(Elab) = Elaborate
Micah 6:6-8
6 With what shall I come before the LORD, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
(Intro) – The question of how to have a blessed life is one that has occupied the minds of those who are Christians, as well as those who are seeking the Lord. (Elab – Everybody wants to know how to have a blessed life)
This desire to be blessed presupposes and acknowledges that God has the power and the desire to bless human lives. (Elab)
Yet to fully examine this issue, we must begin with a clear understanding of what it means to be blessed. (Elab – The difference between blessings and grace)
(Grace is the result of relationship, while blessings are the result of obedience.)
This text teaches us three things that we can do to have a blessed life:
I. Do the Right Thing
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
A. The first step to a blessed life is to practice doing the right thing. This indicates the state of our relationship with our community. In every situation, in order to be blessed by God, we must do what is right. (Elab – No matter how difficult it is, or what the circumstances are)
B. The question then becomes, how do I know what is right? (Elab – What is right must be defined by God’s standards, not our own)
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
C. God defines right and wrong behavior in His Word. (Elab – Psalms 119:11-18)
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!
12 Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes!
13 With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
19 I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.
II. Love Showing Mercy
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
A. The concept of demonstrating or showing mercy indicates the manner in which we get along or fellowship with those around us, including but not limited to those who are close to us. (Elab)
B. The demonstration of mercy means being able to see and respond to others the way that God sees and responds to us. (Elab – Mercy is undeserved lovingkindness)
C. Showing mercy to those who do not deserve mercy indicates a life that is ready for the God kind of blessing, a life that has its priorities in order; this is the life that God blesses. (Elab)
III. Walk in Humility With God
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
A. This last requirement for a blessed life indicates our relationship with God. Are we proud in our stance before Him, or are we humbled by the awesomeness of His presence? (Elab – The latter stance places us in the correct position for blessing – bowed down) (Elab – A Blessed life can only come to a person who has entered into right relationship with God through Jesus Christ)
B. Having a blessed life escapes many of us because pride takes us out of position. God requires us to humbly submit to Him, yet we seem set on standing with Him as equal. (Elab – When our will supercedes His will, we try to equal Him)
C. To really have a blessed life, we should consider our humility quotient. How much humility do we demonstrate in our walk with God? (Elab)
(Close) - If you want to have a blessed life, set your mind on doing, not just saying, these three things:
1. Do the Right Thing
2. Show Mercy
3. Walk Humbly With God
