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1) Walk Thru The Word for Today: Micah 6: 1-5
(To Do Justice, Love Kindness/Mercy, and to Walk Humbly Requires Us To Do God’s Work God’s Way)
The Indictment of the LORD
1Hear what the LORD says: Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.
2Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth, for the LORD has an indictment against his people, and he will contend with Israel.
3“O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me!
4For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
5O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”
(2) Walk Thru The Word for Today:
Micah 6: 8
(To Do Justice, Love Kindness/Mercy, and to Walk Humbly Requires Us To Do God’s Work God’s Way)
What Does the LORD Require?
6“With what shall I come before the LORD and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
3) Message map: Mic. 6:1-8
“America’s Freedom is Founded Upon the Application of The Bible To Civics”
- The Reformation Rekindled The Application of The Bible To Civics Which became The Basis of Western Civilization
- The Puritans Provide A Fresh Start for Freedom
- God’s First Great Awakening Refurbishes The Biblical Basis of American Thought
- God’s 2nd Great Awakening Reclaims/Restores Revitalizes The Biblical Basis of American Thought (Layman’s Prayer Revival, DL Moody & Billy Sunday
- Each Generation Must “Be Born Again (John 3:3) & Apply The Bible To Civics” to realize 2 Chron. 7:14
(4) The Historical Struggle Between Man’s Authority vs. God’s Authority – is the struggle of whose law will we follow.
Rex Lex means the king is Law. Lex Rex means the LAW is king / Supreme.
Wycliffe believed there are inexorable divine laws of God that all must obey.
Building off these ideas, The Declaration of Independence says… “All men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights … the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them [to those rights],… That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government …
Wycliffe stated All are equal before God! “Sola fide” 100 years before Luther was born, and 400 years before The Declaration of Independence was published on July 4, 1776!
(5) Micah 6: 8 (ESV) What Does God Require of Us — all of us, regardless of job title or station in life?
6“With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7Will the LORD be pleased with a thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 8He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
The context of Micah 6: 8 is God saying, “if you do not honor what I call justice, kindness and humility, then do not think you can be received into My presence with what you feel are activities and articles of worship that I respect.
Micah 6:8 — He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
God requires – meaning He demands by His Divine right and authority that we …
Definitions are from Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary and
- do Justice meaning we conform accurately and exactly to the truths and facts of God’s law
- love kindness/mercy meaning we exercise that benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy, that which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.
- To walk humbly means to reduce arrogance and self-dependence; to acknowledge our sinfulness, and submit ourselves to God’s will in repentance; and contrition.
- God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. James 4:1.
- Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you. 1 Peter 5:1.
- Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart. 2 Chronicles 32:1.
- Contrition is to be broken-hearted over sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner.
- A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalms 51:17.
Definitions are from Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
(6) The application of the Bible to Civics most prominently was noted during the Reign of King Alfred the Great (AD 846-899), who reigned AD 871-899 over the English, in the 9th century, acknowledged that God gives us rights, and he codified them into English law.
- This code actually began with a recitation of The Ten Commandments!
The moral and religious well-being of his people was as important to King Alfred as was their physical protection. Influenced by Christian kingship ideals developed during the Carolingian Renaissance, he introduced law-codes based on traditional Old Testament legislation. The Royal Court became a magnet for eminent scholars who became the nucleus around which a great resurgence in Christian learning developed.
(7) The Reformation Rekindled The Application of The Bible To Civics Which became The Basis of Western Civilization
- The Bible Birthed Man’s Quest for God’s Freedom
- King Alfred 9th-10th Century perhaps was foundational for Wycliffe
- Wycliffe 1300’s,
- Huss 1400’s
- Luther 1500’s
- Persecution Drove The Puritans To America
(8) The Waves of Reformation from 1320 – 1520 Broke Upon the Shores of People’s Hearts Leading “Pro-Testament” Freedom to read, respond and live The Bible!
