WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.359 Good morning, church. Would you turn with me to Micah chapter 5. That's page 730 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:10.179 --> 00:00:14.620 We will have Micah 5 on the screen above when I read it in just a minute, but let me encourage 00:00:14.620 --> 00:00:20.980 you to have it open before you as we walk through it together. Micah chapter 5, we're going to pick 00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:26.900 up in verse 4. If you're joining us for the first time this morning, let me welcome you. We're glad 00:00:26.899 --> 00:00:31.519 you're here. Our practice at Trinity is to take a book of the Bible or to take a section of a book 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:37.759 and just teach through it section by section, week by week. So if you're here celebrating graduation 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:44.579 or commencement, this won't necessarily be a graduation-themed sermon, but we trust it will 00:00:44.579 --> 00:00:51.239 be spiritually edifying for you nonetheless. So let me pray, and then I'll read our text for us. 00:00:51.240 --> 00:01:00.160 Lord, what a powerful prayer we have just sung that you would speak to us. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:07.159 God, we confess that as Christians we often take it for granted that you are a speaking God, 00:01:08.020 --> 00:01:16.219 that you have spoken many times and in many ways through the prophets and through the apostles, 00:01:16.219 --> 00:01:22.319 and you have spoken in these last days through your Son, and you've given us your word, inspired 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:28.480 and preserved to continue to speak to us. So Holy Spirit, we pray that you would come as we read 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:35.120 and as we consider this text, that it would be your voice that we hear and your word that we heed, 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:41.420 and God, your image into which we are conformed, that we might display your glory 00:01:41.420 --> 00:01:48.120 and praise your name as a church and as a people. We pray this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:01:49.740 --> 00:01:53.620 All right, Micah chapter 5, we're going to pick up in verse 4 and read through the end of the chapter. 00:01:56.560 --> 00:01:59.960 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, 00:02:00.659 --> 00:02:03.280 in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:09.199 And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth, 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:11.759 and he shall be their peace. 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:16.960 When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:21.039 then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men. 00:02:22.020 --> 00:02:26.120 And they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with a sword and the land of Nimrod at its entrances, 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:32.740 and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border. 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:38.599 Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, 00:02:39.240 --> 00:02:44.620 like showers on the grass, which delay not for a man nor wait for the children of man. 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:49.379 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations in the midst of many peoples, 00:02:49.580 --> 00:02:54.379 like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, 00:02:54.599 --> 00:02:59.199 which when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver. 00:02:59.199 --> 00:03:05.979 Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off. 00:03:06.759 --> 00:03:10.560 And in that day, declares the Lord, I will cut off your horses from among you, 00:03:11.119 --> 00:03:15.560 and will destroy your chariots, and I will cut off the cities of your land and throw down all 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:16.539 your strongholds. 00:03:16.539 --> 00:03:21.759 And I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no more tellers of fortunes. 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:26.060 And I will cut off your carved images and your pillars from among you, 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:29.180 and you shall bow down no more to the work of your hands. 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:33.459 And I will root out your Asherah images from among you and destroy your cities. 00:03:34.199 --> 00:03:39.639 And in anger and wrath, I will execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey. 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:47.539 So if you were here last week, you'll remember that the context of the passage that I just read 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:48.119 is this. 00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:49.279 The context is this. 00:03:49.979 --> 00:03:51.500 God's people are in crisis. 00:03:51.859 --> 00:03:53.279 They're on the verge of defeat. 00:03:53.919 --> 00:04:00.299 But God promises that his long-awaited king will come, the shepherd king from the line of David, 00:04:00.899 --> 00:04:05.179 who, as verse 4 says, will come and will make his people secure, 00:04:05.399 --> 00:04:08.159 and who will himself be their peace. 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:14.000 So the context is this message of great good news that God is going to come, 00:04:14.479 --> 00:04:19.240 that the shepherd king is going to come and rescue and preserve and be peace for his people. 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:24.639 And we saw last week how this Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, 00:04:24.779 --> 00:04:27.659 who was born in Bethlehem in David's royal line, 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:32.159 and who came and who won a security and a peace for his people 00:04:32.159 --> 00:04:35.420 that was far beyond anything that we could have imagined. 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:40.240 Because Christ came and triumphed over humanity's greatest enemies, 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:43.860 sin and death and judgment. 00:04:44.860 --> 00:04:50.040 In the light of those great crises, those great distresses, our greatest enemies, 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:54.139 Christ has come, and he is indeed our peace, 00:04:54.700 --> 00:04:58.580 eternally and forever for all who believe in him. 00:04:58.579 --> 00:05:00.300 Our sins are forgiven. 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:02.599 We are reconciled to God. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:06.939 We who were enemies have been made adopted children in God's family. 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:11.240 But then what? 00:05:12.839 --> 00:05:14.139 Is that where the story ends? 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:18.079 What happens after we believe? 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:24.599 What happens after we come to receive this peace that is Jesus himself? 00:05:24.600 --> 00:05:32.439 Do we just sort of wait around, hoping God will come again and just wait? 00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:38.580 You know, there have been times in the history of the church where we haven't really painted that picture very well. 00:05:39.780 --> 00:05:44.960 There has been a lot of focus on becoming a Christian, on conversion, on belief, and that's been good. 00:05:44.959 --> 00:05:49.359 But at times there's been a lack of focus on being a Christian. 00:05:50.739 --> 00:05:53.639 What does life look like after I come to believe? 00:05:54.459 --> 00:05:57.379 What should I expect the Christian life to be like? 00:05:59.599 --> 00:06:03.339 And this lack of focus or clarity has often been unfortunate. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:08.699 Because when we look at the New Testament, we see that the call to follow Christ, 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:12.300 the call to follow this shepherd king that Micah foresaw, 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:16.479 this call to follow Christ, is a great adventure. 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:20.659 It's the rediscovery of our true humanity, 00:06:21.339 --> 00:06:23.699 of our purpose as God's image bearers, 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:26.480 and our purpose as God's kingdom people. 00:06:29.339 --> 00:06:35.099 And I think that our passage from Micah today is about this very thing. 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:38.580 Now, Micah is using the language of his day. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:43.780 He's using descriptions and images that his audience in the 8th century B.C. 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:45.540 would understand under the Old Covenant. 00:06:46.640 --> 00:06:52.340 But Micah is describing what will happen after the king comes. 00:06:53.320 --> 00:06:57.480 When the king comes and wins his victory and becomes our peace, then what? 00:06:59.780 --> 00:07:02.360 Well, in our passage, Micah describes two things. 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:08.740 First, he tells us that the reign of the Messiah extends through us. 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:13.780 And second, that the reign of the Messiah extends in us. 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:18.160 In other words, Christ advances his kingdom through us, 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:21.160 and Christ advances his kingdom in us. 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:26.199 So let's look at how Micah describes the first in verses 5 through 9, 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:27.480 the first half of our passage. 00:07:28.100 --> 00:07:30.080 Christ extending his kingdom through us. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:35.459 Now, notice in verses 5 and 6 that it is the people themselves 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:40.359 who participate in the pushing back of the enemy. 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:44.779 When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, Micah says, 00:07:44.899 --> 00:07:48.959 then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men. 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:53.180 That phrase, seven shepherds and eight princes, it's a figure of speech. