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Joy is not automatic in the Christian life.  It’s possible to belong to the realm in which the joy of God is known, and yet, to struggle to know the joy that belongs to that realm.  Saved people can know the struggle for joy in God.

The Life of Abounding Hope - Romans 15:13

Firm In Faith - Isaiah 7:1-9

The Bible is full of references of joy. If you have Bible software, and you do a search on the English word “joy”, not even taking into account words like rejoice, rejoicing, and other words like that, you will find almost 200 references. In the ESV the word “joy” is used 179 times. 
41 times the word joy is found int he Psalms. 
78 times the word joy is found throughout the rest of the Old Testament. 
The New Testament uses the word “joy” 60 times. 
This is a major subject in Scripture. 
That means that this is a major issue in our lives. We need to think about joy.

The Bible is full of references of joy.  If you have Bible software, and you do a search on the English word “joy”, not even taking into account words like rejoice, rejoicing, and other words like that, you will find almost 200 references.  In the ESV the word “joy” is used 179 times.
41 times the word joy is found int he Psalms.
78 times the word joy is found throughout the rest of the Old Testament.
The New Testament uses the word “joy” 60 times.
This is a major subject in Scripture.
That means that this is a major issue in our lives.  We need to think about joy.

The Importance of Joy - Romans 14:13-18

One of the great challenges in theology is trying to understand and explain the union of the two natures of Christ in His one person. It is trying to get our minds around the reality that the incarnation meant that Jesus of Nazareth was a real man. He had a human nature just like ours, but without sin. And yet, at the same time, He was what He had always been and will always be, the Son of God. That is, this one person was both—man and God. This is the eternal Son, the 2nd person of the Trinity, the one who has known eternal love and communion with the Father and the Spirit—one God forever existing in three persons, and now He is seeking the Father in prayer.

Prayer and Preaching - Mark 1:35-39

Delusional Purity Exposed - Proverbs 30:13-14

We do well to remember that what we have in a letter like 2 Corinthians is not just a personal letter to a church. It WAS that, but it was more than that. It is the inspired Word of God. It was meant from the very outset, by God’s design, to be a teaching instrument for the whole church and for the rest of time. 
 
Why does a Holy Spirit-inspired letter that includes personal explanations for changes in travel plans, and a personal defense of his character and the faithfulness of his ministry? 
 
There are several good reasons.

We do well to remember that what we have in a letter like 2 Corinthians is not just a personal letter to a church. It WAS that, but it was more than that. It is the inspired Word of God. It was meant from the very outset, by God’s design, to be a teaching instrument for the whole church and for the rest of time.

Why does a Holy Spirit-inspired letter that includes personal explanations for changes in travel plans, and a personal defense of his character and the faithfulness of his ministry?

There are several good reasons.

Loving Leadership - 2 Corinthians 2:1-4

And now it begins—the preaching ministry, the miracle working ministry, of the Lord Jesus—standing all alone. That is, without the ministry of John the Baptist. 
 
It is the greatest King, the divine King, telling of His kingdom.

And now it begins—the preaching ministry, the miracle working ministry, of the Lord Jesus—standing all alone. That is, without the ministry of John the Baptist.

It is the greatest King, the divine King, telling of His kingdom.

The King Preaches - Mark 1:14-15

Pastor Richard Caldwell preaches about a time in Israelite history when the Egyptians were fighting the hand of God yet God’s hand was upon His people.

The Fear of God - Exodus 1:8-22

Two things are accomplished by the verses that are set before us.  Why does Paul want these believers to be aware of his affliction in Asia?  One reason to share these circumstances is that they may well answer criticisms that have been leveled at him.  Another is that he might communicate the comfort that he spoke of in verses 3-7 and especially verse 6.  What Paul taught about affliction and comfort in general terms, he will put on display through his own specific experience.  Both of Paul’s purposes here are instructive for us.

Dying to Self-Reliance - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

This section of Micah not only gives us insight into the heart of a watchman, it also gives us insight into the hearts of those who HEED the watchman. They heed the watchman because they heed the Word of God.

How the Remnant Responds - Micah 7:8-10

Why would Mark begin an account of the gospel of Jesus with a description of John the Baptist? Well, when you think about John the Baptizer, you always need to think about Jesus. That was John’s desire and that was John’s ministry—that was his purpose— to point the world to Jesus. 
 
As Mark points out from the very beginning of his account of Jesus, before the Messiah would be revealed in His public ministry, His messenger would come first. 
That messenger would prepare the people of Israel for their promised King by declaring the need for repentance. A repentance that spoke of salvation. To receive the King and to enter the Kingdom would require a penitent turning from sin and a believing turning to the Messiah.

