WEBVTT 00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:06.600 It's nice to be with you tonight. I was in a church in North Eust just a couple of weeks ago 00:00:06.600 --> 00:00:13.300 and everybody sat at the back. There were only ten and the church was twice the length of this one 00:00:13.300 --> 00:00:19.260 so I really appreciate you sitting fairly close tonight. It was a kind of night just like tonight 00:00:19.260 --> 00:00:26.000 outside but the one good thing about it is I had no problems parking my car because we were away 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:31.120 in the middle of nowhere but tonight here I had problems parking but it's good to be here 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:37.659 and this is the sort of a book, it's the sort of chapter that I don't think any preacher would 00:00:37.659 --> 00:00:46.679 choose to preach on. So when Johnny sent it to me I thought oh here we go. So if you've got your Bible 00:00:46.679 --> 00:00:59.280 it's the book of Amos and it's chapter 7. I'm reading from the English Standard Version ESV. 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:08.680 This is God's Word. This is what the Lord God showed me. Behold he was forming locusts 00:01:09.799 --> 00:01:16.500 when the latter growth was just beginning to sprout and behold it was the latter growth 00:01:16.500 --> 00:01:27.859 after the king's mowing. When they had finished eating the grass of the field I said oh Lord God 00:01:27.859 --> 00:01:40.840 please forgive. How can Jacob stand? He's so small. The Lord relented concerning this. It shall not be 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:48.900 said the Lord. This is what the Lord God showed me. Behold the Lord God was calling for a judgment by fire 00:01:48.900 --> 00:01:59.460 and it devoured the great deep and was eating up the land. Then I said oh Lord God please cease. 00:02:00.240 --> 00:02:10.099 How can Jacob stand? He's so small. The Lord relented concerning this. This also shall not be 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:18.219 said the Lord. This is what he showed me. Behold the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb 00:02:18.219 --> 00:02:27.280 line with a plumb line in his hand and the Lord said to me Amos what do you see? And I said a plumb 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:36.019 line. Then the Lord said behold I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel. I will never 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:43.120 again pass by them. The high places of Isaac shall be made desolate and the sanctuaries of Israel 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:52.260 should be laid waste and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword. Then Amaziah the 00:02:52.260 --> 00:02:59.260 priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel saying Amos has conspired against you in the midst of 00:02:59.259 --> 00:03:08.319 the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said Jeroboam shall 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:18.079 die by the sword and Israel must go into exile away from his land. And Amaziah said to Amos oh seer go 00:03:18.079 --> 00:03:27.180 fly away to the land of Judah and eat bread there and prophesy there but never again prophesy at Bethel 00:03:27.180 --> 00:03:35.040 for it is the king's sanctuary and it is a temple of the kingdom. Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah 00:03:35.040 --> 00:03:42.760 I was no prophet nor a prophet's son but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:49.420 But the Lord took me from following the flock and the Lord said to me go prophesy to my people Israel. 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:59.279 Now therefore hear the word of the Lord. You say do not prophesy against Israel and do not preach 00:03:59.279 --> 00:04:07.459 against the house of Isaac. Therefore thus says the Lord your wife shall be a prostitute in the city 00:04:07.459 --> 00:04:14.000 and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword and your land shall be divided up with a 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:24.759 measuring line. You yourself shall die in an unclean land and Israel shall surely go into exile away from 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:35.379 its land. And this is God's word. Just a brief prayer. Father we thank you for these great truths that echo 00:04:35.379 --> 00:04:45.079 down to us from the dawn of history. We thank you that we're able to have a look here at the sermon notes as it were of this 00:04:45.079 --> 00:04:54.060 preacher of long ago. And we just ask for your help tonight that we'll somehow see what he saw 00:04:54.060 --> 00:05:03.819 and we'll be able to understand what this is all about. Grant us your help for Jesus' sake. Amen. 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:14.920 Amen. As we open up this seventh chapter tonight and enter into the last section of the book of Amos, 00:05:16.019 --> 00:05:23.980 six times in as many verses in the chapter, he refers to the God of Israel as the Lord God, 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:33.379 or as the NIV has it, the sovereign Lord. And in using that language, I think Amos is just reminding us 00:05:33.379 --> 00:05:41.959 that the God of the Bible is really God. For the first six chapters, you will know by now 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:49.019 that the imminent judgments of the sovereign Lord have been the burden of the message 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:56.219 that Amos has been called to preach to the people of his day and to Israel in particular. 00:05:56.220 --> 00:06:04.580 But what we mustn't overlook is that along with this unpopular, unpalatable message of judgment, 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:09.920 there are also little shafts of light. If you read the prophecy carefully, little shafts of light 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:14.120 that would encourage us to believe that the God of infallible justice 00:06:14.120 --> 00:06:18.480 is also a God of incredible mercy. 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:26.560 And I think it's this that guarantees the bringing to pass of God's saving purposes in the world. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:31.360 If it was just justice and judgment, we would all be wiped out. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:38.259 But we haven't been wiped out because God is a God of mercy. 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:46.019 The line to the coming of Messiah was being preserved, even amid all the gloom and doom 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:50.360 in the northern kingdom of Israel in the 8th century BC. 00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:52.519 No question about that. 00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:59.719 And the graphic pictures of national judgment in the book of Amos are really preparing us, 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:04.539 I think, for the final eternal judgment that is sure to come. 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:11.220 And yet at the same time, thinking on this theme of judgment, the book is moving relentlessly 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:13.280 to this conclusion. 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:15.120 There's hope. 00:07:16.200 --> 00:07:18.060 There's a message of hope. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:21.580 There are little glimmers of hope peppering the book. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:27.379 And eventually, Amos is going to tell us, and you feel you want to hear it a lot sooner than this, 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:32.640 but he's going to tell us in chapter 9, the last chapter, that there is hope for us all. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:38.219 And this is ultimately to be found in the promises concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:40.539 So I'm a bit of a blow-in tonight. 00:07:40.659 --> 00:07:46.519 I know you've had six chapters expounded to you, and after I go, you're going to have another two expounded to you. 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:51.159 What I want to do is to try and confine myself to this seventh chapter. 00:07:51.659 --> 00:07:59.360 And I want to look with you tonight at three things about Amos in chapter 7, 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:01.699 in terms of his all-round ministry. 00:08:01.780 --> 00:08:07.939 I didn't know until this afternoon that the title for tonight is Seeing It As It Is. 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:12.840 I gave my own title to it when I was preparing, An All-Round Ministry. 00:08:13.500 --> 00:08:19.060 So I want us just to have a wee peep at Amos in this chapter. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:22.500 And the first thing I want to draw your attention to is that he's a man of prayer. 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:27.459 You could easily miss that, but you mustn't miss it, and I mustn't miss it. 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:34.740 The writer to the Hebrews tells us that in the past, God spoke in different ways and at different times through the prophets. 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:37.820 Amos is a classic example of that. 00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:46.379 In the Old Testament, the prophets, they sometimes received the word of God by way of revelatory visions. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:49.480 That's how God spoke to them. 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:55.920 And this was true of Amos, way back at the very beginning of the prophecy, in the very first verse of this book. 00:08:56.420 --> 00:09:00.460 He saw before he spoke. 00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:02.680 He was a seer. 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:05.720 He saw before he spoke. 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:09.980 A vision is not about seeing what isn't there. 00:09:11.060 --> 00:09:14.320 A vision is about seeing what is there. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:24.320 It's about seeing things as they really are, and then saying what God wants him to say about what he has seen. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:26.600 That's what's really happening here. 00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:29.500 It's a message given directly by God. 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:30.420 It's not invented. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:32.640 It's not dreamed up. 00:09:33.260 --> 00:09:36.040 It's not imagined by the person receiving it. