Peter Tan-Chi - Honor God For Who He Is
Today, our topic is very simple. Our topic is, «Honor God for who He is». In short, If God is somebody you do not know, it is hard to honor Him. I want to encourage you to develop a desire to keep growing, to know God. So today, I like us to look at the problem in the book of Malachi. Remember last Sunday, we talked about Malachi? The people who are discouraged. The people felt like. «You do not love me». And that is why their worship was lousy. Remember, last Sunday we talked about they did not believe God loves them. Therefore, they are not bringing their best to God. They are bringing their left over. There is no passion for God. And now today, we will learn, how do you restore that kind of passion, that kind of worship that pleases God?
The last verse of chapter 2, of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament that was written to prepare God’s people. All right. Everybody read. «You have wearied the LORD with your words…» You know why they keep complaining? They keep grumbling? «…Yet you say, 'How have we wearied Him»? Totally oblivious. That is the problem with many Christians today. Your life is off, but you do not even know. «.In that you say,» Now notice what they are saying together, «…Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD…» A distortion of values. When you do not know God, you distort values, you distort the truth. «…'Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them, ' or, 'Where is the God of justice? '» (Malachi 2:17)
Do you understand the situation here? They were so discouraged. Because they were so discouraged, you have to understand. You get discouraged when you see example bad people prospering and you see good people suffering. Has that ever entered your mind? There is no fairness. You feel like life is not fair. The challenge of everybody is how do you think properly of who God is? Because you allow circumstances to dictate your theology. You think God is not fair because you look at your life. I do not know your problems, but some of you are discouraged. Today, I like you to know something. You have got to know who God is. It is not based on circumstances. So the first thing you need to learn, if you look at this story here, God is not unjust. Where is the God of justice?
The Bible tells us, God is just. Well, this is my proof. Look at how God declared Himself when they were questioning, «Where is the God of justice»? Can I tell you how God answered them? Well, look at Malachi 3:1-2. Where is the God of justice? Well, here is the answer. «'Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the LORD, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you the delight, behold, He is coming, ' says the LORD of hosts». (Malachi 3:1-2) What is the Bible talking about? Malachi 3 and 4 tells you the coming of Jesus. Right now, there may be no justice. Right now, the world may not seem fair. But God tells us, the day will come when Jesus will bring justice.
Let me explain. «…I am going to send My messenger…» This is referring to John the Baptist in the first coming. In the second coming, it will refer to Elijah. «…He will clear the way before Me. And the LORD…» Definite article. Not Lord, the Lord. Who is the Lord? Jesus. How do you know it is Jesus? «…Whom you seek, will suddenly come to the temple…» Notice. «To His temple». Who owns the temple? Jesus. And that is why in the first coming of Jesus, He came before the temple was destroyed. «…And the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight…» «…He (Capital H) is coming…» Referring to Jesus. So what is justice? Do not worry. The Bible says, God is just. He will bring justice in His time. «But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s soap». (Malachi 3:2)
So what is the meaning of the Messiah? Jesus is going to come and He will be like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s soap. Well, let us read the next verse. The next verse says, «He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi. and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD…» (Malachi 3:3-4) Here is what God is saying. God, whether you like it or not, is in the business of refining people. He wants to refine your character. How does God refine us? Everybody, look at Hebrews. Together. «For they discipline us for a short time as seemed best (to them), But (God) disciplines us for our good, (so) that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful (painful); yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness». (Hebrews 12:10–11)
Ladies and gentlemen, the only way I know of that God refines your character, my character, is through what? Problems. Do you like problems? Do you like pain? I do not like pain. You know, God gives us people that may not always be like us. He gives you problems you may not like because God want you to turn to Him. Many of us have the wrong thinking. That is what is happening to Israel. Wrong thinking about God. They are so discouraged. «With all our problems, Lord. We came back from Babylon. Look at us. We are still poor Where are you God»?
Do you notice, whenever you have problems, you question God? Yes or no? Right. Let me now tell you something. You have got to think right. You see, God does not promise that while you are on this earth, you will have a comfortable life. You know, God will sacrifice your comfort to sanctify your spiritual life. You know why? Now, this is the secret. The reason why Malachi is talking about the future is simply this. You are not meant just to live in this world. God has all eternity to make up for all your pain and suffering. God has all the time in the world, in the universe. God has all eternity to make it right for you and for me. My friend, your circumstances are temporal. Your problems are temporary. God’s promises are eternal. God promised to do you good. In the meantime, when you are hurting, I want you to turn to Him. Say, «Lord, I trust You».