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:58.379 It's a figure of speech as if to say, in that time there will be more than enough. 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:00.500 There will be more than ample leadership. 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:05.740 There will be more than ample participation from God's people to meet the call 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:08.759 and to join their king on the field of battle. 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:16.000 The picture is that the Messiah, the king, he won't sort of leave his people behind. 00:08:17.039 --> 00:08:18.240 They won't be forgotten. 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:20.800 They won't be relegated to the sidelines. 00:08:21.779 --> 00:08:25.139 But they will be caught up to participate in his reign. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:28.500 He will make them his fellow regents. 00:08:28.500 --> 00:08:33.919 And they will join him in the advance of his liberating reign of peace. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:39.840 Now, as we come to the New Testament, as this passage finds its fulfillment in the New Testament 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:42.559 and in the New Testament, new covenant people of God, 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:48.100 we know from reading the New Testament that the real enemies of God's people are not flesh and blood. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:54.220 You know, the Assyrian in Micah 5 is sort of this picture of the ultimate enemy coming against us. 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:58.360 But we know as we come to the New Testament that our real enemies are not flesh and blood. 00:08:58.360 --> 00:09:01.240 We aren't engaged in a geopolitical struggle. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:07.940 Our battle is against sin and death, against principalities and powers, as the Apostle Paul will say. 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:13.560 And our warfare is not waged with swords or with guns, but by the Spirit of God, 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:15.919 through the Word of God and prayer. 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:22.600 It's a movement of liberation, setting people free from sin and death, 00:09:23.300 --> 00:09:27.639 setting people free from the things that have bound them and captured them and enslaved them 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:30.840 so that they might be free to live for God as God's people. 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:37.319 That's what the New Testament pictures as our great spiritual battle. 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:44.080 But this advance of Christ's new covenant kingdom through his Spirit to all nations 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:49.759 is still happening through the people of Christ, just as Micah saw it. 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:58.439 When we believe in Jesus the Messiah, we're swept up into his story, where each of us has a part to play. 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:04.500 When the Holy Spirit causes us to be born again through the preaching of the gospel and through faith, 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:09.220 he not only unites us to Christ and floods our hearts with his peace, 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:11.379 as Micah says, he will be our peace, 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:13.919 but the Spirit also equips us with gifts, 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:20.080 gifts to build up the church and to participate in the advance of Christ's kingdom in the world. 00:10:22.259 --> 00:10:25.019 And as this kingdom goes forth through the people, 00:10:25.580 --> 00:10:27.179 what is it we should expect? 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:29.500 Well, in Micah 7 through 9, 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:33.460 Micah gives us two images in verses 7 through 9, 00:10:33.460 --> 00:10:37.860 two images of what it will be like when the people of the king, 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:39.340 this redeemed remnant, 00:10:39.900 --> 00:10:43.180 are spread throughout the nations in the midst of many peoples. 00:10:44.440 --> 00:10:47.860 Which, by the way, is exactly what the church is today, right? 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:51.000 Spread throughout all nations and all peoples. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:53.920 Micah says, at that time, 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:57.500 God's people, on the one hand, 00:10:58.440 --> 00:10:59.480 will be like dew, 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:02.320 like showers on the grass. 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:08.860 Imagine living in the arid, dry climate of Israel, of the Middle East, 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:12.720 but then waking up early in the morning, 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:14.759 and there's dew on the ground. 00:11:15.660 --> 00:11:17.160 There's showers on the grass. 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:19.920 We felt some of those showers yesterday, didn't we? 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:22.300 Because it just downpoured all day, right? 00:11:24.420 --> 00:11:27.400 But man, in the midst of a dry and weary land, 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.980 Micah's saying there's going to be cool, 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:32.320 even refreshing water to be found. 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:35.600 And that dew, that shower, 00:11:35.800 --> 00:11:37.100 it's going to be God's people, 00:11:37.940 --> 00:11:39.340 spread throughout the nations. 00:11:40.180 --> 00:11:41.560 It's going to be you and me, 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:43.639 spread throughout the nations. 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:49.120 Micah says that's what the remnant's going to be like. 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:51.280 They're going to be a blessing. 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:54.919 Jesus, of course, 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:56.159 will say something very similar. 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:59.539 He will look at his disciples and say, 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:01.399 you're the light of the world. 00:12:02.459 --> 00:12:03.860 You're the salt of the earth. 00:12:04.699 --> 00:12:06.279 You are meant to be a blessing. 00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:10.720 The Father sends his rain on the just and the unjust. 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:12.399 So it's going to be with you. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.959 You will love your neighbor as yourself. 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:17.500 In fact, you will even love your enemies 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:19.759 and pray for those who persecute you. 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:22.720 So on the one hand, 00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:24.799 the people will be like dew. 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:25.860 They'll be like a blessing. 00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:28.419 But on the other hand, 00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:29.860 Micah says, 00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:32.799 they'll be like a young lion. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.600 Amidst the unbelieving nations, 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:39.480 the scattered people of God 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:43.600 will often be perceived as a threat, 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.300 as a danger, 00:12:45.920 --> 00:12:47.120 as a curse. 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:49.519 And indeed, 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.860 there have been times 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:52.820 when the growth of Christianity 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:55.519 has led to social upheaval. 00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:58.960 You remember the book of Acts 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:00.180 when the gospel was spreading 00:13:00.180 --> 00:13:01.300 in the city of Ephesus? 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:03.500 So many believers 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:05.259 were leaving their pagan lifestyles 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.560 to become followers of Jesus 00:13:06.560 --> 00:13:09.279 that the local economy was being upended. 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:11.500 Because the Ephesian economy 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:13.500 revolved around temple worship 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.700 and shrines, 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:16.039 and there were silversmiths 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:17.039 who made little trinkets 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:17.779 that they would sell 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:18.659 and make a lot of money, 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:19.899 and it sort of made 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:21.300 the wheels of the city turn. 00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:23.779 But as the number of Christians grew, 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:26.860 and they forsook their pagan practices 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:28.779 and became followers of the one Lord, 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:30.039 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.720 suddenly it was a threat 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:33.820 to business as usual. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:38.060 It disrupted the local economy 00:13:38.060 --> 00:13:39.100 so much so 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:40.820 that some of the silversmiths 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:42.220 in town instigated a riot 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:43.820 to try to get the Christian leaders 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:44.779 thrown out of town. 