Deepening Our Relationship with God: Justice, Mercy, Humility
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound nature of our relationship with God, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond a one-sided interaction where we only seek God in times of need. We delved into the book of Micah, specifically Micah 6:8, which calls us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. This passage serves as a reminder that our faith is not just about rituals or traditions but about aligning our hearts with God's desires.
We began by acknowledging that many of us treat God like a friend we only call when we need something, neglecting the depth of relationship He desires with us. This one-sided relationship is not what God intends. Instead, He calls us to a life of justice, mercy, and humility. Justice, as we discussed, is not merely about legal fairness but about actively making things right and reflecting God's character in our actions. It involves lifting others up and restoring what is broken, much like Jesus did with the woman caught in adultery.
Loving mercy means embracing a steadfast, covenantal love that mirrors God's unwavering love for us. It's about extending grace and forgiveness, even when it's undeserved, and choosing to see others through God's eyes. In a world that often glorifies grudges and division, God calls us to a higher standard of mercy and compassion.
Finally, walking humbly with God requires us to surrender our pride and choose His ways over our own. It's about living a life that reflects God's character and being intentional in our daily walk with Him. Jesus exemplified this humility by serving others and putting God's will above His own, even to the point of death on the cross.
As we reflect on these principles, we are reminded that our actions, loves, and walk with God matter deeply. They shape our spiritual growth, impact our witness to others, and reflect the depth of our relationship with God. Let us strive to live lives that are not just about seeking God in times of need but about consistently aligning our hearts with His will.
Key Takeaways:
- Praise and Worship as a Release: Praise and worship provide a sacred space to release our burdens to God, acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives. This act of worship is not just a ritual but a profound expression of trust and joy, knowing that God is in control and will lift us through our trials. [25:26]
- The Call to Justice: Justice in God's eyes is about actively making things right and reflecting His character. It goes beyond legal fairness to include restoring what is broken and lifting others up, as demonstrated by Jesus with the woman caught in adultery. [39:25]
- Loving Mercy: Mercy involves a steadfast, covenantal love that mirrors God's unwavering love for us. It requires us to extend grace and forgiveness, even when undeserved, and to see others through God's eyes, choosing compassion over division. [51:05]
- Walking Humbly with God: Walking humbly means surrendering our pride and choosing God's ways over our own. It involves living a life that reflects God's character and being intentional in our daily walk with Him, following Jesus' example of humility and service. [58:29]
- A Relationship Beyond Emergencies: God desires a relationship with us that goes beyond seeking Him only in times of need. He calls us to engage with Him wholeheartedly in every season of life, aligning our hearts with His will and living lives that glorify Him. [01:11:07]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [25:26] - The Power of Praise and Worship
- [26:47] - Being Used by God
- [28:45] - One-Sided Relationships
- [30:15] - Our Approach to God
- [31:54] - The Nature of Relationships
- [33:54] - The Israelites' Misunderstanding
- [35:20] - What God Requires
- [36:16] - Doing Justice
- [39:25] - Justice in Action
- [41:57] - Jesus' Example of Justice
- [43:06] - Showing Kindness and Integrity
- [46:02] - Loving Mercy
- [49:05] - Understanding Mercy
- [51:05] - The Challenge of Mercy
- [54:00] - Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- [55:43] - The Standard of Christ
- [57:08] - Walking Humbly
- [58:29] - Surrendering to God
- [01:01:46] - Jesus' Example of Humility
- [01:03:41] - The Importance of Our Walk
- [01:07:49] - What God Requires of Us
- [01:10:18] - The Bridge Story
- [01:11:07] - A Deeper Relationship with God
- [01:12:46] - Expecting God in Worship
- [01:15:45] - Invitation to Commitment
- [01:16:49] - Closing Prayer and Communion Preparation
- [01:18:24] - Understanding Communion
- [01:20:45] - The Significance of Communion
- [01:23:19] - The Blood of Christ
- [01:24:01] - Final Announcements and Fellowship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Micah 6:8
- Romans 3:23
- Philippians 2:5-8
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Micah 6:8 say about what the Lord requires of us? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on justice, mercy, and humility? [35:20]
2. In the sermon, how is justice described beyond legal fairness? What example from Jesus' life was used to illustrate this concept? [41:57]
3. How does the sermon describe the nature of mercy, and what Hebrew word is used to explain it? [49:05]
4. What example of humility from Jesus' life is highlighted in the sermon, and how does it relate to Philippians 2:5-8? [01:01:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of a one-sided relationship with God, as discussed in the sermon, affect a person's spiritual growth and witness to others? [30:15]
