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Amos & Christ

Introduction: The Book of Amos is like the prophet; kind of rough around the edges. Amos identifies himself in a way that most professional speakers are taught not to. He pointed out his lack of experience in preaching the word of God. "I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit" (Amos 7.14). This reminds me some of the Holiday Inn Express commercials. A nuclear power plant is having a serious containment problem when one man seems to know the right thing to do. The head of the staff gives a nod to signal to the rest of the staff to follow the instructions of this one lone man. The disaster is averted and everyone is celebrating. When the question is asked, are you new here? To which he replies, "No, I am a member of the group touring the plant, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night."

Amos did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express but he knew the word of God. He lived in the town of Tekoa which was in the Southern Kingdom. He was sent by God to preach to the people of the Northern Kingdom.

1. Between 760 – 750 BC

2. Uzziah King of Judah and Jeroboam II King of Israel

a. Uzziah was strengthening Judah, 2 Chronicles 26

b. Jeroboam II was continuing on with the false worship of Jeroboam

3. Assyria was the world power. For about 60 years its leaders were weak allowing Judah and Israel to have peace.

1. Forty one years of relative peace and prosperity, 2 Kings 14.24-27

2. They were living in luxury, Amos 6.3-6

3. They had winter and summer houses (3.15);fine furnishings and food, (6.4); time to relax and enjoy the finer things of life (6.5-6a).

1. Judah (2.4)

    a. Despised God’s Law

    b. Had not kept His commandments

    c. Followed lies

2. Israel (2.6-8)

    a. Covetousness

    b. Oppressed the poor (much of their wealth was at the cost of the poor)

    c. Immoral behavior

    d. Idolatry – still worshipping the calves at Dan and Bethel

1. Was simple and to the point, (4.1)

    a. They would be lead away into captivity, (4.2)

    b. Past punishments had not resulted in repentance (4.7-11)

        i) Indeed Israel was experiencing a short time of prosperity that is compared to "summer fruit" (8.1).

    c. Now was the time to get ready and prepare for God’s judgment, (4.12)

2. There is an end to God’s patience, (2.13)

E) A series of visions in Amos 7

1. Locust that would devour everything

2. Fire that will consume everything

3. A plum line that will condemn Israel

F) Key points

1. They trusted in their economy but it would not save them, 6.3-7

2. God announces He will pass through them, (5.17) as opposed to passing over them.

3. They will find the "day of the Lord" unfavorable, (5.18-19)

4. God wanted them to "Hate evil and love good" (5.15)

G) Their punishment

1. Irrevocable – nationally they were doomed "prepare to meet thy God"

2. Individually – repentance was possible (5.4)

3. Judgment would be severe (7.7-9)

4. Judgment would be unexpected, (8.1)

H) What we learn about God from Amos

1. He communicates with others, (3.7) we just have to listen

2. He hates and abhors evil, (5.21-22)

3. He swears by Himself (4.2; 6.8) New Testament (Hebrews 6.18; Titus 1.2)

4. He repents in that He can change His mind; God was about to destroy Israel but relented because of the prophets petitions (7.2-3); to consume Israel but relented (7.5-6)

5. He commands (9.3-4)

I) What about us?

1. It is not the economy it is our character

    a. Luxury and prosperity will not save us

        i. Luxury can create a lack of self control and indulgence, 1 Timothy 6.10

        ii. Unfortunately people do put their pocket books over moral issues

    b. Moral decadence abounds – Boy Scouts despised by some, YouTube

        i. "What Ever Happened To The American Dream"

◊"We kill millions of unborn children primarily for economic reasons"

◊"We teach our children that nothing is immoral; then we spend billions to control the diseases they contract"

◊"We use welfare to promote illegitimate births; then we wonder why the family structure is breaking down in the inner cities"

◊"Our kids see murder, sex, and violence glorified in virtually every Hollywood movie; then we wonder why so many of them take guns to school, use drugs, and commit suicide"

J) Individual action is necessary

1. We can use our prosperity wisely: to seek good and not evil, help the poor, and worship in spirit and truth.

2. We must not allow our things to take the place of our faith.

K) Jesus in Amos

1. There are a few references to Jesus in Amos 9.11-12

2. The tabernacle of David would be rebuilt; Jesus came to bring salvation to the house of David, Luke 1.69

3. The Gentiles would be called by "My name"

    a. They would be included in the New Covenant, Acts 15.17

    b. They would be called by My name- the name of Christ

Conclusion: Amos is a book of judgment. We will stand before God in judgment one day. Judgment can be either good of bad. It is bad if you are unprepared; hence, the call to prepare to meet thy God. Those that are prepared can look forward to that day and its reward.

D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 12.02.07