Learn To Do Good

LEARN TO DO GOOD (Isaiah 1:10-20)

Introduction: Abbe Pierre, a French Catholic priest, founded the Emmaus Communities in 1949. They don't just give the homeless handouts. Instead, they ask the homeless, whom they call "companions," to serve others. Abbe Pierre's first companion in ministry was a homeless man named Georges. After Georges' release from prison, his family couldn't cope with his reappearance, so they told him to leave. Homeless, unemployed, and on the verge of suicide.      Georges came to Pierre and asked for help. Much to Georges' surprise, Pierre asked Georges to help him instead. Pierre told Georges that he was overwhelmed with meeting the needs of homeless mothers and their children. So, Pierre challenged Georges to turn his life around by serving those less fortunate than he. Georges became the first "companion" for Emmaus, helping Pierre build shelters for homeless mothers and their children.

             In the following years, every companion, like Georges was invited to serve others as they received help. Initially, all the companions collected second-hand goods and prepared them for resale, thus earning the name "the rag pickers." Later in his life, Georges said, "Whatever else [Abbe Pierre] might have given me -- money, home, somewhere to work -- I'd have still tried to kill myself. What I was missing and what he offered was something to live for."

            Well, those sentiments became the unofficial motto for Emmaus -- give the poor a reason to live, not just things to live on. It all started with one man capturing the message of God to do good to others. The Emmaus Communities today serve homeless men and women in Africa, The Americas, Asia, and all across Europe in a unique way.” [1]LEARN TO DO GOOD.

             Last week we saw how the prophet Isaiah was commissioned to bring forth God’s message to the rebellious nation of Judah. Today we will glean from that message how God would have His Church live out the message of hope in a post-Christian world.

I. GOD’S CASE AGAINST THE NATION OF JUDAH (Vs. 1-10)

            In 740 B.C, God called the prophet Isaiah to call the rebellious nation of Judah to account. God’s case against them was that they did not recognize Him as their God and master. They paid no attention to how much God cared for them. On top of that, they have despised the Holy One of Israel by turning their backs on Him. God’s description of them was, “They are evil people, corrupt children who have rejected the LORD.” Fast forward to our times.

            If God has to build a case against the post-Christian world and the USA in particular, what would he say? About the liberal and progressive agenda, the crime and poverty-ridden cities and towns, the corrupt politicians who only care for themselves and neglect the poor and the needy, the evangelical Christians who say they love God but have a hard time loving their neighbors as Christ loved them, the apathetic state of Churches and lukewarm Christians.

After taking on the national sins, He took the transgressions committed right in His temple.

II. UNACCEPTABLE WORSHIP (10-12)

            Vs 10-12, “Listen to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.” Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.” “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?”

            The prophet addresses the leaders and the people of Judah as if they were the leaders and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, though those cities were destroyed for their rebellion long time ago during the time of Abraham. Why?

            Isaiah 3:9 reads, “The very look on their faces gives them away. They display their sin like the people of Sodom and don’t even try to hide it. They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves.” Sadly, Sodom and Gomorrah till today remain a stark warning to what will happen to the nations and people who continue to live in rebellion against God.

            God was disgusted with the worship, and sacrifices of the people of Judah, to an extent he said, “I hate them, they are a burden to me, and I can not stand them.” He further said, “when you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.”

            Why did God react in such a harsh way towards the worship of Him from His people? God found their worship to be unacceptable, and their sacrifices repulsive because they were not doing with a sincere and broken heart. Here is the warning of prophet Samuel to King Saul, who thought he had carried out the Lord’s instructions, while not realizing that he was disobeying God and walking in rebellion and defiance. You can read about this sad story in I Samuel 15.

            I Samuel 15: 22-23, “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

            Though the people of Judah were bringing all those offerings, their hearts were far from God. Remember, God always pays attention to our hearts more than our actions. This morning let’s examine ourselves when we come to worship would God accept our worship and offerings? Or would He be repulsed by them?  God doesn’t look at how well we sing, play musical instruments, lead Bible studies, or how generous we are with our money.

