"Just Do It"
January 30, 2005

The New Testament Lesson: James 1: 22 - 27
The Old Testament Lesson: Micah 6: 1 - 8

I.  God has made understanding how to please him simple
   A. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got on preaching was KISS
        1. I hope you all recognize that acronym: keep it simple, stupid!
            a. I was given that advice in my very first church.
            b. Walt Horsley, the music director, shared it.
        2. I’ve come to realize something important.
            a. not only do music directors like that, so does the congregation.
            b. but in addition to those, The Keep It Simple Principle is one of God’s favorites!
   B. In opposition to the Jewish Laws, God keeps things very simple.
        1. Judaism is very fond of rules.
        2. They have tried to make sure that the original 10 have support.
            a. They have added to those ten, a mass of OT interpretation.
            b. On top of that, they have devised an additional 613 to clarify that.
            c. And to that they have added the interpretation of the Talmud to make the 613 understandable.
        3. When all is said and done, you need a lawyer to help you figure it. (Or perhaps a tax accountant!)
        4. People have long needed a simpler way to handle it all.
   C. As Christians we think of Jesus’ was the one who simplified things.
        1. You remember when Jesus was asked which command was greatest
        2. He actually gave a two fold answer.
            a. Love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.
            b. Love your neighbor as yourself.
        3. Obey these and you’ll be in sync with God!
        4. But the process began long before Jesus

II.  The prophet Micah is an earlier example
   A. He spoke to God’s chosen straight from God’s own heart.
        1.  Looking at their waywardness, he called them to a halt.
        2. Forget all the ritual to which you cling.
            a. It means nothing to God unless your heart is in the right place.
            b. Sort of like flowers from a straying husband.
            c. The flowers are nice, but far nicer it is if he stays at home!
        3. Many offered their gifts in a mechanical way.
        4. Like saying, “The Law says I must bring a sin offering.  Can I just give you several now to cover the rest of the week?”
        5. In response, Micah said there were only 3 things God really wants.
            a. Do justice.
            b. Love Mercy.
            c. Walk humbly with God.
            d. Repeat those with me…
        6. It can’t get much simpler than that.  8 words total.
        7. Lets talk about these simple statements.
   B. Do Justice.
        1. Do you know what is just?  I hope so, because even children do.
        2. One of the very first calls to justice comes from their mouths.
            a. That’s not fair!  Ever hear it?
            b. I know I didn’t teach it to my children, but they knew it.
        3. I think God gives us an inborn sense of justice.
            a. Mostly we use it in the personal realm.
            b. We identify justice when what’s right for me is violated.
        4. But God’ call is not Demand Justice.  It is do justice.
            a. We are asked to take our sense of right into all our dealings.
            b. We are to act in such a fashion that we would be happy to be on the other end of any deal we make.
            c. We are to act justly toward other people.
        5. However it is in your power, do what is right.
   C. Second, love mercy!
        1. That strikes deeply into my heart.
            a. too often, I love seeing people get what they deserve.
            b. I want the balance scales to equal out for those who do wrong.
            c. I love “just deserts!” more than I love mercy.
        2. The other day, I was traveling down Interstate 15
            a. It was one of those crowded days—very foggy.
            b. I was anxious to get to my meeting, but wanted to be careful.
            c. Then, along comes some nut zipping in and out of traffic.
            d. Obviously in a great hurry, he cut me off and never even slowed.
            e. A few minutes later, I passed him back.  That was because he’d been pulled over by the state police.
            f. Hurrah! That’s justice, I said.  I was loving Just Desserts.
        3. But God calls us to love mercy!
            a. That’s what we have been given!
            b. Were the world to operate on Just Desserts, we be in big trouble.
            c. Instead, God calls us to operate in the same mercy we’ve received.
            d. We are to be happiest when People are released from burdens and given a second chance.
   D. That is made possible by the third injuction: Walk humbly with God.
        1. If we walk with a sense of pride and before God, we’re mistaken.
            a. We are walking in a delusion.
            b. We’re getting to think that God came upon a real deal in us.
            c. We think God got something when we turn our life over to him.
        2. Micah says that God did get something: a mess!
            a. The lives we gave to God were like clunkers.
            b. The engine was badly out of tune and the body all rusted.
            c. When God took us in hand, he knew how much work we’d be!
        3. Humility comes when we believe this and know God took us anyway
            a. Despite our flaws and failing.
            b. Despite the bad characteristics and cantankerous natures.
            c. Despite all the work God had to do to make us human, God took us.
        4. Believing that will right all of our relationships.
            a. It will make us grateful to be in God’s hands.
            b. It will make us thankful at the sacrifice of Christ.
            c. It will empower us to deal justly with others.
            d. It will make us yearn for others to receive the mercy that we received.

Friends, what God is really asking of us is very simple: do justice, love mercy and walk humbly before God.  It isn’t rocket science.  It is so simple that Children understand the concepts.  but it all hinges on our ability to recognize all that God is asking from us are the things that God has already given us.  Let’s try it, shall we?

And as you go from this place, may you walk in the way of Christ Jesus and May God always find you faithful!