Sermon Extras

SERMON NOTES

Minor Prophets: AMOS- AMOS 1:1-2

REVIEW: There are 12 “minor prophets” in all… the last 12 books of the OT 

• They are called “minor” not because their message is less important but because of the shorter length of their books and their succinct message. 
• They address the political, moral and religious corruption in their day. 

What is a Prophet? 

• A prophet was the OT office of both forth-telling and foretelling the Word of God to the people of God. 

The Prophets Message: 

• Return to God 
• Remember God’s Covenant 
• Repent of Sin 

INTRO> One of the great treasures in studying the Minor prophets is the variety that we come across. For instance… last week we studied HOSEA. Such a beautiful love story where God literally says that he will “wwhhoooo Israel by speaking tenderly to her.” Now… this week.. the second verse opens like this.. “The LORD roars from Zion…” “There is a cold logic in the book of Amos that is altogether missing in the book of Hosea. Hosea spoke the language of love; Amos spoke the language of law. Hosea spoke from the heart; Amos speak from the head. Hosea thought in terms of God’s outreach; Amos though in terms of God’s outrage. Hosea expressed fervor and fire; Amos states causes and conclusions.” John Phillips, pg 88-89 “Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” Acts 20:26-27 Parents… you know about this. If you asked your children what they wanted to eat, it wouldn’t be very healthy. They have to have a variety of food. APP> Christians grow in maturity from the variety that the Bible offers. 

CONTEXT> 

• Prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel 
• Wrote in 760BC
• He is an uneducated, common Shepard (7:14-15) Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’- Amos 4:1 
• Amos name means “burden bearer” 
• The message of Amos is one of justice and judgment, to Israel and the surrounding nations. 

APP> You see, there is a particular way that Amos goes about this though. And the prophets in general, when we think of the prophets… we think of no mercy, only judgment. And that isn’t true. You see, the key to understanding this is found in his name… “Burden bearer” Amos looks out and see’s the brokenness and feels a heavy burden. 

• The definition of the word burden in the OED is, “ a duty or responsibility that expresses heaviness; a sorrow” 
• A burden is the heaviness of heart over the brokenness of sin.  

Big Idea > The book of Amos teaches us that believers are burdened over what is broken.  

APP> Unfortunately… I don’t think this is our first reaction. To be sorrowed and burdens over what is going on in our world and what sin has broken…That was exactly why God said through AMOS: “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!” Amos 5:21-24 (NIV) Do you know what God is saying here? He is saying that they play church on Sunday. He is saying that they aren’t burdened. 

Burden Builders:

• The “Shrugger”- “Who cares, isn’t my problem.” 
• The “Blamer”– “Well, their problem is ___________.”
• The “Talker” – “You know, if I was in charge I would…” 
• The “Planner” – “We really need to meet about this…” 
• The “Doer” – “We don’t need to plan… let’s go!” 

APP> Jesus says the same thing to us in the NT.. “Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” Luke 11:46 APP> Jesus didn’t come to bring burdens, he came to bear them. 

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken.” – Luke 13:34-35

Big Idea > The book of Amos teaches us that believers are burdened over what is broken.  

Application: 

• What breaks your heart? 
• What are you going to do about it? 

“Heavenly Father… break my heart for what breaks yours…” 

*The following stats were provided by O.F.R.A:

• PBRMC reports treating one drug overdose per day in ER.
• Butler County Corner reports 1-2 suicides a month.
• Age of the first time using the following:
• Cigarettes -7
• Alcohol- 10
• Marijuana- 12
• Prescription drugs- 12
• Meth, Cocaine- 13
• There are 300 orphans in Butler County
• As of 2015 80 homeless in Poplar Bluff
• 21.3 % of Butler county is below the poverty line. 
• Child Abuse Assessment per 1,000: 60.5 compared to state average of 44.1