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Required By The Lord
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, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? NAS

8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? KJV

8 He has told you men what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: Only to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. HCSB

Introduction
This text was the text for a sermon at the convention I recently attended. I went to one of the outlet malls, and this text was written on a piece of art work that really struck my eye. It struck me so much I bought it and it now hangs In my family room.

The Lord continued to bring that text to my mind; So, it seemed I needed to preach from this text. It is a very interesting text and many people misuse it.

J Vernon McGee writes:

Verse 8 is the joy and delight of the liberal because he thinks it presents a works religion, that it teaches that he can be saved by works. . . . He further states: External religion without an internal experience, without reality on the inside is absolutely valueless. There must be a re-birth, a new nature given to the individual.

Jesus Said: Mt 23:23-27 23 "
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24 "You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! 25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 "You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. 27 " Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. NAS

1. The Lord Requires . . Justice. 6:8a
But to do justice, NAS
but to do justly, KJV
to act justly, HCSB

Intro: What public ways can we check to see if we are JUST?

1. Justice must be cared for by individuals who know what Justice is.

Justice Is What Is Good for a Nation

        a.    Is it just to have God In The Pledge Of Allegiance?
          b.   Is It Just for a family to have the folds of the flag recited with God honoring words if the family so desires.
            c.    Is it Justice for an unborn baby to be tortured with a salt solution until it dies?
            d. Is it Justice for an unborn baby to be allowed partial birth so the brains can be sucked our with a suction hose?
            e. How come these encroachments on Justice in this nation?

            2. People who know justice must stand for justice.
            3. People must vote righteousness rather than a party preference.
                I need to check where my party stands and see if they stand for right.
            4. People must vote righteousness rather than their pocketbook.

I suggest we all Pay Attention to Mike Huckabee the former governor of Arkansas and listen to how he answers questions.

Now let Us Look at some specific areas where we can check Justice.

     A. We Need To Act Justly In Our Use Of The . . Tongue.
        1. Mark 7:6 And He said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME
             WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. NAS

Ps 15:2-3 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.

2 Cor 12:20 ". . . that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip , arrogance, disturbances; NAS

Illustration
In another town a deacon was accused of drinking, and carousing. The deacon discovered the basis of this rumor came from the town gossip. He called her and asked her why she started such a rumor. The lady said, It is not gossip, I saw your car parked in front of the tavern all night long, and you know the Fluzzie who lives next to the tavern.

The deacon ask is that why you started such a story? The gossip said, "yes and I am not backing down you should be ashamed of yourself, and she hung up the phone."

The deacon called another deacon and asked if he could help him, and it would only take about 15 minutes. He took his car over and parked it in front of the gossips house and left it for two nights.

How "Just" Is Our Talk.

    B. We Need To Act Justly In Our Use Of . . Time.
          1. Eph 5:16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. NAS
             2. Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. KJV
             3. How come most of the people out on visitation are newer members or newer Christians?

How Just Is Our Use Of Our Time?

C. We Need To Act Justly With Our Use Of . . Talent.

Ro 12:6-8 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. NAS

Illustration
At the recent Missouri Baptist Convention I talked with the pastor of First Baptist Millersville. Some of you know him. Orville Bridges taught him in high school. He told me that he heard about the death of Rick Mell, and a member of the Millersville church attended the funeral. She told him, "I don't know the pastor over there at Tabernacle but he really had that church organized. The were organized like professionals.

I laughed at that and told Daniel I did very little in the organization of things but the church really came together, and worked beautifully. It was a joy to behold. All the Spiritual Gifts were at work.

How Just Is Our Use Of Talent?

D. We Need To Act Justly With Our Use Of . . Treasure.

1. The Treasure of Money.

Luke 12:34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. NAS

Illustration
Do you know our church is doing very well Financially? At the end of this year we may be 50% above our budget. And we have done several projects to spend that money.

We exceeded the Home Mission, and State Mission Offering Goals. I believe we will give a good offering to World Hunger.

Why Is all of that true? I believe God has brought a pastor and people together. But please don't say the increase is because of me; I do not want the credit I want all of us to praise the Lord. I want you to know I do not want the blame when something goes wrong unless it is obviously my doing.

Earlier it appears some were not giving. Why would any Christian hold back the tithe. Why would any Christian refuse to tithe? That is not acting Just with the Lord.

2. The Treasure of The Biblical Message.

2 Co 4:6-7 6 For God, who said, " Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; NAS

2 Tim 1:13-14 13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. NAS

How Just Is Our Use Of Our Treasure?

Suppose God took the amount you give and times it by 10 and made that your salary?