Good Church

From the men’s study on November 4, 2021:

Micah 4:1-2, Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it.
Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.”\ For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Reading these words of prophecy about a coming day when Jerusalem will again be the focus of God’s favor and when men world over will go there to worship and learn, caused us to think of and talk of church life these days in our region.  We talked about the people who come to Standing Stone Bible Church every Sunday morning to learn hopefully with a strong desire to walk in accord with His will – to live out the truths learned.  The charge for us as a church is to unashamedly proclaim God’s will, ways and word to any and to all.

We should be reminded of the response to Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount:  And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)

Oh, that we would be true to the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and proclaim it with diligence and force – “Thus says the Lord!”

The prophecy of Micah 4 caused us to review the powerful call to all believers found in Acts 17:11: These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

If we desire God’s blessings – His favor – “these were more noble than…” – then we:

1. Ready ourselves to learn.  We come ready to learn.  That means what we do the night before matters!  If we are out late or up late, we will not be as ready.  If we are taking in sin, violence, or evil, we will not be as prepared.  If we are fussing and fighting, we will not be ready.  Where our heart is, where our thoughts are, and the state of our bodies (tired?), all matter!!
   The evening and the morning were the first day (Genesis 1:7).

2. Received the Word.  That we be engaged – they took notes, they were focused – they got it!
3. Search daily.  Go home to study to make sure the teaching aligns with Scripture and is not something out of context or of a personal opinion.

Implied is that they were given to knowing, so to change and to obey.   May such mark us!

Back to Micah 4:

“Nations will come.”  No ethnicity, social strata, educational achievement, or worldly success will be the criteria or limit for who is welcomed.

“Come let us go!”  We call others to join us – to come hear God’s powerful word which is necessary for salvation, living and hope.  Bring them along!