Why would Mark begin an account of the gospel of Jesus with a description of John the Baptist? Well, when you think about John the Baptizer, you always need to think about Jesus. That was John’s desire and that was John’s ministry—that was his purpose— to point the world to Jesus. 

As Mark points out from the very beginning of his account of Jesus, before the Messiah would be revealed in His public ministry, His messenger would come first. 
That messenger would prepare the people of Israel for their promised King by declaring the need for repentance. A repentance that spoke of salvation. To receive the King and to enter the Kingdom would require a penitent turning from sin and a believing turning to the Messiah.

My Messenger - Mark 1:4-8

We live in a day of gospel crisis. And the word crisis is not too strong a word. 
It’s a day in which more people know gospel terminology than gospel meaning. Especially in the south part of the United States, the world is full of people who have grown up with gospel words, but have never been in contact with the true experience of those words. 
It’s a day of much empty religion. 
It’s a day of much religious deception. 
It’s a day when a lot goes on in the name of the gospel that is actually in conflict with the biblical gospel 
It’s a day in which there is a desperate need for gospel clarity. 
 
What is the gospel? Who gave the gospel? Does the gospel really represent reality and does the world really need it? Do you really need the gospel? 
Is religious self-help enough? This world is FULL of religious self-improvement. 
Do people just need an encouraging word and a few principles for how to live or is there something more – something that address a DESPERATE PROBLEM IN MANKIND, and a desperate problem before God? 
 
This morning we begin our study of Mark’s account of the gospel. The Spirit of God saw fit to give us four gospel accounts. They are accounts that agree with one another, but they are also accounts that also give us the same truth from different vantage points. Each of these accounts is the inerrant Word of God, yet each of these accounts has its own unique character and makes its own unique contribution.

We live in a day of gospel crisis. And the word crisis is not too strong a word.
It’s a day in which more people know gospel terminology than gospel meaning. Especially in the south part of the United States, the world is full of people who have grown up with gospel words, but have never been in contact with the true experience of those words.
It’s a day of much empty religion. 
It’s a day of much religious deception. 
It’s a day when a lot goes on in the name of the gospel that is actually in conflict with the biblical gospel
It’s a day in which there is a desperate need for gospel clarity. 

What is the gospel? Who gave the gospel? Does the gospel really represent reality and does the world really need it? Do you really need the gospel?
Is religious self-help enough? This world is FULL of religious self-improvement.
Do people just need an encouraging word and a few principles for how to live or is there something more – something that address a DESPERATE PROBLEM IN MANKIND, and a des

The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Mark 1:1-3

Who is a God like you? It is a question posed for the purpose of praise. Micah wanted his listeners and readers to know that there is no one like God. That’s the desire of anyone who has really come to know God. 
 
Anyone who really SEES the God of the Bible with the eyes of faith – stands amazed at the God of the Bible. 
 
This is a real test of our spiritual condition. This is a real test of the genuineness of our salvation. What is our view of God?

Who is a God like you? It is a question posed for the purpose of praise. Micah wanted his listeners and readers to know that there is no one like God. That’s the desire of anyone who has really come to know God.

Anyone who really SEES the God of the Bible with the eyes of faith – stands amazed at the God of the Bible.

This is a real test of our spiritual condition. This is a real test of the genuineness of our salvation. What is our view of God?

Who is a God Like You? - Micah 7:11-20

In the 4 th verse the prophet Micah gives a memorable statement. He says, “The day of your watchmen, of your punishment, has come.” 
A watchman. Someone who in ancient cities was stationed on a wall and had the responsibility to sound an alarm if an enemy approached. Someone who was stationed in vineyards and fields during harvest time to defend produce from animals and thieves. 
Micah and the prophets of God, served as God’s watchmen. They declared the warnings of God. They were called by God to call the people to repentance before those judgments arrived. 
The Spirit of God, through Micah, was now giving a vision of what the day would be like when the Watchman’s warnings became reality. 
One of the things that is so instructive about this passage, is that one of those watchman, Micah, tells us how he feels about it all. We have seen a glimpse of his public ministry, now we gain insight into how he dealt with it all personally and privately. As he declares what the day will be like, he tells us what his thoughts are about it, what his emotions are toward it. 
So that in these verses we see the heart of a watchman.

In the 4 th verse the prophet Micah gives a memorable statement. He says, “The day of your watchmen, of your punishment, has ...

The Heart of a Watchman - Micah 7:1-7

This passage is a clear explanation of why God’s judgment is coming upon the nation, and what must change if they are to be right with God. 
 
