Sermon Tone Analysis

Background info –

Author – Amos

Amos 1:1 (NASB95)

1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders from Tekoa, which he envisioned in visions concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

Date – 760 BC – Prior to the invasion of the Assyrians in 722 BC

Audience – Northern Kingdom –

Theme – “Social Injustice in Israel” or “Judgment on Israel”

By the grace of God we are going to see two things First, how God called Amos, and Secondly, how God gave Amos a specific message to proclaim.

1.

The Call of Amos

Where do you think Amos was from?

(the northern or southern kingdom)

· Amos was an ordinary man –

Amos was a native of Tekoa, located in the desert of Judah, twelve miles south of Jerusalem.

Sheepherder – the Hebrew word means that he breeds sheep

Jeroboam was king in Israel

He understands his inadequacy

Grower of Sycamore figs – What is that?

God is accomplishing the work in his life

He was a shepherd, who supplemented his income by taking care of “sycomore” (wild fig) trees (1:1; 7:14,15).

There is no record of his family.

The call of God came to him while he was following the flock.

His claim that the Lord called him directly (7:15) puts him in line with all the prophets who experienced a direct revelation from God.

God has called an ordinary man to do an extraordinary task –

Making it Personal - What has God called you and I to do as believers in Christ?

Now, let us transition and look at the message of Amos which he gives to the Northern Kingdom Israel –

2. The Message Judgment

Read Amos – 1:1-3 – General observation –

The Lord roars from Zion – Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?

Joel 3:16 – “The Lord roars from Zion…”

Joel 3:16 (NASB95)

16 The Lord roars from Zion And utters His voice from Jerusalem, And the heavens and the earth tremble.

But the Lord is a refuge for His people And a stronghold to the sons of Israel.

Psalm 18:13 – “The Lord also thundered in the heavens…”

Psalm 18:13 (NASB95)

13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.

What do you think is meant by the phrase “For three transgressions of Damascus and for four I will not revoke its punishment…” God will tolerate sin for so long.

Chapters 1-2 deal with Amos message of Judgment on the surrounding nations.

3:1-2 – “I (God) will punish you for your iniquities…” (the message specifically is that God is going to punish the nation of Israel for their sin)

3:6 – God cared for Israel but they continued in their pattern of sin and did not return to the Lord.

5:5-6 – Amos plead for the nation to return to the Lord – The nation refuses to return to the Lord and as a result judgment is going to come upon them.

“The prophet reveals the spiritual corruption under the religious formalism and material prosperity of the time (5:12, 21).

He castigates the leaders for the deterioration of social justice and morality (2:7, 8) and points out their total disregard of human rights and personality (2:6).

He insists that God’s people must seek the Lord and repent, and establish justice if they are to live (5:14, 15).

But because the people of Israel will not repent, there is nothing left for them but destruction (9:1-8).

3. The Message of Future Hope

Read 9:11-12 – The message of Hope – Remember the Abrahamic covenant in Gen. 12?

Making it Personal -

There is an overarching message seen throughout the prophets.

They are condemning sin and promoting reconciliation to God.

SO WHAT??

1. First, are you fulfilling the call that Christ has given you? if so when, where and how?

Standing up against per-pressure

Respecting parents

Respecting teachers at School

Getting along with siblings

Pursing Christ likeness

Loving your enemies

Loving those who hate you

Committed to personal time in the Word

Committed to memorization

Committed to prayer

Committed to meditation of the word

2. Secondly are you neglecting the call that God has given every believer if so where?

Your time

Friends

Sinful attitudes

Sinful thoughts

Movies

God takes sin and the Christian life very seriously; the question is do you and I? – we have seen throughout the book of Amos how Israel was in a pattern of repenting and then falling right back into the same sin.

Amos is proclaiming the message of Judgment.

God will ultimately deal with all people that includes you and I.

Unbeliever - Repent, and embrace the death, burial, and Resurrection of Christ!