In the book of Deuteronomy, this is what God says about himself. Everybody, read this together. «For I proclaim the name of the LORD, Ascribe greatness to our God»! (Deuteronomy 32:3) God is great. «The Rock! (He is solid, unchanging.) His work is perfect, For all (Notice, all) His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He». (Deuteronomy 32:4) Ladies and gentlemen, Satan is a liar. Satan tells you, God is not fair. Satan tells you, it is not worth it to follow God. Look at God’s timetable in the Book of Acts. I want you to read Acts 17. Everybody, read. «God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent (we should repent), because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness (God will judge the world in righteousness) through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead». (Acts 17:30–31)
God is going to judge the world through Jesus. The first coming, Jesus was the Savior. The second coming, He is going to be the judge. And all of us here must understand, God’s heart is for you to repent. I do not know what you need to repent of. But the Christian life is a life of repentance. You need to ask God, «What is it that you want me to change»? So that when you come again, «Lord, you will be so happy with my life». You know why? You live to please God. So God is saying, «Be ready». You know why? He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness. (Malachi 17:31) That my friend, is the idea of knowing God is just And He will make it right. He will judge someday. God is not just a God of love, God is a God of justice. Second, God is a God that is immutable, unchanging.
The book of Malachi tells us that one day, «Then I will draw near for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers, and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earners…» (Malachi 3:5) You know what God is saying? God does not change. «Guys, I am going to judge them». And He is describing who? Sinners, sorcery, witchcraft, adulterers, immoral people, liars. There are many liars today and they are so calloused. Look at the heart of God. He wants us to repent, the next verse, «From the days of your fathers, you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them». (Malachi 3:7)
You see, God is saying, «You guys have been so stubborn. I did not destroy you but I want you to do something». Because God is holy, he does not change. Everybody, read. «…Return to me and I will return to you». That word, «return», has the idea of repent. You see, there are only two directions today in your life. Listen to me. You are either walking closer to God or you are walking farther away from God. Now, let me ask you, which direction are you in? Are you walking closer to God or are you walking farther away? My friend, do not deceive the Lord. He is looking at your heart. God is immutable. He does not change. He hated sin. He continues to hate sin. But you have to know His heart. Repent. «'Return, and I will return to you, ' says the LORD…» (Malachi 3:7) But you see, they are so calloused. «…How shall we return»? (Malachi 3:7)
How shall we repent? You know the book of James, in the New Testament, tells us the same thing. We are to repent. But this how James put it, this way, «Draw near to God and He will draw near to you». (James 4:8) What He is telling you today, «Stop running away from Me». Ladies and gentlemen, God wants you to be intimate with Him. But God is saying, «Draw near to Me. I am not the one running away from you. You are. You are running away from Me. So draw near». You can draw near to God. How? Remember my advice. Read the Bible, spend time with Him, come to worship, really put Him first place in your heart. Draw near to God and what will He do? Draw near to you. That is the heart of God. And notice. How do you do that? «…Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts…» (James 4:8)
Notice, the heart and actions go together. So you repent. How are they supposed to return? This is the great shock. The next verse talks about, «'Will a man rob God? ' Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You? ' In tithes and offerings.'» (Malachi 3:8) How come, ladies and gentlemen, when they ask God, «How shall we repent»? How come God told them, «Stop robbing me»? Have you thought about it? Because this is one sin where they are all guilty of. This is one sin where you and I do not consider it a sin. What do I mean? You have got to understand. God owns everything. Therefore, when you take things that are not yours, what are you doing? You are robbing. So how can you rob God? He says in tithes and offerings. What in the world does that mean? Why is God talking about money? Do you realize God spends more time in the Old Testament and the New Testament talking about money and possessions than any other single topic? Why?
Let me tell you why. Because how you deal with money is going to impact the direction of your life. Let me explain. When Paul tells Timothy about money, «For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith…» (1 Timothy 6:10) Notice, money is not the problem. You all need money. It is the love of money. When you put money ahead of God, you are putting your trust in money and not in God and many of us are guilty of covetousness without knowing it. What do I mean? One of the most important lessons you need to learn to mature in Christ is to understand that greediness is a sin. Look at Ephesians, which you do not seldom appreciate.
