INTRODUCTION
Outline.
3. That We Walk Humbly
Remarks.
1. This is lesson 3, in the sermon-series entitled: we will discuss the theme: "What doth God Require?" Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, and both ministered in the Southern Kingdom (Judah). The name Micah means, "Who is like Jehovah?" The theme of Micah is: “To hear.” A recurring theme unto God's people: “The first of all commandments is to: Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord...There are no other commandments greater than these,” Mark 12:29-31. Isaiah prophesied in the king's court; while, Micah humbly spoke unto the ordinary people. Micah, like Amos prophesied strongly against immorality, social injustices, and the oppression of the poor, by the rich and powerful. These seem to be similar sins that now plague our Nation, along with the Coronavirus, COVID-19. Micah was answering the question of the people: “Wherewith shall I come before the LORD?” Micah responded: “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good (righteous), and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:6-8. These are qualities of faith and obedience that God delights in His people. We will notice what God requires; and how, this Nation has: “fallen short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
2. In this lesson, we will investigate that God requires, that: “we walk humbly before Him.” If there is one sin that magnifies all others in this Nation, it is a sin of pride. One people think itself more superior to another. When we lift ourselves over others, this is not walking humbly before God. This Nation no longer walks humbly. We once trusted and reverenced God. But now, we walk in arrogance, pride, and divisiveness, before God and the world. It is a pride and a haughty spirit that brings all nations to ruins, Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 2:11-12. We are no longer envied by others; but, "a people to be pitied" by all nations and people. Like Judah, we are become “an abomination before God,” Proverbs 16:5; Proverbs 16:12. This Nation must repent and turn back unto God; or, perish and suffer ruins like Samaria and Jerusalem, in Micah's prophecy. With this brief introduction, let’s consider the lesson 3, in this sermon-series: “that we walk humbly.”
BODY OF LESSON
III THAT WE WALK HUMBLY
A. To walk humbly. Micah now instructs us: “to walk humbly before God.” This then is the final directive Jehovah had given unto His people. Micah now directs us to the relationship that God favors with His people. If God’s people humble themselves and obey His commandments and statutes, they are said: “to walk with Him.” Observe--
1. The word “walk” in Heb., is yalak or yä·lak', which means going, walking, or coming. And the word "humbly" in Heb., is tsana` or tsä·nah,' which means to be humble, modest, or lowly, to show humility. Therefore, it means to walk in humility before God, as well as men.
a. Micah wrote: “O thou that art named the house of Jacob: is the Spirit of the LORD straitened? Are these his doings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?” Micah 2:7; Proverbs 28:18.
b. The prophet Hosea penned: “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent and he shall know them? For the LORD ways are right, and the just shall walk in them, but the transgressors shall fall therein,” Hosea 14:9. Hosea wrote: “The ways of the Lord are right and the just walk in them.”
c. Jeremiah inscribed: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is a good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said we are not walking therein,” Jeremiah 6:16.
2. The Patriarchs walked with God. The patriarch walked with God. They obeyed Him in all His commandments. They walk in faith and obedience. America, where is our hope and obedience unto God? Observe--
a. Enoch walked with God, Genesis 5:22-24. In Enoch’s walk of faith, God was well pleased, Hebrews 11:5.
b. Noah walked with God, Genesis 6:9. God found favor in Noah, Genesis 6:8. Because of Noah’s faith and obedience, God saved him and his house from the flood, Genesis 7:7; Genesis 7:16; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20-21.
c. Abraham walked as a Friend of God, James 2:21-23. Abraham obeyed the voice of the Lord, Genesis 22:1-19; Psalms 105:6; Isaiah 41:8; Hebrews 11:17-19.
d. Conclusion: We have witnessed God's message, seen and obeyed by those that have gone before us in scripture and life. If we are to enjoy God's blessings and promises, we cannot do it without true faith and obedience to Him.
1) Hebrews, chapter 11: is the “roll call” of the faithful.
2) Those, as mentioned earlier, are all named in this roll call of faith!
B. God delights in humility. What does God require? He requires that we do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before Him. God delights in a humble and contrite heart. Those that walked before Him in humbleness shall be blessed.