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:42.980 And if you're watching carefully and listening carefully as we read through the chapter there, there are three visions in this chapter. 00:09:43.939 --> 00:09:45.959 But we want to look at the first two only. 00:09:46.059 --> 00:09:46.639 Just for a moment. 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:48.679 We'll come to the third one later. 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:51.279 But we want to look at the first two visions. 00:09:51.939 --> 00:09:55.399 To see Amos, in particular, as a man of prayer. 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:58.980 So, let's look at the visions. 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:03.840 What Amos saw in these verses, and we're looking at verses 1 through 6 here. 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:08.079 What Amos saw in these visions, he began to speak. 00:10:08.840 --> 00:10:15.899 And he began to write down in words that ordinary people like you and I can understand. 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:18.259 And that tells us something. 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:25.299 Every preacher, and there are, I'm quite sure, a few preachers sitting here tonight. 00:10:25.860 --> 00:10:28.500 Every preacher needs to be convinced. 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:37.419 And he needs to be confident of the fact that nothing can compare with the spoken word. 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:38.639 Nothing. 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:40.539 Not drama. 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:43.159 Not visual aids. 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:45.319 Not mime. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.740 Not dance. 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:52.439 Nor indeed any other non-verbal methods of communication. 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:55.279 I'm not saying God can't speak through these other things. 00:10:55.659 --> 00:11:04.419 But nothing can compare with the word of God coming in words addressed to our minds and our understanding. 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:09.480 The first vision he sees is that of devouring locusts. 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:20.340 In this vision, God forms swarms of locusts as a potter forms his vessel made of clay. 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:27.019 And that's telling us that God is gloriously active in the normal processes of the created order. 00:11:28.040 --> 00:11:30.700 He's obviously made these locusts. 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:32.399 Created these locusts. 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:41.059 And here he gathers them together with the specific intent of them coming across the land of Israel. 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:46.840 Not just in their hundreds of thousands, but probably in their millions to strip the land bare. 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:51.039 I don't know whether you've ever been in a country where you've had a plague of locusts. 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:52.179 I was in Kenya once. 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:54.959 And we had a plague of locusts. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:57.159 I was covered from head to toe. 00:11:57.980 --> 00:12:00.879 And when we got back home into the house, they were clambered onto the windows. 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:02.860 It was an astonishing thing. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.379 The sky was full of them. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:07.219 And it's that kind of thing that you have here. 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:10.080 God's obviously made the locusts. 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:17.580 He's gathered them together with a specific intent of them coming across the land in their hundreds of thousands to strip the land bare. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:25.840 The prospect of a splendid crop of grass is being endangered. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:32.820 The first crop mentioned here, known as the king's mowing, that would be safely gathered in during October. 00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:37.100 But the picture here is that of the second crop of lush grass. 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:42.820 After the late rains, during March and April, that crop is going to be devastated by these locusts. 00:12:43.920 --> 00:12:45.820 That's the vision Amos sees. 00:12:46.680 --> 00:12:51.960 And when it takes place, total ruin stares the whole countryside in the face. 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:56.040 No pasture for the cattle, for the animals, for six months. 00:12:57.800 --> 00:12:59.820 And a big problem for the people. 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:02.860 The animals wouldn't survive. 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:04.840 Would the people survive? 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:06.780 That's the first vision. 00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:10.580 The second vision is of this consuming fire. 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:15.480 And it's that of God sending fire into his controversy with Israel. 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:22.060 The burning summer heat would produce such a drought that the whole land would be dried up. 00:13:23.400 --> 00:13:24.720 Completely devastated. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:30.300 And it's presenting us again with another picture of even greater severity than that of the plague of locusts. 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:32.560 The locusts would only destroy a crop. 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:38.460 Whereas this fire was going to dry up the whole land, including every place where water was to be found. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:43.100 And you look at that and it gives us a foretaste, does it not? 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:47.920 Of what is recorded in 2 Peter 3.10 with reference to the end time. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:51.199 The day of the Lord will come like a thief, said Peter. 00:13:51.599 --> 00:13:53.500 The heavens will disappear with a roar. 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:56.079 The elements will be destroyed by fire. 00:13:56.319 --> 00:13:58.759 And the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 00:13:59.079 --> 00:14:02.959 These judgments are a kind of a forerunner to the final judgment. 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:09.379 Now these are visions that haven't occurred as yet when Amos preaches and writes. 00:14:09.819 --> 00:14:13.419 The content of these things hasn't really taken place. 00:14:13.419 --> 00:14:19.240 They may very well refer to literal locusts and literal fire, bringing famine, bringing drought. 00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:28.599 But I think it's only fair to say that some commentators, including John Calvin, believe that they actually symbolize an invading army of men. 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:30.399 That's how Calvin sees it. 00:14:30.579 --> 00:14:33.959 Now it's not important for our purposes tonight to know one way or the other. 00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:43.259 But however you view it, there can be no doubt that these acts of God in judgment, when they occurred, they would utterly ruin and devastate this nation. 00:14:44.280 --> 00:14:57.200 What's important for us is that we take careful note in this and not miss it on the way through, of Amos' response to what he sees and understands in these two visions. 00:14:57.340 --> 00:15:01.080 When Amos sees what's in God's agenda for Israel, what does he do? 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:03.920 He gives himself to prayer. 00:15:05.520 --> 00:15:08.600 And I think that's the important point we need to grasp from it. 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:12.820 Following the visions are intercessions. 00:15:14.020 --> 00:15:15.960 Amos has a lesson to teach us here. 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:24.460 He converts what he sees and what he understands by what he sees into prayer. 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:29.520 He doesn't think to himself, okay, sara, sara, whatever will be, will be. 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:32.559 That would have been to embrace fatalism. 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.620 No, he didn't do that. 00:15:34.079 --> 00:15:34.679 He prayed. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:48.919 And if I may be allowed to say this, the man who truly understands the doctrine of the sovereignty of God will believe in the importance and absolute necessity of prayer. 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:54.379 He'll not sit back with his arms folded and say, well, God's going to do it, God will do it. 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:56.000 No, no, not at all. 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:57.500 I would be surprised. 00:15:57.639 --> 00:16:00.960 And if I had to ask you the question, do you believe in prayer? 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:06.580 I would be very surprised if anyone within these walls would say no. 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:10.399 Surely we all believe in prayer. 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:18.299 But the reason we know this man believed in prayer is because he prayed. 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:21.980 He didn't say, I believe in prayer. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:24.240 He prayed. 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:26.379 That's how we know he believed in prayer. 00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:46.620 If disasters are to be averted, if deliverances are to be experienced, if doors are to be opened, if doubts are to be scattered, if divine intervention is to happen, we must give ourselves as the people of God to prayer. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:49.799 I think that's the lesson we learn from Amos here. 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:52.700 That's exactly what Amos did on both occasions. 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:55.620 He prays in verse 2 after the vision of the locusts. 