I have to run to the garage normally and get some old flowers or something like that. 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.899 But she's organised. 00:30:22.139 --> 00:30:25.579 And she'll get the present and she'll say, you know it's so and so's birthday this week. 00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:27.439 And I'll say, yeah of course. 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:27.959 Well done. 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:31.219 Well, can I sign my name on the card that you've got? 00:30:32.179 --> 00:30:33.699 Can I take some credit? 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:35.779 Can I be involved? 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:50.000 As we come to the Lord's table today, we see, don't we, the value of his gifts and his sacrifice on the altar. 00:30:50.000 --> 00:31:01.400 He is a priest who truly leads us in worship because he gives his all, not just the bare minimum. 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:07.240 Without him as priest, we might as well not bother this morning. 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:11.119 Our gifts are never going to be enough in themselves, are they? 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:16.779 But he says to us, doesn't he, as we come to the table, I'll let you sign your name on the card. 00:31:18.439 --> 00:31:25.319 You can be included and joined with me as I give this great gift to our God. 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:27.720 And he pulls out all the stops. 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.539 He gives it all. 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.700 He gives his life. 00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:36.379 And there is one in whom our gifts then and our service is pleasing. 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:44.160 So we're encouraged here, aren't we, to come and entreat the favour of the Lord. 00:31:44.280 --> 00:31:46.260 Malachi chapter 1 verse 9. 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:51.720 That he may be gracious to us and to fear him in our hearts. 00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:53.500 And to give him our all. 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:56.620 To honour him with our lips and our lives. 00:31:56.760 --> 00:31:58.380 And to give him our best. 00:31:59.320 --> 00:32:01.080 Not jumble sale Christianity. 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:07.480 And we're called to do that now because Jesus Christ gave his best. 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.899 Let's pray together.