Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Reading Micah 5:1-5
- Many people have lost trust in our politicians
- Micah lived in 8th Century BC - economic and political turmoil
- Explanation
- 722BC - The Syrian Army came and devoured the Northern Kingdoms
- 701BC - Sennacherib besieging Jerusalem
- Nebuchadnezzar King of the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem
- The Northern Kingdoms have never recovered
- The Southern Kingdoms have recovered
- A time when God was bringing judgment on the nations - an awful time when the people were wicked
- A prophecy comes:
- 'Out of you shall come forth a ruler'
- There was a very great threat that the Davidic dynasty may be over
- There was total desolation
- Micah prophesies of this King: v4-5
- The place - Bethlehem
- The type of King - Mighty and great
- In the midst of darkness Micah's prophesises hope for God's people
- Fulfilled
- Being fulfilled
- A future fulfillment
- We are to pray for our government
- But there are many things that politicians cannot do - explanation
- Micah's people may be tired of their rulers but they were to trust in the King of Kings
- We are called to listen to Jesus
A Humble Servant
- Born in humble circumstances
- In a manger and a feeding trough
- Bethlehem - an unlikely place, an unimportant place
- Visitors - poor shepherds with the lowest of jobs
- Mary & Joseph - no room in the inn
- Entrance - silent and quiet, no fanfare of trumpets
- Healthcare - no doctors of midwives
- Status - becomes a refugee and flees to Egypt
- Are our politicians humble?
- Jesus:
- Lived in obscurity for 30 years
- Spent 40 days fasting in the desert before starting His public ministry
- His ministry was one of service
- He didn't cry aloud in the streets - He didn't shout about His miracles
- No permanent home
- He borrowed a donkey to ride into Jerusalem
- He met with sinners
- He surrendered to a cross
- He has come forth to God
- To bring Him glory
- He is living for His Father
- He is living for God
- Application:
- Consider Jesus in His humility
- Consider our pride - are we humble?
His Deity (God)
- Coming from everlasting, his goings are to eternity
- His Father had sent Him
- "Before Abraham was, I am"
- No wonder the wise men bowed down before Jesus Christ and gave Him gifts
- All the angels of God worshiped Him
- Jesus had power over death
- Application: Do you recognise who Jesus Christ is?
A Shepherd King
- v4 - combines the royal attributes of a king with the qualities of a shepherd
- Monarchs rarely have total power - those that do often become despots
- Israel of old asked for a King - though they didn't know what they were asking for
- David was a just king who ruled with integrity
- Upon David's throne would come one who would bring an everlasting kingdom - Jesus Christ
- The Southern Kingdoms had no king
- Christ would rule - with the force of love
- An invisible kingdom
- He would show great love
- He made wide invitations
- His commandments were wonderful
- Christ will stand as a shepherd in the strength of the Lord
- He will minister to the people
- Different biblical pictures of Jesus
- Sitting - explanation
- Standing - explanation
- A ministering King
- Through His word - which His ministers teach
- Through Communion
- Through prayer
- Through Christian friends
- Means of Grace
- He came to teach men and women - He continues to do this from heaven
- Application:
- Our future is not certain - examples
- Yet Christ ministers amongst His people
- We rest and abide in Christ
Closing Remarks