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.200 In his second letter 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:52.040 to the church in Corinth, 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:53.120 Paul described the experience 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:55.220 of Christians in this way. 00:13:56.540 --> 00:13:56.879 He says, 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:57.740 Thanks be to God, 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.480 who in Christ 00:13:58.480 --> 00:14:00.040 always leads us 00:14:00.040 --> 00:14:02.080 in triumphal procession. 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:03.240 What a wonderful picture. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:05.320 Being led by the king 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:07.440 in a procession of celebration. 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:09.800 And Paul says, 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:11.360 And through us 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:13.240 spreads the fragrance 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:15.080 of the knowledge of Christ 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:15.680 everywhere. 00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:19.279 For we are the aroma 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.700 of Christ to God 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:22.920 among those who are being saved 00:14:22.920 --> 00:14:25.100 and among those who are perishing. 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.440 And then Paul says this, 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:28.060 To one, 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:29.440 a fragrance 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.900 from death 00:14:30.900 --> 00:14:32.060 to death. 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:33.740 To the other, 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:35.060 a fragrance 00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:36.400 from life 00:14:36.400 --> 00:14:37.640 to life. 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:41.340 Paul was experiencing 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:43.480 and his fellow Christians 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.340 were experiencing 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.500 what Micah foresaw, 00:14:46.160 --> 00:14:47.940 that the people of the Messiah 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:50.180 would be both a blessing 00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:52.080 and a curse. 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:54.020 They'd be the aroma of life 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.600 and at times 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.759 the aroma of death. 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:58.159 They would be loved 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.199 and they would be hated. 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:03.600 Now at the end of this section 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.399 in verse 9 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.319 and at the end of the chapter 00:15:05.319 --> 00:15:06.039 in verse 15, 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:07.179 Micah assures the people 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:08.279 that they need not 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.220 ultimately fear. 00:15:10.579 --> 00:15:11.439 That the enemies 00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:12.120 of God's people 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:13.659 would not have the last word. 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.299 That God would be 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:15.319 their perfect protector 00:15:15.319 --> 00:15:16.379 and the ultimate judge. 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:17.559 But in the meantime, 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:18.019 as they participate 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:19.579 in the advance 00:15:19.579 --> 00:15:20.399 of God's kingdom, 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.299 they must expect 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:24.179 to be both a blessing 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:25.219 and a curse. 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:27.019 To be like dew 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:29.279 and like a young lion. 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.259 So how might we apply 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.459 all of this to us today? 00:15:35.979 --> 00:15:36.819 Well first, 00:15:37.219 --> 00:15:38.299 if it is true 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.899 that God has a role 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:40.699 for each of us 00:15:40.699 --> 00:15:41.559 in this kingdom work, 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:43.359 and if it is true 00:15:43.359 --> 00:15:44.579 that this new covenant kingdom 00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:45.620 advances not through 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.459 earthly weapons 00:15:46.459 --> 00:15:47.599 or earthly strategies 00:15:47.599 --> 00:15:48.939 but through the word of God, 00:15:49.859 --> 00:15:50.879 then all of us 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.120 as followers of Jesus 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.980 must be eager 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:55.539 to immerse ourselves 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:57.620 in that word of God. 00:15:58.700 --> 00:16:00.080 We must become 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:01.759 more ardent students 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:02.399 of scripture. 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.779 Reading it, 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.100 meditating on it, 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.399 memorizing it. 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:09.440 We must make a practice 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.379 of saturating 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.259 our minds and hearts 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.500 with good biblical teaching. 00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:14.419 How else, 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.620 as we are scattered 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.519 among the nations, 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.639 how else are we going 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:20.279 to recognize God's ways 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:22.299 and discern God's will 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:24.799 and really inhabit 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:25.759 this story 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.740 into which 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:27.779 he's called us 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.460 each to play 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.919 such an integral role? 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.799 How else are we going 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:32.539 to do that 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.699 if not through a deep 00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:34.980 and constant engagement 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:36.740 with God's word? 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:39.039 Imagine being called 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:40.240 into a theater troupe, 00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:40.639 right? 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:42.659 Being called to play a part 00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:43.179 in a play. 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:45.179 And the director 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:46.019 hands you the script 00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.500 and you say, 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:46.959 thanks, 00:16:47.099 --> 00:16:47.899 but I got this. 00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:49.139 And you walk out 00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:49.739 onto the stage 00:16:49.739 --> 00:16:50.539 and you have no idea 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.319 what your part is. 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:51.859 You have no idea 00:16:51.859 --> 00:16:53.120 what the story is, 00:16:53.459 --> 00:16:53.839 right? 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.299 Instead, 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:57.239 God hands us 00:16:57.239 --> 00:16:57.719 the script 00:16:57.719 --> 00:16:58.159 and says, 00:16:58.599 --> 00:16:59.559 this is the play. 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:02.039 This is how you're 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.259 to live this out 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:03.799 in the midst 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.559 of the nations. 00:17:04.899 --> 00:17:06.220 So soak yourself 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:06.460 in it, 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.299 immerse yourself 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:07.700 in it. 00:17:08.679 --> 00:17:09.419 And then when there 00:17:09.419 --> 00:17:10.200 come those times 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.879 when you have to 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:11.940 maybe improvise 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:13.160 because there isn't 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:13.860 an exact verse 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:14.520 that you can quote, 00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:15.760 you'll be so saturated 00:17:15.760 --> 00:17:16.560 in the story 00:17:16.560 --> 00:17:17.720 and the ways 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:18.660 and the word of God 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:19.800 that you'll be able 00:17:19.800 --> 00:17:20.740 to do it faithfully. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.020 So as we face 00:17:24.020 --> 00:17:24.740 the kingdom task 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.340 of our own day, 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.220 we must recommit 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.180 ourselves to a deep 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:28.900 and joyful saturation 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.500 in the Bible. 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:30.900 But second, 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.480 as we face 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.260 the kingdom task 00:17:32.260 --> 00:17:32.920 of our own day, 00:17:33.020 --> 00:17:34.180 we have to be, 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:36.200 we have to be 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:37.220 humble enough 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.560 to bless 00:17:38.560 --> 00:17:40.740 and at the same time 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:42.579 bold enough 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.279 to offend. 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:47.000 We have to be due 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:49.160 and we have to be lions 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:50.900 at the same time. 00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:53.480 And of course, 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.319 humanly speaking, 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.539 that sounds impossible, 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:55.920 right? 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.460 Most people are either 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.180 one or the other, 00:17:58.839 --> 00:17:59.180 you know? 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.299 You have, 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.319 you probably have friends, 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:02.039 you probably have friends 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:02.720 who are very gentle 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.279 and very humble 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.000 and they'll always agree 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.319 with you 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:04.880 and they'll always do 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.700 something good for you 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.480 even if you've treated 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:06.940 them poorly, 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:07.319 right? 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.460 Then you have other friends 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:08.839 who are just like, 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.480 they're always telling 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.160 you the truth 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:11.080 and they're always 00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:11.920 stepping on your toes 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:13.560 and you like them for it 00:18:13.560 --> 00:18:13.960 but you kind of 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.880 don't like them for it, 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.180 you know? 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.360 And then you realize 00:18:16.360 --> 00:18:17.000 like, oh my goodness, 00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:18.120 I'm probably one of those. 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:19.140 I'm probably one of those too. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:19.420 You know, 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.259 I wonder which one I am, 00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:20.940 you know? 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:23.100 Most people kind of 00:18:23.100 --> 00:18:24.540 humanly are one or the other 00:18:24.540 --> 00:18:25.580 and the truth is 00:18:25.580 --> 00:18:26.400 most churches 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:27.620 and most communities 00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:28.519 usually kind of tip 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.220 one way or the other. 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:32.019 Right? 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:32.860 We're either really good 00:18:32.860 --> 00:18:33.460 at boldness 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.640 or really good 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.100 at humility. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:35.779 We're really good 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.880 in a willingness to bless 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.420 or we're really good 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:37.880 at a willingness 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:38.640 to offend. 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.420 But Micah says, 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.920 you'll need to be both. 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.200 You'll need to be both. 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.940 And that's going to be 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.520 the sign, 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.520 one of the signs, 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:51.060 that you're really 00:18:51.060 --> 00:18:52.260 the people of the Messiah, 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.180 of the shepherd king. 00:18:55.760 --> 00:18:56.700 So how do we get 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:59.160 to that human impossibility 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:01.280 of being humble enough 00:19:01.280 --> 00:19:01.720 to bless 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.600 and yet bold enough 00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:04.080 to offend? 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:07.659 Well, the reality 00:19:07.659 --> 00:19:08.319 is we get there 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:10.659 through a constant engagement 00:19:10.659 --> 00:19:12.519 and an ongoing 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:14.299 internalization 00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:16.500 of the grace 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.099 and peace 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:18.759 that Jesus is for us. 00:19:20.439 --> 00:19:21.720 Because the humility 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.439 comes 00:19:22.439 --> 00:19:23.799 when we grasp 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.879 deeper and deeper 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:25.339 and deeper 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.319 that we are sinners 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:28.419 saved by sheer grace. 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.439 That Christ's love 00:19:30.439 --> 00:19:31.139 and mercy 00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:32.579 extended to us 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:34.059 when we did nothing 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:34.960 to deserve it. 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:36.159 In fact, 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.019 just the opposite. 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.679 We defended God 00:19:38.679 --> 00:19:40.460 and lived as if we wanted 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:41.480 nothing to do with Him. 00:19:42.159 --> 00:19:44.039 God supports our life 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.059 with every second, 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.359 every moment 00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:47.220 we're awake 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.960 and alive 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.500 and in being 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:49.720 is because of God's 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.759 sheer goodness 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.339 and power 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:51.960 and mercy. 00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:52.960 And yet we live 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.619 99.99% 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.139 of our days 00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:56.839 completely ignoring 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.579 that fact. 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:02.839 And yet 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:05.740 God sends His Son 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.819 in mercy 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.759 to love us 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.759 and to die for us 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.579 and to forgive us 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.839 and to welcome us home 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:11.599 when we've done nothing 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.359 to deserve it. 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.959 And so that makes us 00:20:14.959 --> 00:20:16.099 incredibly humble 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:17.959 because we know 00:20:17.959 --> 00:20:19.319 that it's only by God's grace 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.119 that we're saved. 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:23.419 We can't work our way 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:25.259 out of that debt. 