In Ephesians 5, everybody, read this. «For this you know with certainty that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God». (Ephesians 5:5) God is saying, «Hey, this kind of people will not enter heaven. Adulterer, immoral people, impure or covetous». Now, how many of you will tell me right now you are willing to confess that you are greedy and covetous? Raise your hand. You see? I am guilty of greed. I am guilty of covetousness. What is the antidote? Only one. The antidote for greed and covetousness is giving. It is giving. It is recognizing God owns everything. Some people do not understand tithes and offerings. What is tithes? In simple English, tithe means 10%. That word «tithe» is used by God as early as the Book of Genesis before the law was given.
You see, you will hear people in YouTube or in other churches, «No, no, no. Tithing is in the Old Testament. New Testament. no more tithing. We are a new covenant people. Forget the Old Testament». Absolutely wrong. I will share with you from the Bible why you need to understand the entire Bible. Look at Genesis, how Abraham gave a tithe. When Abraham was blessed by an amazing victory, «And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand». (Genesis 14:20) This was Melchizedek blessing Abraham for an amazing victory. You know what Abraham did? «He gave him a tenth of all». (Genesis 14:20)
Now, who taught Abraham to give 10%? You have no Ten Commandments yet. You do not have the law. Tithe precedes the law. No law yet. But people knew tithing. Look at Jacob. Jacob made a deal with God. Jacob said, «This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You». (Genesis 28:22) You see, this idea of tithing is as old as the Book of Genesis. Oh, you will tell me, «What about the New Testament»? Well, let me share with you the New Testament. Are you ready? In the New Testament, let us talk about Jesus. Matthew 5. Many people think when Jesus fulfilled the law, He abolished the law. No. My friend, Jesus never abolished the Old Testament. He never abolished the law. «Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolishment to fulfill». (Matthew 5:17)
He fulfilled it for us. It does not mean we do not follow it anymore. what Jesus has to say about tithing. Look at Matthew. Let us read. «Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you tithe (they are so meticulous) mint, you tithe cumin (These are herbs), and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law; justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others». (Matthew 23:23) You know what God is saying? What Jesus is saying? «You guys, you do tithing. Great. But you are neglecting love, justice, kindness». He never abolished tithing. You do tithing. Good. But just because you tithe does not mean you abolish, you do not do the other important things. Love, Kindness. What about the Apostle Paul? What did he teach about tithing?
Let us find out. 1 Corinthians 16. Everybody, read «Now, concerning the collection of the saints (Do you notice? They were expected to give.), as I directed the churches of Galatia (Plural. All the churches of Galatia.), so do you also. On the first day of every week (What is the first day of every week in the time of Jesus? Sunday. On the first day of every week, what must you do?) each of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come». (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) What I am trying to say The early church practiced tithing. You do not see the word «tithing» because they practice something higher than tithing. What do I mean? Look at New Testament giving. If tithing is 10%, I call that minimum. What about New Testament? Let us find out.
Look at 2 Corinthians. «Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God, which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality». (2 Corinthians 8:1-5) A beautiful wording of extreme. Paul is now talking about the churches in Macedonia. They were so poor. Notice the expression, because of the grace of God, they did the impossible. What was impossible? First, look at their situation. Number one, great ordeal. They had great problem. But in contrast, because of the grace of God, abundance of joy. What was their problem? Deep poverty. You know, somebody texted us this morning service, «How can I give? I do not even have enough. I am a student».
My friend, you will learn something about grace giving. Okay. Rich or poor, these are very poor people. «Deep poverty». Contrast, «overflowed in the wealth of their liberality». Amazing. The contrast. Now how do they give? There are three ways to give. Number one, you give within your ability. Brethren, next verse. «For I testify according to their ability (Some people give based on their ability to praise God. But some people give), and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord…» (2 Corinthians 8:3-5) My friend, if you want to give you must first give yourself to the Lord. You notice in CCF, like the Macedonian church, they were «begging us with much urging to be able to give».
