WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.640
 Well, now let's turn to God's Word.

00:00:04.580 --> 00:00:11.500
 You know, I found these concepts stripped straight from the headlines from the last

00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:12.259
 couple of years.

00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:15.820
 Pastor found embezzling money from large church.

00:00:16.580 --> 00:00:21.879
 Church leaders exposed for cover-up of sexual abuse charges against pastors.

00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:27.620
 Pastors who are having affairs claiming, look at this church, God is blessing this church

00:00:27.620 --> 00:00:31.179
 with new buildings, growth in numbers, and we are reaching more than ever.

00:00:31.820 --> 00:00:33.480
 God is on my side.

00:00:35.760 --> 00:00:41.960
 The common thread in all of these headlines is that these leaders used their position

00:00:41.960 --> 00:00:46.280
 for selfish gain at the expense of those that they lead.

00:00:47.020 --> 00:00:48.240
 They've gained power.

00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:49.140
 They've gained money.

00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:50.120
 They've gained fame.

00:00:50.520 --> 00:00:54.719
 They've gained illicit pleasure because of the roles that they have.

00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:57.659
 How do we think about this?

00:00:58.060 --> 00:00:59.100
 How do we think?

00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:06.539
 How are we to think when we find church leadership abusing its position and power to serve itself,

00:01:07.039 --> 00:01:11.960
 not the Lord, nor the congregation, nor the community that it is in?

00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:18.239
 Friends, this is what our passage this morning in the book of Micah will look like.

00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:20.500
 If you want to turn there, we're going to look at Micah 3.

00:01:20.500 --> 00:01:25.239
 We're starting in…that's page 729 in your pew Bible.

00:01:27.739 --> 00:01:35.060
 And as you're turning there, just remember, Micah was a prophet at the end of the northern

00:01:35.060 --> 00:01:40.560
 kingdom of Israel and the ongoing existence of the southern kingdom of Israel.

00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:47.579
 He prophesied most likely over the Assyrian invasion of the northern kingdom and the Assyrian

00:01:47.579 --> 00:01:49.840
 threat to Jerusalem itself.

00:01:53.239 --> 00:02:02.500
 Micah prophesied to a nation and to God's people as they were struggling to come to grips

00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:06.579
 with what was going on in their nation and in their church.

00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:10.280
 And the book is likely a compilation of prophecies.

00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:16.640
 And we don't always know the specific historical context of each chapter or each oracle that

00:02:16.640 --> 00:02:17.140
 we see.

00:02:17.219 --> 00:02:19.979
 But it's not difficult to see his overall theme.

00:02:21.139 --> 00:02:26.080
 The overall theme of Micah is that God's judgment is coming because of the sin of Israel,

00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:28.000
 its leaders, and its people.

00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:36.300
 Yet he will not forsake his covenant people, but promises to be to them a God like no other.

00:02:36.300 --> 00:02:40.580
 This is the big picture of what the book of Micah is telling us.

00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:46.120
 And in our passage today, he sets his sights specifically on the leadership.

00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:53.060
 And he pronounces oracles of judgment on them while offering a whisper of hope.

00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:56.340
 So let's read Micah 3 together.

00:02:57.220 --> 00:03:01.420
 Again, that's page 729 in your pew Bible.

00:03:01.540 --> 00:03:03.980
 Let's read it and then look at it for a few minutes this morning.

00:03:03.979 --> 00:03:07.000
 And I said,

00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:10.859
 Hear, you heads of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel.

00:03:11.259 --> 00:03:13.620
 Is it not for you to know justice?

00:03:14.579 --> 00:03:17.379
 You who hate the good and love the evil,

00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:22.939
 who tear the skin off my people and their flesh from off their bones,

00:03:23.239 --> 00:03:27.060
 who eat the flesh of my people and flay their skin from off them

00:03:27.060 --> 00:03:28.899
 and break their bones into pieces

00:03:28.899 --> 00:03:32.859
 and chop them up like meat in a pot, like flesh in a cauldron.

00:03:32.860 --> 00:03:36.880
 Then they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer them.

00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:40.400
 He will hide his face from them at that time

00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:43.140
 because they have made their deeds evil.

00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:46.500
 Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets

00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:48.500
 who lead my people astray,

00:03:48.880 --> 00:03:51.660
 who cry peace when they have something to eat,

00:03:52.140 --> 00:03:55.880
 but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.

00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:59.680
 Therefore, it shall be night to you without vision

00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:02.460
 and darkness to you without divination.

00:04:02.979 --> 00:04:05.740
 The sun shall go down on the prophets

00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:07.900
 and the day shall be black over them.

00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:11.939
 The seers shall be disgraced and the diviners put to shame.

00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:14.079
 They shall all cover their lips,

00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:17.079
 for there is no answer from God.

00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:21.479
 But as for me, I am filled with power,

00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:23.159
 with the Spirit of the Lord,

00:04:23.399 --> 00:04:24.939
 with justice and might,

00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:27.859
 to declare to Jacob his transgression

00:04:27.859 --> 00:04:29.539
 and to Israel his sin.

00:04:30.539 --> 00:04:33.199
 Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob

00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:35.180
 and rulers of the house of Israel,

00:04:35.339 --> 00:04:39.259
 who detest justice and make crooked all that is straight,

00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:42.799
 who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity.

00:04:43.459 --> 00:04:45.839
 Its heads give judgment for a bribe,

00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:47.979
 its priests teach for a price,

00:04:48.359 --> 00:04:51.159
 its prophets practice divination for money.

00:04:52.479 --> 00:04:54.439
 Yet they lean on the Lord and say,

00:04:54.799 --> 00:04:56.799
 is not the Lord in the midst of us?

00:04:56.939 --> 00:04:59.179
 No disaster shall come upon us.

