WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.719 You might have heard that President Biden in the US pardoned thousands of people just a few days ago. 00:00:08.660 --> 00:00:19.780 So over 7,000 people that were previously convicted of possession of marijuana since it became a crime back in the 70s were cleared of their convictions. 00:00:20.780 --> 00:00:25.900 You might be relieved to hear that tonight's sermon is not about marijuana. 00:00:25.899 --> 00:00:36.140 That is not the aspect of the story that we'll focus on, especially because you can even buy cannabis moisturizers at your local Holland and Barrett these days. 00:00:36.219 --> 00:00:43.000 So not a straightforward topic, but it's a concept of pardon that ties in with tonight's passage. 00:00:43.980 --> 00:00:48.179 These people in the States had been found guilty of a crime. 00:00:49.179 --> 00:00:52.879 Imagine there had been a trial and they'd been sentenced. 00:00:52.880 --> 00:01:02.880 And now all of a sudden they've been declared innocent by way of being forgiven by the president himself, just out of the goodness of his heart. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:05.480 It's remarkable. It's a remarkable process. 00:01:06.020 --> 00:01:11.740 And all presidents do this, pardoning some hundreds, some thousands of people during their presidencies. 00:01:11.900 --> 00:01:15.120 And I believe most countries have something similar. 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:22.480 Now, of course, there are always political reasons behind a U.S. president pardoning people. 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:27.880 But still, we see a similar sequence of events in chapters 6 and 7 of Micah. 00:01:28.700 --> 00:01:34.600 There's a trial to begin with where Israel stands accused and then declared guilty. 00:01:35.100 --> 00:01:37.100 And then there's a sentence to serve. 00:01:38.020 --> 00:01:42.060 And while the sentence is being served, the pardon arrives. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:45.299 And so we'll look at the passage in these three sections. 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:51.620 The trial in chapter 6, the sentence and the pardon both in chapter 7. 00:01:52.040 --> 00:01:55.400 So trial, sentence and pardon. 00:01:58.240 --> 00:01:59.939 So why a trial? 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:08.439 At the start of chapter 6, Micah asks God to speak and bring his case against Israel. 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:13.599 With nothing less than God's own creation as witness. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:16.280 This is solemn. 00:02:17.300 --> 00:02:17.939 Read verse 2. 00:02:18.439 --> 00:02:19.819 Hear, you mountains. 00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:24.280 Listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:32.900 I don't know if it's the same for you, but I can very easily read these more poetic introductory verses in the Old Testament. 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:35.539 The ones that normally come before a prophecy. 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:37.699 And just gloss over them. 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:38.879 Go through them very quickly. 00:02:39.420 --> 00:02:43.199 Just, you know, in a rush to get to the actual juicy part of God's message. 00:02:43.740 --> 00:02:46.379 But these two is God's message. 00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:51.780 And I'd like us to try and sit with it for a moment or to try and see what it's trying to achieve. 00:02:51.780 --> 00:02:55.780 Now, God made the mountains. 00:02:56.740 --> 00:03:01.580 And I'd like you to picture some really tall, grand mountains. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:07.620 With all due respect for the beautiful British landscape, I think mountains are not its forte. 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:13.740 Back home in Sicily, my hometown is some 60 miles away from Mount Etna. 00:03:14.020 --> 00:03:16.659 And that is farther than Edinburgh is from Glasgow. 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:22.919 And yet on a clear day, you just see it there sitting in front of you as if it was a 10 minute drive away. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:29.300 Two and a half times as tall as Ben Nevis, no man ever built something like that. 00:03:29.400 --> 00:03:32.599 And certainly not something that spits ashes and lava half the time. 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:35.960 God made mountains like that. 00:03:36.340 --> 00:03:41.439 And even twice as tall as that, as we know, in other places in the world. 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:45.479 And God made the foundations of the earth. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:47.340 And so he's calling on them. 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:54.719 He's calling them as witnesses to remind Israel of who he is, of his power. 00:03:55.659 --> 00:04:00.319 And that is how serious Israel's sin is to God. 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:04.860 And in fact, that's how serious anyone's sin is to God. 00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:10.940 And I want us to sit with how uncomfortable, hopefully, that feels. 00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:17.699 And so in verse 3, we have God's charge against Israel. 00:04:18.520 --> 00:04:19.819 What have I done to you? 00:04:20.340 --> 00:04:22.780 How have I burdened you? 00:04:23.180 --> 00:04:28.040 Do you feel the heartbreak in those sentences which are asked rhetorically, of course? 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:30.199 What have I done to you? 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:36.079 Isn't that what we ask people when we feel like we're being treated unfairly? 00:04:36.159 --> 00:04:38.120 What have I ever done to you to deserve that? 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:43.699 And then he goes on to remind them of everything that he had indeed done for them, 00:04:43.819 --> 00:04:46.800 but all the good things that he'd done for them. 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:51.300 I brought you out of Egypt, away from slavery. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:56.919 I put leaders in place to guide you through the desert with Moses and Aaron and Miriam. 00:04:56.919 --> 00:04:58.579 He mentions them in verse 4. 00:04:58.579 --> 00:05:04.019 And when Balak, king of Moab, asked the prophet Balaam to curse you, 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:06.439 I made him bless you instead. 00:05:07.459 --> 00:05:08.939 That's what that story refers to. 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:12.479 Balak was expecting a curse against his enemy, Israel, 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:17.019 and was angered by the prophet's blessing that he gave them instead. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:19.839 But Balaam answered in Numbers 23, 26, 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:23.899 Did I not tell you I must do whatever the Lord says? 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:26.399 And the Lord had said, bless Israel. 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:30.319 And so God is basically telling them, I would never curse you. 00:05:30.459 --> 00:05:31.539 I didn't do it back then. 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:32.359 I wouldn't do it now. 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:37.179 So if you feel cursed right now, that's because you have brought curses on yourselves. 00:05:37.180 --> 00:05:44.540 And he goes on reminding them of how he took them from Shittim to Gilgal at the end of their journey in the desert, 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:48.040 before getting to the land that he had set aside for them. 00:05:48.840 --> 00:05:56.120 And Shittim, the place where the people had broken the covenant, but God renewed once again. 00:05:56.120 --> 00:06:00.280 So what more could God have done? 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:04.959 Now that's the accuser's charge. 00:06:05.660 --> 00:06:07.740 And then it's the defendant's turn. 00:06:08.280 --> 00:06:15.160 And you'd expect them after this to come to their senses and admit that they're at fault. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:16.060 But no. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:20.420 In verses 6 to 8, they too use rhetorical questions. 00:06:20.420 --> 00:06:26.620 With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:28.319 Burnt offerings? 00:06:29.080 --> 00:06:31.360 Maybe with calves a year old? 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:36.600 And so far, it sounds reasonable in the context of sacrifices back then. 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:37.600 But then it escalates. 00:06:38.080 --> 00:06:39.040 Thousands of rams? 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:41.900 Or maybe 10,000 reavers of olive oil? 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:45.860 Or should I offer my firstborn even, the fruit of my body? 00:06:45.860 --> 00:06:52.460 Israel have completely misunderstood how this relationship with God works. 00:06:53.139 --> 00:06:56.180 And so they get all snarky with this sarcastic answer, 00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:59.420 because they think that God is just impossible to please. 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:00.780 He's too perfect. 00:07:01.280 --> 00:07:05.939 No amount of sacrificing could ever make up for their sins against him. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:11.520 But their answer betrays a fundamental lack of understanding, 00:07:11.519 --> 00:07:17.979 because they seem to think that their sacrifices should actually somehow pay for their sins, 00:07:18.339 --> 00:07:21.359 rather than being an outward demonstration of repentance 00:07:21.359 --> 00:07:24.939 that God would mercifully accept to forgive them. 00:07:25.799 --> 00:07:28.819 And so on the one hand, given their comments, 00:07:28.899 --> 00:07:31.199 they have realized that something isn't quite working. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:35.899 And so they push back on God because of how impossible it is for them 00:07:35.899 --> 00:07:38.680 to become acceptable to him through sacrifices. 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:42.900 Not even the sacrifice of a firstborn would be enough. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:44.540 Not that God would ever want that. 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:50.100 And on the other hand, they are still missing the point. 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:54.000 And their lack of understanding is completely exposed in verse 8. 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:56.079 No, people, no. 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:58.759 Verse 8 says, he has shown you. 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:00.960 He doesn't want your firstborn. 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:04.460 He has shown you, oh mortal, what is good. 00:08:05.960 --> 00:08:07.639 What does the Lord require of you? 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:08.819 It is your question. 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:15.560 To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:21.439 Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:27.379 And so far from their legalistic view of a relationship with God, 00:08:27.539 --> 00:08:30.579 where they're able to pay an entry fee in the form of a sacrifice 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:32.299 to get access to his presence, 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:34.039 God tells them, 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:40.379 I want you to prove that you hate sin by acting justly. 