1. 0410 He Leadeth Me

2. "WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU?" Micah 6:6-8 Mic 6:6-8 With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? 7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God

3. A passage considered by many to be one of the most comprehensive and all-embracing statements in the Old Testament In which Micah raises the question: "What does the Lord require of you?" Micah answers his own question, and makes some important points... –Not only for the sake of Israel of his day –But for the benefit of the Lord's church today -- For as with all of the Old Testament, it was written for our learning – (Ro 15:4) As we seek to learn from this passage, let's first consider the question... Rom 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

4. WHAT DID THE LORD REQUIRE OF ISRAEL? WHAT ISRAEL MAY HAVE THOUGHT... –Some possibilities, even some absurdities: Year-old calves as burnt offerings? Thousands of rams? Ten thousands rivers of oil? Offering of the firstborn child? Mic 6:6-7 … Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? 7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts,

5. WHAT DID THE LORD REQUIRE OF ISRAEL? WHAT ISRAEL MAY HAVE THOUGHT... –Some possibilities, even some absurdities: –Some observations: God did indeed speak of some of these things –Like the offering calves and rams – (Lev 1:1ff) –The absurd amount of oil and offering of the firstborn are examples of exaggeration for the sake of emphasis Lev 1:1-3 Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, 2 "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When any man of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of animals from the herd or the flock. 3'If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer it, a male without defect; he shall offer it at the doorway of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the LORD. Lev 1:10 'But if his offering is from the flock, of the sheep or of the goats, for a burnt offering, he shall offer it a male without defect

6. WHAT DID THE LORD REQUIRE OF ISRAEL? WHAT ISRAEL MAY HAVE THOUGHT... –Some possibilities, even some absurdities: –Some observations: God did indeed speak of some of these things From the context, it appears ritualistic sacrifices alone did not please God –One could not please God by simply offering innumerable sacrifices, even things precious to the worshipper –For religious rituals properly ordained of God to be accepted, they must be accompanied by other things just as essential

7. WHAT DID THE LORD REQUIRE OF ISRAEL? WHAT ISRAEL MAY HAVE THOUGHT... WHAT GOD REQUIRED OF ISRAEL... –To do justly This means "to act toward God and man according to the divine standard of righteousness revealed in His law." This did involve the offering of sacrifices commanded by God It also involved treating their fellow man in a way that was right and fair -- Failure to do "justly" was one of the main reasons Israel went into captivity – (Zec 7:8-14; 8:16-17) Zech 7:8-14 Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah saying, 9 "Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ' Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; 10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.' 11 "But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. 12 "They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. 13 "And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen," says the LORD of hosts; 14 "but I scattered them with a storm wind among all the nations whom they have not known. Thus the land is desolated behind them so that no one went back and forth, for they made the pleasant land desolate Zech 8:16-17 These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates. 17'Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these are what I hate,' declares the LORD.

8. WHAT DID THE LORD REQUIRE OF ISRAEL? WHAT ISRAEL MAY HAVE THOUGHT... WHAT GOD REQUIRED OF ISRAEL... –To do justly –To love mercy This means "to show a compassionate warm- heartedness toward man." Not only treat others fairly, but to show mercy when mistreated themselves -- One reason they were to love mercy was because God Himself delighted in showing mercy – (Mic 7:18-19) Mic 7:18-19 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

9. WHAT DID THE LORD REQUIRE OF ISRAEL? WHAT ISRAEL MAY HAVE THOUGHT... WHAT GOD REQUIRED OF ISRAEL... –To do justly –To love mercy –To walk humbly with your God This involves living "in humble and submissive obedience to His desire and will." It can only happen when we "recognize the absolute holiness and righteousness of God." -- It is the humble of heart and spirit that greatly pleases God – (Isa 57:15; 66:1-2) Isa 57:15 For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite. Isa 66:1-2 Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? 2 "For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word

10. WHAT DID THE LORD REQUIRE OF ISRAEL? WHAT ISRAEL MAY HAVE THOUGHT... WHAT GOD REQUIRED OF ISRAEL... –To do justly –To love mercy –To walk humbly with your God These three things God required of those who would come before Him. Not instead of the ritual observances, but in conjunction with them (Mt 23:23). Now for an application of our text to those who are Christians today... Matt 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others

11. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF US? WHAT WE MIGHT THINK... –Some might think all the Lord requires is the observance of certain rituals Like attending church on Sunday As though if one does this, they have done all that is required I sometimes wonder if people really believe this –That's the impression one receives by their example –That's the answer often received from some

12. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF US? WHAT WE MIGHT THINK... –Some might think all the Lord requires is the observance of certain rituals –Certainly attending the services of the church is important It is essential to obeying God - He 10:25 It is required if we expect to grow spiritually - Ep 4:15-16 In fact, I am persuaded that failure to attend every service... –Can be displeasing to God - cf. Ep 5:15-17 »When absent, are we making the most of our time? »Do we really believe our absence is the Lord's will for us? –Failure to attend can explain the lack of several things »The lack of spiritual growth »The lack of commitment in the work of the church »The lack of close fellowship with God and other Christians Heb 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Eph 4:15-16 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Eph 5:15-17 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is

13. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF US? WHAT WE MIGHT THINK... –Some might think all the Lord requires is the observance of certain rituals –Certainly attending the services of the church is important –Yes, I am convinced that it is essential that we observe what "rituals" God has ordained for us; but the Lord requires more than just "attending church"

14. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF US? WHAT WE MIGHT THINK... WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF US... –To do justly To act toward God according to His divine law - Mt 7:21 To act toward man according to His divine law - Ep 4:25-29 Matt 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Eph 4:25-29 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. 26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

15. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF US? WHAT WE MIGHT THINK... WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF US... –To do justly –To love mercy To show a compassionate warm-heartedness toward man Toward widows and the fatherless - James 1:27 Even toward our enemies - Luke 6:35-36 James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world Luke 6:35-36 "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 " Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

16. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF US? WHAT WE MIGHT THINK... WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF US... –To do justly –To love mercy –To walk humbly with our God The only way to enjoy His fellowship and continual cleansing by the blood of Jesus - 1 st John 1:7-9 Such close communion and fellowship with God requires daily... –Listening to God - studying His Word to learn His will - 1 st Pet 2:2 –Talking to God - praying for strength and forgiveness, praising Him for blessings received - Php 4:6-7 –Walking with God - by doing His will in humble submission - Ep 5:2,8,15 By walking humbly with God, we are more likely to keep in proper balance the demands to do justly and love mercy 1 John 1:7-9 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Peter 2:2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Eph 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma Eph 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light Eph 5:15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise

17. Even though we live under a different covenant, the Lord still requires us... –To do justly –To love mercy –To walk humbly with our God –Our "rituals" may be different (with respect to worship), but the basics are still the same! Are you doing what the Lord requires of you? Consider this... –Have you done justly (by obeying the gospel of Christ)? –Do you love mercy (demonstrated by accepting God's mercy offered in Christ)? –Are you walking humbly with your God (by living a dedicated and obedient Christian life)? –If not, then all the church services you may attended, all the sermons you may have heard, all the prayers you may have offered, will benefit you nothing!

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