What Does the Lord Require? Micah 6:1–8 (NIV)

Sermon Title: What Does the Lord Require? 
讲道题目：主所要求的是什么？  

Scripture Passage: Micah 6:1–8 (NIV)   
经文段落： 弥迦书 6:1–8（和合本）  

Sermon By:Rev. Aaron Liu
讲道人：刘亚伦牧师

Introduction 引言

Rev. Aaron Liu began by drawing attention to the modern tendency to measure faith through outward success, wealth, and religious performance. He **highlighted** how satire surrounding prosperity-driven Christianity resonates uncomfortably because it exposes a deeper truth: when faith becomes a performance, the gospel is distorted.  

刘亚伦牧师首先提请会众注意现代倾向于通过外在的成功、财富和宗教表现来衡量信仰的倾向。他**指出**，围绕成功神学的讽刺之所以引起不安的共鸣，是因为它揭示了一个更深层的真理：当信仰变成一种表演时，福音就被扭曲了。

Turning to Micah 6:1–8, Rev. Aaron **reminded the congregation** that this struggle is not new. God’s people have long confused religious activity with genuine devotion. This passage, he **emphasized**, calls the church back to authentic discipleship—one rooted in grace, integrity, and humble obedience rather than external display.  

接着转向弥迦书 6:1–8，刘亚伦牧师**提醒会众**，这种挣扎并非新鲜事。上帝的子民长期以来一直混淆宗教活动与真正的奉献。他**强调**，这段经文是呼召教会回归真正的门徒训练——这种训练根植于恩典、正直和谦卑的顺服，而非外在的表现。

Key Points 要点

1. God’s Grievance: Losing Relationship While Keeping Religion

1. 上帝的申诉：失去关系，却保留宗教

Micah 6:1–3; Revelation 2:4 弥迦书 6:1–3；启示录 2:4

Rev. Aaron **explained** that Micah opens with a courtroom scene where God calls creation itself as witness. He **stressed** that God does this not because evidence is lacking, but because His people have stopped listening.  

刘亚伦牧师**解释说**，弥迦书以一场法庭场景开篇，上帝呼召天地万物作证。他**强调**，上帝这样做并非因为缺乏证据，而是因为祂的子民已不再倾听。

Quoting God’s words—  引用上帝的话——

“My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you?” (Micah 6:3)  

我的百姓啊，我向你做了什么呢？我在什么事上使你厌烦？你可以对我证明。”**（弥迦书 6:3）

Rev. Aaron **underscored** that this is not the voice of a harsh judge, but of a wounded Father and faithful lover. The issue, he **pointed out**, was not inactivity but misplaced affection.  

刘亚伦牧师**着重指出**，这并非严苛审判官的声音，而是一位受伤的父亲和忠实的爱人的心声。他**指出**，问题不在于无所作为，而在于错置的情感。

Drawing a parallel with Jesus’ rebuke to the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:4), Rev. Aaron **warned** that churches can be doctrinally sound, active, and busy—yet still lose their first love. God desires relationship, not religious performance.  

联系耶稣对以弗所教会的责备（启示录 2:4），刘亚伦牧师**告诫**说，教会可能在教义上纯正、活跃且繁忙，却仍可能失去起初的爱心。上帝渴望的是关系，而非宗教表现。

2. Grace Before Requirement: Remembering God’s Faithfulness

2. 恩典先于要求：铭记上帝的信实

Micah 6:4–5; Exodus 20:2; 1 John 4:19

弥迦书 6:4–5；出埃及记 20:2；约翰一书 4:19

Before calling His people to obedience, Rev. Aaron **highlighted** how God first reminds them of His saving acts—deliverance from Egypt, redemption from slavery, and guidance through faithful leaders.  

在呼召祂的子民顺服之前，刘亚伦牧师**强调**，上帝首先提醒他们祂的拯救作为——从埃及得拯救，从奴役中得救赎，并透过忠心的领袖引领他们。

Rev. Aaron **emphasized strongly** that grace always comes before demand:  

刘亚伦牧师**着重强调**，恩典总是先于要求：

We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)  

我们爱，因为神先爱我们。”**（约翰一书 4:19）

He **stressed** that obedience is never payment for grace but a response to it. When God’s people forget His mercy, entitlement grows, compassion fades, and humility is lost. Remembering God’s faithfulness, however, cultivates gratitude, reverence, and faithful living.  

他**强调**，顺服从来不是对恩典的偿还，而是对恩典的回应。当上帝的子民忘记祂的怜悯时，权利意识就会滋长，同情心就会消逝，谦卑也会丧失。然而，记住上帝的信实，却能培养感恩、敬畏和忠信的生活。

3. God’s True Requirement: Not More Sacrifice, But a Changed Life**

3. 上帝真正的要求：非更多祭物，乃是生命的改变**

Micah 6:6–8; Hosea 6:6  弥迦书 6:6–8；何西阿书 6:6

Rev. Aaron **observed** that the people responded by asking the wrong question—not *how* to live, but *how much* to give. Their escalating sacrifices revealed a transactional mindset toward God.  