1. David wrote: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit,” Psalms 34:18; Psalms 51:17.
2. Isaiah penned: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones,” Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:2.
In the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount--
3. Jesus said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you,” Matthew 5:3-12.
4. Walk-in humility. The Lord wants all of us to walk in humility and faithful obedience. He hath shewed thee O, man, what doth God require? It is this: “That we do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God,” Micah 6:8.
a. Solomon wrote:
1) First, “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,” Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 11:2.
2) Second, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility,” Proverbs 18:12.
3) Third, “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit,” Proverbs 29:23.
b. Jesus said: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted,” Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14; Matthew 23:12.
c. James wrote: “Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble,” James 4:6; James 4:10.
d. Peter wrote: “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud and give grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time,” 1 Peter 5:5-6.
e. Conclusion: What doth God require...walk humbly before thy God. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. If you desire to be lifted, be willing to sit and walk in lowliness before God and men. The proud and arrogant shall be brought low, and their “buttocks uncovered, to the shame of the world,” Isaiah 20:4. And they shall surely be destroyed, Job 11:20.
C. Are we walking in humility before the Lord? Are we the servants of the Lord?
1. Jesus taught--
a. First, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad,” Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23. On whose side are you?
b. Further, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money),” Matthew 6:24.
c. Finally, “And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him: Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us,” Luke 9:49-50.
d. Conclusion: Are we scattering rather than gathering for the Lord. We cannot serve men and the Lord when their work is contrary to the will of God. There are many in this movement: “Black Lives Matter,” that are not of any faith. But the Lord is not against the good that they are doing for this Nation. Just like His allowing others to cast out devils in His name. Where these men sent out by the Lord? Were they from another 70, which Jesus had sent out? See Luke 10:1-2. Consider--
1) The word “other or another” in Gr., is heteros or he'-te-ros, which means of (an-, the) other or different:—altered, one, (an-) other, or another. Could this sending, be another 70 disciples?
2) Notice the wording: “After these things the Lord appointed other (or another) seventy also,” Luke 10:1.
a) Might Luke mean, that He had appointed another 70 earlier? Which the Holy Ghost did not mention in his gospel?
b) Hear John’s at the ending of his gospel: “This is the disciple who testifieth of these things, and wrote...And there are also many other (allos) things that Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen,” John 21:24-25.
c) All that Jesus did has not been written in this Book (the Bible), John 20:30-31.
d) All his miracles and works do not appear in all the gospels alike.
e) They are not mentioned similarly, in the Harmony of the Gospels.
3) Paul’s use of the word (heteros). In the Book of Galatians, he wrote: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another (heteros) gospel: Which is not another (allos); but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ,” Galatians 1:6-7.
4) Brother B. W. Johnson commented on these disciples that were casting out devils in the name of Jesus. Consider his comments on Luke 9:49-50.
a) He wrote: “John answered him...we saw one...empowered to cast out devils (Matt. 10:8). He must have been a disciple of Christ, who was enabled by his faith, yet without a commission, to cure the possessed—Abbott.”
b) “Casting out devils in thy name...not in a wrong spirit, as did the Jewish exorcists (Acts 19:13, 14)...Such workers as this man believed in him, or they would not have used his name. He followeth not us...Forbid him not.”
c) “He (Jesus) neither praises nor blames him for following an independent course, and not working with (His) disciples. He simply declares...he must not be forbidden, and that those who work the same kind of work...we regard, not as enemies, but allies.”
d) “Thousands, in every period of church history, have spent their lives in copying John's mistake. They have labored to stop every man who will not work for Christ in their way.—Ryle,” Page 160. See also Mark 9:38-40; Matthew 10:8.
