icon__search

November 8, 2020

Justice and Mercy :: Justice in Uncertain Times

November 8, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

November 8th 2020
Passage: Micah 3–5
Theme: Justice in Uncertain Times

Main Idea: We can rest, assured that our God is at work for his glory and our good.

What is God doing? Assuring truths of God’s activity in uncertain times

1. God holds leadership responsible for their treatment of others (3:1–12)
a. Politically, leaders who do evil rather than good for those under them will not find God on their side (3:1–4).
b. Religiously, leaders who serve only for their own gain will lose God’s word (3:5–8).
c. In general, violent and unjust leaders that self-deceivingly believe God is with them will lead their people to destruction (3:9–12).

2. God calls his people to demonstrate their faith in him by following him as leader (4:1–8). Why? For the following escalating reasons:
a. God will establish his kingdom rule (4:1)
b. The nations will turn to God (4:2)
c. God will establish peace among the nations (4:3–4)
d. God’s people will find their satisfaction in him (4:5–8)

3. God fulfills his word to give hope to those who rely on him (4:9–5:9)
a. In the midst of crises, God works his plan of deliverance (4:9–5:6)
b. In the end, he will demonstrate his power by elevating his faithful followers (5:7–9)

4. God will destroy all those things that people turn to for security (5:10–15):
a. Military strength (5:10–11)
b. False idols (5:12–14)
c. Misguided Understanding of his word (5:15)

Application Questions:
• From Micah 3, list and discuss the characteristics of leadership God despises. Why are we prone to look past some of these things in our following of ungodly leadership?
• In Micah 4:1–8, God describes a time when he will lead his people. How do we see and experience this leadership today?
• From its place within its surrounding context, in what ways does the coming of Jesus (5:2) provide us hope in the midst of crises and uncertainty?
• What competes with God as a source of security in your life (5:10–15)? How can these be overcome?

November 22, 2020

November 22, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

Theme: Believing Response to Injustice Passage: Micah 7 Main Idea: God expects his people to respond appropriately to him in the midst of injustice. 1. Grieve the evil you see (1–6) Prayer: Confess the evil that is all around us 2. Confidently watch for God’s salvation (7) Prayer: Express confidence in God’s ability to save 3. Plead for God’s rule to come (8–17) Prayer: Beg God to intervene so that justice prevails in our lives, nation, and world 4. Praise God for his faithful mercy to deliver us from our sin (18–20) Prayer: Thank and praise God for a) his willingness to forgive the repentant, b) his delighting to show us love, c) his victory over our sin, d) his faithfulness to keep his promises. Application Questions: • What evil and injustice, both from your own experience and what you see happening in this world, grieves your heart? How should this affect your prayer life? • In what ways does turning to God and expressing confidence in his salvation affect your attitude and action toward the injustice and evil that you see and experience (v. 7)? • From vv. 8–17, what specifically could we pray for as we desire God’s rule to come to this earth? • What does the prophet praise God for in vv. 18–20? What promises in these verses can we hold onto that will give us hope no matter what we face in this world?

November 15, 2020

November 15, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

Theme: Relating to the Just and Merciful God Passage: Micah 6 How we relate to our just and merciful God: 1. Remember God’s Faithful Love (3–5) a. He delivers from bondage (4a). b. He provides good leadership (4b). c. He protects when his people are unaware of danger (5a). d. He fulfills his promises (5b). 2. Set aside self-righteous worship (6–7) a. It is self-deceptive (6b). b. It is ostentatiously exaggerated (7a). c. It is morally perverse (7b). 3. Do the good God requires (8) a. Towards others: i. Do what is right ii. Show mercy b. Towards God: walk wisely in God’s ways 4. Heed God’s warning of judgment (9–16) a. God detests the injustice of ... i. Greed (10–11) ii. Violence (12a) iii. Deceit (12b) b. God will judge by frustrating the normal order of things i. No satisfaction from eating (14a) ii. No ability to save (14b) iii. No success from hard work (15) Main Idea: We must follow God’s plan for justice and mercy if we want to experience contentment in this life and the next. Application Questions: o Why is it that we so easily forget the amazing things that God has done for us (6:3–5)? What are you doing or could you do that will help you remember God’s work in your life? o If God were to critique you today, what would he point out in your worship that is self-righteous (6:6–7)? o How do we fail to do what is right and to show mercy towards others in our lives today (maybe identify how we exhibit vv. 10–12 in our lives)? What could we do to change these behaviors? o What does this passage indicate about contentment in this life? How might it change the manner in which you strive for contentment in your life?

November 1, 2020

November 1, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

Passage: Micah 1 and 2 Theme: Sinners in the Hands of a Just God 1. Because He is perfectly just, God will judge people for their sins (1–2:11). Is this fair? How can God do this? a. Who God is: i. Holy: Dwells in holiness (2) ii. Sovereignly Powerful: Completely undoes nature by his powerful presence (3–4) iii. Faithful: Remained fully faithful to the covenant with Israel (5) b. Who Sinful humanity is: i. Rebellious Idolaters (5–7) ii. Greedy Coveters (2:1–2) iii. Selective Listeners (2:6, 11) iv. Opportunistic Defrauders (2:8–10) 2. Because he is merciful, God will ultimately save those who trust in him (2:12–13). a. He has chosen to reveal himself in order that his people may respond to his word (1:1) b. God remains the only one that can deliver us from our current distress (2:12–13). Main Idea: We must take God at his word that he will destroy all who reject him and save only those who trust him.