Amos #10: an exposition of Amos 8:1-14. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, July 20, 2014.
Intro:
One of the chief attributes of our God is His loving, patient grace. Though our God is altogether holy, different, distinct, set apart; He is also loving, gracious and merciful. Those are marvelous words, “Slow to anger.” I find tremendous peace in them. I’m grateful that God is forgiving and kind in dealing with me and my many faults and failures. I’m grateful for a loving Father who gives “without a lecture” and who meets my every need. At the same time, if I am faithful to the teaching of the Scripture, I must acknowledge that His wrath is just and righteous. I should glory in His judgment as I do in His mercy. That’s not easy. It is one thing to glory in God’s unmatched mercy it is another to glory in His unmatched judgment. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. It was the message of God’s judgment Amos was called to deliver to the northern kingdom of Israel. A message that filled his heart with sorrow and his eyes with tears. Amos knew God’s judgment would be devastating. He also knew it was just. Our text this evening is found in the 8th chapter of Amos.
Text: Amos 8:1-14
Amos was given a series of visions.
A swarm of desert locust devouring everything in sight.
Amos objected, “No, Lord. How can Jacob stand? He is so small.”
The Lord relented.
Then a great fire devouring even the depths of the great sea.
Again, “O, Lord please cease. How can Jacob stand? His is so small.”
Once again the Lord relented.
Then a plumb line.
No appeal this time.
Now comes the 4th vision – a basket of summer fruit.
From it we are reminded that…
Thesis: The constant rejection of God’s gracious call to repentance leads to a devastating, debilitating judgment.
God’s grace is not without limit.
His patience does come to an end.
Grace is not owed – a grace that is owed is not grace!
It is a dangerous thing to turn a deaf ear to God’s gracious, merciful call to repentance.
There are 4 things I want to point out as we work our way through this text.
- The prophet announces God’s sovereign and righteous judgment. (8:1-3)
- God’s judgment is in response to flagrant, persistent unrighteousness. (8:4-6)
- God’s judgment will be unrelenting. (8:7-10)
- God’s judgment removes the means of repentance and renewal. (8:11-14)