e) Conclusion: I welcome the alleged healers of our times to visit the hospitals, nursing homes, and funerals, heal the sick and diseased and raise the dead. I would not forbid them. I would welcome them. This is Jesus' point if they are genuinely doing good, forbid them not. If they are not sent by Him, they will be judged on the last day, for their wickedness and deceit. Notice--
2. John wrote: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us," 1 John 2:19.
3. Conclusion: Brother Johnson said what the Lord himself said about these disciples, which cast out devils in His name. If they were of the “first seventy” sent, which I believe the language in Greek suggests, they were disciples of Jesus. If not, they were disciples of the evil one, Matthew 7:21-23. Their end shall be according to their works. Brother Johnson commented on Matthew 7:21-23. Observe--
4. B. W. Johnson wrote: “I never knew you must be accepted in its deeper signification of "recognizing the disciples." Augustine says that for Christ to say, "I never knew you," is only another way of saying, "You never knew me." Depart…ye that work iniquity. Despite all their professions, they had been evildoers. Their religion expended itself in professions and prayers. Hence, in "that day," they are commanded to depart. What it is to...depart we may learn from Matt. 25:41. It is evident from this passage that many are self-deceived,” Page 65.
a. They had works; but, had neither faith nor commission, from the Lord, James 2:14-19.
b. Paul warned the saints not to be deceived.
c. But to be aware, regarding the works of the devil and his ministers, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
D. The practice of righteousness. We will now expose the hypocrisy of many, claiming to be the servants of the Lord. The Apostle John wrote: "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that practice (doeth) righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil," 1 John 3:7-8. Observe--
1. First, "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that practice or (doeth) righteousness is righteous, even as He (Christ) is righteous,” 1 John 3:7. The message is this: the righteous doeth those things that are of righteousness. And they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous, Psalms 15:1-5. Psalms 24:3-5.
2. Further, he penned: "For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil," 1 John 3:8. These are sobering words that follow. I pray you are listening to the teaching of the Lord!
3. Next, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit (practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God," 1 John 3:9.
4. Finally, "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother," 1 John 3:10.
a. We could then infer that doeth righteousness is of God, and he loves his brother. David wrote: “Blessed are they that keep judgment and him that doeth righteousness at all times,” Psalms 106:3.
b. Many of our ministers, preachers, evangelists, and church leaders speak about loving their brethren. But many are limiting their expression of divine love, to only those: that look like them (us).
1) They preach: “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares,” Hebrews 13:1-2.
2) However, in many of our assemblies, brotherly love has not yet begun. Stay with me! The love of the brotherhood is absent from many of our meetings.
3) And I am not leaving out the “black churches” in this indictment.
c. Here is where most of you will get mad at me in this lesson. However, I must stand for truth in this matter! What does God require in brotherly love? Just for us to love each other, and not the others? I wish I had some help!
d. Jesus said: “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have you? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do you more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be you, therefore, perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect,” Matthew 5:46-48. Stay with me, brethren.
5. To love the brethren. John challenges us in this truth of God. No other writer has so carefully and truthfully, spoke to "the love of brethren," as he did, in the Letter of 1st John. Fasten your seat belts; the ride is going to get a little bumpy! There is severe turbulence ahead. Observe--
a. First, he wrote: "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother is in darkness even until now (he abides in a total state of darkness)," 1 John 2:9. The word "hateth" in Gr., is miseo or me-se'-o, which means to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:—hate (-ful).
1) This is a person who hates, is pursued with Hatred, one who detests and despises others. (I know I'm not speaking to anyone like that here today?).
2) This kind of Hatred destroys the container that carries it. It is like acid; it erodes the vessel that was manufactured to transport it safely.
3) Hatred eats at the heart and body as cancer; it consumes the body, soul, and Spirit of a person. But he continues--
b. Further, he penned: "He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him (he walks without fault)," 1 John 2:10. The word "loveth" in Gr., is agapáo or ä-gä-pä'-o, which means to love :—( be-) love (-ed). This is one who welcomes, entertains, to be fond of, to love dearly.
c. This is the love that God has for us; and requires us to have for Him, our neighbors, and ourselves, John 3:16; Romans 5:8. Observe the Master’s words--
1) Jesus said: “Ye have heard that it hath been said: Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust,” Matthew 5:43-45. Hear Him again--
2) Jesus said: "Unto him (the lawyer), Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with thy entire mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like, unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets," Matthew 22:37-40. (I hope you are the person I speak of now?).