            He cares about our hearts. Nothing delights Him more than our wholehearted obedience.  God wanted the people of Judah to obey Him in doing good instead of doing all their so-called rituals and festivals. Similarly, God is calling His Church worldwide to excel in doing good. 

III LEARNING TO DO GOOD

            Vs 16-17, “Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” Here we see God’s remedy for Judah’s sins. He was suggesting a fivefold action plan for the leaders and the people of Judah to come out clean and enjoy the blessings and favor of God. That action plan started with learning to do good.

            1. Learning to do Good: The Hebrew word translated as, “learning” has broader meanings such as: “to learn, to study, to be accustomed to, to teach, to instruct and to practice.” Similarly, the word good: “to be good, to be pleasant, to be lovely, to be cheerful, etc. Why does God wants us to learn to do good? Because our God is Good. Consider these scriptures:

            I Chronicles 16:13, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 25:8, “ The Lord is good and does what is right.” Psalm 33:5, “He loves whatever is just and good;  the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.” Is God only good to some or all people? We human beings are very selfish; at times, all we care about what is good for ourselves, our people, our country, and don’t care what happens to the rest of the world.

            On the contrary, “The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” Psalm 145:9, God is asking us to learn to do good; it is a tall order because it doesn’t come to us naturally. That is why we are to learn, again knowing how hard it is to learn to do and be good, it is only appropriate for us to cry out to God and say, Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10

            You may be excusing yourself saying, “all this stuff of being and doing good is the OT  requirements. I don’t live by the law but by grace. Well, then do what Jesus did. Acts, 10: 37-38, “You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with him.” So, do you have any excuse now? None!

            Moreover, Jesus commanded us, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 How is Israel going to cleanse themselves, they must learn to do good. Israel's solution is also our solution.

            We must learn to do good. We will learn to do good by seeking Justice, helping the oppressed, defending the cause of orphans and fighting for the rights of the widows. In the OT, the fatherless and widows represented the weak and often oppressed part of society. Rulers were warned not to take advantage of them. Jeremiah 22:3. 

            James, the brother of Jesus defines what a right religion which is acceptable unto God. James 1:27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

            Friends,  in closing, if we call ourselves the followers of Christ, then we must learn to do good. As John Wesley the founder of Methodist churches encouraged his congregation, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

             As we leave, let’s determine not to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear towards those who are being oppressed and need our help. Let’s find small and big ways to help as many people as we can. God has been so good to us, as our worship to him let’s do and be good to others Amen!

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[1] (Margaret Visser, The Gift of Thanks, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009, p. 373. From a sermon by C. Philip Green, The Way to Glory, 8/13/2011)

If not You, Who Will If not now, When?

IF NOT YOU, WHO WILL IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

Isaiah 6:1-10

Introduction: Certain dates, places, and events in our lives are unforgettable, for example, 9/11. It was December 28^th, 1984, in a city called Cuttack in one of the Eastern states of India. It was the National Missionary conference of the Union of Evangelical Students of India, similar to the URBANA college students conference here in the USA.

            Thousands of college students from all over the world gathered on that somewhat cold winter evening to hear Dr. Theodore Williams, who was passionately preaching on the theme of, “The Risen Lord for a Dying World.” The Biblical text was from Isaiah 6^th chapter. At the end of the message, he challenged the crowd saying, who will go and tell of the Risen Lord to the dying world? Hundreds went forward and committed their lives for the task of sharing the gospel.

            There was a newly born-again young man of nineteen years who also responded to the call. He was committed to preaching the good news of the gospel all of his life. With his newfound zeal and excitement after giving his final year Bachelor of Science degree exams, without even waiting for results, he joined an international mission organization.

            After having served as a missionary with that organization for twenty years, in 2005 along with his family, migrated to the USA. After obtaining his Masters in Divinity, he served as a pastor for eight years in a Congregational Church. Currently, he is serving as a pastor of Hope Church in Sharon. That young man was no one else but me speaking to you today. 

