Introduction

Hey there, folks. I'm glad you could join us today. We're going to spend some time in the book of Amos today. Yeah, that's right, Amos. It's a little book tucked away in the Old Testament, but it's got a big message for us.

Before we get into it, let's read the passage together. Amos 5:23-24 says,

"Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!"

Now, isn't that something?

You know, it reminds me of something Donald Miller once said. He wrote, "When we do what God wants us to do, we are blessed, we are spiritually healthy." And isn't that the truth?

God isn't interested in our fancy worship songs or our impressive church buildings. He's interested in how we treat each other. He's interested in justice and righteousness.

So, we're going to spend some time today looking at what God's desire really is, how we can pursue righteousness, and what goodness really means.

But first, let's pray.

Dear God, we thank you for this day. We thank you for your Word and for the truth it holds. As we look at this passage from Amos today, we pray that you would open our hearts and minds. Help us to understand what you're saying to us. And more than that, help us to live it out. We don't just want to be hearers of your Word, we want to be doers as well. So, guide us and teach us today. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Alright, let's get into it, shall we?

Understanding Gods Desire

When we read this passage from Amos, it's clear that God has a specific desire. It's not for our songs or our offerings, but for justice and righteousness. This is a powerful statement that challenges many of our preconceived notions about what God wants from us.

God's desire is not for empty rituals or hollow worship: The people of Israel were offering sacrifices and singing songs, but their hearts were far from God. They were going through the motions, but they were not living in a way that reflected God's character or His commands.

A reminder for us: It's easy to get caught up in the external trappings of religion - the right songs, the right prayers, the right offerings. But God is not interested in these things if our hearts are not right with Him. He wants us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

God's desire is for justice: In the Bible, justice often refers to the fair and equitable treatment of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable. God's heart is for the oppressed and the marginalized, and He calls us to share in this concern. This means standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. It means speaking out against injustice and working to make things right. It means treating all people with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, gender, social status, or any other factor.

God's desire is for righteousness: In the Bible, righteousness often refers to living in a way that is in line with God's commands and character. It's about being honest, fair, and faithful in all our dealings. This means living with integrity. It means keeping our word, even when it's hard. It means treating others the way we want to be treated. It means striving to be more like Jesus in all we do.

God's desire is for us to reflect His character: When we act justly and live righteously, we are reflecting the character of God. We are showing the world what He is like. This is a high calling, but it's also a great privilege. We have the opportunity to be God's representatives on earth, to show His love and goodness to a world that desperately needs it.

The Pursuit of Righteousness

In the book of Amos, we find a call to pursue righteousness ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO