INTRO.
A. The Perfect Gift
People all around the world at this time of the year go to all extremes to give the perfect Christmas Gift. Some even plan for the full year.
Not only do we want the perfect gift but the perfect type of gift. You look at another’s personality, style of living, their hobbies or interests¡ every part of their makeup - just to make sure it is something they want! Those words, "oh it’s just what I’ve always wanted!" (of course it doesn’t matter how much of that statement is true!)
So where are you? Have you got it all figured out? Have you bought all your gifts? You know just what you want to give to each person of the family, to your friends, your teacher, your boss, your pastor! (I have a list in my office)
B. A Time of Generosity!
Giving brings a time of generosity, a time that we show others how much we love and care for another. A custom that began with the Wise Men giving gifts to Jesus has now become our giving gifts to each other!
APPL.: I wonder this morning what it would like if, for just one Christmas, we would make a covenant to spend just as much time & energy, be willing to endure any sacrifice, spend just as much money, and bring a gift to the Lord?
C. Micah 6:1-8
- A people who have forgotten their Lord.
- Have rebelled and now live under the pressures of the world with all types of idolatry
- Micah the prophet during the time of Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea comes to represent the Lord and call the people back.
- The Lord instructs Micah to setup a proceedings similar to a court of Law.
- The Lord is the Plaintiff; People - Defendant; Micah - Mediator
The Lord is the plaintiff and pleads His case. He can’t understand why they have abandoned Him. Why, after all He’s done for them, they have turned away from Him.
After presenting His case, The People - the Defendants respond knowing their guilt and because they have been reminded and are remembering all God has done for them, now turn and ask the question, With What Shall I Bring to the Lord?
What Shall I Give to God?
While the story is not a Christmas Story, the Biblical Principles within the story are so powerful as we are in a season of giving and thanking others for what they mean to each other and have done in their lives.
And if that is what our Giving of Gifts is about, my question becomes:
WHAT SHALL I GIVE TO JESUS?
MICAH 6:1-8
I. THE LORD¡¦S CASE (Verses 1-5)
READ VERSES 1-2
1. "Listen" ¨ (1)
- Do we really listen to God? We have so many opportunities!
2. "Stand up and plead your case" (1)
The question is: What do we do with what we hear?
3. "The Lord Has a Case" (2)
In Israel’s case - He’s lodging a charge against¡
Gosh - What would He say about you? Would He have a case against you?
READ VERSE 3
4. "What Have I Done To You" (3) "How have I burdened you?"
- Their actions would make one think they had a bone to pick!
- "what have I done to deserve such treatment"
- What would He say to you and I about our lifestyle? Our family affairs, work etc.?
"Answer Me" "Be honest with me"
what have I done? Well?
Now the Lord begins to state His case against them. He’s going to recall the blessings He has given them.
a. Pause for a moment and reflect on how He has treated you during 2006?
b. What would these next few verses be regarding your life?
A. ISRAEL’S RANSOM (Vs. 4)
READ VERSE 4
1. "Redeemed" (several different definitions in Bible)
a. "to buy out of debt"
b. "to pay the price" - as in our redemption
c. "to ransom"
- a release from a certain condition
- in this case from slavery.
2. "I sent Moses, Aaron, Miriam" - brothers and sister
3 prophets to help, guide, strengthen, and prepare them for the Promised Land.
MOSES represented the Chosen Leader from God to bring leadership and instruction.
AARON representing spiritual matters. Helped in offerings, sacrifices, and in matters of atonement.
MIRIAM, the sister of Moses and Aaron, with a spirit of prophecy & a leader to the women.
First in the Lord’s Case, we see where the Israelites were released from slavery. We see where they were not only ransomed but given leaders and teachers to help prepare and quip them for acts of service so that they are without excuse.
SUM.: Could He not say the same of us?
B. PROTECTION (Vs. 5)
READ VERSE 5
1. Balak and Balaam
a. Had to go around Edom. Came to Moab.
b. Balaak hired the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites
c. Rather than Balaam cursing, he offered a blessing.