2. What does it mean to "do justice" in our daily lives, and how can this reflect God's character according to the sermon? [39:25]
3. How can loving mercy, as described in the sermon, challenge the way we interact with others, especially those who may not deserve it? [51:05]
4. In what ways does walking humbly with God require us to change our priorities and actions, according to the sermon? [58:29]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there areas where it might be one-sided? How can you work towards a more balanced relationship with Him? [30:15]
2. Think of a situation in your life where you can actively "do justice." What steps can you take to make things right and reflect God's character? [39:25]
3. Identify a person in your life who might need mercy. How can you extend grace and forgiveness to them this week, even if it feels undeserved? [51:05]
4. Consider an area in your life where pride might be hindering your walk with God. What practical steps can you take to surrender this to Him and walk humbly? [58:29]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of praise and worship into your daily routine as a way to release burdens and acknowledge God's sovereignty? [25:26]
6. Reflect on a time when you only sought God during a crisis. How can you cultivate a habit of seeking Him in all seasons of life? [01:11:07]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to align your heart more closely with God's desires, as outlined in Micah 6:8? [35:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Praise and Worship as a Sacred Release
Praise and worship are not merely rituals but profound expressions of trust and joy in God's sovereignty. When we engage in worship, we create a sacred space to release our burdens to God, acknowledging His control over our lives. This act of worship allows us to experience a deep sense of peace and assurance, knowing that God is with us through our trials. It is a time to celebrate His goodness and faithfulness, lifting our hearts in gratitude and surrender. As we worship, we are reminded that God is not distant but intimately involved in our lives, ready to lift us through every challenge we face. [25:26]
Psalm 95:1-3 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."
Reflection: How can you intentionally create a space for worship in your daily routine, allowing God to lift your burdens and fill you with His peace?
Day 2: The Call to Active Justice
Justice, in the eyes of God, transcends legal fairness and involves actively making things right. It is about reflecting God's character in our actions by lifting others up and restoring what is broken. This call to justice is exemplified by Jesus, who showed compassion and mercy to those marginalized by society, such as the woman caught in adultery. As followers of Christ, we are called to engage in acts of justice that bring healing and restoration to our communities, embodying the love and righteousness of God in tangible ways. [39:25]
Isaiah 1:17 (ESV): "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
Reflection: Identify one area in your community where you can actively participate in bringing justice and restoration. What steps can you take this week to make a difference?
Day 3: Embracing a Covenantal Love of Mercy
Loving mercy involves embracing a steadfast, covenantal love that mirrors God's unwavering love for us. It requires extending grace and forgiveness, even when it is undeserved, and choosing to see others through God's eyes. In a world that often glorifies grudges and division, God calls us to a higher standard of mercy and compassion. By choosing mercy, we reflect God's heart and create opportunities for reconciliation and healing in our relationships. This love is not passive but active, seeking to build bridges and restore brokenness. [51:05]
Micah 7:18-19 (ESV): "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs your forgiveness or compassion. How can you extend mercy to them this week, reflecting God's love and grace?
Day 4: Walking Humbly in Surrender
Walking humbly with God requires surrendering our pride and choosing His ways over our own. It involves living a life that reflects God's character and being intentional in our daily walk with Him. Jesus exemplified this humility by serving others and putting God's will above His own, even to the point of death on the cross. As we walk humbly with God, we learn to trust His guidance and align our lives with His purposes, experiencing the fullness of life He offers. [58:29]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would it look like to humbly submit this area to Him today?
Day 5: Cultivating a Relationship Beyond Emergencies
God desires a relationship with us that goes beyond seeking Him only in times of need. He calls us to engage with Him wholeheartedly in every season of life, aligning our hearts with His will and living lives that glorify Him. This relationship is not one-sided but involves a deep, ongoing connection with God, where we seek His presence and guidance daily. By cultivating this relationship, we grow in our faith and become more attuned to His voice, experiencing the richness of life in Christ. [01:11:07]
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with God. How can you move beyond seeking Him only in times of need and cultivate a deeper, more consistent connection with Him?