            I shared my story with you to emphasize the fact that the call of God in Isaiah Chapter six became my call for missions and changed my life forever. If you pay close attention to the Holy Spirit this morning and listen to the same appeal that went out in the seventh century, B.C perhaps you too can find your life’s calling. I title this message: If not you who will, If not now when?  Let’s hear what the Holy Spirit has to say to us today.

            The passage begins with, “It was the year King Uzziah died,” What do we know about king Uzziah and his death, and why is it so significant?  After the death of Amaziah, his son Uzziah was appointed to be the next king of the Southern Kingdom at the age of sixteen.

            He reigned from 792-740 BC. At first, he did right in the sight of the Lord by removing the high places, fortifying Judah and building up Jerusalem. He was wealthy and had a strong army ready for battle. God helped him to be successful. But his strength became his downfall.

            He acted presumptuously by entering into the temple to burn incense which was the prerogative of the priests. Azariah, the chief priest, along with eighty priests, followed him into the temple and told the King to leave immediately. Uzziah refused to leave. While he was still enraged, God struck him with leprosy. He remained a leper in his house until he died in 740 B.C

            Judah was in rebellion against God during that time. They became unfaithful to God through their Idolatry. The rich were getting more powerful, and the poor were denied justice. People were calling good evil and evil good. There was no fear of the Lord in the land.

            They even mocked God, saying, “Hurry up and do something. We want to see what you can do. Let the Holy One of Israel carry out his plan, for we want to know what it is.” Isaiah 5:19. Into that unruly, and unholy environment, God commissions Isaiah to call them to account. This commission came to Isaiah in a series of visions, including a three-dimensional vision.

I.  Isaiah’s Vision of God’s Holiness (An Upward Vision.)

            Vs 1-4, “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.”

            Isaiah in his vision saw God on his lofty throne surrounded by seraphim.  The seraphim are an order of angelic beings. Each had six wings, with two they closed their eyes indicating that they could not gaze on the glory of God. With two they covered their feet, indicating their humility, with the other two they flew indicating their service to God.

            They called to one another saying, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of glory. Imagine the amount of power released as they spoke to one another. The foundations of the temple were shaken and the entire building was filled with smoke. In a sense, Isaiah had a glimpse of God’s Holiness. How do we understand God’s Holiness?

            The holiness of God is not one of many attributes of God but the essence of who God is. It is like the face of God. It is the absolute perfection and sinless nature of God, from which all the other attributes flow.  The Hebrew word qadach, the Greek, hagios, means distinct, and separate. Our God is incomparable and He is uniquely different, that’s why He is called Holy.

            Exodus 15:11, “Who is like You among the gods, O Lord— glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders? Hannah, in her prayer, declared, I Samuel 2:2, “No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” The Psalmist says what a holy and awe-inspiring name our God has. Psalm 111:9. This frightening upward vision of God’s Holiness led Isaiah to look at his sin.

II Isaiah’s Vision of his Own Sin (An Inward Vision)

            Vs. 5, “Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips,” When Isaiah saw the holiness of God, he came under a tremendous conviction of the LORD, and he began to see his sins, so he cried out saying, Finished! I am all done; I am a sinful man with filthy lips. What a self-realization of his sinfulness? Isaiah saw his glaring sinfulness because he saw God’s holiness. It is like when we come into the light; our flaws become more visible.

            I wonder how many would admit these days that they are sinful? Whether we agree or not, we are sinful, not because we sin but because we were born in sin. (Psalm 51:5) Only Adam and Eve were created perfect, without sin, but later on, they fell and sinned against God.

            The second Adam was conceived sinless, born sinless and remained sinless, but the rest of us are born in sin, live in sin and by the grace of God we are forgiven and can be forgiven. How do people react when they encounter God’s holiness? When Moses saw God’s Holiness, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.