3) The parable of the Good Samaritan; is an example of one loving his neighbor as he loveth himself. The priest and Levi: saw the man's plight; but, passed by on the other side. The Samaritan saw and had compassion upon the traveler, gave immediate assistance, and paid for his recovery. Jesus asked: "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said...He that shewed mercy on him.” Jesus told the lawyer, "Go and do thou likewise," Luke 10:36-37.
NOTE: Download our lesson on the Good Samaritan, a sermon entitled: "Go and Do Likewise," Luke 10:25-37, on SermonCentral.com.
c. Finally, he noted: "But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes," 1 John 2:11. We need to understand what John is stating. Observe--
1) The word "darkness" in the Gr., is scotia or sko-te'-ä, which means dimness, obscurity (literally or figuratively):—dark (-ness). Darkness is the spiritual environment in which we walk. We are no longer walking in the light.
2) The word "blinded" in the Gr., is typhloo or tü-flo'-o, which means to make blind, i.e. (figuratively) to obscure:—blind. The word means to blunt one's mental discernment, to darken the mind. Blindness is the spiritual condition of our walk. Our hearts are darkened, and our eyes are scaled, causing blindness, Acts 9:18.
3) The heart looms in darkness, with spiritual blindness, aided by the devil’s cunning and evil devices, John 8:44-47; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 2 Corinthians 11:3.
4) Blindness is the devil's work against truth and godliness, 2 Corinthians 4:3-7; 2 Timothy 2:24-26. Only Christ can give thee light, John 8:12; John 1:10-12.
5) We cannot speak a lie in fact, nor can we lie about the truth, Galatians 4:16; 2 Corinthians 13:8. If our hearts are full of bitterness, Hatred, and prejudice: we are not walking humbly before God. Let no man deceive you: “he that practice (doeth) righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.”
6. Summary: To see the destructiveness of Hatred; and darkness, I have humbly attended unto these esteemed writers, for their wisdom in these verses. Keep in mind; these are their words, as they had perceived them at the time of their writings, on this text from John's Letter to his beloved children. Observe--
a. B. W. Johnson wrote: "He that saith he is in the light. (But) hates his brother; he demonstrates that he is in darkness... On the other hand, brotherly love shows that one abides in the light. None occasion of stumbling. Because he walks in the light and can see where he walks...But he that hateth...is not following Christ, the Light, and hence walks in the darkness, hence is blinded. He cannot see the dangers that beset him on account of the darkness," Page 604.
b. Matthew Henry wrote: "Hatred is a sign of spiritual darkness...he that hateth his brother is in darkness, v.11. Spiritual light is instilled by the Spirit of grace, and one of the first-fruits of (the) Spirit is love; he then who is possessed with malignity towards a...brother must need be destitute of spiritual light; consequently, he walks in darkness (v.11); his life is agreeable to a dark mind and conscience, and he knows not whither he goes; he sees not whither this dark Spirit carries him, and particularly that it will carry him to the world of utter darkness, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes, v.11," Page 1882.
E. Hope for America. There is however, hope for America. If we keep our trust in God and deal righteously, kindly, and with integrity unto all men, God will be well pleased and heal this Nation. We are witnessing even to this day, the cry of God's people in the earth. He will come down and deliver us, in the same manner, He did for His people in Egypt. Christ's people are the children, and the Israel of God, Galatians 3:26-29; Galatians 6:16. Observe--
1. Moses wrote: “And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows: And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey...Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt,” Exodus 3:7-10.
a. We are witnessing Moses’ call by God, as the deliverer of His people. It was a ruthless Pharaoh, and the whips of their taskmaster’s beatings ignited the anger of God’s wrath against Egypt, to move Him to judge this Nation.
b. It took 430 years of oppression, before “the cup of the Amorites’ iniquities was sufficiently full,” Genesis 15:13-16.
c. When God delivers righteous judgment unto the wicked, it will be after long and patient endurance of their sins and ungodliness before Him.
1) The righteous will suffer many afflictions before God will judge their abusers: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivereth him out of them all,” Psalms 34:19.