00:08:40.719 --> 00:08:44.379 That you are kind to others and forgiving of them by love and mercy. 00:08:44.779 --> 00:08:48.579 And I want you to walk with me in humility. 00:08:50.079 --> 00:08:53.120 So God isn't saying that he expects them never to sin, 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:59.600 but he does demand that they hate sin and that they love what is right. 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:06.120 And what's most beautiful is that God isn't telling them to stay away from him in terror 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:08.480 and only approach him through sacrifices, 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:12.899 but he wants them to walk with him in fear. 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:15.240 That fear that stems from humility, 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:17.320 from looking at those mountains, 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.340 even Ben-Nemis, 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:21.600 and recognizing that he created them. 00:09:22.060 --> 00:09:27.040 That fear that results in love and respect and admiration for God. 00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:30.399 God, it's impossible to please you. 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:32.240 You're too perfect, they say. 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:34.680 No, it's just that you don't love me. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:37.720 And I'm making up excuses, he replies. 00:09:38.540 --> 00:09:41.259 You're afflicted, not because I neglected you, 00:09:41.820 --> 00:09:43.720 but because of your own sin. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:47.240 And what I require of you, you know it, 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:49.120 but you simply won't do it. 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:54.120 And then in verses 9 to 12, 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:58.080 after their response, God goes back to his charges. 00:09:59.160 --> 00:10:01.779 And if in the first verses of the chapter, 00:10:01.920 --> 00:10:06.600 the focus was on everything that God had done right for his people 00:10:06.600 --> 00:10:08.060 by delivering them from captivity, 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.100 by blessing them, 00:10:09.160 --> 00:10:10.560 by getting them out of the desert, 00:10:10.920 --> 00:10:12.139 into their promised land, 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:16.960 now the focus is on what they have done wrong. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:21.559 And then the same sins that we saw exposed a couple of weeks ago 00:10:21.559 --> 00:10:24.360 at the start of the book with Jonathan. 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:27.879 So if you look at verses 10, 11, and 12, 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:29.679 you'll find greed, 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:31.759 find wickedness, 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:33.159 find theft, 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:34.539 dishonesty, 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:35.659 lying, 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:36.899 violence. 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:39.899 These people are out of control. 00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:42.419 And remember, 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:43.679 act justly, 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:44.419 love, 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:46.620 mercy is what their God is asking of them, 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:49.059 but dishonesty and personal gain 00:10:49.059 --> 00:10:50.439 is what they're all about. 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:54.019 So at this point, 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:56.439 the accuser has brought his charges, 00:10:57.439 --> 00:10:59.179 the accused have laid out 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:00.639 their pathetic defense, 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:02.620 and the verdict comes, 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:03.960 and it's guilty. 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:07.320 Because a just God, 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:08.460 a holy God, 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:10.799 cannot not condemn 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:12.460 the unrepentant sinner. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.840 He cannot ignore 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:15.820 unrepentant sin. 00:11:16.560 --> 00:11:18.200 And so in verse 13, 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:19.320 we read, 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:20.740 I have begun 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:22.220 to destroy you, 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:23.500 to ruin you 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.019 because 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:25.620 of your sins. 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:28.720 And we get this list 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:29.419 of illustrations 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:31.100 that show how Israel 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:31.820 is going to get 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:32.960 the exact opposite 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:35.019 of what they were trying 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:35.639 to achieve 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:36.919 with their wickedness. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:39.480 They yearned for wealth, 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:41.659 regardless of how 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:42.460 it was acquired, 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:43.679 and 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:46.100 God will make sure 00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:47.039 that they're left 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:47.879 empty-handed. 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.240 They'll eat, 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:52.360 but stay hungry. 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:53.860 They'll store up, 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:55.100 but save nothing. 00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:56.420 They will plant, 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:57.700 but not harvest. 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:59.000 They will press olives, 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:00.460 but have no oil. 00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:01.860 They will crush grapes, 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:04.000 but have no wine. 00:12:04.700 --> 00:12:06.019 The verdict is guilty, 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:07.460 and the punishment is, 00:12:07.560 --> 00:12:08.320 in the second part 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:09.040 of verse 16, 00:12:09.420 --> 00:12:10.340 I will give you over 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:11.379 to ruin, 00:12:11.800 --> 00:12:12.540 and your people 00:12:12.540 --> 00:12:13.100 to derision. 00:12:17.940 --> 00:12:19.300 I love how, 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:20.519 and I'm being sarcastic, 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:22.000 whenever I read 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:23.519 about Israel's conduct, 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:25.740 I invariably catch myself 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:27.079 looking down on them. 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:28.340 I don't know if it happens 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:28.679 to you. 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:30.319 Just from up here 00:12:30.319 --> 00:12:31.079 on my beautiful 00:12:31.079 --> 00:12:32.980 21st century pedestal 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.419 where we got everything 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:35.100 figured out, 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.539 we know who all 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:37.919 the prophecies were about, 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:38.740 and we kind of 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:39.299 pitied them 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:39.799 for not, 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:40.620 you know, 00:12:40.679 --> 00:12:41.419 believing that 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:41.939 they would get 00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:42.860 to the promised land, 00:12:42.939 --> 00:12:43.919 for not understanding 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:44.860 everything that God 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.899 says about the Messiah, 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:47.439 and then it always 00:12:47.439 --> 00:12:48.279 takes a few minutes 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:49.179 to catch up with me, 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:50.199 the realization 00:12:50.199 --> 00:12:51.399 that thousands 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:52.399 of years later, 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.379 we are not 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:54.299 that different, 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:54.639 really. 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:57.919 So let's reflect 00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:58.559 in a moment 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:00.179 on this tendency 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:01.720 to use God's 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.259 perfection 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.500 as an excuse 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.779 for our sins. 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:07.439 My question 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:07.980 for us tonight 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:08.240 is, 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:08.840 do we ever 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:09.799 find ourselves 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:10.779 giving up 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:12.139 on resisting sin 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.519 because we could 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.159 never attain 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:14.960 God's perfect 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:16.120 standards anyway? 