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.779 But at the same time 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.680 the grace of Christ 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:32.120 also makes us bold. 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:33.880 It humbles us 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:34.800 but it also makes us 00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:35.480 bold 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.320 like lions. 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:36.720 Why? 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.300 Because as we come 00:20:39.300 --> 00:20:40.700 to know God's love 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.420 and acceptance 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:44.500 and His favor 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:46.820 suddenly when we come 00:20:46.820 --> 00:20:48.400 to know God's acceptance 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:49.740 and rest in it 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.740 and relish it 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:53.079 that frees us 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:53.900 from the fear 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:55.960 of losing 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.819 the world's acceptance. 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.680 We have the most 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.900 important acceptance 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.660 and favor 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:03.359 in the universe. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.700 If the King 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.920 has made me His own 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:09.339 and given me 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.220 His favor 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:12.279 what difference 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:12.940 does it make 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.200 if I happen 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:14.640 to lose 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:15.500 the world's favor? 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.779 It may be costly 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:20.559 but I have 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.299 riches 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:23.019 that cannot compare. 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.720 And so we mustn't 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:28.220 ever lose sight 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.559 of the grace 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.319 of the gospel 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:32.119 where this whole passage 00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:32.619 starts 00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:34.379 He will be our peace. 00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:36.879 That's the only thing 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:37.599 that's going to make us 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.299 humble enough 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.919 to bless 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:40.740 and at the same time 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.579 bold enough 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.460 to be willing 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.099 to offend. 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.720 So this is Micah's 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.339 first answer 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:48.179 to what happens 00:21:48.179 --> 00:21:49.460 after we believe. 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.620 when we come 00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:51.519 to participate 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.600 in the Messiah's 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:53.779 peace through faith 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:55.019 we also become 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.579 participants 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.440 in the advance 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.160 of His kingdom. 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.480 The kingdom 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.100 of the Messiah 00:21:59.100 --> 00:21:59.579 advances 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.819 through us. 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.539 But the second part 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.000 is this 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.900 the kingdom 00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.600 of the Messiah 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.160 advances 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:06.559 in us. 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.539 This is verses 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.500 10 through 15. 00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:11.840 Now before we look 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:12.500 at the main point 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.039 of those verses 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.740 it's good to see 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.880 again how verse 15 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:15.819 the last verse 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.879 of our chapter 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.899 like verse 9 00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:19.399 is a reminder 00:22:19.399 --> 00:22:20.799 that God will 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:22.000 ultimately protect 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.559 His people 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.899 and God will 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.539 ultimately be 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.279 the perfect judge 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.700 of all. 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:27.700 And you know 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.139 even though that 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:29.159 strikes our cultural 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:29.859 sensibilities 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:31.399 pretty harshly 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.919 God being the 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:33.679 perfect judge 00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:35.460 it's actually 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.119 good news 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:38.259 because if God 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.279 is the perfect judge 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.599 if God is the judge 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.019 and that means 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.220 I don't have to be 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:44.980 I don't have to be 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.600 the one who's trying 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:47.440 to right every wrong. 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.500 I can follow 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.519 Christ faithfully 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:51.279 and actually forgive 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:52.440 and actually be merciful 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.740 knowing that God 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.200 will one day 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.180 put everything to right. 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.319 But this is also 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:59.140 sobering news 00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.779 for those who are 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.900 outside of Christ. 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:03.480 And verse 15 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.880 is an urgent call 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:07.000 to flee to Christ 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:08.660 and find forgiveness 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:10.120 and peace with God. 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:13.000 If that's you today 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.839 if you're outside 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.559 of Christ 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.379 then don't delay. 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.319 There is full 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.439 forgiveness and mercy 00:23:18.439 --> 00:23:19.319 for everyone 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.379 who turns 00:23:20.379 --> 00:23:21.619 and trusts in Christ 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:22.699 no matter what 00:23:22.699 --> 00:23:23.559 your background 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.319 no matter what 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.419 your long list 00:23:25.419 --> 00:23:26.039 of failures 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.579 and guilt 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.679 or shame is. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.839 There's full 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.919 forgiveness and mercy 00:23:31.919 --> 00:23:32.879 for everyone 00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:34.079 who turns 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:35.059 and trusts in Christ. 