2) The righteous people of God will suffer alongside the wicked. But He shall deliver them, out of all of their afflictions. The evil, however, shall not go unpunished, Jeremiah 49:12; Proverbs 17:5.
3) Jesus said of His elect: “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened,” Matthew 24:22.
2. Solomon wrote: “Righteousness exalts a nation. But sin is a reproach to any people. The king’s favor is toward a wise servant. But his wrath is against him who causes shame,” Proverbs 14:34-35.
3. Isaiah wrote: “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness,” Isaiah 26:9. This pandemic COVID-19 shall teach America and the world of God's righteousness.
4. Amos wrote: "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream,” Amos 5:24.
a. Let thy judgments O, Lord run down from heaven as water, and thy righteousness as a mighty stream.
b. To cleanse us of all our iniquities, teach us again of thy righteous precepts: “to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before you.”
5. Application: We considered these verses earlier in the lesson. It is time now for an application. This Nation for nearly 243 years, the powers of America have dealt treacherously and discriminately with some of its people. These powers (political and police) have subjected some of its people to tyranny, cruelty, beatings, oppression, and even killings. Today, these acts are being sanctioned by most clergy and ministers of this Nation, by their silence.
a. Many have sat in silence to the recent killing of George Floyd, a black man, at the hands of 4 white police officers. Where are the cries of Micah, Jeremiah, Amos, and others, against this brutality and cruelty before the world? These injustices without accountability have gone on too long!
b. It is high time for America to: “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he comes and rain righteousness upon you,” Hosea 10:12; Isaiah 55:6-10.
1) Thank God for our youth. The youth of America in, and out of the church, have been stirred up in their hearts against the wickedness and corruption in all levels of government for the lack of equality and justice in our police forces, that have sworn to “protect and serve” all Americans.
2) They have come from all walks of life, from all races, religions, and standing, to say in their protest that: “justice must be for all Americans.”
3) The badges of police officers must be a sign of their resolve to “protect and serve” the people of their communities.
4) For decades, it has been a symbol of brutality, abuse, and murder too many of the citizens in America.
c. White silence. These abuse and injustices exist because of “white silence.” The oppressors continue their wrongdoing because they are not chastised by their peers: the righteous "white people of America." Their silence has permitted these acts of terrorism, brutality, and reprisals to continue in America. Hear me good!
1) I am speaking directly to the white clergy and ministers of this Nation, even among Christ's church.
2) Your pulpits have remained silent to these atrocities regarding American Politics and Law Enforcement.
3) This generation of white silence reminds me of the same kind of people who ignored the struggles of black people during the “Civil Rights Movement.”
4) It took a letter to them from Martin Luther King, while he sat in a Birmingham Jail, to arouse their conscience to the Nation's evils. Who do you serve? To remain silent is to acknowledge consent to these terrible injustices.
d. Systemic Racism. Systemic Racism continues today because the white clergy and ministers do not speak out against it. I adjure you in the name of the Lord: to speak out against this ungodliness.
e. Opportunity for leadership. I am calling upon you not to behave as Peter did in Antioch. God allowed him to demonstrate real leadership, and he failed, for fear of his Jewish brothers. Don't abandon the Lord, the church, and the youth of America. Stand with them!
It took Paul to rebuke Peter of his weakness and fear of the Pharisees in the church at Jerusalem. Some of you are likewise guilty! Observe--
1) Paul’s rebuke. He wrote: "But when Peter came to Antioch, I (Paul) withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed," Galatians 2:11.
2) Paul’s reason. He continues: “For before those certain came from James (the Jerusalem church), he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation,” Galatians 2:12-13.
3) Paul’s rationale. He concluded: “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” Galatians 2:14.
5. Conclusion: How can we convert the world when we have not truly been saved? God has set us in the church: “As evangelists, ministers, pastors, and teachers: for the perfecting of the saint, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-16.
a. As Paul did in Ephesus, we must walk upright before God, the church, and the world. He told the leaders: "Wherefore I take you to record this day, I am pure from all men's blood. I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God,” Acts 20:26-27. I told you the truth in all things.
b. If our pulpits are not declaring the whole counsel, then, we are not pure from the blood of all men, nor are we walking upright, according to the gospel.
c. Don’t forget preachers and leaders; we too will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. What will your answer be? You know we are going to give an account.
