Embracing Truth: The Call of the Remnant

 

Summary

The sermon explores the concept of the saved remnant, distinguishing it from those who merely claim to be God's people. The saved remnant is marked by a hunger for biblical truth and a desire for robust preaching that calls for repentance and warns against sin. The speaker warns that a lack of interest in God's Word may indicate a poor spiritual condition. The criteria for being part of the remnant include how one treats others, responds to biblical preaching, and will be saved when judgment falls. The good shepherd, Jesus, is identified as the one who will gather and protect the remnant from God's impending judgment.

The importance of valuing and treating others, particularly women and children, is emphasized as a characteristic of the saved remnant. The speaker condemns the actions of the wealthy in Micah 2 who oppressed others for personal gain, contrasting this with the remnant's call to prioritize the well-being of people and glorify Jesus. The negative response of the people of Judah to Micah's preaching is highlighted as a test of one's relationship with God.

The speaker also discusses the role of Jesus as the "breaker" who clears the way for the remnant to safely reach heaven, breaking through God's wrath and judgment. The Lord's Supper is presented as a meal for the remnant, symbolizing faith in Christ. The sermon references Old and New Testament examples of God saving a remnant, including the seven thousand in Elijah's time and the prophecy in Micah 2. The speaker warns against false teachers and emphasizes that not all who claim to be Christians will enter the kingdom of heaven.

The speaker reassures the audience that those who are part of the saved remnant have Jesus as their good shepherd and do not need to fear the end of the world or judgment. The concept of Jesus as "the breaker" is introduced, with the imagery of a football player breaking through the opposing team's line used to illustrate how Jesus will lead believers through judgment.

The mistreatment of family as described in Micah chapter 2 is addressed, with the speaker emphasizing God's invitation to be part of His family, the remnant. The sermon condemns the oppression carried out by individuals who covet fields and houses, and God's promise to gather and protect the remnant is highlighted.

The speaker also touches on practical matters, such as the use of virtual reality by missionaries, the congregation's generous giving, and the importance of meeting biblical expectations as part of a local church. The sermon concludes with a call to value families, women, and children, and to oppose abortion.

Key Takeaways:

- The saved remnant is defined by a deep yearning for the truth of God's Word and a life that reflects the teachings of the Bible. This desire for truth is a critical sign of one's spiritual health and standing with God. [01:10:49]

- True faith in Jesus is evidenced by how individuals treat others and respond to biblical preaching. The remnant is called to prioritize the well-being of others, especially the marginalized, and to respond positively to God's Word, embodying the principle that "People matter more than property and Jesus matters more than everything." [01:06:49]

- Jesus is portrayed as the "breaker" who leads the remnant through the judgment of God, a powerful image that offers comfort and assurance to believers. This role of Jesus underscores the importance of repentance and faith in Him for salvation. [01:22:59]

- The concept of a remnant saved from judgment is a recurring theme in the Bible, serving as a sobering reminder that not all who profess faith will be saved. It challenges believers to examine their faith and ensure it is genuine and rooted in Christ's redemptive work. [49:06]

- The sermon calls for a commitment to valuing what God values, particularly the treatment of families, women, and children. It encourages the church to stand against societal injustices such as abortion and to actively protect the most vulnerable in society. [01:01:21]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Micah 2:1-13

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific injustices and oppressions does Micah 2:1-2 describe the people of Judah committing?
2. According to Micah 2:6, how did the people of Judah respond to Micah's preaching?
3. In Micah 2:12-13, what promises does God make to the remnant of Israel?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon emphasize the danger of desiring preachers who tell us what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear? [[01:13:24]]
2. How does the sermon describe the characteristics of the saved remnant in terms of their hunger for biblical preaching? [[01:14:39]]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between how we treat others and our standing as part of God's remnant? [[01:00:46]]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own response to biblical preaching. Do you find yourself seeking messages that affirm your desires, or are you open to messages that challenge you to repent and grow? How can you cultivate a deeper hunger for God's Word? [[01:13:24]]
2. The sermon calls for self-examination regarding our treatment of others. Think about your interactions this past week. Were there moments where you might have taken advantage of someone or failed to show compassion? How can you make amends and change your behavior moving forward? [[01:00:46]]
3. The sermon mentions that the true remnant values what God values, especially in terms of how we treat families, women, and children. Identify one specific way you can better support and value these groups in your community. [[01:03:24]]
4. The sermon warns against the danger of being part of the church in name only. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith is genuine and not just a superficial label? [[01:54:16]]
5. How do you respond to the idea that not all who profess to be Christians are part of the true remnant? Does this challenge you to examine your own faith and actions? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with the characteristics of the remnant described in the sermon? [[01:51:46]]
6. The sermon describes Jesus as the "breaker" who leads the remnant through God's judgment. How does this imagery impact your understanding of Jesus' role in your life? How can you rely more on Jesus as your protector and guide? [[01:19:49]]
7. Reflect on the call to embrace the truth of Scripture, repent, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your commitment to living out these principles in your daily life? [[01:26:14]]