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.519 Do we ever 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.199 find ourselves, 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:19.840 catch ourselves 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:20.620 thinking on the lines 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:20.779 of, 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.220 I've already 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:22.199 messed up today, 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.539 I might as well 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:24.039 not bother 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:24.919 for the rest of the day 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.539 because I won't 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.639 achieve anything anyway, 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:27.419 I will never 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:28.600 be good enough. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:29.819 That feeling 00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:30.480 that we've let 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.240 got down 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:32.559 so much 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:33.360 that there is 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.379 no sacrifice 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:35.399 if you're 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.100 an Israelite, 00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:36.799 but maybe in our 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:37.379 day and age 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.360 there's no amount 00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:38.779 of prayer, 00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:39.439 there's no amount 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:40.200 of reading your Bible, 00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:40.939 there's no amount 00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:41.679 of, 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:43.240 investing time 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:43.899 into a church 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:44.779 ministry that can 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:45.799 make up for 00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:46.879 what I've done, 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:47.980 that can make me 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:49.259 right with God 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:49.620 again. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:50.740 Do we fall into 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:51.720 the same legalistic 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:52.199 trap? 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:55.699 Because all sin 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:56.960 is serious 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:57.480 to God 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.779 and no sacrifice 00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:59.559 of any shape 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:00.059 or form 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:00.939 is big enough, 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:01.860 no sacrifice 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:02.679 that we could make 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:03.340 is big enough 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.460 to buy us 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:05.699 his mercy. 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.259 But at the 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:07.980 same time, 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.100 no sin 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:10.240 is too big 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.120 for God. 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:12.679 And so if we 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:13.539 find ourselves 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.779 overcomplicating 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:15.460 things in our 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:15.659 head, 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.720 despairing 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.759 at that thought 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.519 of being unable 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.659 to undo 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.480 our sins 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:20.980 ourselves, 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:22.000 then let's go 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:22.519 back to the 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:22.960 basics. 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:24.340 Back to verse 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:24.740 8. 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:26.759 What God 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.360 wants 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:29.100 is for us 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:29.559 to act 00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:30.159 justly. 00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:32.879 Wanting what 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.319 is just 00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:33.980 means that 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:34.439 we hate 00:14:34.439 --> 00:14:34.699 sin. 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:35.720 He wants us 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:36.120 to love 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:36.519 mercy, 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:36.860 and love 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.220 in mercy 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:38.100 means committing 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:38.939 to being gracious 00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:39.700 and kind 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:40.040 to our 00:14:40.040 --> 00:14:40.300 neighbors. 00:14:40.880 --> 00:14:41.340 And God 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.160 knows we're 00:14:42.160 --> 00:14:42.640 fallible. 00:14:43.140 --> 00:14:43.820 He knows 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:44.580 we can fail 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:45.080 and often 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:45.960 will fail. 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:46.800 But he wants 00:14:46.800 --> 00:14:47.460 us to hate 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.020 what is wrong 00:14:48.020 --> 00:14:48.720 even when we 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.000 do it. 00:14:49.180 --> 00:14:49.680 And he wants 00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:50.360 us to love 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:50.980 what is right 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.540 even when we 00:14:51.540 --> 00:14:52.100 don't do it. 00:14:53.660 --> 00:14:54.180 And still in 00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:54.760 verse 8, 00:14:54.900 --> 00:14:55.560 he wants us 00:14:55.560 --> 00:14:55.980 to walk 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:56.420 humbly 00:14:56.420 --> 00:14:57.240 with God. 00:14:57.660 --> 00:14:58.080 And it's 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:58.460 ironic, 00:14:58.620 --> 00:14:58.900 I think, 00:14:58.960 --> 00:14:59.340 that the 00:14:59.340 --> 00:14:59.920 creator of 00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:00.420 the universe, 00:15:01.160 --> 00:15:02.780 he comes 00:15:02.780 --> 00:15:03.720 to tell us 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:05.120 that he 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:06.180 wants to 00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:06.700 walk with 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.019 us. 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:07.379 And we 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:07.940 say no 00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:08.700 because we're 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:09.100 not good 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:09.460 enough. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:10.920 Who am I, 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:11.899 who are we 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.480 to tell God, 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:12.980 no, I don't 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.440 want to walk 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:13.740 with you 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.240 because you're 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:14.779 too perfect. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.100 He wants 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:16.740 us to walk 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.240 humbly 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.040 with him. 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:18.360 And that 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:18.960 also means 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:19.660 learning to 00:15:19.660 --> 00:15:20.399 accept every 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.120 day that 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.960 God loves 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:22.200 us. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:22.660 And even 00:15:22.660 --> 00:15:23.019 though he 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:23.600 is perfect, 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:24.139 he isn't 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:24.540 demanding 00:15:24.540 --> 00:15:25.740 perfection of 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:25.920 us. 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.340 He wants 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:26.680 us to 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:27.139 love him 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:27.920 and hate 00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:28.279 sin. 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:29.779 And accepting 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:30.300 that in 00:15:30.300 --> 00:15:30.980 itself is 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.680 humility. 00:15:32.420 --> 00:15:32.600 And I 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:32.940 think the 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:33.379 sooner we 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:33.580 make 00:15:33.580 --> 00:15:34.560 peace with 00:15:34.560 --> 00:15:34.960 this, the 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:35.700 more we'll 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.160 be able to 00:15:36.160 --> 00:15:36.780 enjoy the 00:15:36.780 --> 00:15:37.480 beauty of 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:38.560 walking with 00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:39.520 God as 00:15:39.520 --> 00:15:40.100 his children. 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:44.000 So the 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.639 trial is 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.420 over and 00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:45.920 the verdict 00:15:45.920 --> 00:15:46.860 was guilty. 