MICAH Sermons by Rev. Mike Jones [Revised December 10, 2021]
Micah 1:- GOD’S WITNESS ABOUT NATION’S WRONGS
Micah 2:- WHEN THE WORD DOES NOT WORK
Micah 3:- WHEN GOD IGNORES YOU
Micah 4:-WHEN CAPTIVITY SET YOU FREE
Micah 06:6-8 WHAT DOES GOD WANT?
Micah 6:6-8 GIVING A GIFT TO GOD
Intro to MICAH
Micah (“Who is like Jehovah”) was a contemporary of Isaiah. He prophesied during the latter part of Isaiah’s Ministry. He was from Judah but his messages also concerned Israel.
Micah was quoted 3 times in the Scriptures at major events: (1) to save Jeremiah’s life (Jer 26:18, Micah 3:12), (2) When the Wise Men came to Jerusalem seeking Christ (Matt 2:5-6, Micah 5:2), and (3) By Jesus when he sent out his disciples (Matt 10:35-36, Micah 7:6).
I. THE DECLARATION OF JUDGMENT 1-3
A) Against Samaria and Judah and the surrounding towns 1
B) Against Moral Corruption 2 (Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy; you, even with a sore destruction 2:10. Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? 2:7)
C) Against False Prophets and Leaders 3 (The True Prophet was Full of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of Judgment, and of might to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin 3:8)
II. THE DELIVER IS PROMISED 4-5
A) His Kingdom is described 4 (Note vs 12 where the Prophet says the other nations do not understand God’s dealings with Israel.)
B) His Place of Birth is announced 5:1-2
C) His Rejection and Return is foretold 5:3-15
III. THE DEBATE OF GOD WITH HIS PEOPLE 6-7
A) God should be worshiped from the heart; not just in form 6:1-8
B) God cannot satisfy a wicked heart 6:9-16
C) The Lord must be trusted even in difficult circumstances 7:- Who is God like unto thee? 7:18
Some Marvels in Micah:
- A verse in Micah is used to save the prophet Jeremiah’s life (Jer 26:18, Micah 3:12).
- A verse in Micah is used to send Wise Men to Baby Jesus (Matt 2:5-6, Micah 5:2).
- A verse in Micah is used by Jesus to tell you there is coming a time when you better not trust your family. (Matt 10:35-36, Micah 7:6).
- Micah talks about “gun control” (Actually “sword control” but the principle is amazing).
- Micah tells us what God requires of us (6:7-8).
- Micah tells us that when God begins to bring judgment then “evil will come down from God” (1:12) and that “God will devise evil actions” (2:3) upon those incurring judgment”
- Micah tells us about a time preachers will stop preaching because “there is no answer of God” (3:7).
- Micah tells us about the place forgiven sins are kept (7:18-19).
Micah tells us that when a nation’s “wound is incurable” then we need to concentrate on life boats instead of damage control for the ship (1:9).
Micah 1:- GOD’S WITNESS ABOUT NATION’S WRONGS
Notes on Micah Chapter 1:
You normally cannot solve a problem until you identify a problem (It is difficult to fix what is wrong if you do not know what is wrong).
- Who was witness to their offense? “Let the Lord God be witness against you” (1:2) David recognized the ultimate one he had offended: Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest (Psalms 51:4).
- Why was God bringing Judgment on Israel and Samaria? For the transgression [Act of rebellion] of Jacob is all this, and for the sins [habitual offenses] of the house of Israel (Micah 1:5).
- Where was the problem originating? What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem? (Micah 1:5). Note that the Government Centers were identified as the “Problem Place”. (O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths (Isaiah 3:12).
- How serious was the problem? 1:9 For her wound is incurable (Like Cancer, it had crept over from Samaria even unto the gates of Jerusalem so that all were corrupted).
- Then, He uses the names of towns (in Hebrew) to show in a poetic way some Results of sinful behavior. Vs 10 Weep not in weeptown. Roll in the dust in dust town. Vs 11 Expose your naked beauty in beautytown. Lose your joy in joytown. Vs 12 The inhabitants of bad water will find bad water instead of good. Vs 13 Slow town will find problems living in the fast lane. Vs 14 Gifts will be given to gift town (Cute that Micah’s “Hick” home town was the only positive). Truthtown shall be a lie to Israel. And, Vs 15 The “high one” shall come to high town to expose their low living.
- Finally, they are told to prepare to meet Judgment: Vs 16 Prepare for hard times (bald head) for you and your children. Captivity is coming and it will not be fun!