00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:02.979
 Therefore, because of you,

00:05:03.719 --> 00:05:05.759
 Zion shall be plowed as a field,

00:05:06.179 --> 00:05:09.139
 Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,

00:05:09.139 --> 00:05:12.879
 and the mountain of the house of a...

00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:16.779
 and the mountain of the house of wood of...

00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:19.000
 let me try that one more time.

00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:22.180
 Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,

00:05:22.180 --> 00:05:25.879
 and the mountain of the house a wooded height.

00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:30.360
 Let's pray and ask God for his help as we read his word.

00:05:30.819 --> 00:05:32.899
 Lord Jesus, we come to you this morning,

00:05:32.899 --> 00:05:36.079
 and Lord, we hear the tone of this passage.

00:05:36.819 --> 00:05:38.639
 Lord, I pray this morning that you would have,

00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:43.039
 Lord, for us a word.

00:05:43.859 --> 00:05:46.319
 Lord, we pray that you would humble us before your word.

00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:48.299
 We pray, Lord, that you would,

00:05:50.299 --> 00:05:54.399
 Lord, open our hearts to receive your word,

00:05:54.539 --> 00:05:56.539
 and our minds to understand your word.

00:05:56.539 --> 00:05:57.699
 And I pray for your help,

00:05:57.799 --> 00:05:59.339
 that I may proclaim it faithfully.

00:05:59.339 --> 00:06:03.079
 Lord, that we would together sit under your word this morning.

00:06:03.659 --> 00:06:05.359
 We pray this in Jesus' name.

00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:06.699
 Amen.

00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:12.099
 So sometimes when we preach,

00:06:12.159 --> 00:06:14.039
 we preach through the passage sequentially,

00:06:14.259 --> 00:06:17.319
 and then the first point is about the first couple of verses,

00:06:17.479 --> 00:06:18.159
 and then we go on.

00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:20.359
 The prophets aren't always like that.

00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:22.539
 Prophets often have cycles.

00:06:23.699 --> 00:06:25.699
 And so that's how we're going to preach through this today.

00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:29.120
 We're actually going to preach through the cycles of judgment,

00:06:29.339 --> 00:06:31.439
 because there are three of them in this passage.

00:06:31.799 --> 00:06:33.039
 Then we'll figure out,

00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:35.000
 think through how to apply them.

00:06:35.339 --> 00:06:36.079
 And then finally,

00:06:36.179 --> 00:06:39.119
 we're going to look to Micah's and our ultimate hope

00:06:39.119 --> 00:06:40.239
 in light of this passage.

00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:41.679
 So if you're taking notes,

00:06:41.779 --> 00:06:43.259
 that's our outline this morning.

00:06:43.979 --> 00:06:47.339
 First, we see what are the cycles of judgment?

00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:50.299
 What are the charges that Micah brings

00:06:50.299 --> 00:06:51.959
 against the spiritual leaders,

00:06:52.099 --> 00:06:54.399
 the covenant leaders of God's people?

00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:56.459
 We see them, there are three of them.

00:06:56.899 --> 00:06:58.919
 Verses 1 through 4 is the first one.

00:06:58.920 --> 00:07:01.600
 Verses 5 through 7 is the second one.

00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:03.720
 And verses 9 through 12 is the third.

00:07:04.400 --> 00:07:06.100
 We're going to ask a few questions about that.

00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:07.460
 First of all, who are they?

00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:10.460
 Who are the leaders that he is targeting?

00:07:10.900 --> 00:07:12.259
 Well, you see the phrases,

00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:14.220
 heads and rulers in verse 1,

00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:15.660
 and then again in 9-11.

00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:18.500
 This likely referred to the kings,

00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:21.060
 or those in more political power.

00:07:21.540 --> 00:07:24.660
 We see the prophets mentioned in verse 5 and 11,

00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:27.560
 and we see the priests in verse 11.

00:07:28.140 --> 00:07:30.360
 What we need to recognize and remember

00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:33.860
 is that in the Old Testament covenant community of people,

00:07:34.140 --> 00:07:36.800
 the religious leadership and the political leadership

00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:40.320
 and the social leadership were all overlapping.

00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:43.560
 They didn't have distinct branches of government.

00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:50.160
 These roles were often intersecting with one another, right?

00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:54.660
 And so we need to recognize that as God is bringing this word

00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:57.319
 to the Old Testament covenant community,

00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:58.879
 it has this overlap.

00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:03.160
 And we'll think a little bit further on about how we apply that today.

00:08:03.340 --> 00:08:07.680
 But for now, we need to see he's talking to this range of people,

00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:10.600
 prophet, priest, and king, if we want to put it that way,

00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:13.740
 who were meant to be leading God's people,

00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:16.420
 and yet were failing in doing it rightly.

00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:18.280
 What were the charges?

00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:19.939
 What were the particular ways?

00:08:20.620 --> 00:08:21.980
 Well, in verses 2 through 4,

00:08:22.080 --> 00:08:24.320
 we see that they are perverting justice

00:08:24.320 --> 00:08:28.660
 by calling good evil and evil good.

00:08:30.020 --> 00:08:32.240
 It doesn't explain exactly what this is.

00:08:32.300 --> 00:08:33.300
 If you were here last week,

00:08:33.420 --> 00:08:36.080
 Tyler explained in a lot more specifics

00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:39.000
 of what chapter 2 explained

00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:41.799
 about the way that there was economic injustice

00:08:41.799 --> 00:08:44.100
 and taking of lands and things like that.

00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:47.559
 But here, what Micah does is simply say,

00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:50.159
 you are calling something that is right wrong

00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:51.960
 and something that is wrong right

00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:53.659
 in the way that you are leading.

00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:54.720
 And then he says,

00:08:55.080 --> 00:08:56.799
 what you are doing,

00:08:57.059 --> 00:08:59.220
 it's like you're a bunch of cannibals.

00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:03.320
 You are stripping the people of everything they have

00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:06.179
 down to their very lives.

