The Book of Micah

Introduction: The Unseen but Essential Players

The pastor begins with an analogy from American football. While star players like running backs get the glory, their success is impossible without the offensive line—the center, guards, and tackles. These players do the essential, unglamorous work. Similarly, some parts of the Bible, like the book of Micah, may not seem "sexy," but they are incredibly important and game-winning. The book of Micah can be broken down into sections of "doom and hope," but it all culminates in something beautiful.

God Always Preserves a Remnant

The sermon introduces a key theme from the Book of Micah: the "remnant."

• Who is God? God always preserves a "remnant," which is a group of people who faithfully love Him and keep His Word. This is a promise He made to the nation of Israel, as seen in passages like Matthew 24, where He promises to preserve the nation through the tribulation.

• What does this mean for us? In the midst of judgment and consequences for sin, which are prominent themes in Micah, God never leaves His people without hope. He always provides for a faithful remnant.

  • In the New Testament, the word "remnant" almost always refers to the Jewish people, showing God’s continued faithfulness to His promises to Israel.

• Application for Today: In our current era, Christianity can sometimes feel "wide but not deep." Many people may twist scripture or lack a solid foundation.

  • As believers, what we believe must be backed up by scripture.

  • The hope is for our church to be part of that faithful remnant when Jesus returns, focusing on what’s inside (our hearts) rather than just looking the part on the outside. Jesus warned the Pharisees about being clean on the outside but dirty on the inside.

The Reality of the Christian Struggle

The pastor shares a personal reflection on the Christian life, emphasizing that it is not a story of instant perfection but of an ongoing process.

• Who are we? We are people in a process of recovery and growth. Even after meeting Jesus, the struggle is real. We still battle the flesh.

• How are we to live? The goal is to continually "feed God’s spirit" to gain victory over the sin that "so easily besets us" (Hebrews).

  • We should not portray a false perfection. Honesty about our struggles is important. While we are not perfect, we can introduce people to the Perfect One, Jesus Christ.

  • Becoming a Christian can sometimes feel like it complicates life because we now know what is right, yet we may still struggle in our own power to do it. We must rely on Jesus.

Overview of the Book of Micah

The sermon covers four main areas: a panoramic view, primary events and people, pictures of Jesus, and practical application.

• Context: Micah prophesied during a time of widespread corruption and injustice in both the northern kingdom of Israel (10 tribes) and the southern kingdom of Judah (2 tribes), which had split.

• The Message: Micah warns both nations that they will face judgment for their sins. A price must be paid for sin.

  • For us: Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin nature. However, we still have flesh and memories, and the struggle continues. We cannot use the excuse "we’re all human" to avoid dealing with sin. Unaddressed sin multiplies, like "cats in a barn."

• The Good News: Even though judgment is coming, the book of Micah is filled with hope and the promise of restoration through a coming King.

Introduction: The Pains of Travail and the Promise of Hope

The sermon presents an analogy of a woman in childbirth. The moment of greatest pain, the "travail," comes right before the joy of a new baby. This experience is a picture of the tribulation period described in the Bible. While this period involves great difficulty, like the woman's pain, it precedes a great hope. The central message is that even in cycles of "doom," God always provides hope and a way out.

Primary Events and People: Breaking Down Micah

The pastor offers two ways to understand the structure of Micah’s seven chapters.

Method 1: A Simple Three-Part Breakdown

• Chapters 1-3: Prediction of Punishment.

• Chapters 4-5: Promise of Restoration.

• Chapters 6-7: A Plea to repent, followed by a Pardon.

Method 2: Three Cycles of "Doom and Hope"

The book can be seen as three repeating cycles. Each cycle begins with a declaration of doom and judgment but concludes with a message of hope. You cannot have hope without first understanding the doom (the reality of sin).

1. First Cycle: Chapters 1-2

• Doom: The cycle begins with a call to hear God’s Word, as He is coming in judgment.