- Discussion question when we see Judgment coming on God’s People. Why was a “good” nation being punished by “bad” nations? But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more (Luke 12:48).
Micah 2:- WHEN THE WORD DOES NOT WORK
Why is the world becoming more evil in spite of the fact that God’s word is available to change it for the better? Why is God’s Word not working? Micah chapter two talks about this very issue.
Vs 1-2: A Mind is a terrible thing to waste [Men were thinking their thoughts instead of God’s Truths]: vs 1 They were “dreaming up” mischief at night to practice during the day. Vs 2 Their covetous schemes were destroying their heritage (Profit replaced principles). This action produced consequences:
Vs 3: Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth (Hebrews 12:6). God “plots problems” (“Against this family do I devise an evil”) so the people will see the problem with their plots! This will cause winners to become whiners (“Neither shall you go haughtily”).
Vs 4-5: The “Parable of the changed Portion”. [God changed from looking for ways to bless them into seeking ways to punish them- (“Turning away He has divided our fields”). Others would now use the land that was once distributed to them by God (“Thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the Lord”).
The Time had come that the Word does not work! The problem was neither a failure of the Power of God (“is the Spirit of the Lord straitened”?) nor the Plan of God (“Are these His doings”?). Why then did the Word not work?
Vs 6 God no longer sent preachers to proclaim it vs 6 (“Thou shalt not prophesy to them”).
Vs 7 People ignore its teachings (“Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?”
Vs 8 MY way had replaced God’s way. When “every man does that which is right in his own sight” then people become adversaries trying to bring each other down (“My people is risen up as an enemy, you pull off the robe from them that pass by”).
Vs 9 Homes were no longer built on Biblical practices and principles (“From their children have you taken away my glory forever”).
Vs 10 The controversy and chaos of “new theories” had replaced the comfort of God’s word (“Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest”).
Vs 11 False prophets were proclaiming lies and “feel good” sermons instead of the truth of God’s word (“I will prophesy unto you of wine and strong drink”).
But still, God offers Hope:
Vs 12-13: Punishment is not for pain but for profit (He verily for a few days chastened us after His own pleasure; for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Hebrews 12:10). “I will surely gather the remnant of Israel” and “their king shall pass before them and the Lord at the head of them”. Never let any problem cause you to give up on the promises of God.
Micah 2:7 MICAH’S MESSAGES
There are 66 Books in Bible- 39 in OT-27 in NT 39 OT=17-5-17. Each 17=5-12, Each 12=9-3
Micah is a minor prophet with a major message- Birthplace of Christ- 5:2 / Gods requirement- 6:6-8 / Sins into the Sea- 7:18-19
O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? (Micah 2:7).
This appeal in our text was in reply to the request of those who begged Micah not to prophesy. Weary of correction and reproof, the house of Jacob refused to receive further instruction, and said to the prophets (Isaiah was also a prophet during this time), “Prophesy ye not.” (2:6).
Notice the reason for our text: The Lord pleads with His people to realize that the messages sent by His servants were intended for their good, that even the threatening were designed for their corrections and had an ultimate end of reclaiming them. His rebukings were for their sanctification.
Why is it good to hear the Word of the Lord?
We live in a changing world today. Climatic changes (hurricanes), technology changes (internet; cell phones), world awareness changes (news and products) and religious changes (one belief is as good as another belief). This has led to
Changing views of Christianity:
– Anemic Christianity: No power or influence
– Alias Christianity: Anything goes in the name of love
– Against Christianity: Mans wisdom over Gods Word
Would you continue to claim to be a Christian if:
-Your family would disown you? – Friendship Church, India
-Your village would stone you?- Baptism in India
-The Police would arrest you?- Bolen and Carlisle in India
What we long for is – Authentic Christianity: (Reality Check- Becoming a Christian means you are still married, in debt, or sick. You will be the same – yet different!)
Life altering Christianity involves Radical Faith in Gods Ability- Is the Holy Spirit limited?
1) To Save- New Creature by Holy Spirits work.
2) To Keep- More than Conquerors by Holy Spirits Power.
3) To Claim- Bibles Promises- do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
The word of God produces:
Faith- by hearing the Word (must be preached)
Fruit- And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (Mark 4:20)
If God is not limited then why are people living in such spiritual poverty? Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1‑2)
Micah tells us that the Words of God do good because in them is:
1) A REVEALING of God’s will: If you didn’t know what God wanted you to do, it would be impossible to accomplish His will for your life, and there would never be the fulfillment of a Christ-centered life. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? MIC 6:8
Preceding this verse the Lord had told the people that He had a controversy with them. He had delivered them from the enemy, provided for them; and the way they wanted to show their thanks was by living the way they wanted to, and once a year, bring a sacrifice. God told them He did not want sacrifice, He wanted obedience. This verse explains the obedience He wanted.
