NOTES: Fresh off the Vine, Part 5
Sermon: Fresh off the Vine:The Mission of Kindness
Date: June 30, 2024
Text: Micah 6:6-8
Micah 6:6–8 (ESV)
6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of 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 told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Let’s Connect:
The ‘Escape Room” of Life:
Kindness (biblical): genuinely useful — actively working for their relief— burden lifting
(Different than “nice”)
Text Explained:
OT: Steadfast love/kindness “hesed”:
The Prophet Micah and God’s call to the people (Micah 6:6-7):
The struggle to accept the “hesed” of God:
Ultimately the purpose of God’s kindness is to liberate us and keep us liberated.
His kindness leads us into repentance.
Romans 2:3–4, “3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
God’s ‘requirement summary’ for Israel is us keeping step with the Spirit.
Micah 6:8 “8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Act justly—if we are strong, if we have resources and ability, we step in and deliver the weaker and wronged party by punishing the oppressor. Protecting the rights of others.
to love kindness— anyone who is in a weaker position due to some misfortune or other should be delivered not reluctantly, but generosity, with grace and loyalty.
to walk humbly—to walk carefully through life in obedience to God— conform our life to God’s will.
Luke 6:35 (ESV)35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Romans 12:18–21, “18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Let’s Relate:
Sharing The Spirit’s Kindness:
Edification:
Practical Help:
Forgiveness:
Our Challenge:
God uses his people to be His voice (within the escape room of life) leading persons out of their impossible! (Col. 1:10-14)
Jesus and us— on mission sharing His Kindness.
Closing:
Just as no one can sit beneath a waterfall and stay dry, so no one can gaze on this Jesus and stay fruitless.” —Scott Hubbard
Our invitation: “Come to the altar”