What God Wants from Us

In this Pastor’s Choice message, “What God Wants from Us,” Pastor Tyler Lynde walks through Micah 6:6–8 and asks a question that reaches beneath religious activity into the condition of the heart. What can we possibly bring before the Lord to make things right? More sacrifices? Greater effort? Bigger outward displays of devotion? Micah’s words expose the temptation to use “religious stuff” as a substitute for obedience, as though giving, serving, attending, or performing spiritual duties could make up for areas where we are knowingly resisting God. Tyler shows how the passage builds from burnt offerings to thousands of rams, rivers of oil, and even the unthinkable offering of a firstborn child. The point is not that God despises worship, sacrifice, or service, but that he refuses to be bribed by outward religion while the heart remains unchanged. Drawing from 1 Samuel 15:22, Tyler reminds us that “to obey is better than sacrifice.” God wants transformation, not theatrics. From there, Tyler unpacks the three clear requirements of Micah 6:8: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Acting justly means doing what is right for the right reasons, even when no one is watching. It also means Christians must care deeply about injustice in the world, especially when we are the ones contributing to it. Tyler offers a practical and biblical framework: pray because the true battle is spiritual, act because passivity allows evil to grow, and trust because God alone is sovereign and final judgment belongs to him. Tyler also addresses Jesus’ difficult command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This kind of prayer does not excuse evil or make Christians passive. Instead, it recognizes that the deepest answer to injustice is changed hearts through the power of Jesus Christ. To love mercy is to remember how much mercy we ourselves have received. Through Jesus’ interaction with the woman caught in adultery, Tyler highlights mercy that refuses condemnation while still calling for repentance and change. Mercy does not deny sin, but it opens the door to restoration. Finally, Tyler points to the staggering privilege of walking humbly with God. We cannot live Micah 6:8 by willpower alone. We need Jesus. At the foot of the cross, we receive justice, mercy, humility, forgiveness, and fellowship with the Father. We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Subscribe to our Podcast & YouTube channel to find past sermons, classes, interviews, and more! Find us on Facebook & Instagram