00:23:35.199 --> 00:23:36.099 The judgment for sin 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.939 fell on Him 00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:37.679 at the cross 00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:38.599 so that all 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:39.339 who trust in Him 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:40.279 need never face 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.720 the judgment 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.559 their sins deserve. 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.319 And God offers 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:44.879 this forgiveness 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.720 free of charge 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.819 to you today. 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:49.359 So believe in Christ 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:50.099 and be saved. 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.319 That's where 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.199 our passage ends. 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:55.879 But the bulk 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.980 of this second half 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:58.319 of verses 10 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:58.819 through 14 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.559 the second half 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.559 of our text 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.779 the bulk of it 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.519 is about what God 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.279 is going to do 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:05.579 in His redeemed people. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.359 In other words 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:07.959 the second half 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.579 of our passage 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.579 is largely about 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.600 how God plans 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:12.019 to purify 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:13.360 His redeemed people 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:14.480 to make them 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.620 increasingly holy 00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.559 to increasingly 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.940 transform them 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:19.000 into His image 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.759 and likeness. 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.940 And this happens 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.579 Micah says 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.480 as God 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:24.100 cuts off 00:24:24.100 --> 00:24:25.700 or casts away 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.880 the things 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.440 that the people 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.420 depend on 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.759 instead of Him. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.039 In verses 10 and 11 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.559 God says 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:32.960 He's going to 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:34.380 cut off 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.299 their dependence 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.519 on military might 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.639 on chariots 00:24:37.639 --> 00:24:39.000 on strongholds 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.799 on citadels 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.180 I'm going to 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:41.240 cut those things away. 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:43.059 And then in verse 12 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.460 God says 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:43.819 He's going to 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.339 cut off 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:44.819 their dependence 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:46.159 on fortune tellers 00:24:46.159 --> 00:24:47.359 and sorcerers 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:47.899 and trying to 00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:48.819 control or 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.480 manipulate 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.419 their surroundings 00:24:50.419 --> 00:24:50.859 through their 00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.839 human machinations. 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.240 He says 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:52.859 I'm going to 00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:53.519 remove that 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.019 and cut that 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.639 off from you. 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.319 And then in verses 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.200 13 through 14 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:57.740 God says 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.779 He'll cut off 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.319 their dependence 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.039 on idols 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:01.720 and carved images. 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:02.919 He says 00:25:02.919 --> 00:25:03.159 I'm going to 00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:04.180 remove those things 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.920 from your midst. 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.000 And you know 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.320 as you look at 00:25:08.320 --> 00:25:08.799 the Old Testament 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.340 these were the 00:25:09.340 --> 00:25:10.600 constant pitfalls 00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:12.140 for the Old Testament 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:12.820 people of God. 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.720 They were constantly 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.980 tempted to run 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:16.140 to military power 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:16.980 or to run to 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.720 false gods 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.480 to protect them 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.440 and keep them safe. 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:21.380 But God wants 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.360 His people to rely 00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:23.600 on Him alone 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:24.759 and He wants them 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.680 to be set apart 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.400 from the other nations 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.080 to be different 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:28.060 from how they operate. 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.140 All the other nations 00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:30.460 operated along those lines. 00:25:30.840 --> 00:25:32.160 Let's build a big military 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:33.420 and let's build 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.400 a bunch of statues 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.060 to God's 00:25:35.060 --> 00:25:36.019 and then we're 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.660 going to be safe 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.300 and then we're 00:25:37.300 --> 00:25:38.120 going to be victorious. 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.440 But God says 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.340 that's not what 00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:41.900 my people are 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.660 going to be like. 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:45.900 God wants them 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.820 to be set apart 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:47.800 from the other nations 00:25:47.800 --> 00:25:49.240 to be distinct 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:51.000 which is what 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.180 the word holy means. 00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:53.560 It means set apart 00:25:53.560 --> 00:25:54.140 distinct. 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.180 Other nations 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:57.220 depend on chariots 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.080 and citadels 00:25:58.080 --> 00:25:59.340 not God's people. 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:01.680 Other nations 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.700 depend on idol worship 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.660 engraving images 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.840 not God's people. 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.539 They would be different. 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.660 They would be set apart. 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.380 They would be holy 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:11.299 like God is holy. 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.680 You see 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:15.920 when we become Christians 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:17.019 when we enter 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.340 into a saving relationship 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:18.860 with Jesus 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.480 the Messiah 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.600 it is true 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.680 that all of our sins 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.259 are forgiven. 