Bible Text: Micah 4 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship

— Pastor Lou’s Notes —
“It has been said the man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, and about eight minutes without air-but only one second without HOPE.” Anonymous

There is a difference between false hope and true and authentic hope. For a Christ follower, Christ motivates from the future to bring us through the present. It is not only to bring us through the present, no matter how good or how bad, but bring us through in a manner that bring honor and glory to God through Christ.

True authentic hope is always and only based upon the promises of God through Christ. Micah gives us some insights into key future promises of God that leads to peace, joy, love, and godly confidence in present circumstances.

1. In the millennium, God promises that:
1. Jerusalem will be a center of worship v.1
2. It will attract many nations v.1
3. It will be a place for learning v.2
4. It will be a place of righteous judgement and reconciliation v.3
5. It will be a place of peace and prosperity v.4
6. It will be a time of loving obedience v. 5
7. It will be a time for the regathering of the faithful Jews v. 6
8. It will be a time when Israel will be strong v. 7-8

2. Israel’s disobedience will result in judgment v. 9-10
1. There will be a cry of distress

3. God’s sure promise for the future
1. Israel will be rescued and gathered
2. The Messiah will invade time in a small town
3. The Messiah will be born to a peasant family
4. The Messiah will return as King of kings and Lord of lords
5. It will be a time that Christ will rule this earth

Closing:
Fyodor Dostoyevsky said,”Totally without hope one cannot live.” To live without hope is to cease to live. Hell is hopelessness. It is no accident that above the entrance to Dante’s hell is the inscription: “Leave behind all hope, you who enter here.”

There can be not authentic hope without the sure promises of God.