00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:59.419 And then in verse 5 after the vision of the consuming fire. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.299 Listen to him pray. 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.460 They're very short prayers. 00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:03.039 He cries out in verse 2, 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:06.579 Oh, Lord God, please forgive. 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.619 How can Jacob stand? 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.359 How can he survive? 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.579 He's so small. 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:15.720 And then in verse 5 he cries out, 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:19.679 Oh, Lord God, please cease. 00:17:20.139 --> 00:17:22.240 I beg you to stop. 00:17:22.919 --> 00:17:24.559 How can Jacob stand? 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:27.019 How can Jacob survive? 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:29.259 He's so small. 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:32.419 You see, the situation was this. 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:39.179 The people of the land of Israel thought they were something special. 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:43.259 They thought they were the people. 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:46.400 They were proud. 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:49.539 They were spiritually proud. 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:52.360 They were self-sufficient. 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:55.840 But Amos knew better than that. 00:17:56.500 --> 00:18:01.340 So he pleads on their behalf for mercy. 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:06.900 He pleads with the Lord on their behalf for forgiveness. 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:10.860 He humbles himself before the Lord on their behalf. 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:13.380 And he acknowledges, if the people will not do it, 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:17.040 their smallness and their sinfulness. 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:20.620 He tells the Lord in just a couple of sentences, 00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:22.060 he tells the Lord, 00:18:22.320 --> 00:18:24.980 Lord, if you don't step in and do something for these people, 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:27.100 they're going to be blown away by your judgment. 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:28.780 And cease to be. 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:31.740 And what happened in answer to his prayer? 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:36.759 God held back his hand from judgment. 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.839 On both occasions we read, 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:43.160 The Lord relented and said, 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.240 This shall not be. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:49.200 Now some translations have the words, 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.940 The Lord repented. 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.720 Not the Lord relented. 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:56.019 Some translations have the words, 00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:56.819 The Lord repented. 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:58.899 But as John Wycliffe says, 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.879 God doesn't change his mind, 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:03.039 as men do, 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:06.899 but he changes his course of action in answer to prayer. 00:19:07.939 --> 00:19:11.359 And that change is quite consistent with his eternal purpose. 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.399 Now you need to think that through. 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:15.939 What I'm trying to do is explain the unexplainable. 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:19.000 There is a mystery here with regards to the sovereign God. 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:23.319 But the bottom line is that the eternal purposes of a sovereign God 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:26.439 are continually being worked out through the prayers of his people. 00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:28.500 Even John Wesley, 00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:32.139 who gets a bad press in some circles, 00:19:32.379 --> 00:19:33.599 even Wesley believed that. 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:38.119 He said that the prayers of the saints were the decrees of God being worked out. 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.819 Now from our perspective, 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:43.899 with our little finite fallen minds, 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.379 and from our viewpoint, 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:47.960 it may appear at times when we pray 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:51.139 as though there has been a change of mind on God's part. 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:53.460 But it is, in actual fact, 00:19:53.540 --> 00:19:56.220 simply a change in his course of action. 00:19:56.800 --> 00:19:58.780 That's what happened with these two visions. 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:03.220 Judgment was deferred because Amos prayed. 00:20:03.840 --> 00:20:05.140 He humbled himself, 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.720 and he prayed for mercy, 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.440 and he prayed for forgiveness, 00:20:09.020 --> 00:20:10.520 and the judgment was averted, 00:20:11.020 --> 00:20:12.259 and it was postponed, 00:20:12.800 --> 00:20:14.340 but it was not annulled, 00:20:14.520 --> 00:20:15.759 and it was not cancelled. 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:19.640 God doesn't change his mind. 00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:22.180 God didn't change his mind, 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:24.300 but he can change his course of action 00:20:24.300 --> 00:20:26.640 when people give themselves to prayer. 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:28.840 Now you need to think that through and work that out, 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.920 but that's what's happening here. 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:32.140 Amos, the man of prayer. 00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:35.500 Here's the second thing. 00:20:36.340 --> 00:20:38.500 Amos and the message of the plumb line. 00:20:39.780 --> 00:20:41.160 Verses 7 through to 9. 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.580 It brings us to the third vision, 00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:44.820 the vision of the plumb line. 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:46.799 Having said all that I've said, 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:49.460 under the last heading, 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:50.700 Amos, the man of prayer. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:52.019 Let me just say this. 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:53.659 I'm sure you've heard people say it before. 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.619 There is a time, 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:57.939 I know not when, 00:20:59.200 --> 00:20:59.939 a place, 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:02.019 I know not where, 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:05.279 that seals the destiny of men 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:08.519 for glory or despair. 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:13.519 And no amount of praying will alter that. 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.579 Or divert it, 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.400 or avert it, 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.220 or defer it, 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.139 or postpone it. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:23.019 When you consider this third vision, 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:25.900 you can see from verses 7 through 9, 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.519 the Lord's standing by a wall. 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.859 It's been built true to plumb. 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:32.480 He has a plumb line in his hand. 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:34.000 And the Lord asked me, 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.359 what do you see, Amos? 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:37.939 A plumb line, 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.699 I replied. 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:41.079 Then the Lord said, 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:41.279 look, 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.519 I am setting a plumb line 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.899 among my people Israel. 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:45.759 I will spare them no longer. 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:49.139 The high places of Isaac 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:50.199 will be destroyed 00:21:50.199 --> 00:21:51.399 and the sanctuaries of Israel 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:51.959 will be ruined. 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:53.359 With my sword, 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.799 I will rise against 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:56.019 the house of Jeroboam. 00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:57.059 He was the king 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:57.939 in the northern kingdom. 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.500 The sovereign Lord 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:02.019 is standing with a plumb line 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.639 in his hand 00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:04.079 to test this wall. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:06.619 The message in this vision, 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:08.599 as distinct from the first two visions, 00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:10.000 is crystal clear. 