  • Micah 1:1-4 describes God coming down from His holy temple, with the mountains melting beneath Him. He is not playing. The chapters declare destruction is coming.

• Hope: The cycle ends with a promise of restoration.

  • Micah 2:12-13:

    "I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah... and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them."

  • Despite the coming judgment, God promises He will gather His remnant.

2. Second Cycle: Chapters 3-5

• Doom: This cycle brings a case against the corrupt leadership of Israel and Judah.

  • Micah 3:1-3 calls out the "heads of Jacob" and "princes of the house of Israel" who "hate the good, and love the evil."

  • Application: Everything rises and falls on leadership. This is true in our state (Illinois), where the actions of leaders can paint a picture for the whole. Real, lasting change comes not just from voting, but through the gospel of Jesus Christ and churches that stand for biblical truth. The leaders in Micah’s day put themselves above God’s Word and were held accountable.

• Hope: This section points to future restoration, including prophecies about the "last days" (the Tribulation period).

  • Micah 4:1 mentions the "last days," pointing to the end times.

  • Micah 4:7 mentions the "remnant" again.

  • Micah 4:9-10 uses the imagery of "a woman in travail" (labor). This biblical metaphor signifies that great pain, screaming, and agony must be endured before the joy of new birth can be experienced. Life does not come easily, and joy often follows a difficult process.

A Famous Prophecy: The Birth of the Messiah (Micah Chapter 5)

The pastor transitions from the "doom" of chapters three and four to the hope found in chapter five of Micah.

• Scripture: Micah 5:2

  "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

• Context: This verse prophesies that the Messiah, the great ruler who will bring lasting peace, will come from the small, seemingly insignificant town of Bethlehem.

• Pastor's Example: The pastor shares his personal experience of telling other pastors he is from Monmouth, Illinois. People often assume he’s from a major city like Chicago and are unfamiliar with his smaller town. Initially, he and his wife thought moving to a small town was a negative, but they soon discovered the benefits. For example, the local public schools were not afraid to include traditional Christmas carols like "Away in a Manger" in their programs, openly acknowledging the birth of Jesus.

• Application: What this tells us about God.

  • God is sovereign and orchestrates history to fulfill His prophecies. Years before it happened, God declared that the Messiah would be born in the small town of Bethlehem. He used a Roman census to move a pregnant Mary and Joseph to the exact right place at the exact right time, fulfilling His Word.

  • God often uses small, overlooked, and seemingly insignificant people and places to accomplish His greatest works. He doesn’t require prominence or worldly recognition to bring about His divine plan.

  • The ultimate hope is that Jesus Christ came from this small town and He will return to rule and reign.

God's Controversy with His People (Micah Chapter 6)

The sermon then moves into the next cycle of doom, found in chapter six.

• Scripture: Micah 6:1-2 - "Hear ye now what the Lord said: Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear ye O mountains, the Lord’s controversy; and ye strong foundations of the earth for the Lord."

• Context: God sets up a scene like a court of law. He is bringing a "lawsuit" or a "controversy" against His people, Israel. He calls upon the mountains and the foundations of the earth to act as a jury and witness His case against the people for their wrongdoing.

• Application: How God responds to humans.

  • God takes sin seriously. He is just and will hold people accountable for their actions. The imagery of a courtroom shows that His grievances are legitimate and He will "plead" His case, demonstrating how His people have wronged Him.

The Ultimate Hope: God's Mercy (Micah Chapter 7)

Following the "doom" of the courtroom scene, the final chapter provides the ultimate hope.

• Scripture: Micah 7:18 - "Who is a God like unto Thee that pardoneth iniquity and passes by the transgression of the remnant for His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever because he delights in mercy."

• Context: After laying out His case against Israel, the prophecy pivots to the incredible character of God. The prophet asks a rhetorical question, highlighting that no one is like our God, who chooses to pardon sin and show mercy instead of holding onto His anger forever.

• Application: Who God is.

