NCF Sunday Worship Livestream - October 18, 2026

Meditation: James 1:16-17

Call to Worship: Psalm 111

OT reading: Deuteronomy 14:22-29

Catechism: Week 42; Question 110

Sermon Text: Malachi 3:6-12

Sermon Title: You Can’t Outgive God

Sermon Summary:

At this point in Israel’s history, they haven’t changed much. Jacob stole his brother’s birthright, and now his descendants are attempting to rob God by withholding the tithes that God had commanded them to give. Because of their covenant disobedience, they are experiencing the covenant curse. Yet God, in his mercy, says, “Return to me, and I will return to you.” If Israel would return to the Lord and walk in obedience, God would remove the covenant curse and pour out his covenant blessing upon them. God still desires obedience from his people, and our commitment to giving reveals something about where our hearts are. If God is our Father (Malachi 1:6), then we should bear a family resemblance to him. Nobody can outgive God. The Father has lavished his love upon us and did not spare his own Son. Where we have failed to keep God’s commands, Christ, the perfect covenant keeper, has fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf. Therefore, our giving is not an attempt to earn God's favor but a response to the grace we have already received from our generous Father.