To “do justly,” is not just to think and speak justly, but to act justly, to act with honesty, integrity, and loyalty, without injuring, defrauding, oppressing or tempting to evil any one. It means in every way to befriend your neighbor.
To “love mercy” is to take pleasure in acts of compassion, to be forgiving, and kind. Real mercy lies in the motive of kindness, and the love of it lies in the gratification felt in another’s benefit. (Good Samaritan)
To “walk humbly with thy God.” This indicates a teachable, submissive, thankful, patient and dependent spirit; a close communion with God; and a progressive knowledge of the character and majesty of God. As this knowledge dawns upon the soul, so does the soul sink into self-abasement. (When we see man as he really is, and God as He really is; and then to realize that we have the privilege of walking alongside Him…)
2) It is also good to hear the Words of God because there is a REDEEMING factor in them. Notice the text: MIC 4:b …the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.
MIC 6:4 For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants;…
There is a reclaiming, a recovering, a repossessing, a buying back from the bonds of Satan. Just as God promised to reclaim Israel, He will reclaim us, even tho we have given over to sin.
3) Then we see that in hearing and heeding of the Words of God, there is a REMOVING of our sins: He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea (MIC 7:19). (The Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean is 36,198 feet deep. If the highest mountain in the world were placed in it, there would still be a mile of water covering the top of it). The Marianas Trench [ is located in the western Pacific Ocean about 200 kilometres (124 mi) east of the Mariana Islands, and has the deepest natural trench in the world. It is a crescent-shaped trough in the Earth’s crust averaging about 2,550 km (1,580 mi) long and 69 km (43 mi) wide. The maximum known depth is 10,984 metres (36,037 ft) (± 25 metres [82 ft]) at the southern end of a small slot-shaped valley in its floor known as the Challenger Deep.[2] However, some unrepeated measurements place the deepest portion at 11,034 metres (36,201 ft).[3] By comparison: if Mount Everest were placed into the trench at this point, its peak would still be over two kilometres (1.2 mi) under water
4) But what about those people who will not hear God’s Words? There is a penalty for REJECTING God’s Word: MIC 3:1-2 And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment? Who hate the good, and love the evil;….
MIC 7:9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him,
MIC 3:4 Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
Mankind’s only hope lies in “hearing of the Words of the Lord.” When man hears and obeys, then God’s Word does good.
Tomatoes were thought to be poison because they were cooked in cast iron pots and the acid caused lead poisoning. For years people missed the joy of eating tomatoes because they believed a lie. If you will come to the Lord today you will taste and see that the Lord is good and you will find that His words do good to them that walk uprightly!!
Micah 3:- WHEN GOD IGNORES YOU
Rev. Mike Jones
Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings (Micah 3:4). I will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh (Proverbs 1:26)
What an absolutely horrible situation life would be if God ignored your prayers and hid His face from your pain and problems! Yet, this is what Micah declares will happen when His people turn away from Him and seek their own plan and pleasure.
1> God contemns Leadership failures: 3:1-4
In management of government- : “Is it not for you to know judgment?”
In moral leadership- “Who hate the good, and love the evil”
In care for people- “Who pluck off their skin from off them”
Result: Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings (Micah 3:4).
2> God points out Prophet’s failures: 3:5-8
Wrong message- “Make my people err”
No message- “Ye shall not have a vision”
Ashamed message- “cover their lips; for there is no answer of God”
What should have been- But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin (Micah 3:8).
3> God declares that Punishment is Coming “For your sakes”
Because of your Character- You abhor judgment and pervert equity
Because of your Conduct- Build Zion with shed blood and fill Jerusalem with iniquity
But your “reward” is coming- You made Gold your goal while claiming God’s protection but God will “Plow your fields” and destroy your houses.
God is a great friend but a really bad enemy!
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming (Psalms 37:12‑13).
Micah 4:-WHEN CAPTIVITY SET YOU FREE
Thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies (Micah 4:10).
Micah chapter 4 moves from Punishment to Purpose-“But in the last days” [The punishment is not without a promise, Glory! God has declared that He must punish Israel for their continued sinful lifestyle but now He shows them some amazing results that will be accomplished by His chastisement Remember that the purpose of punishment is not the pain it inflicts but the profit it produces- Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby (Hebrews 12:11)].