The Rise of “The Morning Star” of the Reformation: John Wycliffe (1330-1384)
The Reformation came about like the waves of an invasion that took place when Allied Forces attacked Nazi Germany by the D-Day storming the beaches of Normandy. The first assault forces were dramatically cut down, but subsequent waves came over them and conquered.
Wycliffe would represent the 1st wave. Martin Luther would represent the 3rd wave. Waves also would come from the Zurich, Switzerland Baptists, the Geneva based Reformed faith, the Scottish Presbyterians, and then in England, the Puritans would rise.
- John Wycliffe (1320’s- 1384) believed there are inexorable (natural, inalienable) divine laws of God that all must obey, and he wrote in the introduction of his 1382 printing of the “Wycliffe Bible,” that “The bible is for the government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
- Wycliffe’s teachings were foundational for us understanding that faith in Christ makes all people equal [each is a whosoever sinner who can be saved by God’s grace!] and The Bible was the sole determinant of morality!
- John Wycliffe repeatedly escaped persecution and died in 1384. The Roman Catholic Church discovered where His body, however, and it was exhumed and his bones burned and his ashes thrown in the Thames.
- John Hus (1372 – 1415) whose name means “Goose” was inspired by Wycliffe. In 1394 as a Czech student, Hus preached against indulgences (fees paid to the church to satisfy God’s wrath for oneself or another). Student riots (acts of civil disobedience) began in support of Wycliffe’s teaching, an “interdict” was issued (a Papal order restraining the participation in divine service), and Hus went into hiding but continued writing to promote Wycliffe’s ideas. At the Council of Constance he was condemned and told that no promise of safety to a heretic was binding. He was burned at the stake July 6, 1415.
- Martin Luther” (1483-1546) In 1515 he became a teacher at the new university in Wittenberg, Germany, where he was converted by teaching The Bible’s book of Romans. On October 31, 1517 he nailed his 95 theses to the door of the church at Wittenburg. The Dominicans accused him of following Hus. In June, 1520, a papal edict ordered him to recant. Luther publicly burned the edict, which ignited The Reformation
(9) The Puritans Provide A Fresh Start for Freedom
- The New World Offered The Freedom To Apply The Bible To Civics
- The Mayflower Compact
- The Litmus Test for Politics, Civic Service & Government Administration = a) You must be born again, with evidence of a testimony that b) you could support with the accurate quoting and application of Scripture and c) evidence that you were pursuing Godly disciplines in your life, which included church attendance, Bible study and an accountability group.
- The Satan Deluder Act of 1647
Our Biblical Heritage Includes
- Plymouth Rock 1620
- The Mayflower 1620
- Litmus Test for Politics, Civic Service & Government Administration 1620’s – 30’s
- The “Old Deluder” Satan Act 1642 – 1647
(10) Mayflower Compact Authors Edward Winslow and William Bradford.
In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign lord King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the faith, etc. Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the christian faith, and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant, and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid;
(11) Mayflower Compact 11 November, 1620
… and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, offices from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony: unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names; Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord King James, of England, France and Ireland eighteenth and of Scotland fifty-fourth, Anno Domini 1620.
“Just and equal laws” mean they want to reflect God’s Biblical laws to which each person equally submits.
(12) In the 1600’s, Bible-believing Puritans codified God’s laws and overcame the tyrannical view that the king and government was above the law and could do no wrong.
These Puritans escaped religious persecution by coming to the New World.
Free from tyranny they decided to live and codify God’s will for both their individual and civic lives.
From their work we derive our legal views on freedom of speech, the press, exercise of religion, no self-incrimination, independence of the jury, and imprisonment only after due process.
Under the true, original American View of law and government, all law, and therefore all rights, originate in God.
Therefore, what is not in accord with God’s Law is not law.
The acknowledgement of this first principle of law and government is foundational to our lives and to our liberties.
We are informed of this principle in Scripture, and we are the beneficiaries of centuries of application of this view by those on whose shoulders were are privileged to stand.