Quotes
"I experience the same issues. I experience the same problems. Life shows up at my door just like it shows up at yours. And there's something about praise and worship that gives me the opportunity to release it to God and say, God, I know you got it, and I don't have to worry about it. I don't have to cry. And so if you see me over in my little corner crying, it's not because I'm crying because something is going on. It's because I'm crying because there's a joy that says that no matter what I'm going through, there's a God that takes care of every single one of my problems." [00:25:26]
"And so, the truth is that many of us have what's called a one-sided relationship with God. We want his blessings. We want his protection. We want his provision. We want his guidance. But what we don't ever stop to do is ask him what he wants in return of us. And so today, what I really want to, I want to talk about a one-sided relationship. I did say that we, we want those things, but we never stop to ask. I want to put a caveat right there, and I want you to know this, is that you can never repay God." [00:31:14]
"Justice in that term, it means righteousness. It means restoring what is broken. It means aligning our hearts to God's heart. Justice. He says, do justice. He says, what I want you to do is I want you to ensure that my people get what's due them. Whether it's protection, affection, whether it's care, whether it's love, whether it's accountability, I want you to do that. And the reason I want you to do it is because justice is a reflection of God's character. He says, I'm a good God. I am a just God. And as a result, justice is a reflection of his character." [00:38:39]
"God says, I want you to do justice. Justice. Look, we're not gonna all be in a position to make some legal change. But what we are in a position to do, is make changes in our life. I love our scripture because he says, do justice. And God gives us an example of what that looks like. If you remember, there's a story that's told back in, it's in John chapter eight. It's a story about a woman that was caught in the very act of adultery. And they brought this woman to Jesus. And when they bring this woman to Jesus, they're assuming that Jesus is gonna commit her to death because that was the crime and that was the punishment at that time." [00:40:55]
"Justice is about lifting people up. Man, we think about the court system, and our mind is all messed up because we think that justice means that somebody's going to get locked up, somebody's going to go to jail, somebody's going to deal with a punishment or a crime, but God says, no, my justice. I want you to do my justice, and my justice says that we're going to restore. My justice says that we're going to lift up. He says, my justice is not the world's justice. I want you to do my justice." [00:42:40]
"Number two, not only does what we do matter, but what we love also matters. This verse says, that we're supposed to love mercy. Love mercy. Man, love. Do love. What we do matters. What we love matters. What we love is that thing that kind of shapes and form us. It's that thing that kind of grabs a hold of us, and before you know it, it influences our values, and our goals, and our thought processes. It begins to influence the things that we do. What we do loves, and it leads us to do certain things." [00:46:39]
"Justice means getting what people deserve. Mercy, however, means withholding judgment from someone who deserves mercy, but extending grace. See, what happens is this, is that God wants us to be merciful, because when that mercy, it's, it's delighting in the grace that He gives us. It's understanding that He is the one who is merciful to us. Steadfast love, committed love, despite what I say, despite how I'm living, despite what I'm doing. Look, we all got things that we need to work on." [00:50:34]
"God's saying, I want you to be better, because there are folk out there that are really hurting, but what I'm going to do is, I want you to have that same mercy. I want you to have that same mercy. I want you to have that same mercy. I want you to love mercy, is what he said. He said, love mercy. And it's tough, right? It's tough, because we live in a world that glorifies grudges, and it glorifies backbiting and division. And God says, I don't need you to do that. I mean, we got a cancel culture that says if you don't act right or the way I want you to do, you out." [00:52:03]
"Man, so when he says walk humbly, man, that requires something different of us. It requires me to step back. I started out when I said, and I said the prayer, I said, Lord, hide me behind the cross. Because the words that come through, let them be from you. Our actions and our walk should be hidden behind the cross so that when people see, they should see Christ in the midst of everything that we do. And so when people see us, they should see God. And it should be intentional. This is an everyday walk." [00:58:29]
"Man, that's the kind of things they tell you, right? Man, you look a little bit further, man, next thing you know, folks are quoting Invictus. Out of the night, they cover me. And Invictus, that great poem, it basically says you are the master of your fate. You're the master of your soul. And people have taken heart to those things, right? Man, man, when you think about the humility of our world says, man, you got to get so many likes in order to be successful. Man, the humility of our world says that you got to achieve, achieve, achieve, achieve." [01:00:24]
"That's what God is saying. He says, I don't want a one-sided relationship where you just call on me when your car is broken down on the side of the road or when your finances are messed up, when your children are not acting right, when your marriage is falling apart. He says, I want you to call on me in every season of life. What does God require of you? He requires your heart, because when your heart is lined up to him, you will do the things of God, you will love the things of God, and you will walk in the path of God. You will walk in the path that glorifies God, and now you will begin to look like God." [01:11:27]
"Thank you because we need that reminder. That it's not always about us. It's not always about our thoughts. It's not always about what it is that we think that we should do. But that we've got to make it about you. And so, Father, my prayer. My prayer is today that as your word goes out, that, Father, that thing, that seed that you've placed in our hearts, that it would begin to grow. And it would begin to manifest in and through us and bring about a change in our lives." [01:16:49]
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