Pros

update

03 Nov 05

Insulting God

We are starting a short series on Malachi

Malachi is the last book in the English Old Testament. Nothing is known about Malachi – no exact dates, ancestry, place of birth or occupation. He was a prophet who spoke God’s word and applied it to contemporary society. One thing which concerned him was the half-heartedness of their worship:

I, the LORD All-Powerful, have something to say to you priests. Children respect their fathers, and servants respect their masters. I am your father and your master, so why don't you respect me? You priests have insulted me, and now you ask, "How did we insult you?" You embarrass me by offering worthless food on my altar. (Malachi 1:6-7)

The attitude of the worshippers was not, 'How much can we give?’ but rather, 'How little can we get away with?'! God says that it would be better to stop the worship services than to continue going through the motions (v 10).

True worship of God is far more than an hour or so on Sunday morning, it is a 24/7 activity. The South African swimmer Penny Heyns sums up a Christian's attitude well: 'I love the sense of satisfaction that I get when I've done a swimming workout or race, and know that I gave my whole being and heart to God in every moment of the swim. It's the best worship I can offer him.'

As sportspeople that means worshipping God in the club, in the team – on and off the field. It means recognising that your ability comes from God and giving it back to him as an act of worship and giving him the glory – not yourself. Anything less is insulting God.

Graham and Stuart
 

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