6. God’s forgiveness. After 70 years of exile, the people return to dwell safely in their fathers' land. Hear Jehovah--
a. Jeremiah wrote: “Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away:”
1) First, “The king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.”
2) Further, “Therefore thus saith the LORD of host, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria. And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.”
3) Finally, “In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve,” Jeremiah 50:17-20.
a) The word reserve in Heb. is shâ'ar, shaw-ar', which means to swell up, i.e., to—leave, (be) left, let remain, a remnant, a reserve.
b) Jehovah promises to keep alive, a remnant, to reserve for pardon and return.
b. Micah wrote: “Who is a God like unto thee: that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again; he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old,” Micah 7:18-20.
1) Micah Again, "He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea,” Micah 7:19.
2) Micah speaks of God’s willingness to forgive His people.
3) Jehovah has put away all their sins.
c. God's desire to forgive. Before I move to a conclusion, hear the words of the servants of the Lord, of Jehovah’s forgiveness. Observe--
1) David wrote: “As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us,” Psalms 103:12.
2) Isaiah wrote: “Behold, it was for my peace that I had great bitterness: But thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back,” Isaiah 38:17.
3) Paul wrote: "But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds, I will write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more,” Hebrews 10:15-17; Jeremiah 31:31-34.
a) First, "Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer any offering for sin," Hebrews 10:18. Unto them then, and us: “Where there is remission, there is no more offering for sins; and our sins and iniquities will He remember no more.”
b) Further, the word remission, in Heb., is áphesis, af'-es-is; which means, to pardon:—deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission.
c) Finally, Jesus came into the world to be offered himself “for the remissions of sins” and to be a “ransom for many,” Matthew 20:28; Galatians 1:4; 1 Timothy 2:3-America, God is willing to forgive her too! His mercies endure to every generation. .” As we move to a conclusion in this lesson. Let me make an appeal.
7. Appeal. Recall, Jehovah advised: Hear O, Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. As with Israel and Judah, Jehovah is willing also to forgive our sins and iniquities. O, Lord, you know we have many. But Jehovah hath said: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Timothy 2:1-8.
1) Herein is our charge brothers: to cause the people to call upon the Lord, humble themselves, pray and seek His face, and turn away from all their wickedness, that God might hear them, forgive and heal our land from sickness and disease. Will you join in with me in this soul-stirring charge unto the church, its ministers, and its leaders and unto the entire Nation?
2) Before I close, it is burdened upon me to state, that not all police, politicians, and people are wicked and ungodly. There are much more dedicated ones than evil in our police departments throughout America and God-fearing politicians in Washington, D.C.
3) I do not want to obscure their faith, their work, and patronage to this beautiful country, that it should go unnoticed, and without our thanks. I honor these in the name of the Lord. I pray many more will rise and walk as these do, in the coming days ahead. I pray for you also to remain “on task,” to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before our God. As I close, recall we discussed--
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
3. That We Walk Humbly
B. Summarize main points.
1. In this lesson, we investigated that the Lord required, “that we walk humbly before Him." If there is one sin that magnifies all others in this Nation, it is a sin of pride. One people think itself more superior to another. When we lift ourselves over others, we are not walking humbly before God.
2. This Nation no longer walks humbly before God. We once trusted and reverenced God. But now, we walk in arrogance, pride, and divisiveness, before God and the world. We are no longer a people envied by others; but, "a people to be pitied" by all nations and people. Like Judah, we are become “an abomination before God.”
C. Invitation. Present the pattern of conversion, H.B.R.C.B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
References:
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
3. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
4. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
5. Clarke Commentary on the Bible, Eight Volumes, Published 1810-1826, New York, Published by J. Emory and B. Waugh, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the conference office, 13 Crosby-Street., J. Collord, Printer, 1831.
6. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