  • God is a God who "delights in mercy." While He is just and rightly angry at sin, His ultimate nature is one of forgiveness and compassion. He actively looks for opportunities to pardon iniquity.

Pictures of Jesus in Micah

The pastor highlights three key "pictures" or titles for Jesus found in the book of Micah, using "D" words to make them memorable.

1. The Witness from Heaven (Documentation)

• Scripture: Micah 1:2 - "...let the Lord God be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple. For behold, the Lord cometh."

• Concept: Christ is presented as the ultimate witness. The pastor compares this to a military sniper who gains a high-elevation vantage point to see everything.

• Who God Is: God has a perfect, heavenly perspective. He is in His holy temple, looking down and seeing everything. There is nothing hidden from His sight. This can be intimidating because He sees our sin and guilt when no one else does.

  • Supporting Scripture:

    • Hebrews 4:13: "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

    • John 1:48: Jesus tells Nathanael, "I saw you when you were under the fig tree."

    • Matthew 9:4: "And Jesus knowing their thoughts..."

    • Proverbs 15:3: "The eyes of the Lord are in every place."

• Application & Example:

  • The "D" Word is Documentation. As the great witness, God has documentation—proof—of our sin.

  • Example: Moses, when he killed the Egyptian, looked left and right but forgot to look up. God was watching.

  • Who We Are: We cannot hide our sin from God. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

  • How We Should Live: Don’t try to act better than you are before God. He already knows the truth. The good news is that when you meet Jesus, your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life—this is documentation of your salvation, a record to stand on even when you sin or don’t "feel" like a Christian.

2. The Smitten Judge (Decider)

• Scripture: Micah 5:1 - "They shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek."

• Concept: Jesus is identified as the "Judge," but specifically the "smitten Judge." This is a picture of His first coming, where He was struck and judged by men.

• The "D" Word: Decider. A judge’s role is to decide—guilty or not guilty.

• Example: During His trial, Jesus was blindfolded and struck, as recorded in John 18:22. The soldiers mocked Him, asking Him to prophesy who hit Him. Jesus could have exposed every detail of their lives but remained silent.

• How We Should Live:

  • Just as Jesus decides our eternal fate (declaring us a child of God), we should also let Him be the decider in our daily lives.

  • Our Bible reading will come to life if we approach it seeking His decisions for our problems, rather than just for information. When God speaks through His Word, we should obey and "go with it."

3. The Ruler (Dominion)

• Scripture: Micah 5:2 - "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah... out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel..."

• Concept: Christ is prophesied to be the "Ruler." While He came from Bethlehem to be the ruler at His first coming, He will fully exercise this role at His second coming.

• The "D" Word: Dominion. The Ruler has dominion. The goal is for Christ to have "preeminence" (a word from Colossians) in every area of our lives.

• How We Should Live: We must allow Jesus to have dominion over every part of our lives—our mind, soul, and heart.

  • Example: We all have a "junk drawer," "junk closet," or even a "junk house" where we hide things. Jesus wants to enter every one of those "rooms," one at a time, and clean house.

Practical Application: What God Requires of You

The sermon transitions to the core requirements God has for His people.

• Scripture: Micah 6:8

• Context: The prophet Micah is summarizing what the Lord truly desires from His people, moving beyond mere ritualistic sacrifices to the heart of righteous living.

• Pastor's Application: The pastor breaks down this verse into three key, actionable points for living a life that pleases God.

  1. Do Justly: This is about doing the right thing. This is not possible in our own strength; we need God’s help. When life feels chaotic, the call is simple: take the next right step. Do the right thing in the immediate situation in front of you, one step at a time.

  2. Love Mercy: This is equated with loving what is good and kind. The pastor contrasts this with our natural inclination to love sin. He encourages the congregation to actively pray and ask God to create a hatred for the evil and destructive habits in our lives and, in turn, cultivate a love for what is good.