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.220 And now 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:48.740 it's time for 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.200 Israel to 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:49.960 serve its 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.480 sentence. 00:15:50.680 --> 00:15:50.940 And this 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.200 is our 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:51.800 second section 00:15:51.800 --> 00:15:52.420 for tonight. 00:15:52.540 --> 00:15:52.940 The first 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.980 six verses 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.500 of chapter 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.740 seven, the 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.660 sentence to 00:15:56.660 --> 00:15:58.120 be served. 00:15:58.680 --> 00:15:59.000 And we 00:15:59.000 --> 00:15:59.500 won't spend 00:15:59.500 --> 00:15:59.840 too much 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:00.360 time on this 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:00.759 point, but 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.200 I'd like us 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:01.700 to try and 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.140 see the 00:16:02.140 --> 00:16:02.660 similarities 00:16:02.660 --> 00:16:03.259 between the 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:03.840 condition of 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:05.159 Israel and 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:05.639 the condition 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.059 that our 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:06.860 world is 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:07.419 in as 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:07.720 well. 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:10.600 God's 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:11.240 punishment for 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:11.939 Israel really 00:16:11.939 --> 00:16:12.879 is the 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.919 result of 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:14.740 Israel's 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.659 self-inflicted 00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.580 misery itself. 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.279 And what 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:20.019 is this, if 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:20.360 not the 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:20.980 description of 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:22.080 a world that 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:23.059 is under 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:23.659 the grip of 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:24.439 Satan, just 00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:25.360 like ours, a 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:25.960 world where 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:26.919 most have 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:27.700 turned their 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.159 back on 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:28.460 God? 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:28.480 God. 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.180 And so 00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:30.860 verse one 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.420 of the 00:16:31.420 --> 00:16:31.960 second chapter 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.720 shows us 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.280 Micah's 00:16:33.280 --> 00:16:34.379 anguish at 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:34.879 the realization 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.900 that he's 00:16:35.900 --> 00:16:36.259 the only 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:36.960 godly person 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.400 left. 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:38.480 There's no 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:39.000 grapes to 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.980 eat, there's 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.960 no early 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:41.639 figs. 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:42.620 Grapes and 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.280 figs are a 00:16:43.280 --> 00:16:43.940 beautiful image 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:44.780 of how sweet 00:16:44.780 --> 00:16:45.740 living in a 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.700 community that 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:48.139 loves God 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.879 would feel. 00:16:49.400 --> 00:16:49.820 But there's 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:50.900 only sorrow and 00:16:50.900 --> 00:16:51.759 emptiness left 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.160 for him. 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.280 There's people 00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:54.120 constantly turning 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.759 against each 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.040 other. 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:56.519 In verse 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:57.399 two it says 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.459 in wait to 00:16:58.459 --> 00:16:59.219 shed blood, 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.139 hunting each 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:00.559 other with 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.059 nets. 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:02.120 These are 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:02.919 apocalyptic 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:03.500 images. 00:17:04.639 --> 00:17:05.099 There's abuse 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:06.159 of power as 00:17:06.159 --> 00:17:06.579 the ruler 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.559 demands gifts, 00:17:08.139 --> 00:17:08.720 the judge 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.799 accepts bribes, 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:10.680 the powerful 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.639 dictate what 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.299 they desire, 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:12.859 that's in 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:13.299 verse three, 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:14.099 and these 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:14.740 three they all 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.539 conspire together, 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.079 the rulers, 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:16.579 the judges, 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.200 the powerful. 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.319 And I 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:19.740 had to say 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.700 this one really 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.519 hit home for 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.180 me, because 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:23.019 rulers demanding 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.099 more from 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:24.599 their people, 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.019 judges, 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.039 accepting bribes 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.700 so that the 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.279 powerful can 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.740 keep going 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.099 about their 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:28.799 life, doing 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.099 what they 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:29.519 desire. 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:30.240 It kind of 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.799 just sounds 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.319 like when I 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:31.740 was watching 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.119 the news 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:32.519 earlier. 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:34.960 And of 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:36.039 course, when 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.619 that is what 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:37.259 happens at the 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:37.759 top of any 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.480 society, then 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.059 at the bottom 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:39.920 there can be 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.539 nothing but 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.700 mistrust and 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.420 fighting with 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.059 every man and 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:43.480 woman for 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:43.980 themselves, 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:44.639 fighting over 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.240 the scraps. 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:46.200 We see that 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:46.700 in verses 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.519 five and 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:47.879 six. 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:48.779 They cannot 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.839 trust a 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.339 neighbor, they 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:51.119 cannot trust a 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:51.619 friend, they 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.339 cannot trust a 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.299 partner, they 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:53.839 cannot trust 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:54.160 their own 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:54.559 children. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:57.799 This is 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.440 Israel, this 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:58.659 is the 00:17:58.659 --> 00:17:59.099 people of 00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.639 God, the 00:17:59.639 --> 00:18:01.039 chosen people, 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.000 they turned 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.639 their back on 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:03.399 God and 00:18:03.399 --> 00:18:04.099 ended up 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:04.679 here. 