Num. 23.8 "how shall I curse, when God hath not cursed"
2. "journey from Shittim to Gilgal"
a. Shittim was the last stop before crossing into Moab
b. Gilgal was the 1st stop on the other side of the Jordan
c. "remember your journey" so that "you may know the righteous acts of the Lord"
- 4 different times Balaam was unable to curse
- Countless times of protection, victory, and blessing from God to the Israelites.
3. "REMEMBER"
a. What would you remember this morning?
b. What journey has He brought you through?
c. What journey is He bringing you through?
d. Does your life balance the scales?
Eph 4.1 "worthy" - "of equal weight"
II. THE PEOPLES RESPONSE (VERSES 6-8)
After hearing the Lord’s case, the people have the opportunity of stating their case as the defendant would. Instead, they are cut to the core!
In their "remembering", they see the error of their ways.
READ VERSES 6-7
1. "With what shall I come before the Lord" (6)
What shall I give to Jesus?
What can I bring to Him this Christmas?
What would make Him happy?
What would mean the most to Him?
What would be the perfect gift?
2. "burnt offerings" "thousands of rams" "10K rivers of oil" "even firstborn" (7)
a. It seems spiritual....? If I do certain things, that will help! Certain acts/works.
b. But they’ve missed the point! God loves them! That’s it! It’s as simple as that.
c. Sins were forgiven through sacrifices, and for all time through the sacrifice of Christ. These verses aren’t saying that sacrifices are meaningless - but they can be empty handed if our attitude/heart is wrong.
They ask of different works - different acts of form and ritual.
- I’ll go to church more.
- I’ll give more.
- I’ll get more involved. I’ll do this and that and this and that!
3. "He has shown you ’O man’ what is good" (8)
Many say this is the way to God but that’s not true. Vs. 8 is not the plan or path of salvation. God is stating what He wants from those who are already His children.
Consider all He "has shown" to those that love Him and have received the gift of salvation:
a. He has shown (not told) us hasn’t He? - Salvation through faith
Ephesians 2:5 (NIV)
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
b. He’s made a home with us!
John 14:23 (NIV)
23 "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
c. He has shown you companionship, victory over trials, talents/spiritual gifts to equip you - a church to grow you and prepare you for the day we finish the race!
What has He shown You? Everything! The question becomes: "What have you shown Him?"
4. "What does the Lord require of you" (as one of His own) (8)
Acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly are the outgrowth of genuine faith.
ILL. Charles Spurgeon
"if faith does not make a person honest, it is not an honest faith."
Micah lists 3 characteristics of a life pleasing to God - 3 Areas, that as children of God through the blood of Christ, God desires that, through the Holy Spirit living within us, we develop.
3 Gifts to God:
Act justly. Do what is right. Be fair. Don’t show favoritism in who you rub shoulders with. Have integrity in all that you do. Treat people as you wish to be treated - with love.
Love mercy. Do just things for the right motive - to help another in their race to the finish line. Be merciful to one another... Forgive each other when the great deceiver has a time of it. Forgive, as you were forgiven - without record keeping - and move on. Just as Christ did to you!
Walk Humbly with your God: Humility means being the person we actually are before God - ourselves - with no make up. Can you imagine what life would be if each of us put on no falsehood? If we truly were ourself? Why can¡¦t we be ourselves? We will be when we face God!
Loving Jesus... listening to Him... walking with Him.. learning to know His ways... learning to simply care for others (even the difficult). That’s what it’s all about.
III. SUMMARY
3 Christmas gifts.
- Wouldn’t He love them? To treat each other with kindness, forgiveness, and to be ourselves
- just as He created us to be?
- Wouldn’t that be the perfect gift for Him? Oh, He would love it! Man!!!! Perfect isn’t it?
- Would you wrap one Scott? Would you Debbie? Mike? Etc. Which one do you want to wrap Tammy? Rusty - how about you?
- we don’t have to have money to give them.
- Everyone here can give them. We can bring them, neatly wrapped, & place them at the feet of Jesus.
ILL: There is an old proverb that says, "the only gift worth giving is yourself."
ILL.: Author Jeanne Guyon in the book "Experiencing God Through Prayer" says this about giving: "Once you have given yourself to God, do not take yourself back again. Remember, a gift once presented is no longer at the disposal of the giver."
Maybe Paul said it best in
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
