The Minor Prophets Micah: A Call to Action HCC May, 2016
Our world today
Micah: A Story of Injustice and Sin and Incredible Renewal and Hope
Key Verse He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Key Question What is God calling you to do to meet the needs of this world?
Micah Name means Who is like Yahweh Prophet to Israel and Judah Lived outside the government centers of power Strong concern for lame, outcast, and afflicted https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-minor-prophets/micah
https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-minor-prophets/micah
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Understanding Micah 6:8 1. Religion can not draw us close to God 2. Only through Jesus can we live a righteous life 3. We are sent by Jesus into the world
Understanding Micah 6:8 1. Religion can not draw us close to God 2. Only through Jesus can we live a righteous life 3. We are sent by Jesus into the world
Injustice in the time of Micah Plotting evil (2:1) Fraud, coveting, violence (2:2) Stealing, dishonesty (2:8) Driving widows from their home (2:9) Hating good, loving evil (3:1,2) Despising justice, distorting what is right (3:9) Murder (3:10) Taking bribes (3:11) Holy Bible, Chinese/English
Do not prophesy, their prophets say. Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us. Micah 2:6
With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Micah 6:6,7
For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. Why have we fasted, they say, and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed? Isaiah 58
Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Isaiah 58
Internal transformation over external appearances The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. - 1 Sam 16:7 We ve drifted away from being fishers of men to keepers of the aquarium - Paul Harvey
Understanding Micah 6:8 1. Religion can not draw us close to God 2. Only through Jesus can we live a righteous life 3. We are sent by Jesus into the world
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
But you, Bethlehem out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace. Micah 5:2,4-5
We have hope because Jesus is our Prince of Peace and Mediator Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matt 11:29-30
Why should we be concerned about justice? Because Jesus was concerned about justice In Jesus code, to love is to be just. To be just is to love Jesus mission on earth in his time is our mission on earth in our time. http://www1.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_ihq_isjc.nsf/0/982cff3ca7250cf080257a8a004f9333/$file/jesus%20and%20justice.pdf
Jesus and Justice Including the excluded: lepers, women, children Challenging cultural practices: Samaritan woman, Good Samaritan, drunkards and prostitutes Confronting the powerful: tax collector, Pharasees, government rulers Advocating for the oppressed: hungry, sick, rich ruler, demons of the soul http://www1.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_ihq_isjc.nsf/0/982cff3ca7250cf080257a8a004f9333/$file/jesus%20and%20justice.pdf
Understanding Micah 6:8 1. Religion can not draw us close to God 2. Only through Jesus can we live a righteous life 3. We are sent by Jesus into the world
In the last days, the mountain of the LORD s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Micah 4:1
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken. Micah 6:3,4
What are the last days? When Christ returns? No, the last days are now
In, but not of this world? http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/let-s-revise-the-popular-phrase-in-but-not-of
In, but not of this world? They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:17,18 http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/let-s-revise-the-popular-phrase-in-but-not-of
In, but not of this world? They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:17,18 Not of the world, but sent into http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/let-s-revise-the-popular-phrase-in-but-not-of
The Hole in our Gospel Being a Christian requires much more than a personal and transforming relationship with God. It also entails a public and transforming relationship with the world. If your personal faith in Christ as no positive outward expression, then your faith has a hole in it. - Richard Stearns, President, World Vision
The Hole in our Gospel For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me deported. I needed clothes, but you needed more clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the behaviors that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I deserved. - Matt 25/RESV - Richard E. Stearns Version
What can we do? LEARN: globalrichlist.com PRAY: for the poor through your day ACT: worldvision.org GIVE: onedayswages.org
Loving Mercy: The Renewal Center Many of our guests have left their homes They are too ashamed to return home It s a vicious cycle. We can intervene and encourage people to restore relationships or help them find a job. - Jimmy McWhinney, Founder, Renewal Center http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-10/13/content_8785640.htm
Understanding Micah 6:8 1. Religion can not draw us close to God 2. Only through Jesus can we live a righteous life 3. We are sent by Jesus into the world
Key Verse He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Key Question What is God calling YOU to do to address the needs of this world? What is God calling US to do to address the needs of this world?
This week, reflect on how we can be Not of the world, but sent into this world?