In CCF, you will notice something. We do not pass offering boxes. You noticed? You have been here? Nobody asked you for money. Yes or no? We do not ask you for money. You know why? We just teach you. Giving is a privilege. The New Testament giving is knowing God owns everything. And because God owns everything, what must I do? The first ten percent for me is not yet giving. What is my proof? Leviticus. Look at what Leviticus tells us. «Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s; it is holy to the LORD». (Leviticus 27:30)
The first 10% belongs to the Lord. Tithing is a reminder that God owns everything. It is to protect you. Tithing is to bless you. Because if you do not remind yourself that everything you have belongs to the Lord, you will be in trouble. You will be robbing God. So stop robbing God. First 10% belongs to whom? God. This teaching is to help you guard your heart away from materialism to a God-centered life because the money determines the direction of your heart. You know that verse? «Where your treasure is there will your heart be also». (Matthew 6:21)
If you invest all your money in the stock market, I guarantee you every day you will be looking at the stock market report. If you invest your money in a certain thing, you will always be looking at it. For me and my wife, by the grace of God, I have invested my life, I have invested my resources (it is a privilege) in the kingdom of God. So my concern is the Kingdom of God, the King of this world. That is God’s department, That is not mine. My friend, do you know the last thing I want you to learn about this message? God is a rewarder. Where do you see that in the Bible? God is a rewarder. What do we mean? Well, let us find out. Malachi. Malachi 3. Let us read together. Malachi. Malachi 3:10. Everybody, «Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…»
Now, what is storehouse? In the Old Testament, it is a place of worship. In the New Testament, that is my place of worship. «…so that there may be food in My house, and test Me in this…» Now, God is asking you, test Him. Wow! I thought we should not test God? It is God asking you to test Him. That is why to me, I am telling you, God wants to bless you, my friend. Many of you are forfeiting the blessing of God because you are ignorant of God’s Word. God is saying, «You test me». How do you test Him? Everybody, read this. «Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…» Bring your 10% to God. Minimum. I suggest more.
Now, test. How do you test? Everybody, read together «…if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows». (Malachi 3:10) I am not into Prosperity theology. I am into Biblical theology. You put God first. This a promise. Look at the next verse. Look at the promise of God. «'Then I will rebuke that the devourer for you so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes, ' says the LORD of hosts…» (Malachi 3:11) In other words, God is saying, «If you trust Me, you give Me your tithes, I am going to bless you. You know how I can bless you? Many ways».
By the way, God bless you for one reason. To bring glory to Him. «'All the nations will call you blessed for you shall be a delightful land…'» (Malachi 3:12) God blesses us to bless others. Now, look at some New Testament verses. Let us look at the mouth of Jesus. Look at Luke 6:38. Everybody, read. «Give. and it we given to you». That’s a promise of Jesus. Give is a command. Always give and it will be given to you. How? «They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return». (Luke 6:38) What Jesus is saying is simply this, ladies and gentlemen, you can never outgive God. But give Him a chance to bless you. Today, I have asked somebody to share with us how God has used them to bless others. Let us welcome Darwin and Connie.
This principle «God is a rewarder», is found in Hebrews 11:6. Let us read this together. «And without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder…» You must believe that God is a rewarder «…of those who seek Him». (Hebrews 11:6) Do you believe God is a rewarder? Louder. So do you seek Him? Put Him first. God is a rewarder. And that is why everything makes sense now. If you realize God’s plan for your life.
Okay. As we close, I want you to look at this amazing verses in Malachi 3. «…the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him…» What the Bible is trying to say is this, God hears. God remembers whatever you guys are doing especially if you do it for Him. God knows. People may not know but God knows. And you know what? What gives God that very soft spot in His heart? «…those who fear (those who have reverence to) the LORD and (those) who esteem His name». (Malachi 3:16) You do everything for God’s glory. And then here is the promise. «So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and the one who does not serve Him». (Malachi 3:18)
Someday, the world will be divided into two kinds of people, those who serve God and those who do not serve God. To serve Him means you do everything for His glory. You do everything to expand His kingdom. God sees your heart. So, ladies and gentlemen, how do you honor God? Honor God for who He is. What can you learn today about God? He is just. You can trust Him completely. He is what? Immutable. God does not change. You can trust Him completely. What else can you learn about God? God owns everything. And what else can you learn about Him? God is a rewarder. Ladies and gentlemen, has God been good to you? today, as I close in prayer, I want you to give your heart to the Lord. Is that okay with you? I want you to be open to Him and ask Him to receive your heart completely. Not just your tithes, your whole life. Let us bow our heads and pray.
Father God in Heaven, it is Your desire for us to honor You. But as we honor You, it is Your desire to bless us even more. So I now pray for everybody here whose heart has been touched by Your goodness. You gave Your all. You did not give us 10%. You gave Your entire life. So, Lord, help us to reciprocate by giving You are all also. Lord God, I now pray for those men and women whose hearts are open to You today. They are raising their hands. They mean business. Lord, as they give their heart to You, as they give their lives to You, Jesus, show them that You will distinguish someday those who love You, those who do not love You, those who esteem Your name, those who do not esteem Your name, those who serve You versus those who do not serve You. The righteous and the unrighteous. Lord Jesus, thank You that You are so kind and so good to us. In Jesus' name, we all pray, Amen and Amen.