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:12.819 The message here is that 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:14.559 with regards to these people, 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.740 the day of grace is over 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:20.259 and judgment is inevitable. 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.659 The time of his mercy 00:22:22.659 --> 00:22:23.419 has run out 00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:24.460 and no prayer, 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:26.839 no prayer 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:28.240 is to be offered. 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:32.079 That's the striking thing here. 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:34.140 That's the frightening thing here. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:36.539 It's as if God is saying 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:38.220 in this particular vision, 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.000 enough 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:42.839 is enough. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:48.019 And this is a very solemn thing. 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:51.299 Here is God 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.960 whose name and nature is love. 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:55.620 Here is God, 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.740 the master builder. 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:59.360 And he's standing beside 00:22:59.360 --> 00:23:00.640 a perpendicular wall 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.900 that clearly represents 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.860 the nation of Israel. 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:06.319 He had set his love upon them. 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:10.200 Brought them into being 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.759 as a nation. 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.900 He had protected them. 00:23:14.840 --> 00:23:16.460 He had provided for them 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:18.259 not just during their wilderness wanderings, 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:19.200 but over the centuries. 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:22.240 He had given them his law, 00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:23.140 the Torah. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.580 And it was his law 00:23:26.580 --> 00:23:27.640 that symbolized 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:28.620 by the plumb line 00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.460 in his hand. 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:32.259 It was his word 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:33.380 that made them 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:34.480 what they were 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.779 in times past. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:37.720 It was his word to them 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:39.340 that had galvanized them 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.039 into being 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:41.259 the people of God. 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:44.640 He had said to them 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.620 in chapter 3 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:46.400 of this prophecy, 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:49.100 you only have I known 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.299 of all the families 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.019 in the earth. 00:23:54.179 --> 00:23:55.419 That's what he said to them. 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:57.799 You only have I known. 00:23:58.619 --> 00:24:00.539 But he expected them 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:02.079 to say to him, 00:24:03.459 --> 00:24:05.480 you only will we worship. 00:24:08.439 --> 00:24:09.319 They were different 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.500 from all the other nations. 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:13.679 They were his chosen people. 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:16.480 Even people who've got problems 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.599 with the doctrine of election 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.559 would never have a problem 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.879 with that with regards to Israel. 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:22.399 They were his chosen people. 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:24.000 He had redeemed them 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.719 from Egypt. 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.980 They were called to be 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:27.579 an obedient people. 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.599 They were called to be 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.399 holy people, 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:31.579 even as God is a holy God, 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:33.079 as they ordered their lives 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.259 according to the law 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:36.059 and according to the testimony, 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.199 according to the Torah. 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.480 But those days 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:40.720 had long since gone, 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.360 it would appear 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.100 in this vision. 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.660 God brings the exact 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.660 same plumb line 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:47.059 to the exact same wall 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.200 that he had built 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.559 from the calling of Abraham 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:51.319 out of Ur of the Chaldees 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:52.779 up to the days of Moses, 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:54.380 the wall representing 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:55.080 the nation. 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:57.500 He brings the plumb line out 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:59.160 in order to inspect 00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.720 the nation. 00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:02.299 And in order to carefully 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:04.319 examine the nation, 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:06.419 the Puritans used to say, 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:08.740 God is a precisionist. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.700 And here's God 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:12.679 measuring the nation 00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:15.960 against his own standards 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.439 of measurement 00:25:17.439 --> 00:25:19.179 as in the law 00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:20.259 and as he does so, 00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:22.419 he notices the wall 00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:23.339 is bending 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:25.240 and it's tottering 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:27.039 and it's out of line 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.419 and the cracks 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:29.379 are appearing everywhere 00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:30.419 and it's about to fall 00:25:30.419 --> 00:25:31.159 and come crashing 00:25:31.159 --> 00:25:32.200 down to the ground. 00:25:32.919 --> 00:25:34.000 In this vision, 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.500 Israel has failed 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.599 to pass the test 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.319 of the Torah. 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:39.579 The God of creation, 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.919 the God of eternity, 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.179 the God of history, 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.319 the God of Israel, 00:25:43.419 --> 00:25:44.299 the sovereign Lord, 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.319 he can spare them 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:45.919 no longer. 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:47.799 They had become 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.559 an embarrassment 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.240 to him. 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:51.639 They had paid no heed 00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:52.519 to the law 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:53.559 and to the testimony 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.859 over a long period 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.259 of time, 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.299 even though God 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.419 had sent his servants 00:25:57.419 --> 00:25:57.819 to them, 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.240 his prophets to them. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.939 They thought they knew 00:26:00.939 --> 00:26:01.899 better than God. 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:04.580 substituting man-made 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:05.620 centers of religion, 00:26:05.800 --> 00:26:07.340 introducing man-made ideas 00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:08.460 into their religious 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.980 practices, 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.220 they're going to be 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.759 destroyed. 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.700 God has made up 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.160 his mind. 