Everyday Prophets – Amos
January 24, 2021
Amos was a shepherd who lived outside of Bethlehem. He also was a “dresser of sycamore trees” which no one knows the meaning. ? This was a prosperous time in Israel’s history, but they were morally bankrupt, worshipping the gods of weather, sex and war.
Amos is a collection of messages, poems and visions the corrupt Northern Kingdom.
Amos 5:12-15 NIV
“For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts 13 Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil 14 Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.15 Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.”
Oppress the innocent. Take bribes. Deprive the poor of justice in courts.
Remember, Israel had once been slaves in Egypt. They should know better.
Good people were keeping quiet.
Hate evil. Love good. Maintain justice.
A nation is exceptional by its care for the lowest members of society.
Amos 5:21-24 NIV
“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.23 Away with the noise of your songs. I will not listen to the music of your harps.24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
MLK – Letters from a Birmingham Jail and I Have a Dream
They were going through the motions of worship but had forgotten the purpose of worship
Story of man being greeted after worship
We should worship with our eyes open and our feet ready.
Acts 16: Summary
Paul and Silas cast out a demon from a fortune teller.
A mob forms.
They’re falsely accused.
They’re stripped in public and beaten with wooden rods.
They’re cast into the inner dungeon.
They’re bound with heavy chains.
They chose to worship.
Acts 16:25-28 NIV
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
They were there, because it was the place of God’s presence! Suddenly, a cold dark dungeon became the best place on earth!
Why do we worship? What did Paul and Silas want from God?
We worship what we welcome.
Worship is a personal decision.
I decide to lift my voice.
I decide to raise my hands.
I decide to clap my hands.
I decide to bow down and worship.
We don’t worship to get our emotional needs met.
We worship to become someone, to be transformed.
Worship is an invitation to respond to God, to become like Christ.