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.859 But if we 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.839 are honest and 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:09.379 if we look 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:09.980 around ourselves, 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:10.839 we're there 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:11.179 too. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.299 Because these 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:12.879 are the images 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.539 of a world 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.399 that's turned 00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:15.159 its back on 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:15.779 God and the 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.460 world we live 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.220 in has done 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:17.799 that too. 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:18.539 Because we 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.220 too are reaping 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.019 what we sowed 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.619 as descendants 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.740 of Adam and 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.460 Eve ourselves. 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:22.600 angels. 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:23.840 And so as we 00:18:23.840 --> 00:18:24.920 keep sin in 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.539 ourselves, our 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.220 world is just 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.799 as broken, 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.279 perverted, full 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.860 of evil and 00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:29.420 conflict. 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.840 And sure, there 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:32.579 are faithful 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.400 Christians just 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.100 like Micah. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.079 There's millions 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:35.840 of us all over 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:36.259 the world. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.240 But even 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:40.079 then, not one 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:41.019 of us doesn't 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.160 commit these 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:43.360 sins that we 00:18:43.360 --> 00:18:44.380 see listed 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:44.759 here. 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:47.759 the first 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.160 time I read 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:48.759 this passage, 00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:49.279 I had 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.099 kind of 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.039 Hollywood-style 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.660 apocalyptic 00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:53.119 images in 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:53.839 my mind of 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:54.420 these people 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:56.079 hunting each 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:56.339 other. 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.119 But then as I 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:57.599 kept reading 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.279 it, I kept 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.099 finding similarities 00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:00.119 between these 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.799 dynamics that 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.099 were written 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:01.660 about of 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.400 mistrust and 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:04.740 selfishness and 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.900 greed and our 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:06.619 own society. 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.099 And so I 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:10.400 found myself 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:11.279 wondering if we 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.500 have maybe let 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.740 the kind of 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:15.140 Western 21st 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.259 century way of 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.059 doing things 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:18.279 proper, kind 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.819 of cloud our 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.460 judgment and 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.099 become a bit 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:21.259 desensitized to 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.519 sin. 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.319 Because we might 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.140 tendentially as a 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:24.900 society be 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:27.160 superficially nice 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:27.859 to each other at 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:28.140 least. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.140 We might have 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.259 laws that protect 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.019 our rights and 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.759 the most vulnerable 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:33.640 that allow our 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.500 society to function 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.500 in an orderly 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.180 way for the most 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:36.559 part. 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:37.859 But sinfulness 00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:39.519 is in us and 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.400 around us. 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.819 We might have 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:42.700 learned to dress 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.720 it up individually 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.400 and as a 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.819 society. 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.940 But those few 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:46.779 expressions of 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.660 selflessness that 00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:48.519 we do see around 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.079 us, they should 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:50.519 not fool us into 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.299 thinking that the 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.019 situation is not 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.839 that bad. 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:54.799 Because wherever we 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.460 turn we see a 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.440 society here as 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.160 well that is 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:58.519 focused on greed. 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:00.140 We see loneliness 00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:01.259 and disinterest in 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.880 other people's 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.279 well-being. 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.900 We see a social 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:04.640 and an economic 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.380 structure that 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:06.000 rewards the 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.900 greedy and 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:07.819 marginalizes the 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.420 disadvantaged. 00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:11.240 Verse 4 says 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.500 now is the time 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:13.319 of your confusion. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.099 And if it isn't 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:15.960 confusion that we 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.059 see all around us 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:17.720 and our friends, 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:19.119 family, colleagues 00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:20.000 that do not know 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.359 God and seem to 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:22.079 be constantly in 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:22.759 search for something 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.440 that is worth 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.099 living for. 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:28.219 So I think these 00:20:28.219 --> 00:20:29.240 six verses are like 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.240 a slap in the 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:31.279 face that wakes 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.119 us up if we've 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:32.919 become accustomed 00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:34.459 to our way of 00:20:34.459 --> 00:20:35.579 life in this 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.000 world. 00:20:36.659 --> 00:20:37.539 Sin is sin, 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:38.339 no matter how 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.079 camouflaged, 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.480 no matter how 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.819 not in your face 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.240 it is or 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.199 politically correct, 00:20:43.419 --> 00:20:44.119 because greed is 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:45.339 greed, even if we 00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.319 justify it by saying 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:46.959 that that's just the 00:20:46.959 --> 00:20:47.480 way that our 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.439 economy works. 