1) Israel will become a World Leader (4:1), a Religious Leader (4:2), a “Peace Provider” (4:3), a Home Haven (4:4), and a Faithful Follower of the One True God (4:5).
2) Past Problems will be forgotten because of Future Blessings:
A) National Gathering: “I will gather her that I have afflicted and I will make her a strong nation” where the Lord shall reign over them (4:6-7). (First in the return from Captivity, Later in Jewish Nation reestablished at end of WWII)
B) Prominent Position: “Even the First Dominion” (4:8).
3) Present Pain has a Purpose:
A) To Fulfill God’s Plan: “Thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered”. God will not “waste” their captivity (4:9-10).
B) To expose Man’s faulty thinking: “For they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his counsel” (4:11-12)
C) To demonstrate God will be the “winner”: “I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord” (4:13).
Mic 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;
7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
8 And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.
9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail.
10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.
11 Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.
12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.
13 Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.
Results of Babylonian Captivity show us how God “works” good out of the bad things that come into our life. Following the Captivity several major changes happened in Israel’s life style:
What will God need to do to you, or bring into your life, to get you to give up your secret or besetting sin (which causes you to continually fall) in order for you to become the amazing person God created you to be?
- Idol worship disappeared. Many scholars believe that the Jewish religion was monolateral before the Babylonian Exile. Simply put, that means that the Jewish people acknowledged the existence of other gods, but believed that they should only worship the god of Israel. After the Exile the Jews became monotheism (Believing in only one God) and it is now the central tenet of Judaism.
- The Jews realized they were a world changing religion (The testimony and leadership response by “heathen” leaders to Daniel and Hebrew Children. The rebuilding of the temple under Ezra and Nehemiah being granted by foreign kings).
- The Temple and the Synagogue and the Influence they had on Jewish Worship. Even after the Temple was rebuilt, many aspects of Jewish worship that began during the captivity continued as part of Jewish worship. These include the prominent use of the singing of Psalms, prayer and instruction as part of the synagogue service. Synagogue worship and rabbinical teaching continued to operate in towns and village where Jews met even after the newly constructed Temple was finished. [When the Romans sacked Jerusalem in A.D. 70, they also destroyed the Temple and expelled the Jews from Jerusalem. With the Temple destroyed, synagogue worship again became the norm for Jewish people and continues to be so to this day. This is in part because the Muslim Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa mosque are on the site where Jewish law stipulates the Temple was to stand, effectively preventing the Temple from being rebuilt].
- The Torah produced a set of laws that could be shared as well as lived. Since the Jews now lacked both a temple and the ability to go to Jerusalem, changes were needed to retain their cultural and religious identity. The result was the rise of the synagogue among the Jews dispersed throughout the Babylonian Empire. The focus shifted from animal sacrifices, which could only be properly performed at the Temple, to the study and teaching of the Torah — the Jewish Bible — which became the focal point of worship in the synagogues. This new focus gave rise to a new class of professional clergy within Judaism, the rabbi. The rabbi was and is both a scholar and a teacher, a spiritual leader tasked with explaining God’s expectations to the common people. Early rabbis compiled the Talmud, a series of writings that further explain the Torah. Additionally, the biblical books of Daniel and Esther were written during the Babylonian captivity. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah detail the end of the exile. They describe the overthrow of the Babylonian Empire by the Persian Empire, the subsequent return of many of the Jews to Judea and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.
False Religious Promises:
Abundant Wealth- God is keeping something from you.
Increased Wisdom- Be as God
Self-Righteous Works- You can be your own god
Joy producing Wanderings- New Things to see and do without limitations
Pleasure Producing Wickedness- Sins are accepted and approved.
Micah 5-7 DIVINE DELAYS
The last three chapters of Micah show God dealing with present needs while revealing future plans. Micah’s messages are now “shotgun” messages covering a large number of subjects instead of a “rifle” aimed at a single problem. They relate to present needs but they reveal God working on a long range schedule which requires some activities to happen now but others are on a “time delay” schedule.
THE DELIVERER IS PROMISED (5) The Jews will know Messiah’s Birth Place to tell the Wise Men but they will not believe in His coming “therefore will he give them up” for a time.
A) His Place of Birth is announced 5:1-2
B) His Rejection and Return is foretold 5:3-15 (But God has a Plan even during this rejection: Vs 4 Messiah will magnify the Lord and “be great unto the ends of the earth” (Gentiles)).