00:09:06.179 --> 00:09:08.159
 You are devouring them

00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:11.799
 by your selfish and self-serving ways.

00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:14.959
 We see a hint in verse 10-11

00:09:14.959 --> 00:09:18.759
 that even the civic building projects of the city

00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:21.979
 were done so at the expense

00:09:21.979 --> 00:09:25.079
 of the very life of the citizenry

00:09:25.079 --> 00:09:26.739
 that that was meant to serve.

00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:31.199
 So that's the charge we see in verses 2 through 4.

00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:35.480
 In 5 through 7, we see a charge against the prophets.

00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:37.200
 What is it that they're doing?

00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:39.620
 It seems what they're doing

00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:42.820
 is they are changing or adjusting their prophecies

00:09:42.820 --> 00:09:46.360
 based on what they're getting back for it.

00:09:46.660 --> 00:09:48.759
 Look with me at verse 5.

00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:50.160
 It says,

00:09:50.320 --> 00:09:52.900
 who cry peace when they have something to eat

00:09:52.900 --> 00:09:54.460
 but declare war against him

00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:56.020
 who puts nothing in their mouths.

00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:58.280
 Wrestling with that,

00:09:58.360 --> 00:09:59.420
 what does it seem to be saying?

00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:01.099
 He seems to be saying the prophets,

00:10:01.339 --> 00:10:03.719
 if you come to the prophets and give an offering,

00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:04.679
 give them food,

00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:05.399
 give them money,

00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:08.539
 give them whatever it is that they're looking for,

00:10:08.979 --> 00:10:10.379
 if you're filling their mouths

00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:11.719
 with the things that they want,

00:10:11.939 --> 00:10:13.459
 then they will bring you blessing.

00:10:13.959 --> 00:10:15.199
 Oh, the Lord is with you

00:10:15.199 --> 00:10:16.179
 and the Lord will do well.

00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:18.860
 But if you don't have anything to bring to them,

00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.419
 it is war against you.

00:10:20.599 --> 00:10:21.879
 Woe be to you.

00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:24.959
 Their spiritual leadership

00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:26.580
 is dependent on what they're getting

00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:29.980
 from those that they're called to serve.

00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:34.840
 And they've lost their ability to speak for God

00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:39.240
 because they're speaking to fill their own bellies.

00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:42.200
 Their words are no longer trustworthy,

00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:43.240
 are true.

00:10:45.160 --> 00:10:47.780
 And they bring silence and darkness

00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:49.620
 upon the people

00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:51.980
 because they can no longer speak for God.

00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:56.480
 Then we go on

00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:58.519
 and we look at the oracle in 9 through 12.

00:10:58.659 --> 00:11:00.840
 We see those who are making judgments

00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:01.799
 are taking bribes.

00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:02.940
 In fact, in verse 11,

00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:05.340
 it seems everybody is taking bribes.

00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:06.639
 Prophets, priests, and kings,

00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:07.340
 they're all saying,

00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:08.980
 hey, if you give me something,

00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:10.440
 I'll give you something back.

00:11:11.940 --> 00:11:14.320
 They're making straight things crooked

00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:16.340
 by the way that they're warping

00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:17.680
 all of their leadership

00:11:17.680 --> 00:11:19.519
 to serve themselves.

00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:24.160
 And what should be centered about God's glory,

00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:25.960
 about God's justice,

00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:27.740
 about leading people

00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:30.980
 and even the world to worship God,

00:11:32.040 --> 00:11:34.019
 instead becomes about the leaders,

00:11:34.300 --> 00:11:36.620
 their glory, their comfort.

00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:39.160
 And it's destroying the people.

00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:43.879
 And finally, in the second half of verse 11,

00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:46.160
 you see their hypocrisy.

00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:48.240
 Because while they're leading

00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:50.420
 in all of these evil ways,

00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.759
 those who have been entrusted by God

00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:54.360
 to lead well,

00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:58.139
 instead, they are saying,

00:11:58.800 --> 00:12:01.420
 God is blessing my evil leadership.

00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:04.460
 God is blessing what I am doing.

00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:08.379
 They violated the covenant requirements

00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:09.160
 for leaders.

00:12:09.540 --> 00:12:12.080
 They lean on the presence of the temple

00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:14.580
 and the fact that Jerusalem has not fallen.

00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:16.560
 Look with me at verse 11,

00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:17.620
 the end of it again.

00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:19.639
 They lean on the Lord and say,

00:12:19.920 --> 00:12:21.840
 is not the Lord in the midst of us?

00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:24.280
 No disaster shall come upon us.

00:12:25.400 --> 00:12:26.759
 The presumption,

00:12:27.900 --> 00:12:29.220
 the spiritual arrogance,

00:12:29.920 --> 00:12:32.040
 and the pride of these leaders

00:12:32.040 --> 00:12:33.020
 is shocking.

00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:35.240
 They serve themselves

00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:38.960
 and claim that God is blessing them.

00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:47.120
 This is a word of judgment

00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:48.620
 that God brings.

00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:51.220
 He is exposing their sin

00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:53.100
 and He is warning them.

00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:58.899
 And while this passage may have

00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:00.340
 secondary application

00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:02.360
 to political leaders,

00:13:02.540 --> 00:13:03.920
 to institutional leaders,

00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:05.320
 to leaders of households,

00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:07.100
 certainly there are resonances

00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:11.060
 of character and quality and focus,

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:13.379
 like what are you doing

00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:14.639
 as you're providing leadership

00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:16.200
 in lots of different areas?

00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:19.320
 I want to argue this morning

00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:21.200
 that the primary application

00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:23.259
 of this passage

00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:25.000
 is to the church.