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:51.680 what misery is 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.740 mine, says 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:54.120 Micah, and 00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:55.059 what misery is 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.480 ours. 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.160 But here comes 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.600 the but. 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.500 Micah doesn't 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.200 just observe 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.600 all this, sits 00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:05.100 in a corner and 00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:06.640 cries while waiting 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.640 for his end. 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:10.400 Micah does what 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.720 all godly people 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:13.059 in the Bible tell 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:14.259 us, teach us to 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.440 do. 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:16.160 He looks around 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:17.300 himself, he does 00:21:17.300 --> 00:21:18.500 recognize the 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.580 state of need 00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:20.500 of the world. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.380 There is 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.700 certainly grief, 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.180 but then he 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:26.420 looks up with 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.220 the confidence of 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:29.040 those who trust 00:21:29.040 --> 00:21:30.080 in the true God. 00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:32.860 Verse 7, I 00:21:32.860 --> 00:21:34.140 read it this 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:34.779 morning as well 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.120 at the end of 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:35.540 the service, 00:21:36.040 --> 00:21:37.080 but as for me, 00:21:37.300 --> 00:21:38.720 I watch in hope 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.600 for the Lord. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.820 I wait for God, 00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.779 my Savior. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:43.500 My God will 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.660 hear me. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.820 And this is the 00:21:47.820 --> 00:21:48.920 verse where our 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:49.700 evening changes. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.259 This is the verse 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.360 where Micah reminds 00:21:52.360 --> 00:21:53.460 us that the 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:55.180 same holy and 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:56.620 just God that 00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.740 will condemn 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:59.259 the sinner is 00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.820 also a 00:21:59.820 --> 00:22:00.640 merciful God, 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.120 an infinitely 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:03.420 merciful God 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.360 that will save 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.180 the repentant 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:05.900 from their own 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.080 sin. 00:22:07.540 --> 00:22:08.180 And so our 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.580 third section is 00:22:09.580 --> 00:22:10.580 all about God's 00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:11.300 pardon. 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:14.960 did you notice 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.619 that in verses 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.819 8 to 13, 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.279 that same God 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:19.180 that acted as 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:20.000 the accuser at 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.599 the beginning of 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.159 the passage, 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.440 he's now the 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.019 liberator. 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.619 In fact, 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.819 verse 9 even 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:26.919 says that God 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:28.220 will now plead 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.399 Israel's case 00:22:29.399 --> 00:22:30.220 and uphold 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.220 its cause. 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:32.919 That's the God 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:34.159 that was bringing 00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:34.759 the charges 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.440 against them. 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:36.159 He's now 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:37.559 pleading their 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.059 case. 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:40.059 through Micah 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.639 in verse 9, 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.579 Israel admits 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.639 its sin and 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.220 repents. 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.759 Because I have 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.440 sinned against 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.919 him, I will 00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.839 bear the 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.899 Lord's wrath. 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.779 Israel now 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.359 does see God 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:53.279 for who he is. 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:54.179 Not a God 00:22:54.179 --> 00:22:55.179 that asks for 00:22:55.179 --> 00:22:55.819 the impossible, 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.059 but a God 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.539 that, verse 9, 00:22:58.679 --> 00:22:59.440 will bring me 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.440 out into the 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:00.819 light. 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:02.079 A God that 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:02.980 is righteous, 00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:03.559 they say. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.579 And so Israel 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.460 once again 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.599 enjoys the 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.679 favour of 00:23:08.679 --> 00:23:09.299 its God, 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.319 is victorious 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:10.879 over its 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:11.439 enemies and 00:23:11.439 --> 00:23:12.779 is a place 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:14.480 of life in 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.299 contrast with 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.039 the desolation 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.980 around it. 00:23:17.219 --> 00:23:17.679 That's in 00:23:17.679 --> 00:23:18.980 verses 11 to 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.519 13. 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.339 And so these 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:23.059 last verses of 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.319 the book 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.179 describe an 00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:25.599 awesome display 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:27.219 of power and 00:23:27.219 --> 00:23:27.980 love on the 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.699 part of God. 00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:31.439 Of God the 00:23:31.439 --> 00:23:32.859 shepherd looking 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.659 after its flock 00:23:33.659 --> 00:23:34.319 in the pasture 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:35.480 land and forest. 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.179 That's a beautiful 00:23:36.179 --> 00:23:36.939 image that we 00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:37.379 have there. 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.339 Everything that 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.240 was grey and 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.379 bleak is now 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:41.319 alive and 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.000 green again. 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:42.839 The enemies 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:43.319 that were a 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:43.879 threat to 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.759 Israel before 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.500 are now the 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.039 ones that have 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.899 been humiliated 00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:47.399 by God. 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.339 But even for 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:48.740 them, in 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.359 verse 17, 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:50.539 there's hope. 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.819 In seeing God's 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.199 power at 00:23:52.199 --> 00:23:52.740 display, they 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.439 will turn in 00:23:53.439 --> 00:23:53.879 fear to the 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:54.500 Lord our God 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:54.980 and will be 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.939 afraid of you, 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.039 says Micah. 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.799 And so 00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:00.019 finally, Israel's 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:01.199 praise can 00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:02.139 burst out with 00:24:02.139 --> 00:24:02.939 Micah's in 00:24:02.939 --> 00:24:03.579 verse 18. 