Devotional

Day 1: Hunger for Divine Truth
A genuine craving for God's Word is a hallmark of spiritual vitality. Those who are part of the saved remnant exhibit an insatiable appetite for Scripture and its teachings, understanding that it is the very sustenance of their spiritual lives. This longing for truth is not only about knowledge but also about allowing the Word to transform one's life and actions. [01:10:49]

Amos 8:11 - "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD."
Reflection: How do you cultivate a hunger for God's Word in your daily routine, and what steps can you take to deepen that desire?

Day 2: Prioritizing People Over Property
The true measure of faith is reflected in how one treats others, especially those who are marginalized. The saved remnant is characterized by a compassionate heart that values human dignity above material wealth. This perspective is rooted in the understanding that people are of infinite worth to God and should be treated with the utmost care and respect. [01:06:49]

James 2:15-16 - "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
Reflection: What is one practical way you can prioritize the well-being of someone in your community this week?

Day 3: Jesus, Our Breaker Through Judgment
Jesus is depicted as the one who breaks through barriers, leading the faithful safely through divine judgment. This powerful image reassures believers of their salvation and the protective presence of Christ. It is a reminder that repentance and faith in Jesus are the pathways to being part of the remnant that will be saved from God's wrath. [01:22:59]

Micah 2:13 - "The one who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the LORD at their head."
Reflection: In what ways do you need to allow Jesus to 'break through' in your life, and how can you surrender to His leading today?

Day 4: Examining the Authenticity of Our Faith
The recurring biblical theme of a remnant being saved is a sobering call to self-examination. It challenges believers to scrutinize their faith, ensuring it is not merely professed but also evidenced by a life transformed by Christ's redemptive work. This examination is crucial as it reveals the authenticity of one's relationship with God. [49:06]

2 Peter 1:10 - "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble."
Reflection: What are the fruits in your life that evidence the authenticity of your faith, and how can you cultivate them more diligently?

Day 5: Valuing What God Values
God's heart is for the vulnerable, and He calls His people to reflect His values by protecting and caring for families, women, and children. Standing against societal injustices, such as abortion, is part of living out one's faith in a tangible way. This commitment to valuing life at all stages is a reflection of God's love and compassion for all His creation. [01:01:21]

Psalm 68:5-6a - "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in defending and supporting the vulnerable in your community, and what is one step you can take this week to do so?

Quotes

"People matter more than property and Jesus matters more than everything. I say that to myself multiple times a day." [01:08:09] (Download)

"The saved people of God, when we make decisions, whether it's business or personal or whatever the decision is, we have a heart for people. Every decision we make is driven by will this bring glory to Jesus and will this be a blessing to other people." [01:06:49] (Download)

"You can tell if you belong to Jesus by how you treat other people, especially how you treat the people that everyone else in our culture pushes to the side." [01:08:09] (Download)

"One of the things that separates out the saved remnant from the so-called people of God is a hunger for biblical truth. Here's the cry of the remnant brothers and sisters. Give me more Bible. I want more truth. I want more of God's word." [01:10:49] (Download)

"It is not a good sign of your spiritual condition if you find preaching boring. If you never read your Bible. If you have no hunger to study and no more of God's Word." [01:13:29] (Download)

"You don't have to live your life in fear because you have a good shepherd in Jesus. He'll take care of you. God will save his remnant." [01:18:59] (Download)

"The breaker is coming. The breaker will lead the way. The breaker will bust through for you. We've heard a lot of Messianic titles of Jesus, haven't we? Wonderful counselor, everlasting God, Prince of Peace. Have you ever heard the Messianic title of Jesus, the breaker?" [01:20:19] (Download)

"Jesus is your breaker. He breaks the way. He clears the way. You're going to walk through the judgment of God untouched in for the touchdown and you're going to be in heaven." [01:21:40] (Download)

"He's sending the breaker to break the way through his remnant, to walk through his wrath and judgment safely to heaven. That breaker is Jesus." [01:22:59] (Download)

"God is not saving every professing Christian. God is not saving every church member. Not all the church is the church. God is saving a remnant." [54:26] (Download)

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Nov 26, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?