Malachi 1:12-13 But you have profaned it, in that you say, The Table of the Lord is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even His meat, is contemptible. You said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! And you have snuffed at it, says the Lord of Hosts; and you brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus you brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? says the Lord.
As the Lord God speaks through the Prophet Malachi, we hear extreme displeasure, sarcasm, and a strong rebuke because the Priests have failed to live up to their calling. Everything about the Temple and Sacrifices had become nothing more than a ritual. The Priests were weary and were accepting anything the people would bring. They were far more concerned with the portion they would take home for themselves than with what was to be sacrificed for the redemption of the sins of the people. They had failed in their calling.
This is a Word for all ministers of the Gospel of Christ today. Many, if not most, churches today are run like a business. Pastors are "hired," not "called." Church is big business, and much of what goes on is nothing more than a ritual. The people are tired and weary. Those who do serve in some capacity expect to be paid.
The Temple of God has always been about God's Redemption Plan for His people. Nothing has changed to this day. Jesus said, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
This was the Ministry of Jesus when He walked this earth, and it should be the Ministry of the Church today. I ask you, how much of this type of Ministry do you see going on in your church every week? Are people hearing the Gospel of Christ preached and coming to the Altar to be saved? Are the Elders anointing the sick with oil, and they are healed in the Name of Jesus? Does anyone preach deliverance to those oppressed by demonic spirits? Do you ever hear a sermon about the coming Rapture of the Church? Is ANYTHING spiritual happening at all?
Regrettably, most churches today are nothing more than social clubs with a Christian sign on the building. The people come, have coffee and a donut, plan their next party or gathering, sing a couple of songs, hear someone speak a carefully timed message, and then they all go to lunch or dinner somewhere. None of what Jesus did in His Ministry is happening in the average Church today.
People are hurting. They are sick, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Their lives are shattered. Their children are walking in sin. They struggle with guilt and shame from the past. They are addicted to alcohol, drugs, and pornography. They are on the brink of suicide. Their homes are out of order. And yet, they come to church every week and receive NOTHING! They leave in the exact same condition they came in, or worse.
God will allow this to go on just as He allowed the Priests in the days of Malachi to accept less than perfect sacrifices and fail to perform their duties properly. He will ALLOW it, but He WILL NOT bless it.
The Ministry of the Church is to see people changed by faith in Jesus Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit. He is able! People come to church to receive a touch from God. Their spirits are dry and thirsty. The Gospel of Christ is the Living Water that will quench that thirst and heal their body, soul and spirit. I pray for the River of Living Water to flow freely through the Church in America once again.
Christianity is NOT a ritual or a religion. Christianity is a RELATIONSHIP with the Living God, Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Redeemer, and the source of every blessing God has for us. The Power of God is available to all who will come!
Faith in the Gospel of Christ will...........turn the tide
Trusting Him, Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