            In the NT, when Peter saw for the first time Jesus’ power, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh Lord, please leave me—I am too much of a sinner to be around you.” Luke 5:8. When John the evangelist saw for the first time saw the glorified Jesus in heaven, “he fell at his feet as if he were dead.” Rev 2:17 In our passage, Isaiah said, “I am doomed.”

            Having an encounter with God is a powerful thing. No one can stand justified in their sins. The Holy Spirit will convict us of our sins and lead us into repentance. Isaiah’s upward and inward vision paved the way for an outward vision of the world. 

III. Isaiah’s Vision of the People’s Sin (An Outward Vision)

            Vs. 5, “I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” God opened his eyes to see the sins of the people all around him. Then something interesting happened; one of the seraphim flew to him with a burning coal from the altar and touched Isaiah’s lips and said, “See, this coal has touched our lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven. I want us to see the progression of events here:

            A heavenward vision brought an introspection of sins, which in turn opened his eyes to see the sins of the world. Seraphim cleansed his guilt with the fire from the altar of God. Then and then only, the prophet was ready to be commissioned. He heard the Lord’s Call.

IV.  If not you who will, If not now when?

            Vs. 8-9, “Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.”

            Whom should I send and who will go for us, has been the call of our Trinitarian God since mankind sinned against God in the garden? He has been calling people to go and bring His other lost children home so that they too will once again enjoy a harmonious relationship with Him and with one another. As a nineteen-year-old young man, I heard that call and responded.

            If God’s voice was to come to us through a lightning bolt this morning saying,” Whom should I send and who will go for us, how would you respond? Let me say how many may respond, saying, “send my wife, husband, brother, sister, neighbor, or my pastor, but not me.”

            But God is not speaking to them right now unless they are in the service today. He is speaking to you directly, and how will you respond? Some here might say, I am too young and I am going to school, I just got a new job, and I am busy with my career and have not tome for it, let me think about it when I retire. Others might say I got married and busy building a family.

            That was not how Isaiah responded, just like any other obedient servants of the Lord in the Bible his response was, “Here I am. Send me.” Then God gave him a specific message of what to say to the rebellious nation of Judah. Oh, dear friends, the world cannot wait until you and I and the church of Jesus Christ take their own sweet time to bring good news to them.

            Every day millions are dying and entering hell without Jesus. Who will tell them of his love? If not you, who will and if not now when? Is there a right age to respond to God’s call? You have no excuse to say, I have never heard the call of God; you have just heard it loud and clear. The destiny of many depends on how you will respond to that call today. Amen!

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

THE GOOD SHEPHERD (John 10:1-11)

Introduction: This past week has been a tough week with two mass shootings killing 31 people, and wounding several others. According to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that tracks shootings in the US, there have been 255 shootings in 2019 so far. To put this into perspective, August 11 is the 223rd day of the year, meaning that by their definition, the US has had more shootings than days as of today. What a shocking number of lives lost!

                In an emotional interview two parents who lost their daughter and son-in-law in the El Paso, Texas, shooting said, “they would honestly forgive the alleged shooter and pray for him so that he would come to know God.” It was refreshing for me to hear such a loving, gracious, and Christ-like response of forgiveness, amid hate-filled climate and perpetual violence.

            Last week we talked about what God requires of us: To love Mercy, to Walk Humbly and to Do Justice. What would you say to a six months old boy whose mother and father both were killed saving his life? What would be justice for him when he grows up? 

            What should be our response as Hope Church? As we are encouraged by our president of Converge, Scott Ridout, we need to take a moment and pray for our country, our communities, and our churches. Think of a few people outside the faith and commit to investing in friendship to model the hope of Christ in their lives. Serve with our time, talent, and treasure in Hope Church. If possible, reach across a racial, ethnic, or cultural divide to listen, learn, and love.

            In the passage, we read, Jesus draws out the contrast between Him and the false teachers and the leaders of this world. In chapter nine, we see Jesus heals a beggar who was born blind. Instead of rejoicing for the healing, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law came together in their opposition to Christ. The Pharisees thought they were the true shepherds of Israel and the custodians of the temple, and Jesus was an intruder and an imposter.