00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:27.200
 Because the Old Testament community

00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:29.400
 was this overlapping

00:13:29.400 --> 00:13:31.440
 civic religious community,

00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:32.840
 but in the transition

00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:34.700
 into the New Covenant community,

00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:37.200
 post-Jesus resurrection,

00:13:37.400 --> 00:13:38.300
 the New Covenant community

00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:39.200
 was a transnational,

00:13:40.020 --> 00:13:42.200
 not civil or state body,

00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:42.960
 body,

00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:44.379
 but the church

00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:46.040
 and the leadership

00:13:46.040 --> 00:13:46.960
 of the church

00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:47.720
 is called

00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.440
 to account

00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:51.060
 in this passage.

00:13:51.640 --> 00:13:53.600
 And it brings me no joy

00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:55.680
 to say that we see

00:13:55.680 --> 00:13:57.540
 some of these leadership failings

00:13:57.540 --> 00:13:59.140
 in the church today.

00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:01.560
 With humility

00:14:01.560 --> 00:14:02.520
 and with tears,

00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:03.540
 we recognize

00:14:03.540 --> 00:14:05.720
 that these things happened.

00:14:07.560 --> 00:14:08.759
 As your pastor,

00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:10.080
 I know some of you

00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:11.800
 have been wounded

00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:13.159
 scarred

00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:16.179
 by the leadership failures

00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:18.219
 of the church.

00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:20.039
 And look, it's easy.

00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:20.919
 We could sit back

00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:21.879
 and look at those

00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:23.019
 outside our circles.

00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:23.819
 We could look at

00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:24.679
 the Catholic Church

00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.500
 and sexual abuse

00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.179
 by priests.

00:14:26.579 --> 00:14:27.319
 We could look at

00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:28.539
 the prosperity gospel

00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:30.079
 and their stealing money

00:14:30.079 --> 00:14:30.779
 from widows,

00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:33.219
 promising financial blessing

00:14:33.219 --> 00:14:35.319
 in its false promises.

00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:37.139
 We could go after

00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:39.319
 the false healers

00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:41.599
 that have worked out

00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.120
 a system

00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.040
 in order to make it

00:14:43.040 --> 00:14:43.600
 look like.

00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:44.259
 They're providing

00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:44.940
 these miracles

00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:45.879
 when they're not.

00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:47.480
 We could look at cults

00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.100
 that take over

00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.940
 bank accounts

00:14:48.940 --> 00:14:50.180
 that separate

00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:52.659
 those disciples

00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.639
 from their families

00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.779
 that abuse women.

00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:55.519
 We could look at

00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.200
 all of them

00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:58.259
 and feel pretty comfortable,

00:14:58.399 --> 00:14:58.899
 couldn't we,

00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:01.019
 if we wanted to do that?

00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.440
 And look,

00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:04.480
 we need to recognize

00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.560
 all of these things

00:15:05.560 --> 00:15:06.300
 are terrible.

00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.360
 They are perversions.

00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.240
 And for those

00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:09.940
 who suffer

00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:11.259
 under these leadership,

00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:14.320
 it produces destruction

00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:15.360
 in their lives.

00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:18.940
 But friends,

00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:19.960
 that's not how we apply

00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:20.419
 the Bible,

00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.019
 by thinking,

00:15:21.180 --> 00:15:21.279
 well,

00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.019
 who are the people

00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.720
 out there,

00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:23.759
 not about me,

00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:26.360
 that we need to look at?

00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:27.680
 We need to look at ourselves.

00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:28.879
 We need to look

00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.000
 at our own tribes,

00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:31.460
 our own circles,

00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.560
 our own church.

00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:35.739
 those in our circle

00:15:35.739 --> 00:15:36.399
 of Christianity.

00:15:37.079 --> 00:15:38.259
 We have held up

00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.479
 celebrity pastors

00:15:39.479 --> 00:15:41.279
 like Mark Driscoll.

00:15:43.459 --> 00:15:44.159
 And yes,

00:15:44.199 --> 00:15:45.079
 I'm going to call him out

00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:46.939
 because he failed

00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:47.739
 in his leadership

00:15:47.739 --> 00:15:51.819
 because he made it

00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:52.619
 about himself.

00:15:53.979 --> 00:15:54.899
 Ravi Zacharias,

00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:58.159
 he failed in his leadership

00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:00.699
 because his personal life

00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:03.059
 had nothing to do

00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:04.120
 with his public ministry

00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.839
 and he claimed

00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:06.039
 to speak the truth of God

00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:07.620
 while hiding his sin.

00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:11.879
 Friends,

00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:13.559
 we're on Southern Baptist Church.

00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.740
 And last year,

00:16:15.839 --> 00:16:16.719
 the Southern Baptist Church

00:16:16.719 --> 00:16:17.719
 released a report

00:16:17.719 --> 00:16:18.299
 that said

00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.059
 the leaders

00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:20.480
 of our denomination

00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.759
 failed

00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:24.679
 over and over again

00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.899
 to respond

00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:27.059
 to allegations

00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:28.100
 of sexual abuse

00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:29.200
 by pastors

00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:30.240
 in the church.

00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:32.940
 The leadership

00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:33.399
 failures

00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.980
 on multiple levels

00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.879
 in that.

00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:40.580
 So let us not

00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:41.180
 throw stones

00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:41.740
 at others,

00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:42.740
 but let us look

00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:44.659
 at our own house

00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:47.180
 and see

00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:48.899
 that we too

00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:52.120
 may fall into this,

00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:54.000
 have fallen into it

00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.160
 in some places.

00:16:56.060 --> 00:16:56.840
 Leaders who lead

00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.879
 for their own benefit,

00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.740
 gaining money,

00:16:59.460 --> 00:16:59.799
 fame,

00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.480
 and pleasure.

00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.299
 Leaders who make

00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.279
 false assurances

00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.600
 about spiritual health

00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:05.200
 while hiding sin.

00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.859
 Leaders who are not

00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:08.299
 ultimately serving God

00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.819
 and people,

00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:11.660
 but who use

00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:13.779
 God and people

00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.859
 for themselves.