THE DEBATE OF GOD WITH HIS PEOPLE (6-7) “The Lord hath a controversy with His people” (6:2).
A) God wants to know what He is doing wrong: O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me (Micah 6:3). It is amazing how many people think they know how to run the universe better than God!
B) You make serving God hard but God makes it easy: Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:7-8).
C) Do you not realize that Wickedness will never satisfy a wicked heart 6:9-16 “Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied” (vs 14)
D) The Lord must be trusted even in difficult circumstances (7): Who is God like unto thee? (7:18)
– Leaders will fail you: “The best of them is as a brier” (7:4)
– Family will fail you: “A man’s enemies are the men of his own house” (7:6)
“Therefore will I look unto the Lord” (7:7) as I acknowledge my sin and look for the Lord, in His great mercy, to have “compassion upon us; subdue our iniquities; and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (7:19).
Most of the time in Prophecy God uses “Mountain Top” Messages. He will show us a few “highlights” while ignoring the valleys between the “mountain tops”. [And sometimes these “valleys” can stretch for hundreds of years- Remember, God does not see time the way we see time: For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night (Psalms 90:4). But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8)].
God always declares that the Punishment of Prophecy is based on the actions of people and nations- The land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings (Micah 7:13).
Remember, the Purpose of Prophecy is to demonstrate God’s faithful oversight over His people: Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old (Micah 7:20).
Micah 06:6-8 WHAT DOES GOD WANT?
Paul told the Corinthians that if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? (I Cor 14:8). By that he meant that if you don’t know what you are being asked to do then it’s difficult to do it. Many people find themselves in that situation today. They hear many different voices calling them to follow a multitude of different paths and, despite the fact that they want to do the right thing, they aren’t really sure what that is anymore.
What I want us to do today is let God speak for Himself and reveal to us what He Wants us to do. Let me warn you, however, that it’s not enough to simply find out what God wants; you must be willing to Obey His Instructions. Now, WHAT DOES GOD WANT?? GOD WANTS YOU-
1) To Come to Him for Salvation on HIS Terms– Micah 6:6-8 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
2) To live right and do right– Deut 10:12-13 And now, Isreal, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
3) To Obey HIS Word– Deut 18:18-19 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethern, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth: and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
4) To Keep YOUR Word– Deut 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
5) To Warn the Wicked.– Ez 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his live; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
6) To be faithful in your responsibilities– I Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
God wants you to Accept His Way of Salvation (The Sacrifice of Christ for Sins), to follow His Plan (as revealed in the Bible), and to be Faithful in your duties. Will you do what God wants??
Micah 6:6-8 GIVING A GIFT TO GOD
Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:6-8).
As we approach the Christmas season there are some things you need to ask about gifts; and especially your gift to God. After all, it is HIS Birthday Party. (Just for reference, no gifts were given on that first Christmas; only a visit from shepherds. The Wise Men came with their gifts a year or so after “Christmas” when Jesus and his family were living in a house).
I. DO I HAVE THE RIGHT TO GIVE GOD A GIFT? (Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God?). If you think yourself unworthy consider this. Jewish Genealogies always contained men. The Genealogy of Christ contains 4 women. Note that their background did not stop them giving the gift of children to God’s Plan.
A) TAMAR- Her children were the product of her acting as a Prostitute to her father-in-law, Judas
B) BATHSHEBA- “her that had been the wife of Urias”
C) RUTH, the Moabitess- An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever (Deuteronomy 23:3). [Interesting what the counsel told Boaz when he took Ruth as his wife- And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman (Ruth 4:12).
D) MARY- Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child… (Matthew 1:18).
Not only do you worry about “Am I good enough” but also:
II. DO I HAVE ANYTHING “GOOD ENOUGH” TO GIVE GOD? (shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?). Micah did not think his Religion (burnt offering), his Riches (Ten Thousand rivers of oil), or his Relatives (the fruit of his body) would cover the “sin of my soul”. What, then, is ANYTHING you can give a God who created EVERYTHING!
III. WHAT GIFT DOES GOD DESIRE FROM ME? (He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee).
A) To do justly- Only way we can be justified is through Faith [Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20).
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28).
Once we come BY FAITH we should then “Do Justly” so we can honor God with our life.
B) AND to love mercy- Remember that others struggle with life also; Give them a break.
C) AND to walk humbly with thy God- Keep God as God in your life. You do not control Him; you serve Him!
Our reference verses were the “life verses” of Malcolm Powell. I am thankful to be able to say living right, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God were Malcolm’s way of life. It was his gift to God and it should be yours as well.