            They were upset because more and more people were coming to Jesus for healing and listening to his teaching. In that context, Jesus enters into a dialogue with his disciples and Pharisees to show the world the contrast between the false shepherds and the Good Shepherd.

I THE THIEVES AND THE ROBBERS

            Vs. 1-2, “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.” Who are a thief and a robber in these verses?  It is the Devil!

            So, we tend to think, but the devil doesn’t appear anywhere in the context of this passage.  Then who was Jesus referring to as thieves and robbers? They were the shepherds and leaders of Israel. We read about the accusations of God against the shepherds of Israel in Ezekiel 34:1-24

             Vs. 1-4, “Then this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty.”

            When the shepherds of Israel failed to do their duty, God got involved. Vs. 15-16, “I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.

            But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!” Think of this scripture for a moment, God says, He will feed His sheep Justice. “Justice becomes the staple food of His sheep.”

            Why Justice? Last week we learned that Our God is the God of justice, and loves justice. Justice is rooted in God’s character, so he wants his people to feed on justice and also practice justice. During the time of the kings and the time of Jesus, the shepherds of Israel did not have the best interest of the people in mind who they were called to lead, heal and protect hence earned a befitting title from Jesus, “thieves and robbers.” What would God say of our leaders?

            Jesus explains the difference between a thief, a robber, and a faithful shepherd, “anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.”

The owner of the sheep goes through the gate into the sheep pen to interact with the sheep, whereas the thieves and robbers jump over the fence to steal and kill the sheep.

II THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE

            Vs. 3 “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” In Palestine, gatekeepers were the hired undershepherds. Their job was to open the gate when the true shepherd comes, and assist the shepherd in caring for the flock, especially guarding the sheep pen at night.

            Laniak, in his book “While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks,” notes, “Sheep know they belong to a shepherd. They are named, identified, and counted every day. Naming usually takes place after birth, especially if there is some distinguishing characteristic. Some are called Spotty, Brownie, Fluffy Ears, or Short Tail.

            Others are named for the birthplace or the birthing experience. So, one might be Hebron, another Tough-coming. As with names of humans, some are changed because of a critical event or an identity that emerges over time. Think of the Wanderer or the Obstinate One.” Naming is a powerful and tangible expression of the shepherd’s intimate bonding with his sheep.

            A shepherd knows and calls each sheep by their unique name. Verses, 4-5, After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

            Can you see the absolute confidence of the owner and the trust of the sheep? The sheep recognizes their master’s voice and follows him, but they run away from a stranger because they don’t recognize their voice. Let’s apply the same to the sheep of God’s flock in the 21^st century.             There are so many voices clamoring for our attention. They come from the news media, ABC, CNN, FOX, Good Morning America, ESPN, Sports Central, etc.  Amid these voices, we need discernment to recognize the sound of the good shepherd and follow Him. We need the courage to run away from strange voices. However, convincing they maybe, ultimately, they can lead us apart from the life-giving path of the Good Shepherd of our souls.

            Jesus was using this figure of speech, but the disciples did not understand what he was saying, so he explained to them: Vs. 7-11“I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.

            Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”

III THE GOOD SHEPHERD

            We see in these verses the clear gospel message. Jesus said, “I am the gate for the sheep,” indicating that he is the only way to the Father. These words echo what he said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

            Those who will put their belief in Him will be saved and become part of the flock of God. They will be free and enjoy good pasture, which is the word of God. Then he draws a stark difference between Him and the Pharisees, and the teaches of the law by calling them, thieves and robbers.        He explains the harmful purpose of the thief, which is to steal and kill and destroy. Who do you think modern-day thieves and robbers are according to this scripture?           Anyone who diverts the hearts and affections of people away from Christ, and anyone through deception, kill and destroy God’s people both physically and spiritually can be a thief and a robber. But the purpose of the Good Shepherd is to give his sheep a rich and satisfying life.    In the end, Jesus draws the contrast by saying I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. In Vs. 27-28 Jesus further said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

            In our society, there are many false teachers and leaders, leading people away from God through their deceptive ideologies and teachings. They incite people to hatred and to commit acts of violence. Elsewhere, Jesus equated those who were bent on doing evil to the children of the Devil, also known as the Murderer from the beginning (John 8:44).