00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:27.779
 God and people

00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.119
 in the church

00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:28.179
 in the church

00:17:28.179 --> 00:17:28.339
 and people

00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:28.839
 in the church

00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:28.899
 and the church

00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:29.939
 says God will hide

00:17:29.939 --> 00:17:30.479
 his face

00:17:30.479 --> 00:17:31.259
 from his people.

00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:32.559
 In verse 7

00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.559
 it said God will be

00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.199
 silent

00:17:34.199 --> 00:17:36.000
 to his teachers,

00:17:36.439 --> 00:17:37.240
 his prophets.

00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:39.500
 And in verse 12

00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.579
 there is this picture

00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.500
 that I couldn't read

00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.019
 this morning,

00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:44.440
 but you understand

00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:46.200
 a picture of total

00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.119
 devastation.

00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.259
 Jerusalem,

00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:48.900
 Zion,

00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.319
 which is the Old Testament

00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.259
 word specifically

00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:53.319
 about the spiritual value

00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:54.599
 of Jerusalem

00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.660
 being the center

00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:56.599
 of God's kingdom

00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.500
 on the earth

00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.960
 and a picture

00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:00.160
 of the heavenly kingdom

00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.079
 that's going to come.

00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.500
 He says Zion

00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:04.559
 will be plowed

00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.500
 like a field

00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:07.000
 and Jerusalem

00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.920
 will be

00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:09.180
 like a pile

00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.019
 of rubble,

00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.759
 a wilderness

00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:13.660
 where the trees

00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:14.319
 are growing

00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.440
 in the middle

00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.339
 of the plazas.

00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.740
 God warned them.

00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:21.680
 And you know

00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.319
 what's remarkable?

00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:24.599
 We read in Jeremiah 26,

00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:26.859
 18 that Hezekiah,

00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:27.859
 the king,

00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.119
 actually heard this.

00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.460
 Verse 12

00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.400
 is quoted

00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.380
 in Jeremiah

00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:33.440
 that Hezekiah

00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.460
 heard this warning,

00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.940
 responded to it,

00:18:36.100 --> 00:18:36.660
 repented,

00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:38.360
 turned to the Lord

00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:40.440
 and for a time

00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.920
 God relented

00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:43.180
 on this judgment

00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.559
 that He had prophesied

00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:47.259
 because of that faith.

00:18:48.100 --> 00:18:49.279
 And yet we also know

00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.559
 that a hundred years later

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:52.980
 because they persisted

00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.579
 in their sin,

00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.460
 the leaders,

00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.600
 the kings of Israel

00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.920
 persisted in it.

00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.460
 So in 586

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:00.799
 when Babylon

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.819
 finally came

00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:03.259
 they raised Jerusalem,

00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.319
 they sowed salt

00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.139
 in the fields,

00:19:05.679 --> 00:19:06.579
 they tore down

00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.099
 the temple,

00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:09.159
 the walls of the city

00:19:09.159 --> 00:19:09.740
 were broken,

00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:11.159
 and the people

00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:11.639
 were taken

00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:12.500
 into exile.

00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:19.139
 God did not let

00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:22.519
 these ungodly leaders

00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.879
 stand forever.

00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:27.380
 He brought judgment

00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.140
 upon them.

00:19:31.300 --> 00:19:32.460
 And it might have been

00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.220
 if you were

00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:35.380
 in Israel

00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:36.360
 in say

00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:39.540
 690 B.C.

00:19:39.760 --> 00:19:41.040
 and you're watching

00:19:41.040 --> 00:19:42.220
 all this terrible

00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.200
 leadership happening,

00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:43.640
 you think,

00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.520
 where is God?

00:19:44.780 --> 00:19:45.580
 What is He doing?

00:19:46.580 --> 00:19:47.120
 Well,

00:19:47.320 --> 00:19:48.780
 He finally did show up.

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:51.359
 And we do know

00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:54.579
 that though the wrong

00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:56.420
 seems oft so strong,

00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:59.279
 God is the ruler yet.

00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.599
 Reading through the book

00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:03.399
 of 2 Peter,

00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:05.639
 He reminds us that

00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:06.940
 there will be leaders

00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:08.079
 like this in the church.

00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.139
 They will come

00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:09.899
 and they will preach

00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.639
 false things

00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:11.799
 and they will use people

00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.639
 and they will take

00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:13.599
 advantage of people.

00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.759
 But in the end,

00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:15.839
 God will judge them.

00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:17.119
 In the end,

00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.220
 God will bring them.

00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.159
 He will have

00:20:19.159 --> 00:20:20.359
 His day of justice

00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:21.859
 and He will build

00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.319
 His church

00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:23.159
 and the gates of hell

00:20:23.159 --> 00:20:24.419
 will not stand against it.

00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:25.799
 He will not let

00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.379
 these selfish

00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:27.519
 and destructive leaders

00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:29.000
 escape His justice

00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.480
 forever.

00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:35.939
 So how do we apply

00:20:35.939 --> 00:20:36.679
 these things?

00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:37.959
 I've suggested

00:20:37.959 --> 00:20:38.720
 that we too

00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:40.059
 are in a similar situation.

00:20:40.379 --> 00:20:41.199
 What do we do

00:20:41.199 --> 00:20:41.879
 with a passage

00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.740
 like this?

00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.899
 How do we make it

00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:46.000
 come home for us?

00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:47.300
 First of all,

00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.700
 as a leader

00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:50.380
 of this church,

00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.280
 I am reminded,

00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:54.420
 there but for the grace

00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.720
 of God go I.

00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.980
 And I ask you to pray.

00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.980
 Pray that the leaders

00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.860
 of this church

00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:03.000
 will not fall

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.500
 into these sins.