刘亚伦牧师**指出**，百姓以错误的问题回应——不是问*如何*生活，而是问*要献上多少*。他们不断加码的祭物揭示了他们对上帝的交易心态。

At this point, Rev. Aaron **clearly emphasized** Micah 6:8 as the heart of the passage:  

在此，刘亚伦牧师**明确强调**弥迦书 6:8 是这段经文的核心：

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  

世人哪，耶和华已指示你何为善。

God’s will, he **reminded the church**, is not hidden or complicated. It is lived out through:  

他**提醒教会**，上帝的旨意并非隐藏或复杂。它是通过以下方式活出来的：

Acting justly – allowing faith to shape how we treat others, especially the vulnerable  

行公义——让信仰塑造我们如何对待他人，尤其是弱势群体  

Loving mercy – delighting in compassion shaped by God’s grace  

  好怜悯——喜悦以神的恩典为模样的慈悲  

Walking humbly with God– living daily in dependence, obedience, and trust  

存谦卑的心与你的神同行——每日活在倚靠、顺服和信靠中

Rev. Aaron **stressed** that true worship is measured not by offerings, but by integrity in everyday life.  

刘亚伦牧师**强调**，真正的敬拜不是用祭物来衡量，而是用日常生活的正直来衡量。

4. Christ as the Fulfillment of Micah 6:8 4. 基督成全了弥迦书 6:8

Matthew 5:17; Philippians 2:5–8 马太福音 5:17；腓立比书 2:5–8

Rev. Aaron **pointed the congregation to Christ**, explaining that while Micah tells us what God requires, Jesus shows us how it is fulfilled.  

刘亚伦牧师**将会众引向基督**，解释说，虽然弥迦告诉我们上帝所要求的是什么，但耶稣向我们展示了如何成就它。

Jesus acts justly, loves mercy, and walks humbly with the Father—even to the cross. Rev. Aaron **emphasized** that in Christ, Micah 6:8 is no longer merely a command but a life formed in believers through the Holy Spirit.  

耶稣行公义，好怜悯，并以谦卑的心与父同行——甚至走向十字架。刘亚伦牧师**强调**，在基督里，弥迦书 6:8 不再仅仅是一条诫命，而是藉着圣灵在信徒生命中塑造成形的生命。

What God requires, Christ fulfills.  

上帝所要求的，基督来成全。  

What Christ fulfills, the Spirit now shapes in us daily.  

基督所成全的，圣灵如今每日在我们里面塑造。

## **Conclusion**## **结论**

Rev. Aaron **concluded** by reminding the church that Micah 6 does not diminish worship but deepens it. True worship flows beyond songs and rituals into lives transformed by grace.  

刘亚伦牧师**总结说**，弥迦书第 6 章并非贬低敬拜，而是深化敬拜。真正的敬拜超越诗歌和仪式，流入被恩典转化的生命。

As believers come to the Lord’s Table, he **emphasized**, they come not to prove themselves but to receive grace afresh—forgiven before being sent, nourished before being called to live out their faith.  

当信徒来到主的桌前时，他**强调**，他们前来不是要证明自己，而是要重新领受恩典——先蒙赦免，后被差遣；先得滋养，后蒙召活出信仰。

Take-Away Message 行动信息

Rev. Aaron **left the congregation with this challenge**: God is not seeking more religious activity, but lives shaped by justice, mercy, and humble obedience.  

刘亚伦牧师**留给会众这样的挑战**：上帝寻求的不是更多的宗教活动，而是被公义、怜悯和谦卑顺服所塑造的生命。

Authentic discipleship means loving God deeply, living out faith daily, and serving others with integrity—so that every generation may grow as authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.  

真正的门徒训练意味着深深地爱神，每日活出信仰，并以正直服事他人——以便每一代人都能成长为耶稣基督真正的门徒。

Amen.阿门。

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

As our time together draws to a close, we thank You for Your presence and for the gift of gathering as Your disciples. We are grateful for the fellowship, the encouragement, and the truth we have shared tonight.

We especially thank You for the powerful message delivered by Rev. Aaron Liu. Thank You for Reverend's faithfulness in teaching Your Word and for the clear call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. Plant this word deep in our hearts, and help us to live it out in tangible ways.

Lord, we also come before You with joyful and hopeful hearts.

• We celebrate a wonderful milestone as we give thanks for Arthur’s 80th birthday. We praise You for the gift of his life, his legacy of faith, and the years You have granted him. Bless him abundantly with joy, health, and peace in this new year of life.

• As we enter the Lunar New Year, we ask Your hand of blessing upon all who celebrate. Grant our families and communities a smooth, peaceful, and prosperous celebration. May this season be filled with Your harmony, renewed hope, and the warmth of love among family and friends.

Lord, we also lift up our brothers and sisters in prayer:

• We ask for Your healing and strength for Glory and John. May Your peace guard their hearts and Your hand restore their health.

• We also lift up Glory’s brother, David. We pray for his speedy recovery and complete restoration to good health. Surround him with Your healing presence and comfort his family.

• We pray for our brother, Bro Loh Seng. Uphold him with Your grace, provide for his needs, and deepen his faith daily.

• We also lift up Christine Poh. Thank You for her service. We ask that You would grant her good health, renewed energy, and enduring wellness as she continues to serve You.

We also bring before You Rev. Aaron Liu. Thank You for his leadership as our District Superintendent (DS). Grant him wisdom, discernment, and spiritual strength as he guides the churches under his care. We also pray for Your traveling mercies upon him—keep him safe, grant him rest, and bless every journey he undertakes for Your kingdom’s work.

As we go our separate ways, help us to walk this week with greater intention—to see with Your eyes of justice, to love with Your heart of mercy, and to lean not on our own strength and understanding, but to walk humbly with You, our God.

Now, as one body, we unite our hearts in the prayer that Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, taught us to pray:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Amen.