            The enemy is out there to destroy God’s people through his deceptive ways. Whereas the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ offered His life so that we might live a rich and satisfying life in this world, and live with Him forever in heaven when we die. If you never had the assurance of belonging to the flock of God, you can have it today by asking the Good Shepherd to forgive your sins and let him take the lead in your life. You will be satisfied if you do so.

            Join me for an honest reflection. What strange voices am I hearing and how are they shaping my world view? Do I have the discernment to recognize the devil’s voice and courage to run away from him? Do I know Jesus, does he know me, and do I follow Him? Amen!

           

What Does God Require of US?

WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF US?

Introduction: In 1963, August 28, one Baptist minister named Martin. Luther King Jr in his passionate I have a dream speech; urged our nation to get busy in doing the very things that are close to God’s heart. Here is a part of his message:” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood… I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.” I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted: every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”[1]  ( Isaiah 40:4-5, Amos 5:24)

            In a sense, Martin Luther King Jr captured and articulated the very dream of God not only for our country but for the whole world. Last week, we looked into what would happen when Jesus returns to this earth for the second time.  He would separate the righteous from the wicked, and send the upright into His Kingdom and the wicked into the eternal fire.

            Jesus Christ’s grand return, his final judgment, and the glorious inheritance of the righteous are what we are eagerly awaiting? Wait a minute! Is that fair to even think that way, when millions of people never even heard of once of Jesus’ first coming? In the passage, we read God shows a threefold path for humankind to live in peace and harmony with one another.

            I title this message: What Does God Require Of US? Micah 6:1-8. What were the religious, political, and socio-economic conditions of the Southern Kingdom of Judah like during the time of Micah’s prophecy?  It was after the prosperous reign of Uzziah, who died in 739 BC.     His son Jotham continued the same good policies of his father but failed to remove the centers of idol worship. Outwardly the kingdom of Judah was looking very prosperous, but inwardly, there was social corruption, injustice, and religious syncretism. The rich were oppressing the poor. Merchants cheated their customers. The religious and judicial leaders were corrupt, and the true prophets were told to keep quiet. Micah’s message reminded the people of the consequences of national sin. Micah pronounces the oracles of God as if God was holding a courtroom session to judge the nation of Judah for their sins.

I. WHEN GOD IS IN THE COURT (Vs. 1-3)

            Vs. 1-3“Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints. And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint! He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel.” Imagine that God is holding a court. He is sitting as a judge, and the guilty party was the nation of Judah. The judge says I have a case against you; I am calling the mountains and hills as my prime witnesses against all the atrocities you have done against me for all the good, I have done towards you Here is a list of offenses.

            Firstly, he held all of them guilty for turning the capital city of Jerusalem into a center of Idolatry.” (Ch 1:5) Secondly, he took on the wealthy oppressors should we say, The Wall Street of Judah.” He said, when you want a piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone’s house, you take it by fraud and violence.

            You cheat a man of his property, stealing his family’s inheritance.” (Ch 2:2) Thirdly, he rebuked the leaders, who were hating good and loving evil, saying, “you skin my people alive.” Ch 3:2-9) He exposed their lack of concern for the oppressed saying, “you hate justice and twist all that is right.  Finally, he charged all the false prophets who were misleading the leaders and the people through their false prophecies.” He did not spare anyone!