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:05.139 Who is a 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:05.879 God like you 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:07.140 who pardons 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:07.900 sin and 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.460 forgives 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.200 transgression. 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.460 You do not 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:10.980 stay angry 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.620 forever, but 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.880 delight to 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.580 show mercy. 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:17.540 Now Micah's 00:24:17.540 --> 00:24:18.320 prophecies have 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:19.000 been fulfilled 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.680 as far as the 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.420 people of Israel 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.260 of the time 00:24:21.260 --> 00:24:22.360 are concerned. 00:24:22.760 --> 00:24:23.480 Israel was 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.400 destroyed by the 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.120 Babylonians and 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:25.560 then the kingdom 00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:26.300 of Judah was 00:24:26.300 --> 00:24:27.440 restored after 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.020 the exile. 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:29.800 However, as we 00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:30.520 saw in chapter 00:24:30.520 --> 00:24:31.620 5 with Alistair 00:24:31.620 --> 00:24:32.720 last week, his 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.180 prophecy goes 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.380 beyond the 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:35.799 people of 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.299 Israel of 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:36.779 the time. 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:37.960 It goes 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.539 beyond the 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.180 restoration of 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.140 Judah all 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:41.000 the way to 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:41.580 the restoration 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:42.279 of God's 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.100 relationship with 00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:43.820 all of his 00:24:43.820 --> 00:24:44.460 children as 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.500 included in 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:45.820 Jesus. 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:48.000 And if 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.600 chapter 5 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.160 specifically 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.299 mentioned Bethlehem 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.940 as the place 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.400 where the ruler 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.140 of Israel would 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:53.320 come from and 00:24:53.320 --> 00:24:53.900 shepherd his 00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:54.460 flock in the 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.120 strength of the 00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.940 Lord, so very 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.920 clearly referring 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:58.279 to Jesus, in 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.039 today's passage 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.740 too, especially 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.440 in the very last 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.019 verses of the 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.480 book, we have 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.580 explicit references 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:04.159 to Jesus and 00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:04.819 his work in 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.359 our lives. 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.679 Because what is 00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:08.199 the ultimate 00:25:08.199 --> 00:25:09.019 demonstration of 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.799 the fact that 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:10.879 God does 00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:12.059 delight to show 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.759 mercy, as 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.740 verse 18 says, 00:25:14.379 --> 00:25:15.359 if not that he 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:16.199 sent his only 00:25:16.199 --> 00:25:17.419 son to take 00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:18.019 our own sins 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:19.099 and die with 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.000 them so that 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.460 we could be 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.319 reconciled with 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:21.679 God? 00:25:22.679 --> 00:25:23.879 Verse 19 says 00:25:23.879 --> 00:25:24.500 you will tread 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.399 our sins under 00:25:25.399 --> 00:25:27.139 foot, which 00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:28.199 kind of evokes 00:25:28.199 --> 00:25:29.299 God's own words 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.139 in Genesis 3 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:31.299 15 when he 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:31.859 says that Jesus 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.500 will one day 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.559 crush Satan's 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.679 head with his 00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:35.000 heel. 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.159 And still in 00:25:37.159 --> 00:25:37.599 verse 19, 00:25:37.719 --> 00:25:38.619 and hurl all 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.339 of our iniquities 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.119 into the depths 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.779 of the sea. 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.679 And that is 00:25:41.679 --> 00:25:42.359 what Jesus has 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.139 done once and 00:25:43.139 --> 00:25:44.179 for all with 00:25:44.179 --> 00:25:44.839 his death. 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:46.659 Because that's 00:25:46.659 --> 00:25:47.259 what happens to 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.740 our sins. 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.419 If we repent 00:25:48.419 --> 00:25:48.879 and ask him 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.459 for forgiveness, 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:50.099 they are 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.359 forgotten forever. 00:25:53.439 --> 00:25:54.099 And so Micah 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:55.099 is confident in 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:56.319 his hope that 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.299 God will be 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.039 faithful to 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:58.740 Jacob and 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.859 Abraham as he 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.939 pledged to with 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.700 his promise to 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:01.940 them. 00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:03.100 See in verse 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:03.759 20. 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.680 And what did 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.519 God promise 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:06.740 them? 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.779 That Israel 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.680 would go to 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.080 the promised 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:10.019 land, that 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.580 Israel would 00:26:10.580 --> 00:26:11.240 become a big 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.200 nation, but 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.019 also that through 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:14.400 Israel the whole 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.640 world would be 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.120 blessed. 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:17.880 And Micah knew 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.840 that his prophecy 00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:20.420 went beyond his 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:21.700 here and now all 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.480 the way to us 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.600 because we are the 00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:24.519 recipients of God's 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.360 promise to Jacob 00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:26.820 and Abraham too 00:26:26.820 --> 00:26:27.360 because we've been 00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:28.120 blessed through one 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.859 of their descendants 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:30.459 Jesus in a way 00:26:30.459 --> 00:26:31.099 that we can't 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:31.939 even fully 00:26:31.939 --> 00:26:32.939 comprehend. 00:26:33.979 --> 00:26:34.699 There isn't a 00:26:34.699 --> 00:26:36.039 sin, not one 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:38.259 that you or I 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.500 committed, not 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.419 today, not 00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:41.500 yesterday, not 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.339 ten years ago, 00:26:42.619 --> 00:26:43.379 not ten years 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:44.500 from now, that 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.359 will ever be able 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:46.219 to separate us 00:26:46.219 --> 00:26:47.719 from God if we 00:26:47.719 --> 00:26:48.579 accept Jesus' 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.639 work of salvation 00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.299 on the cross 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.419 because we have 00:26:51.419 --> 00:26:52.899 been pardoned 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:54.039 just like Israel. 