Scripture Reading: Malachi 1:6–14

Introduction

A. Some would ask, “What’s the least I can do to get to heaven?”

B. God has demanded the best of us, and who would suggest that He deserves any less, considering what He has done for us?

Discussion

I. God demanded the best that Israel had to give.

A. He demanded the best in their sacrifices (Exodus 12:5; Leviticus 22:17–25; Deuteronomy 15:19–21; Exodus 34:26; 13:12–15).

B. The priests were also to be free of any sort of physical blemish (Leviticus 21:16–24).

C. God had every right to make such demands (1 Chronicles 29:14).

D. Israel didn’t always give their best (Haggai 1:1–11; Malachi 1:6–14).

II. God has demanded the best that we have to offer.

A. We must give of our means (2 Corinthians 8:1–15).

B. We must worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

C. We must dedicate our lives wholly to Him (Romans 12:1–2).

III. God has given the best that heaven had to offer.

A. He gave His Son to be a perfect sacrifice (1 Peter 1:19).

B. He gave Christ to be our high priest (Hebrews 7).

A. God is pleased with the gifts that we offer Him when they are given according to His will and with the proper spirit.

B. We know how to give good gifts to one another (Luke 11:13), but what kind of gifts are we giving to God?

C. Considering all that our God has done for us, the very least that we can do is the very most that we can do!