00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:07.060
 I can stand before you today

00:21:07.060 --> 00:21:07.500
 and say,

00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.680
 as far as I know,

00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:09.920
 we do not live

00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.759
 in these patterns

00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.860
 of selfish leadership.

00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:14.500
 but I also want to say

00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:17.000
 that I need to keep

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.839
 asking myself

00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.559
 as a leader,

00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.799
 am I in any way

00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.419
 like this?

00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.339
 Has my heart

00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:23.059
 become hardened

00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.240
 so that I'm

00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.419
 justifying sin?

00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:26.859
 Has my motivation

00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:27.879
 become warped

00:21:27.879 --> 00:21:29.379
 so that I'm ministering

00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.699
 for selfish reasons?

00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.339
 Am I doing this

00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.699
 because it's about me

00:21:34.699 --> 00:21:35.559
 and what I get?

00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:38.279
 Or it's about God

00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:39.439
 and His glory

00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:40.420
 and the good

00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.400
 of His people.

00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:45.160
 Not only do I ask you

00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:46.220
 to pray for us

00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.660
 as leaders,

00:21:46.820 --> 00:21:47.380
 but I ask you

00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:48.380
 to talk with us

00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:49.860
 that we might

00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:51.299
 examine ourselves.

00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.539
 If you have concerns,

00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.640
 bring them to us.

00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.640
 Don't be afraid

00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.400
 of raising them

00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:57.860
 with us

00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:59.259
 because we want

00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.120
 this word

00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:01.720
 to never be true

00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.600
 about the leadership

00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.920
 at Trinity Baptist Church.

00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:09.620
 We may need your help.

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:12.420
 It also causes us

00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:13.000
 to think through

00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.039
 how do we engage

00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:15.620
 with a broader church?

00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.700
 How do we engage

00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.600
 with our circles

00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:18.580
 and our tribes,

00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:20.120
 our denominational failures?

00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.680
 How do we bring

00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.840
 clarifying truth

00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:23.440
 and justice

00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.200
 and righteousness?

00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.740
 How do we bring

00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.800
 the truth of God's word

00:22:26.800 --> 00:22:28.340
 to bear on these things?

00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.720
 And here's where

00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:32.980
 I'm going to say something.

00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.799
 I don't know if you guys

00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.279
 are going to agree

00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.819
 with me or not,

00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.500
 but here we go.

00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.220
 I think we have

00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:39.240
 a temptation to say

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.839
 we must be like Micah.

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:43.000
 We love to step

00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.740
 into the role

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.700
 of the true prophet.

00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.400
 We want to be the ones

00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.740
 speaking truth to power

00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.640
 and be the savior

00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:50.079
 of the church.

00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.720
 And I'm wary

00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.759
 of that approach

00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:57.940
 because I think Micah

00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.960
 points us elsewhere.

00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.779
 First, we see

00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:03.740
 that in Micah 6, 8

00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.779
 at the heart

00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.619
 of this book.

00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.500
 He has told you,

00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:08.519
 oh man, what is good

00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.240
 and what does the Lord

00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.980
 require of you

00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.440
 but to do justice

00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:13.240
 and to love kindness

00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:15.220
 and to walk humbly

00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.899
 with your God.

00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.259
 And our engagement

00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.579
 with our spiritual leaders

00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.460
 should be shaped

00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.859
 by these words.

00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:25.240
 Let me speak plainly.

00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.339
 Cancel culture

00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:28.059
 is an unhealthy spirit

00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.740
 of judgment

00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.900
 and condemnation.

00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.220
 It has a lust

00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.859
 for winning

00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.859
 and a pleasure

00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:35.460
 for toppling leaders.

00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:38.420
 We love to sit

00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.740
 in the seat of judgment

00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.640
 on others

00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:42.599
 and it fills our hearts

00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.440
 with an ugly

00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.960
 self-righteousness

00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.380
 and we lose sight

00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:47.480
 of Micah's call.

00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:48.720
 We are called

00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.799
 to do justice,

00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.799
 not always

00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:52.000
 to enforce justice.

00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:53.019
 We are called

00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:54.220
 to love mercy,

00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.359
 not judgment.

00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:57.539
 We are to walk humbly

00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:59.439
 because there

00:23:59.439 --> 00:24:00.299
 but for the grace

00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.559
 of God go I.

00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.199
 And it does not mean

00:24:04.199 --> 00:24:05.039
 we are silent

00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:06.639
 but it means

00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.240
 that the way

00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:08.119
 that we speak

00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:09.500
 must be different.

00:24:10.479 --> 00:24:11.419
 It must be rooted

00:24:11.419 --> 00:24:12.379
 in God's word

00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.779
 and it must be

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.419
 spoken humbly

00:24:15.419 --> 00:24:16.799
 and ultimately

00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:18.099
 it must be spoken

00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:19.019
 in faith.

00:24:20.459 --> 00:24:21.639
 Faith in something

00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.479
 that is bigger

00:24:22.479 --> 00:24:23.219
 than us

00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:25.120
 because what we'll see

00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:25.640
 in Micah,

00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:26.299
 what we'll see

00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.120
 in the next couple

00:24:27.120 --> 00:24:28.240
 of chapters in Micah

00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.339
 is that though

00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:30.600
 he brings these

00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:31.539
 oracles of judgment

00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.220
 and warning,

00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.039
 he says,

00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:34.700
 I will come.

00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.240
 I am not blind.

00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:37.360
 I am not helpless

00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:38.200
 to this state

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:38.940
 of my people.

00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.220
 I will come

00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:41.500
 and be the ultimate judge

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.380
 and the redeemer

00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.180
 and the ruler

00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.019
 and the king.

00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.799
 I will come

00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.779
 to do these things

00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.460
 for you.

00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.500
 And I think

00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.720
 that's the appropriate

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.539
 application

00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:53.059
 of verse 8

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.659
 as well.