00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:23.700 The penalty 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.420 for our sins 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:25.519 is taken away 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.340 because of Christ's 00:26:26.340 --> 00:26:27.200 death on the cross. 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:29.799 But the truth is 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.120 is that 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:31.679 many of our sinful 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.299 tendencies 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:33.019 and patterns 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.599 and habits 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.519 still remain. 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.659 And God's plan 00:26:37.659 --> 00:26:39.739 is to remake us 00:26:39.739 --> 00:26:41.599 and refashion us 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:42.539 over time 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.919 through his Holy Spirit 00:26:43.919 --> 00:26:45.279 to make us 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:45.699 ultimately 00:26:45.699 --> 00:26:46.719 more like Christ. 00:26:47.719 --> 00:26:49.000 Our sins are forgiven 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.659 but now 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.639 he's actually going to 00:26:50.639 --> 00:26:51.619 work that out 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.119 in us 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.759 and through us 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.599 by his Holy Spirit 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.459 to make us 00:26:54.459 --> 00:26:55.719 more like Christ 00:26:55.719 --> 00:26:57.500 in how we think 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.279 and how we act 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.019 and how we speak 00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.960 and how ultimately 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:01.180 what we love 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:04.379 and what we depend on. 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:07.259 Jesus Christ 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:07.879 lived his life 00:27:07.879 --> 00:27:09.139 in complete dependence 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:09.960 on nothing 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.099 but the love 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:12.700 of his heavenly Father. 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.119 He lived 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:15.279 in complete dependence 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.160 on the love 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.079 of his heavenly Father. 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.240 The love of the Father 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.440 was completely 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.160 and utterly 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:21.240 sufficient for him. 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.259 So much so 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.879 that even in the 00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:23.879 Garden of Gethsemane 00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:25.379 when Jesus was faced 00:27:25.379 --> 00:27:26.099 with the terrible 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:27.359 prospect of the cross 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:28.279 Christ was willing 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.779 to say 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:30.899 but not my will Father 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:32.819 your will be done. 00:27:35.159 --> 00:27:36.079 And this is where 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:37.379 God wants to bring us 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:40.039 to the place 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.379 of utter freedom 00:27:41.379 --> 00:27:43.219 and utter liberty 00:27:43.219 --> 00:27:44.199 in God's love 00:27:44.199 --> 00:27:45.899 dependent on nothing else 00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:46.879 so that we might 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:47.659 be able to say 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:48.240 from the depths 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.319 of our being 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:51.479 God thy will be done. 00:27:52.179 --> 00:27:52.879 I'm depending 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:54.219 on nothing else 00:27:54.219 --> 00:27:55.059 but you. 00:27:57.359 --> 00:28:00.139 So brothers and sisters 00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:02.179 how has God 00:28:02.179 --> 00:28:03.479 recently been at work 00:28:03.479 --> 00:28:05.259 in your life 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:07.399 to make you holy? 00:28:09.219 --> 00:28:10.119 And how are you 00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:11.399 pursuing this holiness? 00:28:12.979 --> 00:28:14.219 Are there obvious sins 00:28:14.219 --> 00:28:15.119 that you need to confess 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:16.000 and get rid of 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.879 to cut off? 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.000 Do you need the help 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.859 of fellow Christians 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:23.079 or a support group 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:24.699 to fight a sinful 00:28:24.699 --> 00:28:25.819 addiction or habit? 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:28.439 If you have sins 00:28:28.439 --> 00:28:29.359 you need to confess 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:30.579 confess them friends. 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.159 If you have sins 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:33.059 where you need help 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:35.019 reach out for help. 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.220 Come talk to me 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:37.099 or any of the elders 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:38.039 and we can point you 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:39.139 in the right direction 00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:39.779 so that you can 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.980 pursue this path 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.439 of becoming 00:28:41.439 --> 00:28:42.639 more liberated 00:28:42.639 --> 00:28:43.299 more free 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.059 more holy 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:45.119 like Christ. 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.599 Perhaps you've been 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.179 in a season 00:28:50.179 --> 00:28:52.019 of change 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:53.179 or of loss. 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:55.480 perhaps it feels 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.180 like there are things 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:56.680 that God 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:57.200 has been 00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:58.480 cutting off 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.680 or cutting away 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:00.900 from your life. 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.299 No doubt 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:03.779 those things 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.560 have been painful. 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.640 But you know 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.279 God will often 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.279 use these painful 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.720 seasons 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:11.240 of cutting away 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:13.400 to produce 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:13.840 a deeper 00:29:13.840 --> 00:29:14.860 spiritual growth 00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:15.299 in us. 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.060 Remember Jesus' 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.440 words in John 15? 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:19.640 John 15 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:20.259 Jesus says 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.599 I'm the true vine 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.839 you're the branches 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:24.819 if we abide in him 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.960 we bear much fruit 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.480 and Jesus says 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.900 as we bear that fruit 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:30.259 God is going to 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.859 continue to prune us. 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:34.039 He's going to continue 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.680 to prune us 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:34.960 why? 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:35.879 So that we might 00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:37.200 become even more fruitful 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:39.839 and that pruning 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:41.200 that cutting away 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:43.759 is never easy 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:45.180 or joyful 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.859 at the time. 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.779 Sometimes it feels 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.440 like a piece of us 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.400 is literally being 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.400 taken out. 