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.720 The high places 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.340 in the northern 00:26:14.340 --> 00:26:15.280 kingdom of Israel 00:26:15.280 --> 00:26:16.200 were repeating 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:17.400 the error of those 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:17.960 who were building 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.820 the Tower of Babel. 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.560 They thought they 00:26:20.560 --> 00:26:21.200 could get closer 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:22.280 to God by climbing 00:26:22.280 --> 00:26:23.280 steps and erecting 00:26:23.280 --> 00:26:23.900 buildings that were 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.720 reaching up to heaven 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.900 and God tells the 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.600 nation of Israel 00:26:26.600 --> 00:26:27.220 through the lips 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:27.759 of Amos, 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.200 the high places 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:29.700 of Isaac 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.660 will be destroyed 00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:31.500 and the sanctuaries 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:31.920 of Israel 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.599 will be ruined. 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.000 With my sword 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.200 I will rise 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:36.259 against the house 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.960 of Jeroboam. 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.400 When the Assyrians 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:39.920 would come 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.379 and they came 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:41.680 in 721 BC, 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:42.940 when they would come 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:44.240 all these things 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.299 that they had done 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:46.359 and treasured, 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.000 they would have to go. 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:51.059 What I'm saying to you, 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.700 and I say this 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.779 with thought in this, 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:53.500 I'm not saying this 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.000 carelessly, 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:55.440 there is a time 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.580 when even praying 00:26:56.580 --> 00:26:58.580 can't make any difference. 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:01.420 The prophet Jeremiah 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.960 was told something 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:04.039 similar by the Lord 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.820 in Jeremiah 7 and 16. 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.400 God said to Jeremiah, 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:08.980 do not pray 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.920 for this people, 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.360 nor offer any plea 00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:13.660 or petition for them. 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.420 Do not plead with me 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.500 for I will not 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.480 listen to you. 00:27:17.820 --> 00:27:18.240 That's what God 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:18.759 said to Jeremiah. 00:27:18.820 --> 00:27:19.320 It's in the Bible. 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:23.640 So why mustn't 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.539 Amos pray 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.539 for these people? 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.759 Why mustn't he pray? 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.480 They are guilty 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.379 of idolatry. 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.420 They had crossed 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:35.759 the point of no return. 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.899 Do you think 00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:38.440 it's possible 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:39.059 to do that? 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:42.099 God said to Jeremiah, 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.339 do you not see what, 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.200 this is with regards 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.079 to the southern kingdom, 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.319 do you not see 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:46.899 what they're doing 00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:47.759 in the towns of Judah 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.359 in the streets 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:48.879 of Jerusalem? 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:50.779 The children 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.559 are gathering wood, 00:27:51.659 --> 00:27:52.680 the fathers light the fire, 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.779 the women need the dough, 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:55.359 and make cakes of bread 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.279 for the queen of heaven. 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.259 They pour out 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.940 drink offerings 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:58.839 to other gods 00:27:58.839 --> 00:28:00.059 to provoke me to anger. 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:01.619 Who's doing this? 00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:04.579 Some tribe 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.200 in the middle 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.599 of Papua New Guinea? 00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:07.059 No, 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.019 these are the people 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.680 of God. 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.960 And the same message 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:13.160 was given to Jeremiah 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:14.620 in chapter 11, 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.400 verse 14, 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.019 to a people 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.880 who had broken 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:18.580 the same covenant stipulations 00:28:18.580 --> 00:28:19.259 again and again. 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.540 God said to Jeremiah, 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:22.360 don't pray for this people 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:23.980 nor offer any plea 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.840 or petition for them 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:26.160 because I will not listen 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.040 when they call to me 00:28:27.040 --> 00:28:27.800 in the time 00:28:27.800 --> 00:28:28.420 of their distress. 00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.460 Do you know what's happening? 00:28:29.540 --> 00:28:30.160 Do you know what the picture 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.100 Amos is getting here 00:28:31.100 --> 00:28:31.620 in this vision? 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.360 What was happening 00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:34.880 was that Israel's creator 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:36.800 is now becoming 00:28:36.800 --> 00:28:37.860 her executioner. 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.179 Now, 00:28:39.179 --> 00:28:41.619 the book of the law 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:44.539 that they had jettisoned 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:46.240 is the book 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.979 that is now going 00:28:46.979 --> 00:28:47.639 to judge them. 00:28:48.979 --> 00:28:50.279 The writing's on the wall 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:52.559 in this vision. 00:28:52.979 --> 00:28:53.879 Like Belshazzar 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:55.559 in the book of Daniel, 00:28:55.679 --> 00:28:56.639 they're weighed in the balances 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.659 and they're found wanting. 00:28:58.199 --> 00:28:59.399 Constant rejection 00:28:59.399 --> 00:29:00.719 of the Lord 00:29:00.719 --> 00:29:02.719 led to ultimate rejection 00:29:02.719 --> 00:29:03.819 by the Lord. 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:07.379 This frightening thing 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.100 still happens, 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.900 brothers and sisters. 00:29:11.860 --> 00:29:12.960 When you have a people 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:14.520 who are privileged 00:29:14.520 --> 00:29:15.560 to hear the word of God 00:29:15.560 --> 00:29:16.820 on a regular basis, 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:19.680 I would wager 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.480 that you're sure 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.480 to find somebody 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:23.300 in that gathering 00:29:23.300 --> 00:29:24.720 is going to continually 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.480 reject it 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.900 until one day 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:27.620 God eventually 00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:28.680 rejects that person, 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.500 gives them up, 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.760 to use Paul's phrase 00:29:30.760 --> 00:29:31.400 in Romans 1. 