Series: Social Justice [#9]
THE COMPLACENCY OF A NATION
Amos 6:1-14
Introduction:
About 25 years ago, I heard a young man that was struggling with a call to Ministry preach an interesting sermon. Since then, I have heard this illustration used many times; but it is still good every time. His Sermon title was, “How To Boil A Frog”. When I saw his title, I thought, “He is trying to impress people with his clever title”; but he proved me wrong.
So, here is how you boil a frog. You take a large pot of warm water, set it on a stove top, and place a frog in the pot. Turn the stove on to a low setting. Every 2 or 3 minutes, turn up the heat on the stove just a little bit. Continue that until the water is boiling and the frog is boiled. How in the world would a frog stay in water to the point of boiling to death? The trick is in allowing the frog to get used to the temperature as it gets hotter.
This illustration is 1 of the best when talking about complacency. The devil loves to use complacency against Christians. “Complacency is a state of self-satisfaction that often leads to disengagement from the struggles of the world and a disregard for the call to righteousness.” Amos spoke for God in a time when Israel had become complacent. The wealthy and powerful were living in comfort, indulging in their luxuries while ignoring the social injustices around them. They were blind to their moral decay, focusing instead on their status and wealth. Amos called out their complacency and he would call out our complacency in our Country today.
Amos 6:1-3
1. The danger of complacency.
Complacency breeds a false sense of security. The people of Israel thought they were safe, secure in their wealth and power; but Amos reminds them that they were under impending judgment. The complacent are often those who no longer see the need for God’s guidance, believing instead that they can navigate life by their own strength.
In verse 3, God’s judgment is pronounced- “You put off the day of disaster and bring near a reign of terror.” Complacency leads to a detachment from reality. We become so engrossed in our comforts that we ignore the cries for justice, the pleas for help, and ultimately, the call for repentance.
Amos 6:4-6
2. Luxuries without lament.
In verses 4-6, Amos paints a picture of the affluent lifestyles of the Israelites- Beds of ivory, choice lambs for dinner, and music to soothe their souls. They indulged without a care in the World. However, “you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.” This phrase strikes at the heart of complacency- The inability to empathize with the suffering of others.
In our Nation today, we too often find ourselves in similar situations. We attend our comfortable Churches, enjoying the luxuries of faith, while neglecting the needs of the hurting. Do we grieve over the injustices of our time? Complacency leads us into a state of apathy toward those who are hurting.
Amos 6:7-14
3. Judgment awaits the complacent.
In verse 7, God’s judgment is unmistakable: “Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile.” Complacency comes with consequences. As we detach ourselves from God and the call to justice, we open ourselves to the possibility of being exiled- Not necessarily in a physical sense, but spiritually. Our hearts can become distant from God, our passions for righteousness extinguished.
4. A call to action.
The message of Amos is not solely one of condemnation; it is a call to action. We must awaken from our slumber. It is vital for us to reassess our priorities, our values, and our lifestyles. Are we living in such a way that we honor God’s call to justice, mercy, and humility?
In Micah 6:8, we find a beautiful reminder of what God requires of us: “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” This is our mandate. As Christians, we are called to lift our eyes from our comforts and look around us. How can we serve our communities? How can we advocate for the marginalized?
To confront complacency, we must 1st examine our hearts. Are we prioritizing our comfort over our calling? In our pursuit of God, have we become apathetic to the pains of the world around us? Let us not forget that complacency is a slippery slope to spiritual stagnation.
5. The hope in reconciliation.
The beauty of God’s grace is that while the warning is severe, the door to repentance is always open. The call to return to God is available for every Nation, every community, and every individual. In our recognition of the need for justice and the urgency of compassion, there lies hope. We can be vessels of change, ignited by the Spirit to confront injustice, uplift the downtrodden, and engage in acts of mercy. When we respond to God's call, we experience transformation not just within ourselves but within our communities. The Lord can awaken a nation when His people rise up in humility and faith.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on our text, let us heed the warning against complacency. May we not be like the Israelites who basked in luxury while neglecting the call of God on their lives. Let us seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. As a community of faith, let us pray for awakening- Both in our hearts and in our Nation. May we be stirred to action, not just for our sake but for the sake of those who suffer in silence.
