Amos #01: an exposition of Amos 1:1; 7:10-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 30, 2014.
Intro:
It was a time of remarkable growth and prosperity. After years of struggle they finally had some breathing room. The economy was good. They were becoming a power in the region. They were in the middle of a building boom. They had a nice, comfortable life. That’s why they were so angry. The last thing you want, when you have a nice respectable life going, is some preacher stirring up trouble! To make matters worse he wasn’t one of them. He was not even recognized by their religion. He was from the south for heaven’s sake. At first his preaching was pretty good. He denounced all their enemies. He spoke of God’s judgment on the surrounding nations. Their initial reaction was, “You know, this guy is making a lot of sense.” He was definitely getting good press. There were certainly some “amens” and a few no doubt shouted, “preach it brother!” Then he did the unthinkable. We quit preach’n and went to meddl’n. He started denouncing the sins of Israel. He dared to say God was bringing that same judgment down on them. “Who does this uneducated, unsophisticated farmer think he is? What right does he have to waltz in here and say these things?” His name was Amos. A fig-picker turned prophet. This evening we begin a study of the book that bears his name.
Text: Amos 1:1; 7:10-17
James Boice said that Amos was one of the most readable, relevant, and moving portions of the Word of God. But in much of the church history little or no attention has been paid to it. He goes on to suggest the reason for its being slighted is that it speaks so powerfully against social injustice and religious formalism, and thus many who would otherwise read it would be condemned by it.
It is true that issues of social justice have not been on the front burner in the evangelical church. That, I think, is in reaction to the social gospel movement of the early 20th century and that social justice has long been a hobby horse for more liberal churches. Yet event a casual reading of Scripture makes it abundantly clear God has a lot to say about or treatment of the poor and the need for justice.
Yet look around. When we consider the number of people who live in abject poverty around the world it would be easy to question, “Does God care?” When we consider the wide discrepancy even in this country between the wealthy and the poor it would be natural to wonder, “Does God care?” When a child is brutalized, when a young girl is taken captive and made part of the sex trade industry – does God care? When some schemer at work moves up the company ladder, does God care? When you are slighted or your reputation is slandered – does God care?
Be careful if you’re asking that. Because I would have to ask you, “Do you want Him to care?” Do you want Him to care if you’ve slandered another? Do you want Him to care if you’ve used the system to gain advantage over another? If you’ve cheated in your spouse?
In light of these questions and in light of what God reveals to us through his prophet Amos, I have good news and bad news for you….
God cares!
The good news is the bad news. God cares about sin and injustice. He cares about our treatment of others and our obedience (or lack of obedience) to His commands. As we begin our study of this most relevant prophet I want us to see that…
Thesis: Amos serves as a model of prophetic ministry.
We, like all churches and all believers, have been called to a prophetic ministry. We are to represent God to the people. We are to cry out against sin and injustice wherever we find it. We are pretty good at pointing the finger but we must never forget judgment begins in the house of God. We cannot afford to overlook our own sin. In seeking to understand how we are to carry out this prophetic work let’s look at Amos.
There are three things I want to note.
- Amos warns of the insecurity of a stable yet unrighteous nation. (1:1a)
- Amos reminds us of God’s delight in using the least qualified in extraordinary ways. (1:1; 7:14-15)
- Amos demonstrates the power of an uncompromised faith. (7:10-13, 16-17)