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.460 Gives them up 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.300 to their own desires 00:29:36.300 --> 00:29:36.940 and no amount 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.380 of praying. 00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:39.059 No amount 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.400 of praying 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:40.420 will ever be able 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:41.660 to change their destiny. 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.640 I'm just saying tonight, 00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:47.160 don't let that person 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:47.660 be you. 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.840 Amos had stopped 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.340 preaching 00:29:52.340 --> 00:29:53.539 in order to pray. 00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:56.000 Now he must 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.799 stop praying 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.779 in order to preach. 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.680 Now both these things 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.140 are vital 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:02.059 and both have their place 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.259 in the economy of God. 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.299 God, 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.480 there was a time 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:04.960 to pray 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:06.420 and there's a time 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.039 not to pray. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.740 But let's look finally 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.900 at how he was called 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.599 to exercise 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.859 the ministry of preaching 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.619 now as I bring us 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:14.180 to a final conclusion. 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:14.660 Amos, 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.379 the man of prayer. 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:15.940 Have a wee look 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.579 at this chapter 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.160 when you go home. 00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:18.480 Just see how brief 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.059 his prayers were, 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.119 how pointed they were, 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:21.259 how simple they were, 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.299 how profound they were. 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:22.920 Amos, 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.720 the man of prayer. 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.379 What he sees, 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.359 what he understands 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:26.019 by what he sees, 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.079 puts him down 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.660 on his knees 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.160 to pray. 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:29.799 Then have a look 00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.240 at Amos 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.779 and the message 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.579 of this plumb line. 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:32.559 Keep in mind, 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.200 this wall 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:35.000 is Israel. 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.899 It's bending, 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.579 it's tottering, 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.159 it's cracking, 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.859 it's going to crush 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.460 to the ground 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.740 because it's being measured 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:40.759 by the very plumb line 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.399 that made them 00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:42.359 the people of God. 00:30:42.659 --> 00:30:43.480 It's now judging them. 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.079 Now Amos 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:48.099 in the ministry of preaching 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:48.980 from verse 10 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.599 to the end. 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.059 We've no doubt 00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:53.240 that we've read 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.539 some of his sermon notes 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.519 in the earlier chapters, 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:57.379 but there are some aspects 00:30:57.379 --> 00:30:58.379 of Amos' preaching 00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:58.980 that are mentioned 00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.639 exclusively 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:01.399 here in the seventh chapter 00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:02.399 that I want to leave you with. 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:03.240 They're worth considering 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.279 and especially 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.180 if anybody in here 00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:06.259 is giving serious thought 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.759 to preaching 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.599 being God's will 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.339 for their lives. 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.680 Two things in particular 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.700 to pay attention to 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:13.059 that are of great importance 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:15.220 from this passage, 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.359 which incidentally 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:16.980 is the one 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:18.639 autobiographical section 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:20.119 in the whole book. 00:31:22.399 --> 00:31:23.379 The first is this. 00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:25.240 I want to underline 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.099 the origin 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:28.519 of authoritative preaching, 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.339 the origin 00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:30.839 of authoritative preaching. 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:33.839 How did such a man 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:37.039 as Amos 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:40.059 ever get himself 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.799 involved 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:43.519 in the prophetic ministry, 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:44.680 in preaching 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.500 the word of God? 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.859 Well, let him speak 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.440 for himself. 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:50.099 We read from verse 10 onwards 00:31:50.099 --> 00:31:51.019 in a conversation 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:52.299 he had with Amaziah, 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:54.000 who was the priest 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.599 at Bethel, 00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:56.439 during which time 00:31:56.439 --> 00:31:57.240 Amos tells us 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:58.159 how it all began. 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:59.500 We read in verse 14 and 15, 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:00.439 that Amos said 00:32:00.439 --> 00:32:01.839 to this Amaziah, 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:03.259 I was neither a prophet, 00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:03.719 he says, 00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:04.899 nor a prophet's son, 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.819 but I was a shepherd 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:06.980 and I took care 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:08.099 of sycamore fig trees, 00:32:08.199 --> 00:32:09.379 but the Lord took me 00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:10.799 from tending the flock 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.559 and said to me, 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:11.919 go, 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:13.659 prophesy to my people Israel. 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:17.299 And you read that passage. 00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:18.899 I tell you what came 00:32:18.899 --> 00:32:19.459 to my mind 00:32:19.459 --> 00:32:20.240 when I read it. 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:22.839 That passage in 1 Corinthians 00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:23.639 chapter 1. 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.359 Brothers, 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.980 think of what you were 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.740 when you were called. 00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:28.779 Not many of you 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:30.179 were wise by human standards, 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:31.319 not many influential, 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.679 not many of noble birth, 00:32:32.939 --> 00:32:33.639 but God chose 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.419 the foolish things 00:32:34.419 --> 00:32:34.859 of the world 00:32:34.859 --> 00:32:35.679 to shame the wise. 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.799 God chose the weak things 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.299 of the world 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:38.579 to shame the strong. 00:32:38.679 --> 00:32:39.699 He chose the lowly things 00:32:39.699 --> 00:32:40.319 of this world, 00:32:40.439 --> 00:32:41.299 the despised things, 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:42.119 the things that are not, 00:32:42.399 --> 00:32:43.819 to nullify the things that are 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.599 so that no one 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.779 may boast before him. 00:32:45.919 --> 00:32:47.259 Who was this guy Amos? 00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:51.139 He was no religious professional. 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:54.159 He hadn't even been groomed 00:32:54.159 --> 00:32:55.579 in one of the prophetic schools, 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.220 one of the schools 00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:57.740 of the prophets. 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:59.179 And he certainly hadn't been 00:32:59.179 --> 00:33:00.159 given the opportunity 00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:02.240 to study for a theological degree 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:04.000 at the University of Jerusalem. 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:05.500 Although there is nothing wrong 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:07.039 with getting a theological degree, 00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:08.619 but this man's not in that league. 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:12.159 But he's called by God. 00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:15.099 And he's called by God 00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:16.259 to preach God's word. 00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:18.179 And this is what gives him 00:33:18.179 --> 00:33:18.779 his authority 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.919 to do what he's doing. 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:21.800 He's probably a man of few words 00:33:21.800 --> 00:33:23.019 under normal circumstances. 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:24.820 I mean, he's a shepherd. 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:26.140 He was used to his own company 00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:27.000 on the hills 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.320 looking after his sheep. 00:33:28.380 --> 00:33:29.460 He's a very ordinary guy, 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.060 it would appear. 00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:31.580 He's doing a hard day's work. 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.820 And he apparently needed, 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:33.340 you know, 00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:34.519 to take on an extra job 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.019 on the side 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.779 gathering figs 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:37.060 to keep body and soul together. 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:40.019 But he knew something 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.900 of the grace of God 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.480 in his life. 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.860 And he knew he was doing 00:33:44.860 --> 00:33:45.779 what he was now doing 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.920 because God had called him. 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:50.220 He didn't choose his vocation. 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:52.039 He hadn't waken up one morning 00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:52.220 and said, 00:33:52.320 --> 00:33:53.080 I would like to be a prophet. 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.600 He hadn't responded 00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:57.580 to an advert for a vacancy 00:33:57.580 --> 00:33:59.060 in the evangelical times 00:33:59.060 --> 00:33:59.580 of his day. 00:34:01.860 --> 00:34:03.440 He had an unmistakable 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.460 call from God. 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:08.119 Now, we might call this man, 00:34:08.240 --> 00:34:09.059 forgive the term, 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.480 a layman. 00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:12.800 He's a layman. 00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:15.240 He had been faithful 00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:15.860 as a shepherd 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.800 looking after sheep 00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:17.580 with four legs. 00:34:19.320 --> 00:34:19.960 And the Lord 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.880 puts his hand on him 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.100 and says, 00:34:21.180 --> 00:34:21.800 now I want you to look 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:22.539 after my sheep, 00:34:22.680 --> 00:34:23.700 those that have got two legs. 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:26.740 You've had plenty of training. 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:28.760 Now I want you to go 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:30.060 and talk to my people 00:34:30.060 --> 00:34:30.920 and faithful deliver 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.680 a message to them. 00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:33.000 It was as simple as that. 00:34:33.200 --> 00:34:34.519 It was as serious as that. 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:36.320 But when it comes to authority, 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:37.600 when you read Bob Files 00:34:37.600 --> 00:34:38.500 commentary on this, 00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:40.760 it isn't the prophet. 00:34:41.220 --> 00:34:42.320 The authority is not in him. 00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:43.900 It's in the prophecy. 00:34:45.660 --> 00:34:46.680 It isn't the messenger. 00:34:47.680 --> 00:34:48.840 It's the message. 00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:50.680 It isn't the preacher. 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.280 It's the preaching 00:34:52.280 --> 00:34:53.400 that stamps it all 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.440 with divine authority. 00:34:55.580 --> 00:34:56.640 It's the authority 00:34:56.640 --> 00:34:58.560 of the word 00:34:58.560 --> 00:35:00.460 given by God 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:01.519 and not the personality 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.320 of the preacher 00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:03.140 that's all important. 00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:04.220 Even when the preacher 00:35:04.220 --> 00:35:05.580 knows he's called by God 00:35:05.580 --> 00:35:06.600 and even when he takes 00:35:06.600 --> 00:35:07.519 his calling seriously 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.780 and even when he prepares 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:09.780 himself thoroughly, 00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:11.160 the authority 00:35:11.160 --> 00:35:12.300 in preaching 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:13.680 is this book here 00:35:13.680 --> 00:35:14.660 and woe betide 00:35:14.660 --> 00:35:15.200 any man 00:35:15.200 --> 00:35:16.400 who tries to preach 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.100 anything else. 00:35:19.180 --> 00:35:20.240 The second thing 00:35:20.240 --> 00:35:21.200 and the last thing is 00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:22.420 opposition 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.940 to authoritative preaching. 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.039 Apparently, 00:35:27.220 --> 00:35:28.000 Amos' preaching 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:28.920 had a considerable 00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:30.460 impact on the nation 00:35:30.460 --> 00:35:31.840 even although 00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:32.400 the people 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.400 didn't repent. 00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:34.960 that seems like 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.599 a contradiction 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.300 in terms. 00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:37.980 But there it is 00:35:37.980 --> 00:35:38.559 from the king 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.019 and the throne 00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:39.559 downwards. 00:35:39.720 --> 00:35:40.440 I think it's all 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:40.980 summed up. 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:41.740 Here's the response 00:35:41.740 --> 00:35:42.300 of the nation 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:43.760 at all the different levels. 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:44.400 Verse 10, 00:35:44.700 --> 00:35:46.039 The land is not able 00:35:46.039 --> 00:35:47.280 to bear his words. 00:35:48.360 --> 00:35:49.840 What a statement that is. 00:35:50.380 --> 00:35:51.860 The land is not able 00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:53.079 to bear his words. 00:35:53.160 --> 00:35:54.780 They couldn't stomach it. 00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:58.040 They didn't listen. 00:35:59.140 --> 00:36:00.280 They certainly heard 00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:00.960 loud and clear 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:01.720 what he was saying. 00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:02.780 They got the message. 00:36:03.300 --> 00:36:04.160 If we could picture 00:36:04.160 --> 00:36:05.280 what was taking place, 00:36:05.420 --> 00:36:06.280 God's word 00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:07.640 must have come 00:36:07.640 --> 00:36:08.600 like a fire, 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:10.480 like a double-edged sword, 00:36:10.580 --> 00:36:11.360 like a hammer 00:36:11.360 --> 00:36:12.560 coming from the lips 00:36:12.560 --> 00:36:13.000 of Amos. 00:36:13.080 --> 00:36:13.780 It was a ministry 00:36:13.780 --> 00:36:14.680 that burned, 00:36:15.180 --> 00:36:15.960 that purged, 00:36:16.080 --> 00:36:17.140 that cut to the quick, 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.560 that smashed to pieces 00:36:18.560 --> 00:36:19.400 the status quo 00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:19.820 in the nation 00:36:19.820 --> 00:36:21.000 from top to the bottom. 