Micah 6:6-8
Valor– Courage, bravery, heroism, fearlessness, boldness, gallantry!
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It takes true valor and courage to be a man of God today! It took courage to be a man of God in Micah’s time too.
Micah prophesied in the northern Kingdom of Israel in the late 700 BC time frame. About the same time as Isaiah. King Hezekiah was one of the kings during Micah’s ministry. Northern Israel was enjoying a time of wealth. Most times throughout history when we experience times of comfort, we forsake and forget the Creator. Worship and sacrifices were becoming complacent and cold. People were going through the motions without the true motive of the worship to God.
J
Micah asked the question of what God really requires. God answers him in Micah 6:8. Men simply have to be men of valor for Christ!
Why are some men not living for Christ? Maybe because they believe it’s all about rules. Men have a rebellious nature that longs for purpose. Jesus was the best rebel against culture. He loved with reckless abandon to the world. GI Jesus, the original action hero.
What does God require?
Our response should be…
Do Justice (A Reaction)
J
I’m going to serve. You cannot follow God and not serve Him!
Justice– Uprightness, Fairness, Integrity, Truth
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Human Trafficking is not justice. The pornographic industry is not justice. Drugs being made here and in South America is not justice. Men we are fighting for justice and that justice can only be made for an individual living in a world of injustice through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
There is action involved in following God! Men, you’re action heros! You are to karate chop Satan 365 days a year! Men, here is what Paul says is your action. Listen to 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. Listen to the military actions taking place in these two verses. “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
Love Kindness (A Resolution) I resolve to love God and love people. You cannot please God without love!
J
1 John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Love for a man is found through respect and trust. In fact men will only open up to other men if they feel this. Men, if there is another man you can confide in, you are blessed. You need that! You need a battle buddy, because life is packed full of spiritual warfare.
J
James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
J
Walk Humbly with God (A Relationship) God requires that you have a relationship with Him. How is this done? – through Jesus. John 14:6 makes this crystal clear. Humility is key to coming to Christ. You cannot save yourself. Pride, the American dream, and the self-help mentality always get in the way. Jesus said in Matthew 18:3 “and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
J
So What Does God Require? Jesus sums it up in Matthew 22:37 “And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Men, if you’re wondering how to be a better dad, a better husband, a better co-worker, be all about Jesus! React by serving Him! Resolve to love Him and others with a supernatural, Holy Spirit-ignited passion! These two things will only happen as you pursue a relationship with him!
J
Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
J
What does God require? What is the only thing that changes lives? How do we become men of valor? Being with Jesus!