(13) “The Old Deluder Satan Act”
Written first in 1642 and adopted in 1647, in Puritan Boston. “The Old Deluder Satan Act” was British North America’s first law to mandate 
compulsory education for children to ensure they had access to Biblical knowledge.
It states, “It being one chief project of that old deluder, Satan, to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in former times by keeping them in an unknown tongue…and to the end that learning may not be buried in the grave of our forefathers, in church and commonwealth, the Lord assisting our endeavors.”
They were saying, in other words: The devil has kept us from the Bible long enough. And we do not want Bible-knowledge to die off when our church leaders do. They reflected the 1382 Wycliffe Bible introduction that says, “”The Bible is for the government of the people, by the people and for the people.” They applied The Bible To civics
Therefore, let schools be established to promote knowledge of God’s Word. The act continues, “It is therefore ordered that every township in this jurisdiction, after the Lord hath increased them to fifty households shall forthwith appoint one within their town to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write and read…”
For the first 200 years or so after the settling of America, education at all levels was explicitly Christian—so that people could read the Bible for themselves. The original colleges and universities were explicitly Christian to train ministers.
In 1692, the Puritans produced a short little book, of which there eventually were millions of copies published. It was called The New England Primer, and it went through multiple editions.
David Barton of WallBuilders has reproduced the short primer, a copy of the 1777 version.
The New England Primer taught American children the alphabet using biblical truths. For example, “A – in Adam’s Fall, We sinned all.” “B – thy life to mend, the Bible tend.” “C – Christ crucified, for sinners died.”
The primer contained all 107 questions and answers of the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), which includes this famous question and answer:
“Quest. WHAT is the chief end of man?
“Ans. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
The New England Primer also contained the Apostles’ Creed, the centuries-old summation of the Christian faith, which is recited in churches all over the world to this day.
The primer was quite influential, and all the founding fathers from New England (and beyond) were weaned on Biblical principles, in part through this little book. This would include Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Sam Adams, John Hancock, and so on.
From George Washington’s Sacred Fire, Dr. Peter Lillback created a chart showing dozens of biblical phrases that can be found in the writings, private and public, of George Washington. It’s as if you cut the man, he bled Scripture.
One of Washington’s favorite biblical references was Micah 4:4: “…they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.” Washington saw this as a metaphor of what America could become—a place where everyone who wanted to live in peace could sit under his own vine and fig tree.
(14)The First Great Awakening 1720-1740
- Evangelized America’s Founders
- Led Them To Want God’s Freedom
- Inspired Them To Apply The Bible To Civics
- The Declaration of Independence
- The 10 Bill of Rights Are Designed To Compel Gov’t To Treat We The People According To The Ten Commandments
2nd Great Awakening 1787-1810
- Re-Called The Country Back To Christ
- Overthrew Secularism that was being applied in Communist and Socialist Europe
- Revitalized America’s Application of The Bible to Civics
- Sent Out Missionaries
(15) George Whitfield Came to America 7 times and was used of God to spark The Great Awakening in the USA.
The Great American Evangelist so far have been:
George Whitefield (1714-1770) Inspired America’s Founders
1st Great Awakening (1720 – 1740) Inspired America’s Founders
Charles Wesley (1703 – 1791) 1st Great Awakening (1720 – 1740)
Charles G. Finney (1792-1875) 2nd Great Awakening (1787 – 1810) Taught the application of Bible to Civics
DL Moody (1837-1899) Came to Christ during the Layman’s Prayer Revival (1857), and did great work for the Lord.
Billy Sunday (1862-1935) Taught the application of the Bible to Civics
Billy Graham 1918-2018)
In 1740 George Whitfield (1714-1770) came to America. He was the “lightning rod” of the revival. He made 7 tours of the Colonies.
In 1740 George Whitefield (1714-1770) came to America. He was the “lightning rod” of the revolutionary-revival. He made 7 tours of the Colonies. George Whitefield was the fountain of Biblical thought from which poured forth the American Revolution. Whitefield operated in the tradition of Wycliffe who was the fountain of thought from which poured forth the Reformation of “Pro-Testament” thinking!