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.960 But the result 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:57.039 is a deeper 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.160 dependence on God 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.700 and a deeper 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.820 intimacy with him. 00:30:02.340 --> 00:30:03.340 And as our roots 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:04.120 push deeper 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:04.720 and deeper 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.480 into God 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:06.200 and God alone 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.920 we find ourselves 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:09.220 from the inside out 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:11.240 being more 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.039 and more like 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.660 Jesus 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:14.279 more and more 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.140 who God created 00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:15.840 us to be. 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:19.279 You see friends 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:20.079 this is how much 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:21.159 the Father loves us. 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.919 He gives his son 00:30:22.919 --> 00:30:23.319 for us 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.279 to reconcile us 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.899 to himself 00:30:24.899 --> 00:30:26.279 to be our peace 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:28.359 and then he continues 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:29.439 to pursue us 00:30:29.439 --> 00:30:31.839 never resting 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:33.679 in that pursuit 00:30:33.679 --> 00:30:34.439 until we begin 00:30:34.439 --> 00:30:35.079 to reflect 00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:36.559 more and more 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.839 of his character 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:38.639 of his wisdom 00:30:38.639 --> 00:30:39.480 of his grace 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.659 of his glory 00:30:40.659 --> 00:30:41.699 of his joy. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:45.279 And so here is 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.880 Micah's vision 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:46.920 for the people 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:47.960 for the people 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.700 who've come to know 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.279 the Messiah 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.120 and his peace. 00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:51.960 What's the story? 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.660 What's the journey 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.700 that God has for us? 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.500 God doesn't just want 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.279 to advance his kingdom 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.059 through us. 00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:57.759 He wants his kingdom 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.460 to be embodied 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.120 in us. 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:00.900 He wants to purify us 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.519 and make us holy. 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:02.440 He wants to make us 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.059 like his son. 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.420 And isn't this 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.240 the greatest privilege 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.799 and joy 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:09.380 that we could imagine? 00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:11.800 not just to be used 00:31:11.800 --> 00:31:12.380 by God 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:14.380 but to become 00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:15.140 living images 00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:16.420 of God's own character 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:18.260 to become like God. 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.820 To have everything 00:31:21.820 --> 00:31:22.400 false 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:22.920 and everything 00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:23.860 destructive 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.640 cut away 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:26.140 and to have 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:27.100 our true self 00:31:27.100 --> 00:31:27.700 emerge. 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.060 We live in a time 00:31:31.060 --> 00:31:31.960 when we all 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.680 want to find 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.880 that authentic self 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:34.360 don't we? 00:31:36.300 --> 00:31:37.320 And God says 00:31:37.320 --> 00:31:38.380 I'm going to help 00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:39.300 you find that. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.760 It's not going to be 00:31:40.760 --> 00:31:41.660 the path you think. 00:31:42.520 --> 00:31:43.220 It's going to be 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.740 the path 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.620 through the grace 00:31:44.620 --> 00:31:45.680 of Christ for you. 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:46.900 Cutting away 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:47.560 the things that are 00:31:47.560 --> 00:31:48.520 false and destructive. 00:31:50.020 --> 00:31:51.020 So that the self 00:31:51.020 --> 00:31:51.700 that's created 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.360 by God 00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:53.220 in Christ Jesus 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:55.080 that self 00:31:55.080 --> 00:31:58.240 that fully known 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.340 fully loved 00:31:59.340 --> 00:32:00.640 fully free self 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:01.700 can begin to emerge. 00:32:03.040 --> 00:32:04.100 Where you'll be free 00:32:04.100 --> 00:32:05.580 not just from sin 00:32:05.580 --> 00:32:07.240 but you'll be free 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.080 for God. 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:11.439 free for God 00:32:11.439 --> 00:32:12.279 as Michael will say 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:13.279 in the chapter to come 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:15.179 free to do justice 00:32:15.179 --> 00:32:17.699 free to love kindness 00:32:17.699 --> 00:32:19.779 and free to walk 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.779 humbly with our God. 00:32:21.699 --> 00:32:22.720 Let's pray together. 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:31.420 Father we ask 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:32.000 that you would do 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.559 this work 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.539 through us 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.039 and in us 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:35.259 that you've portrayed 00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:36.420 and pictured 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:38.380 through Micah's prophecy. 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.180 Lord help us 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:44.140 to take joy 00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:45.079 in the work 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:46.140 that you're doing 00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:46.700 through us. 00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:49.059 Help us to find 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.539 deep joy 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:49.900 in the work 00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:50.360 that you're doing 00:32:50.360 --> 00:32:50.860 in us. 00:32:52.040 --> 00:32:52.900 Lord and help us 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.480 as a church 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.780 to be doing 00:32:54.780 --> 00:32:55.259 these things 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.100 together 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:58.820 in the fellowship 00:32:58.820 --> 00:32:59.580 of this family 00:32:59.580 --> 00:33:00.200 that you've brought 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:00.720 us into 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.420 with Christ 00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:01.980 as our head 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.840 as our good shepherd. 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:05.700 Help us to open 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.200 up our hands 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:06.780 to you God 00:33:06.780 --> 00:33:07.120 and say 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:08.240 thy will be done 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:10.800 and then to find 00:33:10.800 --> 00:33:11.300 our place 00:33:11.300 --> 00:33:12.000 in this great 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:13.880 and this thrilling 00:33:13.880 --> 00:33:16.040 story of redemption 00:33:16.040 --> 00:33:16.580 that you've made 00:33:16.580 --> 00:33:17.259 us a part of. 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:19.119 We pray this 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:19.879 in Jesus' name. 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:20.480 Amen.