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.219 And so if on the 00:26:56.219 --> 00:26:57.079 one hand we do 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:57.659 want to look 00:26:57.659 --> 00:26:59.119 around and 00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:00.240 grieve as we 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.980 acknowledge the 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.799 condition that our 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.539 world is in, 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.799 broken by sin that 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:05.099 keeps fueling God's 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:06.439 wrath, on the 00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:07.559 other we will not 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:07.879 despair. 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.919 We cannot despair 00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:10.339 because there is a 00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.240 way out in Jesus 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.460 and Jesus' death 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.079 and resurrection 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:15.159 shelter us from 00:27:15.159 --> 00:27:16.460 God's wrath and 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.359 give us eternal 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:17.960 salvation. 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.679 So for any of us 00:27:20.679 --> 00:27:21.199 that haven't 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.939 accepted Jesus 00:27:21.939 --> 00:27:24.199 yet, God's love 00:27:24.199 --> 00:27:25.480 for you, for all 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.859 of us, is bigger 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:28.240 than our 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.979 rejection of 00:27:28.979 --> 00:27:29.779 him so far 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.679 and of our 00:27:30.679 --> 00:27:31.559 sins because 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.219 nothing is too 00:27:32.219 --> 00:27:32.759 big for him. 00:27:34.679 --> 00:27:35.219 And so God 00:27:35.219 --> 00:27:36.039 asks us in this 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.819 passage to go 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.399 before him 00:27:37.399 --> 00:27:38.740 repentant and 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.539 to commit to 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.179 hate and sin, 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.219 to love and 00:27:41.219 --> 00:27:42.179 mercy and to 00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:42.859 walk in humbly 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:43.339 with him. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.779 And Jesus is 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.279 the only one 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.000 that did that 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.359 perfectly during 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:48.039 his life on 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.319 earth. 00:27:48.919 --> 00:27:49.299 And so 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.699 ultimately that 00:27:50.699 --> 00:27:51.259 is the message 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:51.719 of Micah, 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.579 be like Jesus. 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.159 And when the 00:27:53.159 --> 00:27:54.319 apostles asked 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:54.859 Jesus in 00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:55.839 John 6, 28, 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.759 what must we 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.799 do to do 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.480 the works that 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.379 God requires? 00:27:59.919 --> 00:28:00.759 Jesus answered, 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.879 the work of 00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:03.179 God is this, 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.359 to believe in 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:04.779 the one he 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.379 has sent. 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.819 And so let's 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.379 do that. 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.379 Let's believe in 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.259 Jesus' plan of 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.159 salvation for us 00:28:10.159 --> 00:28:11.559 and accept his 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:12.839 forgiveness and 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:14.099 walk humbly with 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.299 him. 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:15.980 Let's pray. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.079 Amen. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:20.480 Father, we 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.359 thank you because 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.919 you are a 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:24.500 holy God 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:26.039 and you are a 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:27.639 just God, 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.059 Father. 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:29.819 And that is 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:32.139 because you're 00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:33.679 perfect, you're 00:28:33.679 --> 00:28:34.319 sinless. 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.919 And Father, we 00:28:36.919 --> 00:28:38.179 ask for 00:28:38.179 --> 00:28:40.000 forgiveness for 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.339 our sins, for 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.159 all the ways in 00:28:42.159 --> 00:28:42.759 which we 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:44.819 offend you in 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.299 the way we 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.159 relate to each 00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:47.259 other and to 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.480 you. 00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.220 At the same 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:49.720 time, Father, 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:51.079 we're here ready 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:52.779 to receive 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:54.599 your forgiveness. 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.299 And we thank you 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.059 so much because 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:58.720 we know you 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.519 will forgive us 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.279 because of your 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:02.099 immense mercy. 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.599 And we can't 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.279 thank you enough, 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.619 Father, 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.899 other than 00:29:05.899 --> 00:29:07.339 all we can do 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:07.940 really is 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.759 accept it. 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.019 And so, 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:09.659 Father, we pray 00:29:09.659 --> 00:29:11.419 for every one 00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:12.180 of us tonight 00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:13.400 that whenever 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.360 Satan tries 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:15.320 and convinces 00:29:15.320 --> 00:29:15.840 us that 00:29:15.840 --> 00:29:17.640 we're not 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:18.160 good enough, 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:18.440 Father, 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.500 we'll be 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:21.060 ready 00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:23.100 because of 00:29:23.100 --> 00:29:23.620 what we read 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:24.200 tonight to 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:25.420 say that we 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:26.140 know we're not 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:26.740 good enough for 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.060 you and we 00:29:27.060 --> 00:29:27.680 can never be, 00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:28.320 Father, but 00:29:28.320 --> 00:29:29.140 we don't need 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.799 to because we 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:30.320 have Jesus. 00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:31.539 So, Father, we 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.180 thank you for 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:34.259 his death and 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:35.440 his resurrection. 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:36.960 We thank you 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.560 for how he 00:29:37.560 --> 00:29:38.660 has defeated 00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:41.500 the devil, 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:41.900 Father. 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.279 We thank you 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:45.040 because it's 00:29:45.040 --> 00:29:45.960 through him 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:47.259 that we are 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.080 pardoning you. 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:48.980 Father, help us 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:51.120 tell anyone 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:52.040 around us that 00:29:52.040 --> 00:29:53.700 doesn't know 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.240 this, Father. 00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:54.920 Help us 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:56.920 tell them 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.480 about it. 00:29:59.120 --> 00:29:59.800 May your 00:29:59.800 --> 00:30:00.300 spirit really 00:30:00.300 --> 00:30:00.900 work in our 00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:01.620 lives so that 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:03.480 as we go out 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.060 into the world 00:30:04.060 --> 00:30:04.580 every day, 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.900 Father, we 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:08.160 really want to 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:08.780 share this 00:30:08.780 --> 00:30:09.580 amazing, 00:30:10.080 --> 00:30:11.220 life-changing 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.660 news. 00:30:12.800 --> 00:30:13.400 Be with us, 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:13.860 we pray in 00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:14.460 Jesus' name. 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:14.900 Amen.