  3. Walk Humbly with Your God: This is about our posture and attitude in our relationship with God. It’s not about being puffed up, but about living a life of humility. The only opinion that matters is God’s. He is the ultimate witness, judge, and ruler. When we walk humbly, we stop caring about human opinion and focus on what God thinks, which is where true progress begins.

God's Character: Mercy Over Judgment

• Scripture: Micah 7:18

• Pastor's Application: The core takeaway is that God’s judgment is always tempered by mercy.

  • Example (Parenting): The immense anger a parent might feel toward a child doing something "ridiculously stupid" is held back by love and mercy. That deep parental love, which hurts when a child goes astray, is a small picture of God’s mercy towards us.

  • Example (Dog Training): The pastor shares a personal story about his wife successfully training a dog through positive reinforcement and praise—redirecting the behavior and rewarding the good. This illustrates the difference between deserved punishment and restorative mercy. We deserve to have our faces "rubbed" in our sin, but instead, God chooses mercy.

• Supporting Scripture: Psalm 103:12 - "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

  • Application: Instead of rubbing our sin in our faces, which we deserve, God mercifully removes it completely. This is the hope offered to anyone who comes to Christ, tired of their sin.

Practical Application: Lessons from Bethlehem

The pastor concludes with practical takeaways, focusing on the significance of Bethlehem from Micah 5:2.

• Introduction: The pastor begins by encouraging the congregation, especially those who may feel low, "base," or "ugly." It is through our weakness that Jesus’s beauty is made visible to the world when He radiates through us.

• Key Point 1: God Chooses the Lowly and Base Things.

  • Who God Is: God chose Bethlehem, a small and insignificant town, as the birthplace of the eternal Ruler. He consistently chooses the "base things" of the world to accomplish His purposes (1 Corinthians 1:28).

  • Who We Are: We may feel insignificant or unworthy. But God isn’t afraid of our insecurities, problems, and habits.

  • How We Should Live: Do not feel that your humble origins or personal struggles disqualify you from being used by God. God wants to take your seemingly meaningless life and do something great with it.

  • Example: The pastor shares an analogy of a diamond. To make a diamond shine its brightest, you place it against a black velvet backdrop. We are not the diamond; God is. He wants to use our humble lives as the backdrop to display His own beauty, value, and glory.

• Key Point 2: Embrace Where You Come From.

  • Example: The pastor shares his personal story of growing up in the "projects" in Barberton, Ohio, feeling small and ashamed. He eventually learned to reconcile his humble beginnings with what God had done in his life.

  • How We Should Live: Coming from "Bethlehem"—a place of humility and lowliness—is an encouragement. It’s an opportunity to say, "Look what Jesus has done! Praise the Lord!" We should give Him the credit for transforming our lives.

Key Points: Cycles of Doom and Hope

The pastor summarizes the structure of Micah with these key points.

1. God Always Provides a Way Out: Even when we feel surrounded by our own "doom," God always makes a way where there seems to be no way.

   • Example from Worship: The congregation sang two songs earlier that morning referencing the Israelites at the Red Sea. They were trapped, but God made the impossible possible by parting the sea. This was a miracle, demonstrating God’s power to save.

2. We Are a Miracle: Anyone who knows Jesus Christ is a miracle. We did not and cannot save ourselves.

   • Our Identity in God: We are not "self-made" people. To think we can achieve salvation or live the Christian life on our own is to be a "self-made loser." We are entirely dependent on God’s miraculous intervention.

   • Pastor's Example: The pastor uses the "Lone Ranger" as an illustration. The Lone Ranger was never actually alone; he always had his partner, Tonto. Nobody is truly a "self-made man." We all need help.

3. The Church is Our Huddle: We cannot live the Christian life on our own.

   • How We Are to Live: Once we are saved, we need the church. The church is the "huddle" where we get support, encouragement, and strategy. Even the most talented players in the NFL need their team and their huddle to succeed. In the same way, Christians need each other to navigate life.