00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.139
 So as we close,

00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:56.059
 let's look at verse 8

00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.619
 for a second

00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.639
 because this is where

00:24:57.639 --> 00:24:58.440
 in the middle

00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.220
 of these oracles

00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.899
 of judgment

00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:00.859
 the prophet

00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:02.240
 interjects himself

00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.519
 and he says this,

00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.720
 as for me

00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.799
 I am filled

00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:06.519
 with power

00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.720
 with the spirit

00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.379
 of the Lord

00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:09.399
 with justice

00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.079
 and might

00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.200
 to declare

00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.779
 to Jacob

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.720
 his transgression

00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:14.519
 and to Israel

00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:16.099
 his sin.

00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:20.119
 Micah says

00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:21.459
 there's a true prophet

00:25:21.459 --> 00:25:22.759
 sent by the Lord

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:24.099
 who will bring

00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:25.039
 these things.

00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.739
 This prophet

00:25:27.739 --> 00:25:28.339
 will come

00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:28.979
 knowing what

00:25:28.979 --> 00:25:29.659
 the leaders

00:25:29.659 --> 00:25:31.099
 the sinful

00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:32.139
 selfish leaders

00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:33.079
 don't know

00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.939
 because they don't

00:25:34.939 --> 00:25:35.739
 know God's word

00:25:35.739 --> 00:25:36.479
 but this one

00:25:36.479 --> 00:25:37.239
 does know

00:25:37.239 --> 00:25:38.099
 God's word

00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:39.599
 and he will come

00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.439
 to lay bare

00:25:40.439 --> 00:25:41.539
 the transgressions

00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.139
 and the sin

00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:42.779
 of the people

00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:44.159
 so that he might

00:25:44.159 --> 00:25:45.079
 redeem them.

