Title: Precious Lord (Micah 5:2-6)
Contents
Expository Preaching Note
Subject: Precious Lord
Text: Mic 5:2-6
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5:2 Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of ancient times. 4 And he will stand in the power of the LORD, and in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God, to feed the herds and make them dwell safely; and now he will be great and extend to the ends of the earth. 5 This man will be our peace. When the Assyrians come into our land and trample our palaces, we will raise up seven shepherds and eight princes against him. 6 They will destroy the land of Assyria with the sword, and when they enter the land of Nimrod and tread our territory, he will destroy us. get it out of
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“There is nothing more precious than the Lord Jesus, and there is nothing more precious than the wealth of this world. There is nothing more precious than the Lord Jesus. There is nothing more precious than the Lord Jesus.”
A literal translation of this hymn reads: “I would rather have the Lord Jesus than gold or silver; I would rather have the Lord Jesus than have great riches; I would rather have the Lord Jesus than I would have a large house and a large land; I would rather be led by nailed hands.”
In 1973, when the Billy Graham Korea Evangelism Convention was held in Yeouido, he also came to Korea and sang this song. And in 1984, when the 100th anniversary of the Korean Christian missionary conference was also held in Yeouido, he was 75 years old, but he was wearing thick-rimmed glasses and sang this song with a gentle smile and gave deep grace to the members. His songs were a confession of life. He knew that Jesus was more precious than anything else in the world. Precious Jesus, that was his faith and his confession of life. That is why his song resounding from that faith has made a great impression on many people around the world.
As I sang this hymn, I thought in my heart why Jesus is precious to us. Today, we are going to share the grace by looking for it through the text.
First, because it gives freedom and liberty.
This morning we read the book of Micah together. The Prophet Micah was a prophet who was active when the nation of Israel was in trouble. As he saw the destruction of Israel in the north, he prophesied God's warning and severe judgment to the people of the south. But judgment was not everything. Micah speaks of restoration and grace after judgment. He said that Israel would suffer unspeakably, but would return from captivity and faithfully worship God. He also prophesied the age of the Messiah, who will now be restored forever after the restoration of the kingdom. The text is the prophecy of the restoration of Israel and the birth of the Messiah.
In these words the exact place of the birth of Jesus was fulfilled. 700 years have passed since Micah prophesied. When Jesus was born, people believed that the Messiah was coming from Bethlehem. The reason is that the prophet Micah here prophesied in verse 2. “Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.”
This verse became famous because it accurately pointed out the place of the Messiah's birth, but it focuses more on what the Messiah will do when he comes. In verses 5 and 6, it speaks of the return of Israel from captivity. He declares that God will destroy Assyria, a powerful nation at the time. It means freedom and liberation from oppression and captivity. And when the Messiah comes, all nations and peoples in the world will be freed from oppression and suffering. So at the end of verse 6 it says: “He Will Deliver Us From Him”
So Paul declares this freedom and liberty in Romans and Galatians like this:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death, because Christ set us free so that we may be set free. do not be subject to a yoke of slavery.”
Gentlemen, the Lord came to this earth to set us free. He came to set us free. As we trust and follow the Lord, we must now be free from all that oppresses us and free from all that oppresses us. What is holding my neck and oppressing me? What the hell is Assyria in my life?
What is weighing on me? Are you worried and worried? Or is it anxiety and sighing? Can we add one character to our height if we are concerned? The decisive thing is God. If we leave it to God without being greedy, wait for His time, and completely depend on Him, God will do it. Be free from anxiety. Free yourself from worries. The Lord has set us free, and we must no longer be subject to a yoke of slavery. We hope that you will live free from everything that weighs on us.
Second, because He gives you peace and security.
If you look at the continuing verse, the role of the Messiah is declared like this at the end of verses 4 and 5. “I will make them dwell in peace. This man will be our peace.” He emphasizes peace and peace. This is what the Messiah came and did. Also, this is what the Lord does when he comes into our hearts. What the Lord gives us is peace. It's a quiet life. The Lord did not come to confuse us. You are not here to complicate us. He comes to give us peace and comfort when we are anxious, anxious, and fearful. This is the grace the Lord has given us so far. In the future, the Lord will give you peace. Living in this peace is the life of faith.
One day Jesus told his disciples that he would leave them. Now Jesus had to go to the way of the cross. He had to fulfill the will of coming to this earth and return to his original place. So, you mentioned that you should break up. Then the disciples began to worry. The Lord said to these disciples: “Do not let your heart be troubled, because you believe in God, and believe in me...Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. and do not be afraid”
The first place the resurrected Jesus went to was where his disciples were. They did not believe in the Lord of the Resurrection and were rather anxious and afraid. Because now, people will come to kill them, accusing them of stealing the body of Jesus. In this situation, they were reluctant to reveal their identity and were hidden. The Lord came to the disciples who were trembling with such anxiety and fear. And you said “Peace be with you”
Why did Paul and Silas not have any anxiety while in prison? Why was there no fear? They are human too. But they were dependent on God. He believed that if it was the will of the Lord, he could live or die. With that in mind, they sang a hymn. The song they sang at that time was a clear melody that resounded deep in their souls. As I sang powerfully all night long, peace and comfort came to me. And a miracle happened.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Lord has come to give us peace and security. Only when we abide in Him can we be at peace. Only when we depend on Him can the fear disappear. May you enjoy the peace of the Lord. May all of this anxiety and fear be removed through the peace of the Lord this season of Lent. May you live in peace and joy while singing to God with a clear melody from the depths of our souls.
One of Handel's oratorios is the Messiah. Handel's Messiah will be played as an indispensable masterpiece in church music, from then to today, and perhaps until the coming of the Lord. This Messiah is numbered from 1 to 53. The famous Hallelujah is number 44, and number 8 after being born for us. Many people know Hallelujah, number 44 in the Messiah, but the most musically acclaimed song is the last number 53. This song at its climax has power. The lyrics of this number 53 were made based on the peace of heaven in the 4th chapter of Revelation. Revelation 4 was the scene of worship in the kingdom of heaven that John saw. The four living creatures, the elders, the angels, and all the people and all things that surround the throne sing this song to the Lord with peace of mind. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.”
There is one scene that really moved me while watching the movie 'Ben-Hur'. Ben-Hur, the protagonist, is framed and taken prisoner in Rome, passing through Nazareth. It's so hard and I'm exhausted. A soldier kicks him when he is thirsty and tries to drink from the well. When people try to water him, the soldiers relentlessly stop him from approaching with a whip. When Ben-Hur is no longer able to bear it and is lying down, Jesus comes to him and gives him water. The soldiers try to stop Jesus, but they try to beat him with a whip. However, he meets the peaceful eyes of the soldiers and Jesus. The military doesn't know what to do with those eyes. May this peace come to you.