            God challenged them by showing them all that He had done from the time they were living as slaves in Egypt until the time of this judgment. He closes his argument by saying, “I the LORD, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.” (Vs. 5)

            As I read through the book of Micah, I see several similarities between the nation of Judah and our beloved country, the USA. There is income inequality. A massive gap between the rich and the poor exists, and it is only widening as time goes by. There are gender and racial disparities, workplace harassment, domestic abuse, abortions, crime, and violence against minorities. Not to mention the gun violence the opioid epidemic. Syncretism is on the rise.

            Our justice system is broken. Our Immigration system needs reform. On the other hand, there is a decline in morality and family values. There is a deconstruction of faith, where more and more people are moving away from their Christian faith. When I see this and more I wonder, are we any different than the seventh century, Judah?

            When we see injustice happening right in front of us and don’t say or do anything, we are complicit. Remember any offense against people who are made in God’s image is an offense against Him for which He holds us accountable. If God holds a court today and levels all these charges against us, how will we respond? How can we pay for all the sins of our nation?

            The nation of Judah thought they could offer, ten thousand rivers of olive oil, thousands of rams, they were even ready to offer their first-born children to pay for their sins. But God said, No! to all of them. What did He require of them, and what does he require of us today?

II WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF US? (Vs. 8)

             Vs., “He has shown you, O mortal, 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.” (NIV).  Is God showing us a path that He has never walked on? Or is he requiring us to do something impossible?

            All he is teaching and asking us to do are part of who He is. Mercy Justice and Humility are the threefold path of God towards, restoration, wholeness, and peace. Since all people are made in the image of God, He requires all of us to cultivate and display these three divine qualities, and they are:  To love Mercy, to walk Humbly and to do Justice.

A: LOVING MERCY

            Think of how God has been merciful to us in spite of all our rebellion against him? Then don’t you think we should be compassionate towards those who might sin against us? Prophet Daniel warned King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 4:27, “Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”         God hears the outcry of the poor and the oppressed, and he wants us to speak up for them. Being merciful to others is not a good suggestion but a direct command from God. Luke 6:36

B: WALKING HUMBLY: In our country, many equate humility to weakness, hence the proud and arrogant talk and behavior. Whereas God requires us to walk humbly. “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few.” Ecc 5:2 Humility is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and mark of a true Christian.

            Remember Jesus, humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. What are we being known for, as proud and arrogant or humble and gentle people? Can we practice the humility of our Lord? Let’s look at what it is to do justice.

C: DOING JUSTICE. There is a concern for justice in our world today. However, to achieve justice for the world, we must better understand how God views it. Consider these scriptures: Isaiah 30:18-19 For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”

            Isaiah 61:8, “For I, the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong.” Here are some practical ways we can do Justice. Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.” Wilma and I knew Sarah and James Rabavarapu from our time in India.  Sarah is from Montana and James from Andhra Pradesh India. Starting a children's home was never on Sarah’s radar when she moved to India.

            All she knew was that she had a desire to adopt children with special needs - but God had even bigger plans for Sarah. In January of 2008, Sarah went to the Indian government to ask for five children with special needs to start a small children's home. When she went to visit the government orphanage, Sarah's heart broke for the children as she saw neglect, illness, and malnourishment. There was no way she could only leave with five kids but instead took ten the first day. Stepping out in faith, Sarah took in more and more children.

            God brought in people to help care for the kids as well as offered a place for them to stay.

Today Sarah's Covenant Homes consists of seven foster family homes, over 150 children and young adults with special needs, and over 200 local and international staff. SCH is not only able to meet the individual needs of kids but were able to see first-hand the restoration that takes place as a result of being placed within a family unit.

            This is just one example. God is challenging us this morning with what is good for us as individuals and the society at large. That is to do Micah 6:8. You don’t have to travel to India or the DR to do justice, right here in our backyard we are presented with many opportunities. I am asking the Lord to show me how we as Hope Church may fight for social justice. My prayer is that God will fill our hearts with love and compassion so that we might have Christ-like response towards immigrants, refugees and the marginalized. God is not asking us much; only three things he would require of us: To love mercy, to walk humbly with our God and to do justice. Amen!

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[1] https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/speech/dream.htm