Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Analytical
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Tone of specific sentences
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"WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU?"
Text: Micah 6:6-8
*INTRODUCTION*
1.
The text for our study is Mic.
6:6-8...
a.
A passage considered by many to be one of the most comprehensive and all-embracing statements in the Old Testament
b.
In which Micah raises the question: "What does the Lord require of you?"
2.
Micah answers his own question, and makes some important points...
a.
Not only for the sake of Israel of his day
b.
But for the benefit of the church today - crf.
Rom.
15:4 - Denney says, “Here Paul justifies his use of the whole O.T … (It) /was written to teach us, and therefore has abiding value/.”[i]
/[As we seek to learn from this passage, let's first consider the question...]/
*I.
WHAT DID THE LORD REQUIRE OF ISRAEL?*
A.
WHAT ISRAEL MAY HAVE THOUGHT...
1.
Some possibilities, even some absurdities:
a.
Year-old calves as burnt offerings?
b.
Thousands of rams?
c.
Ten thousands rivers of oil? (oil was used in the grain offerings…poured on top)
d.
Offering of the firstborn child?
2.
Some observations:
a.
God */did/* indeed speak of some of these things…
1) Like the offering calves and rams; oil upon the grain offering - cf. (Lev.
1:1-13; Lev.
2:1)
2) The words of v. 7 go far beyond any demand of the Law, and even go /against /the Law in the suggestion that God may not be satisfied except by an offering of one’s own child.[ii]
* Micah uses hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration) to emphasize the necessity of a right attitude in the true worship of God.[iii]
b.
From the context, it appears ritualistic sacrifices alone did not please God.
1) 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 of God, there are some underlying attitudes that must accompany all true worship (see below)
B.
WHAT GOD REQUIRED OF ISRAEL...
· Note: (Biblical piety in worship) The majority of Israel violated these standards repeatedly.
1.
*To do justly* (the rulers did not know justice – 3:1)
a.
“Justly” - "to act toward God and man according to the divine standard of His law." (Hailey)
b.
This */did/* involve the offering of sacrifices commanded by God.
c.
But it also involved treating their fellow man in a way that was right and fair.
· /“The rich got richer and the poor got poorer.”
– /Poor oppressed by the rich.
· Failure to do "justly" was one of the main reasons Israel went into captivity - cf.
Zech.
7:8-14; 8:16-17
2.
*To love mercy* (the rulers had no interest in /mercy/ – 3:2-3)
a.
This means "to show a compassionate warm-heartedness toward man."
(Hailey)
b.
· One reason they were to love mercy was because God Himself delighted in showing mercy - cf.
Mic.
7:18-19
3.
*To walk humbly with your God* (The rulers demonstrated no /humility/ – 3:11)
a.
This involves living "in humble and submissive obedience to His desire and will."
(Hailey)
b.
It can only happen when we "recognize the absolute holiness and righteousness of God." (Hailey)
· It is the humble of heart and spirit that greatly pleases God - cf.
Is. 57:15; 66:1-2
[These three things God required of those who would come before Him.
Not instead of the ritual observances, but in conjunction with them (cf.
Matt.
23:23).
Now for an application of our text to those who are Christians today...]
*II.
WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF US?*
A.
WHAT WE MIGHT THINK...
1.
Some might think all the Lord requires is the observance of certain rituals
a.
Like attending church on Sunday
b.
As though if one does this, they have done all that is required
c.
I sometimes wonder if people really believe this
1) That's the impression one receives by their example
2) That's the answer often received from some
2.
Certainly attending the services of the church is important
a.
It is essential to obeying God – Heb.
10:25
b.
It is required if we expect to grow spiritually - cf.
Heb.
10:24-25
c.
In fact, I am persuaded that failure to attend every service...
1) Can be displeasing to God - cf.
Eph.
5:15-17
a) When absent, are we making the most of our time?
b) Do we really believe our absence is the Lord's will for us?
2) Can explain the lack of several things
a) The lack of spiritual growth
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