1. Micah Pure Religion Micah 6:8 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?

2. Background Micah means “Who is like Jehovah?” (7:18) Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.

3. Background Micah is from Moresheth, small town 20 miles from Jerusalem Prophet to Judah, but also to Israel During time of Isaiah, Hosea, Jonah and Amos (750 – 700 BC)

4. Outline of Micah 1 – Prediction of Judgment (1:1 – 3:12) Idolatry Covetousness Wicked menWitchcraft & Deceit Corruption 2 – Prediction of Restoration (4:1 – 5:15) 3 – Plea for Repentance (6:1 – 7:20)

5. Lessons from Micah 1 – We can trust God's Word because of fulfilled prophecy (5:2) "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

6. Lessons from Micah 2 – God demands holy living from His people (6:8) 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?

7. Lessons from Micah 2 – God demands holy living from His people “The piety that God approves consists of three elements: a strict adherence in that which is equitable in all dealings with our fellowmen; a heart determined to do them good; and diligent care to live in close and intimate fellowship with God.” Charles Feinberg

8. Lessons from Micah 3 – God's people can be influenced for the worse if they do not stay grounded in His Word. Influence on our thinking is “sneaky” If we are not full of the Word – We can be filled with false notions and ideas

9. Lessons from Micah 4 – We will have no one to blame but ourselves if we fall away. Recent sermon – Loser's Limp We seek to blame everyone and everything except ourselves God will hold us responsible for our choices

10. Lessons from Micah 5 – God will always be with His people. God will always love you – in spite of God will always care for those who are His God is under covenant with His people

11. Lessons from Micah 6 – We must learn the nature of repentance. More than just regret for our action More than sorrow that we got caught 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

12. Lessons from Micah 6 – We must learn how to repent. How To Repent: 1. Know the course you’re on leads to death. 2. Learn the course you should be on. 3. Resolve to follow the course. 4. Follow the course.

13. Lessons from Micah 7 – God did not just cover our sins, He removed them. (7:18-19) 18 Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. 19 He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

14. Concluding Question The question for tonight is this: Are you truly one of His people?