We didn't start the fire It was always burning Since the world's been turning We didn't start the fire No we didn't light it But we tried to fight it We didn't start the fire But when we are gone Will it still burn on, and on, and on, and on… Billy Joel, We Didn’t Start the Fire
The Promised Land Numbers 22:50-56/Leviticus 25:23 Jubilee Lev. 25:1-55 Provision for the the Vulnerable Deut. 14:28-29, 15:7-11 Jesus claimed the same Luke 4:18-19
MICAH IN CONTEXT 1. Callousness among the wealthy (2:1-2) 2. Corruption (3:1-3, 9-11) 3. Disregard for God’s laws (6:10-12) 4. Compartmentalized faith & belief in buying God’s favor with sacrifice (6:6-7) 5. Business contract with God, rather than a spiritual covenant (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
MICAH 6:8 & 7:7 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
The Big Picture in 4 Stages 1. What it was supposed to be (creation) 2. What it is like now (fall) 3. What it can be (redemption) 4. What it will be (restoration)
The Big Picture in 4 Stages What it was supposed to be - Creation ‘In the beginning God created the heavens & the earth.’ 1. Where everything originates - The Source 2.Who’s in control - The Judge 3.Where life comes from - The Creator 4.Who sets the rules - The Boss.
Original Intention Mark 12:29b-31 ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your mind & with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”
The Big Picture in 4 Stages What it is like now (fall) Gen 3:10 ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’ Relationship(s) broken as shame ensues
The Big Picture in 4 Stages What it can be (redemption) Colossians 3:3 ‘For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.’ Shame erased - instead of running from God, we run to Him in Christ!
The Big Picture in 4 Stages What it will be (restoration) Hard to Imagine!
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
Listening Skills Asking God, others & self questions of understanding
Micah 6:6-7 6 With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Micah 6:6-7 Reworded 6 With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with 2 hours on a Sunday, with 2 percent of my salary? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with worship songs, with earnest prayers to bless us? Shall I build a mega-church, the fruit of my labor for the sin of my soul?
Sins of Commission (things we intentionally do) Sins of Omission (things we choose not to do)
Utilize Church Community & the Tools of Spiritual Formation Have Spiritual Integrity, actions birthed from the heart & character of God for the sake of Kingdom building!
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