Scripture: Amos 3:7-8

C.I.: Amos: “God’s Prophet to the Rich & Famous”

[Give history of Divided Kingdom] – Amos prophesied during the “Golden Days” of Israel!
Politically, economically and militarily – Israel was at the greatest – during the days of Amos!
“Winter & summer” (3:15) - “beds of ivory” (6:4) -“anoint themselves..” (6:6) - “sprawlers’ banquets” (6:7).
He was the “Jed Clampett” of the prophets (7:14), “I am not.. a herdsman & a grower of sycamore figs.”
– His message was against the “Beautiful People” - and is just as true today - as it was 29 centuries ago!

I. “Beautiful People” on the Outside are Not Always Beautiful, (Book of Amos)

A. The Sins of the Rich & Famous

1. “For three transgressions of Israel and for four…”
a. (2:6-7), “Thus says the Lord, ‘For 3 transgressions of Israel and for 4 – I will not revoke its pun’
1) …they sell the righteous for money and the needy for a pair of sandals – Oppression of Poor
2) They pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the helpless – Greed (dust = more land)
3) They turn aside the way of the humble – Injustice (bribes, 5:12, “You who accept bribes, they turn aside the poor in the gate” – the city’s court was held at the gate.)
4) And a man & his father resort to the same girl – in order to profane My holy name” irreligion.
b. God calls for the rich & famous – to turn from their wickedness – and to seek after Him!

B. God’s Call to the Rich & Famous (Amos 5)

1. Right & Wrong Ways to “Seek the Lord” (verses 4-17)
a. Wrong Way #1: Pluralism – “When differing religious ideas can co-exist in harmony”
1) (vs. 4-5), “Seek Me that you may live – Do not resort to Bethel, do not come to Gilgal.”
2) Their relationship with God - was one part among many – in their lives
3) Today people … ILLUST. “God = Wedge of a pie chart” or Sacred vs. Secular”
4) (II Cor. 6:14-15), “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; - for what partnership have righteousness & lawlessness, - or what fellowship have light & darkness, - or what harmony have Christ & Belial (Satan)?”

b. Wrong Way #2: Procrastination – “Seek the Lord that you may live, - lest He break forth like a fire, and it consume for none to quench it for Bethel,” (v. 6).
1) God’s wrath is terrible (Rom. 2:5; Rev. 6:16), “Because of your stubbornness…” – “Say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the wrath of the Lamb.’”
2) Today is a GREAT day to “seek the Lord” (II Cor. 6:2) – tomorrow’s too late (Jms. 4:14).

c. Right Way: By seeking righteousness – (vs. 14),“Seek good and not evil, that you may live.”
1) We cannot have God without godliness – For we seek what we love & love what we seek!!
2) (Matt. 6:21, 33), “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also. – Seek first….”

2. Two vain hopes of the rich & famous, (verses18-24)
a. #1. When they hope God will change His will – so they don’t have to change their ways – vain!
1) (v. 18a), “Alas you who are longing for the day of the Lord, for what purpose will the day of the Lord be for you?”
(i) Amos is the 1st to use this expression – its a day of God’s intervention (hope & despair).
(ii) How hopeless life is without God, “As when a man flees from a lion, and a bear meets him, then he goes home, leans his hand against the wall, and a snake bites him,” v. 19.
(iii) People who are unwilling to repent of their sin – will not escape the judgment to come!
2) (v. 18b), “Day of the Lord will be darkness and not light.”

b. #2. When they hope in religion - but not in personal righteousness – their religion is worthless!
1) (vs. 21-23), “I hate, I reject your festivals, - nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. – Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings & grain offerings, - I will not accept them; - and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. – Take away from Me the noise of your songs; - I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.”
(i) The external practice of religion – even when it’s correct – is useless – unless it is also accompanied by an internal seeking after God!!.
(ii) GOD IS NOT IMPRESSED WITH PEOPLE WHO JUST GO THRU THE MOTIONS!!!
(iii) (Jn. 4:23-24), “An hour is coming when true worshipers will worship the Father….”

2) Our Hearts (inside) and our Lives (outside) – must be in agreement w/God to be acceptable!
(i) (v. 24), “But let justice roll down like waters – and R. like an ever-flowing stream.”
(ii) God has always called – for our INTERNAL & EXTERNAL worship – to be RIGHT!

3) Sadly, the “Beautiful People of Israel” didn’t respond to God’s call – (v. 27), “‘Therefore I will make you go into exile beyond Damascus,’ says the Lord.”

CONCLUSION:

1. Politically, economically, militarily – Israel was at the top of the world (internally = rotten)!

2. Politically, economically, militarily – We today are at the top of the world … internally???

3. (II Pt. 3:10-11), “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief, in which the heavens will…”

a. (I Pt. 4:17), “It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; - and if it begins with us first, - what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel?”

4. (Mk. 16:15-16), “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel. - The one who has believed….”