00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:49.319
 this word

00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:49.960
 verse 8

00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.819
 reminds us

00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:51.599
 that though

00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.699
 God's leaders

00:25:52.699 --> 00:25:53.539
 have failed

00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.399
 their people

00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:55.559
 God has not

00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.460
 failed his people

00:25:56.460 --> 00:26:00.119
 and though

00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:00.539
 they have

00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.039
 abandoned

00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.480
 the people

00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.319
 God has not

00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:04.059
 abandoned them

00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.199
 and in the fullness

00:26:05.199 --> 00:26:05.899
 of time

00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:07.879
 God sent

00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:08.839
 this one

00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:10.379
 the fulfillment

00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:11.359
 of verse 8

00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:13.059
 Hebrews 1

00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:13.859
 says in the last

00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:14.879
 days God

00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.639
 spoke to us

00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.419
 spoke to the

00:26:16.419 --> 00:26:16.779
 fathers

00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.199
 through the

00:26:17.199 --> 00:26:17.559
 prophets

00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.039
 but now

00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.519
 in these

00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.339
 last days

00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.199
 he has spoken

00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:20.759
 to us

00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.759
 by his

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.079
 son

00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.899
 Jesus

00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.500
 comes

00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:23.979
 as the

00:26:23.979 --> 00:26:24.339
 prophet

00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:25.159
 and the

00:26:25.159 --> 00:26:25.500
 priest

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.059
 and the

00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.359
 king

00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.119
 he comes

00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:27.500
 as the

00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:27.919
 righteous

00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:28.519
 judge

00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.139
 who will

00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:29.439
 judge

00:26:29.439 --> 00:26:30.259
 all things

00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.799
 fairly

00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.539
 and equitably

00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.179
 he will

00:26:32.179 --> 00:26:32.559
 come as

00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.019
 the true

00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.439
 prophet

00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:34.079
 the word

00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.599
 of God

00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.399
 the very

00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:35.819
 word of

00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:36.000
 God

00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.399
 given

00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:37.199
 to us

00:26:37.199 --> 00:26:38.099
 he comes

00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:38.439
 as our

00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:39.199
 high priest

00:26:39.199 --> 00:26:39.839
 the one

00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.619
 who intercedes

00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.119
 for us

00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:41.919
 by offering

00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:42.719
 himself up

00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:44.059
 and then

00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.799
 interceding

00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.579
 for us

00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:46.880
 with all

00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:47.480
 of his

00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.019
 authority

00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.819
 as the

00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.600
 great leader

00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:50.220
 of God's

00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.600
 people

00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:51.559
 he comes

00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:51.940
 as a

00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.299
 son of

00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.700
 God

00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.579
 for our

00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.019
 redemption

00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.819
 and how

00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.140
 does he

00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:55.579
 do it

00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:57.539
 he heads

00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:57.900
 to the

00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.360
 cross

00:26:58.360 --> 00:27:01.000
 just as

00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.440
 Jerusalem

00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:02.200
 was raised

00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.860
 and ravaged

00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:03.440
 so Jesus

00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.220
 was stripped

00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:06.900
 just as

00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.299
 Jerusalem

00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.839
 was made

00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.279
 a desert

00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.420
 so Jesus

00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:09.980
 was sent

00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.460
 out on

00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:10.799
 a hill

00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.400
 to die

00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.620
 just as

00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:13.039
 Jerusalem

00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.799
 was abandoned

00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.460
 my God

00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:14.980
 because of

00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.539
 its sin

00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.819
 so Jesus

00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:18.100
 bearing our

00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:18.620
 sin on the

00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:18.920
 cross

00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.420
 cried out

00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:19.960
 my God

00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.500
 my God

00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.400
 why have

00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.140
 you forsaken

00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.519
 me

00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:25.880
 this is the

00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.160
 leader

00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.039
 that God

00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.500
 has sent

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.420
 for his

00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:28.819
 church

00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:30.420
 this is the

00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:31.059
 only hope

00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.960
 that this

00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.680
 church has

00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.779
 that Christ

00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.279
 would be

00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:34.940
 our head

00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:36.660
 and he

00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.299
 exerts

00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:37.980
 his greatest

00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.660
 authority

00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:40.220
 not by

00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.660
 putting us

00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.180
 under his

00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.620
 thumb

00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:43.680
 but by

00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.200
 laying down

00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:44.740
 his life

00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.400
 for us

00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:46.779
 to redeem

00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.500
 us out of

00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.620
 our selfishness

00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.259
 out of our

00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.799
 pride

00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.620
 out of our

00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.120
 rejection

00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.759
 of God

00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.860
 to redeem

00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:53.480
 leaders

00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:53.980
 out of

00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.740
 arrogant

00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.740
 self-centered

00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.960
 self-serving

00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.360
 leaders

00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.660
 and to redeem

00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.340
 a church

00:27:59.340 --> 00:28:00.299
 of people

00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:00.820
 who will

00:28:00.820 --> 00:28:01.680
 truly be

00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.600
 to his

00:28:02.600 --> 00:28:03.060
 glory

00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:05.320
 that one

00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:05.680
 day a

00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:05.820
 new

00:28:05.820 --> 00:28:06.240
 Jerusalem

00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.779
 will come

00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.259
 down from

00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:07.519
 heaven

00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:07.799
 and it

00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.160
 will not

00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.460
 be a

00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:08.740
 plowed

00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.060
 field

00:28:09.060 --> 00:28:09.640
 and it

00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.000
 will not

00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.279
 be a

00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.580
 wilderness

00:28:10.580 --> 00:28:11.019
 but it

00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.299
 will be

00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:11.940
 a glory

00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:13.440
 of life

00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.060
 with God

00:28:14.060 --> 00:28:15.460
 and this

00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:15.840
 is what

00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:16.680
 Jesus brings

00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.320
 to us

00:28:17.320 --> 00:28:18.180
 and this

00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:18.500
 is our

00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:18.880
 hope

00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.860
 in the

00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:20.240
 midst of

00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:20.440
 this

00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:20.860
 oracle

00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.480
 of judgment

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:25.200
 so friends

00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:25.820
 let us

00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:26.600
 recognize

00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:29.199
 how prone

00:28:29.199 --> 00:28:29.799
 we are

00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.279
 to be

00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:32.240
 the ones

00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:32.779
 who need

00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.359
 our sin

00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:33.879
 to be

00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:34.459
 exposed

00:28:34.459 --> 00:28:36.199
 and let

00:28:36.199 --> 00:28:36.639
 us look

00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.000
 to the

00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.319
 one

00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.459
 who has

00:28:38.459 --> 00:28:38.919
 not only

00:28:38.919 --> 00:28:39.439
 exposed

00:28:39.439 --> 00:28:40.039
 our sin

00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:41.259
 but who

00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:41.679
 has taken

00:28:41.679 --> 00:28:42.199
 it away

00:28:42.199 --> 00:28:42.959
 by bearing

00:28:42.959 --> 00:28:43.339
 it on the

00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:43.639
 cross

00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.179
 for us

00:28:44.179 --> 00:28:45.159
 let's pray

00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:45.719
 together

00:28:45.719 --> 00:28:49.279
 oh lord

00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:54.339
 have mercy

00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:55.160
 on your

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.639
 church

00:28:55.639 --> 00:28:57.839
 lord we

00:28:57.839 --> 00:28:58.420
 pray that

00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:58.899
 by your

00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.319
 spirit

00:28:59.319 --> 00:28:59.819
 you would

00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.379
 refine

00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:00.700
 your

00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.139
 church

00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:02.460
 that you

00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:02.859
 would lay

00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:03.440
 bare the

00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:03.920
 sin of

00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.399
 leaders

00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:06.619
 lord we

00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:07.039
 ask that

00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.299
 you would

00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:08.399
 rescue us

00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:10.259
 lord rescue

00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.759
 us from

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.279
 our own

00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:11.639
 sinful

00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.139
 hearts

00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:14.319
 and rescue

00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:15.019
 our church

00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.460
 from the

00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.099
 destruction

00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:17.779
 that comes

00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.879
 from sinful

00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:19.440
 leaders

00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:22.740
 oh lord

00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.400
 jesus we

00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:23.820
 pray

00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:25.540
 lord that

00:29:25.540 --> 00:29:26.100
 we would

00:29:26.100 --> 00:29:27.060
 instead turn

00:29:27.060 --> 00:29:27.600
 to you

00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.160
 and see

00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:29.340
 you to

00:29:29.340 --> 00:29:29.680
 be our

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.340
 true head

00:29:30.340 --> 00:29:31.800
 our true

00:29:31.800 --> 00:29:32.840
 great shepherd

00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:34.800
 one who

00:29:34.800 --> 00:29:35.300
 has come

00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:35.780
 and loved

00:29:35.780 --> 00:29:36.220
 us and

00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:36.720
 laid down

00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.240
 his life

00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:37.840
 for us

00:29:37.840 --> 00:29:39.060
 that we

00:29:39.060 --> 00:29:39.540
 might be

00:29:39.540 --> 00:29:40.060
 his

00:29:40.060 --> 00:29:40.920
 forever

00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:44.280
 oh lord

00:29:44.280 --> 00:29:45.680
 we ask

00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.000
 that you

00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.560
 would turn

00:29:46.560 --> 00:29:47.080
 our hearts

00:29:47.080 --> 00:29:47.720
 to worship

00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.220
 you

00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:49.620
 in spirit

00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:50.259
 and truth

00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:52.700
 lord that

00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:54.160
 through your

00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:55.059
 mercy we

00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:55.600
 might be

00:29:55.600 --> 00:29:56.200
 saved from

00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:56.819
 this judgment

00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:58.960
 and that we

00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.500
 might be

00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.380
 your people

00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:00.900
 for your

00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:01.299
 glory

00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:03.180
 pray this

00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.000
 in jesus name

00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.960
 amen

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:06.340
 turn

00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:17.779
 see you

00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:20.980
 م

00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:25.720
 go