The Sovereign Judgment of Our God

Amos #02: an exposition of Amos 1:3-2:16. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 6, 2014.

Intro:

One of the hallmarks of biblical faith is the belief in the one true God.  Part of the reason why we draw the eire of the culture is our insistence that the whole world will one day answer to our God.  That does sound arrogant and it would be an audacious claim if it was made on the basis of our own assessment but such a claim is the revealed will of God.  He will judge the nations of the earth.  All men will given an account to Him.  Our God is not some tribal deity presiding over a select band of followers.  He is the creator of the heavens and the earth.  He is the supreme judge before whom every knee will bow.  However we cannot afford to be smug in our proclamation for we too will answer to Him.  The privilege of knowing Him, of having His word delivered to us and our unique relationship with Him does not mean we can sin with impunity.  That is the lesson the Northern Kingdom of Israel learned through the preaching of the fig picking prophet from Tekoa.  Our text this evening is found in Amos chapters 1 and 2.

Text: Amos 1:3-2:16

Near the end of the Northern Kingdom God called Amos to leave his flock and his farm in Judah to travel north to the kingdom of Israel.  He was assigned the task of declaring God’s sure and certain judgement on the nation.  His message was hard.  The truth bleak and yet there was the hint of grace within it.

The book of Amos is said to be one of the most readable, relevant and moving portions of the Word of God yet it is, for the most part, ignored.  Why?  Because its message hits a little too close to home.  Amos thunders against social injustice and dead ritual.  Subjects no more popular in the 8th century before Christ than they are today.  However it is a message that must be heard.  One that we must face head on.

In the text before us this evening Amos speaks of God’s judgment on Israel’s neighbors and then on Israel itself.  No doubt there were rousing “Amens!” as the prophet denounced the sins of Israel’s enemies.  But the mood quickly changed as he set his sites on God’s wayward people.

Listen to his words…

Thesis: Amos’ sobering message reminds us that God’s sovereign judgment is both comforting and frightening.
His judgment cuts both ways.  It is comforting in that the enemies of God will be dealt with.  Those who deny God and treat others with contempt will get what is coming to them.  God will not be mocked.  Whatsoever you sow that you will also reap.  What a comfort that is until you recognize your own sin.  The cry for justice is not one way.  Justice for our enemies and grace for us.

Looking at this text I want to draw out three truths.

  1. God will judge those who treat others with brutal contempt.  (1:3-2:3)
  2. God will judge those who defiantly set aside His sovereign commands.  (2:4-5)
  3. God will judge those who flippantly presume upon His grace.  (2:6-16)
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