Significant during The First Great Awakening was Gilbert Tennant of Philadelphia, who preached and wrote “The Dangers of An Unconverted Ministry.” He cited Jeremiah 5: 30-31 30“An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: 31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; and my people love it so! But what will you do at the end of it?” He thundered about “ministers who kept people a safe distance from their consciences. He encouraged people to only attend churches of converted ministers.
(16) In 1776, America’s Founding Father’s Declared & Codified GOD’s Will for government to secure the inalienable rights He gives We the People.
In The Declaration of Independence they stated
- GOD’s Gives Us Our Rights, and …
- No government or ruler can take them away.
Government’s Role is to honor and COOPERATE with God to secure the Biblical Rights God gives us.
(17) Governments cannot VIOLATE any of The Bill of Rights without also Violating one or more of the 10 COMMANDS
When people in government violate any of The Bill of Rights, they also violate at least one or more of the 10 Commandments, which express and safeguard the INALIENABLE rights God gives us!
(18) Blessed Is The Nation Whose God Is The Lord!
America had prospered because our government basically administered the laws of God, as the Founding Fathers realized God was securing our unalienable rights through the 10 Commandments. Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…” is not a magical statement. When nations follow God’s laws, the outcomes are well-ordered citizens who develop well-ordered businesses, schools, institutions and societies. Departing from God’s ways, really is departing from sane and rational behaviors and policies.
William Ashley (Billy) Sunday – (November 19, 1862 – November 6, 1935) was an American record-breaking baseball player during the 1880s, who became the most celebrated and influential American evangelist during the first two decades of the 20th century. He called America to Christ and the application of The Bible to civics! [bctt tweet=” God offers US an “If – Then” option 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”” username=”LibertyCF3″]
He also said, “Without the 10 Commandments there will be no civilization. Society and Civilization rests on morals. Morals rests on religion. Religion rests on faith in God, through The Lord Jesus Christ!”
(19) Romans 13: 1-2 (ESV)
Romans 13: 1-2 1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
The “authority” of Romans 13: 1 pertains to moral authority and influence from spiritual power that is to work personally in the earthly powers God institutes. It is the right of men to seek this.
Submitting and Obeying – are not the same! Rom 13:2 does not say we are resisting God, but what God appoints/allows!
Gen 15: God will use Israel as His sword of judgement against the sinfully wicked Amorites.
Exodus 10:1, 9:12 & 10:20 & 11:10 the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them. But in Exodus 8: 15 & 32, 9:34, & Ex 14: 8 Pharaoh and his officials hardened their hearts against the Lord.
All disciples, prophets and patriarchs obeyed God over men, which meant at time they disobeyed authorities.
Persecution usually is an outcome of people obeying God over the edicts and rules of man.
All disciples and prophets when captured took the punishment due them for their civil disobedience, which really was God’s civic obedience to do good, that man called evil. — Except Moses ran away and was exiled/banished. Paul insisted on going to Rome for his day in court.
(20) God offers US an “If – Then” option 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
(21) God’s “IF – THEN” Proposition IF we do our part,
- Humble ourselves (See self as God sees us / believe what the Bible says about us.)
- Pray (Speak with God & Let God Speak to You)
- Seek God’s face (seek a relationship with Him; love Him & His Word & not just want blessings from His hand.)
- Turn from our wicked ways, (Repent and do a 180 degree about face towards God.)
(22) If we do our “If” part, God will do His “Then” part
God Says: “Then”
- I will hear from Heaven.
- I will forgive their sin, and
- I will heal their land.
We must call appropriately for God to hear.
We must ask for forgiveness & repent!
(23) We Must Be Born Again!
John 3: 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life..
1 John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(24) Let’s Pray that God ReAwakens, ReInvigorates & ReEstablish Us in Our Calls In Christ!
Let’s Pray:
May God grant us the grace to faithfully keep our eyes on Him to fulfill our “IF’s”, so in each situation we obtain God’s “Then’s! [email-download-link namefield=”YES” id=”290″]
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