7 Ghastly Sins of Ministry (Micah 3)

Text: Micah 3

1. Hatred of Good and Love of Evil (Mic 3:2)
A. Values that are Self-Centered, Not Christ-Centered
B. Values that are Self-Defined, Not Spirit-Defined
C. Values that are Self-Glorifying, Not God-Glorifying

A confused value-system that honors culture, man, and the world rather than the Law of God

Luke16:15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

2. Exploitation of the Sheep (Mic 3:2)
A. Manipulating People Like Things and Not Treating Them as Persons
B. Over-Demanding
C. Not Caring for the Well-being of Sheep

Mat 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

1Pe 5:2-4 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

3. Misleading the Sheep (Mic 3:5)
A. Leading People Into False Beliefs
B. Leading People Into Sin (by their lifestyles, by the systems they build)
C. Leading Them Into Disfavor with God (People lose God's blessings)

Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
Gal 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

4. Giving False Consolation (Mic 3:5)
A. No Seriousness Against Sin/ Do not Condemn It
B. Acting as if There will be no Judgment
C. Pointing People to Feelings and Present Circumstances Rather Than At the Justice of God

1Thess 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Cor 5:2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? (RSV)
Jas 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness

5. Abhorring Justice and Perverting all Equity (Mic 3:9)
A. Showing Favoritism to People
B. Having No Accountability
C. Creating an Atmosphere of Factions

Jas 2:2-4 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
Rom 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

6. Building up Zion with Bloodshed and Jerusalem with Iniquity (Mic 3:10)
A. Building their Empires at the Expense of People
B. Building their Empires on Principles Opposed to God's Law
C. Building their Empires instead of Building the Kingdom of God

Php 2:20-21 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

7. Judging for Bribe, Teaching for Pay, and Prophesying for Money (Mic 3:11)
A. Building a System of Ministry that is Money-Oriented/Can't Go Further Unless There is Funding and Support/ A Ministry Based on Silver and Gold Rather than on the Spirit of God. Money has a part to play (the Temple collected offerings and Jesus had financial supporters and a treasurer), but money should not take the place of the Holy Spirit.
B. Unwilling to Serve Except for Some Monetary Return/ Prefer the Rich Above the Poor And Seek Not the Will of God in Taking Appointments, etc
C. The Quality of Ministry is Determined by the Pocket of the One Being Served/ Commercialization of God's Work

Act 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
1Ti 3:2-3 A bishop then must... not [be] greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous.
Joh 10:12-13 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.