To do justice – to love kindness – and to walk humbly with God, is more than a heart attitude. It not LESS than a heart attitude. But where the heart attitude is REAL it shows up in decisions, in choices, and IN REPENTANCE. 
That is what God wants from His people. He wants them to repent where they have been sinning. He lays out, by means of the description of their sins, a roadmap for where repentance must occur.

This passage is a clear explanation of why God’s judgment is coming upon the nation, and what must change if they are to be right with God.

To do justice – to love kindness – and to walk humbly with God, is more than a heart attitude. It not LESS than a heart attitude. But where the heart attitude is REAL it shows up in decisions, in choices, and IN REPENTANCE.
That is what God wants from His people. He wants them to repent where they have been sinning. He lays out, by means of the description of their sins, a roadmap for where repentance must occur.

A Roadmap for Real Repentance - Micah 6:9-16

When the day comes that Jesus gives peace on earth - when He stands and His people sit and rest under His care - that same day will be a day of holiness.

Peace and Holiness - Micah 5:5-15

The hope of Israel is the Messiah. The hope of the world is the Messiah. God gave promises concerning a golden age that is coming, and it is completely wrapped up in a person. The Word of God makes clear that Israel's hope is her God.

The Hope of Israel - Micah 1:1-4

A house is framed before you begin to fill it out. The outline of the structure is there, and then the details follow. 
 
In many prophetic texts we see something very similar. This one is no exception. In the beginning of chapter 4, the Holy Spirit, through the prophet Micah, gives us the big picture, the frame of what is coming with the second advent of Jesus to the earth. In the verses that follow, he fills in the details.

A house is framed before you begin to fill it out. The outline of the structure is there, and then the details follow. In many prophetic ...

How We Get There - Micah 4:6-13

God has left man, even in his sinful condition, with reminders of his original condition. God has left evidence in man himself, that man once existed without sin and with the satisfaction that was originally given by His Creator. He has put eternity in man’s heart (Eccl 3:11), a sense of a larger purpose for his existence. But because of man’s fall, the realization of that larger purpose and the satisfaction of heart that is found in that realization, is always missing. 
 
Man’s desires have been perverted by sin. His desires are perverted both in terms of what he wants, and where he thinks he can find what he wants. He is characterized by twisted dreams and misplaced confidences. 
 
What does he long for? 
He desires something that is related to what God gives but is a perversion of what God gives. As I said, his desires give evidence of something he’s lost, something he forfeited by his sinning. He strives for satisfaction of heart, and yet, he can never achieve. 
 
Micah has declared God’s judgement upon the leaders of the people. He now declares the hope of the godly.

God has left man, even in his sinful condition, with reminders of his original condition. God has left evidence in man himself, that man once existed without sin and with the satisfaction that was originally given by His Creator.  He has put eternity in man’s heart (Eccl 3:11), a sense of a larger purpose for his existence. But because of man’s fall, the realization of that larger purpose and the satisfaction of heart that is found in that realization, is always missing. 

Man’s desires have been perverted by sin. His desires are perverted both in terms of what he wants, and where he thinks he can find what he wants. He is characterized by twisted dreams and misplaced confidences.

What does he long for?
He desires something that is related to what God gives but is a perversion of what God gives. As I said, his desires give evidence of something he’s lost, something he forfeited by his sinning. He strives for satisfaction of heart, and yet, he can never achieve.

Micah has declared God

Mankind’s Only True Hope - Micah 4:1-5

The leaders of a people can be both a judgment from God and a reason for judgment. God raises up kings and kingdoms. God removes kings and kingdoms. And in the course of all of these things, He demonstrates truth to the world. 
"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Pro 14:34 ESV) 
That proverb does not express a blind principle. The principle of sowing and reaping is not some blind law operating on its own. It is God’s existence and activity that explains why righteousness exalts a nation and sin brings one down. GOD BLESSES RIGHTEOUSNESS. GOD PUNISHES EVIL. 
Micah is preaching to a people on the brink of disaster. What is taking place in Israel is both a reflection of judgment and an invitation for judgment. The fact that their leadership is so corrupt demonstrates God’s refusal to bless a land given to corruption. He has given them leaders that they deserve. But at the same time, those same leaders commit the sins that call for additional acts of judgment. 
And in a nation that has been ordained by God to represent Him, the leadership structure is not just of a political nature. God is addressing rulers and religious leaders. 
This is the second of the three major messages in Micah. It again follows the form of a legal indictment. It begins with a call for everyone to hear God as witness, prosecutor, and judge. 
What we have in our verses is a FOUR PART PICTURE of disastrous leadership.

The leaders of a people can be both a judgment from God and a reason for judgment. God raises up kings and kingdoms.

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