00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:22.079 I like to think of Amos 00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:23.940 as the 8th century BC 00:36:23.940 --> 00:36:25.239 equivalent of John the Baptist. 00:36:26.940 --> 00:36:28.079 Nobody was coming up 00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:29.260 to Amos after he preached 00:36:29.260 --> 00:36:29.699 and said, 00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:30.659 well done son, 00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:31.619 that was a great sermon. 00:36:32.980 --> 00:36:33.579 I tell you, 00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:34.239 they were shaking 00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:34.960 in their shoes. 00:36:36.260 --> 00:36:37.599 But for the vast majority 00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:38.039 of them, 00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:38.840 it didn't make 00:36:38.840 --> 00:36:39.800 a slight bit of difference. 00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:43.820 Such a faithful preacher, 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:45.420 such authoritative preaching 00:36:45.420 --> 00:36:46.360 as you can imagine, 00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:48.880 is sure to be misrepresented. 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:50.559 It's sure to be misunderstood. 00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:51.800 What he says 00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:53.219 is liable to be twisted 00:36:53.219 --> 00:36:53.780 and perverted. 00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:55.179 That's exactly what happened. 00:36:55.559 --> 00:36:56.139 And who by? 00:36:56.340 --> 00:36:57.659 The religious professionals. 00:36:58.900 --> 00:36:59.380 Ahaziah, 00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:00.719 the priest 00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:01.639 from Bethel, 00:37:01.719 --> 00:37:02.820 he conspires against him. 00:37:02.860 --> 00:37:03.719 He wants to get rid of him. 00:37:03.860 --> 00:37:04.880 A-S-A-P 00:37:04.880 --> 00:37:05.980 as soon as possible. 00:37:06.219 --> 00:37:07.239 So he accuses Amos 00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:07.699 of things 00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:09.059 of which he wasn't guilty. 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.320 Amos wasn't guilty 00:37:10.320 --> 00:37:11.460 of an attempted coup 00:37:11.460 --> 00:37:12.340 of the king. 00:37:12.920 --> 00:37:13.760 Not at all. 00:37:18.260 --> 00:37:19.420 Nor had he predicted 00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:20.480 Jeroboam's death. 00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:22.840 Although Amosiah 00:37:22.840 --> 00:37:23.519 said he had. 00:37:25.300 --> 00:37:26.320 It's true that Amos 00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:27.039 spoke of the death 00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:28.119 of the house of Jeroboam, 00:37:28.199 --> 00:37:28.960 but not of the death 00:37:28.960 --> 00:37:29.380 of the king. 00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:30.880 He spoke of God's sword 00:37:30.880 --> 00:37:31.599 rising against 00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:32.800 the dynasty of Jeroboam, 00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:34.179 but not against Jeroboam 00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:35.440 himself as a person. 00:37:35.519 --> 00:37:36.039 So Amosiah 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:36.880 is twisting it. 00:37:39.320 --> 00:37:39.719 Personalizing 00:37:39.719 --> 00:37:40.659 what the preacher says 00:37:40.659 --> 00:37:41.719 is a common tactic 00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:42.480 by those who want 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:43.500 to discredit the preacher 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:43.980 and his preaching. 00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:44.400 They did it 00:37:44.400 --> 00:37:45.300 with the apostle Paul. 00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:46.599 Read Galatians. 00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:49.000 Amosiah the priest, 00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:49.739 he comes across 00:37:49.739 --> 00:37:51.519 as an unscrupulous politician 00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:53.860 speaking out 00:37:53.860 --> 00:37:54.559 against Amos, 00:37:54.619 --> 00:37:56.179 the uncompromising prophet. 00:37:57.679 --> 00:37:58.539 He resents 00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:59.519 what Amos is preaching. 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.559 He'll go to any lands 00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:01.719 to have this prophetic 00:38:01.719 --> 00:38:02.739 voice silenced. 00:38:02.860 --> 00:38:03.480 He tells Amos 00:38:03.480 --> 00:38:04.119 in verse 12 00:38:04.119 --> 00:38:04.900 to go back 00:38:04.900 --> 00:38:05.819 to where he came from 00:38:05.819 --> 00:38:06.779 and prophesy there. 00:38:07.019 --> 00:38:07.579 He's telling them, 00:38:07.639 --> 00:38:08.299 will you go back 00:38:08.299 --> 00:38:09.440 south of the border, son? 00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:12.139 Earn your money there. 00:38:12.139 --> 00:38:14.199 He may very well 00:38:14.199 --> 00:38:14.960 be implying 00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:15.779 in what he's saying 00:38:15.779 --> 00:38:16.759 that Amos is in 00:38:16.759 --> 00:38:17.639 this whole thing 00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:18.639 for the money 00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.839 just like Amaziah 00:38:19.839 --> 00:38:20.839 was in it for the money 00:38:20.839 --> 00:38:21.779 and that Amos 00:38:21.779 --> 00:38:22.659 was a hired hand 00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:23.779 just like Amaziah 00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:24.659 was a hired hand. 00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:26.599 But of course Amos wasn't. 00:38:26.759 --> 00:38:27.779 But he's reminding Amos 00:38:27.779 --> 00:38:28.299 for sure 00:38:28.299 --> 00:38:29.940 that he's not a preacher 00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:30.799 because he's not 00:38:30.799 --> 00:38:32.519 been officially registered 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:34.859 or personally recognized 00:38:34.859 --> 00:38:35.460 in Israel. 00:38:36.900 --> 00:38:37.319 Amos, 00:38:37.980 --> 00:38:40.099 this is not your patch. 00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:42.380 This is not your pitch. 00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:44.079 It's my patch. 00:38:44.519 --> 00:38:45.739 It's my pitch. 00:38:46.299 --> 00:38:47.039 Off you go. 00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:48.619 And he accuses Amos 00:38:48.619 --> 00:38:50.039 of invading his space 00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:51.440 and preaching on his turf 00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:52.819 and on his territory. 00:38:53.059 --> 00:38:55.000 How did Amos respond to that? 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:56.779 Verses 16 and 17. 00:38:57.199 --> 00:38:58.319 He said to Amaziah, 00:38:58.719 --> 00:39:01.079 you say stop preaching. 00:39:01.779 --> 00:39:03.860 But this is what the Lord says. 00:39:05.420 --> 00:39:06.380 When I was in Ballymen, 00:39:06.440 --> 00:39:07.819 I was in Ballymen for 10 years. 00:39:07.880 --> 00:39:08.679 I was in a big church. 00:39:10.099 --> 00:39:12.380 And there was a few 00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:14.019 sort of things being said. 00:39:14.380 --> 00:39:14.559 You know, 00:39:15.679 --> 00:39:16.239 grapevine, 00:39:16.420 --> 00:39:17.079 is that what you call it. 00:39:18.179 --> 00:39:20.099 And the elders' court 00:39:20.099 --> 00:39:21.199 was convened 00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:22.699 and some of these things 00:39:22.699 --> 00:39:23.960 were brought to our attention 00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:24.940 and this wee man 00:39:24.940 --> 00:39:25.779 in the elders' court 00:39:25.779 --> 00:39:26.559 is, 00:39:27.059 --> 00:39:27.239 oh, 00:39:27.319 --> 00:39:28.599 he was almost 80 years of age. 00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:30.099 He put it like this. 00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:31.579 They say, 00:39:32.579 --> 00:39:35.119 what do they say? 00:39:35.119 --> 00:39:38.159 Let them say. 00:39:39.799 --> 00:39:42.059 Let's keep on preaching the Bible. 00:39:44.639 --> 00:39:45.519 You say, 00:39:46.339 --> 00:39:47.679 stop preaching. 00:39:48.159 --> 00:39:49.339 Is that what you're saying, Amaziah? 00:39:50.179 --> 00:39:51.920 But this is what the Lord says. 00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:55.179 Amaziah wants to see Amos go away, 00:39:55.259 --> 00:39:56.019 never to come back. 00:39:56.099 --> 00:39:57.299 But Amos tells Amaziah 00:39:57.299 --> 00:39:58.099 that he's the one 00:39:58.099 --> 00:39:58.980 who's going to go away 00:39:58.980 --> 00:40:00.099 and the whole nation 00:40:00.099 --> 00:40:00.699 will go with him, 00:40:00.759 --> 00:40:02.559 the northern part of the country. 00:40:02.559 --> 00:40:03.739 And it's Amaziah 00:40:03.739 --> 00:40:04.599 who'll never come back. 00:40:06.420 --> 00:40:07.199 Unconverted men, 00:40:07.299 --> 00:40:07.980 hired men, 00:40:08.420 --> 00:40:09.579 men who are in it for the money 00:40:09.579 --> 00:40:10.460 or because they think 00:40:10.460 --> 00:40:11.199 it's a cushy number, 00:40:11.639 --> 00:40:13.039 they don't like to hear 00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:14.759 a message on judgment. 00:40:15.400 --> 00:40:16.599 Even if that message 00:40:16.599 --> 00:40:18.279 at times is tinged with mercy, 00:40:18.960 --> 00:40:20.039 they can't stand it. 00:40:20.860 --> 00:40:21.559 They don't like 00:40:21.559 --> 00:40:23.159 the whole counsel of God. 00:40:23.779 --> 00:40:24.619 When Paul preached 00:40:24.619 --> 00:40:25.599 in his missionary journeys, 00:40:25.679 --> 00:40:26.619 we're told he reasoned 00:40:26.619 --> 00:40:27.079 with people 00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:28.460 on the truth of judgment. 00:40:28.579 --> 00:40:29.920 I can't think of a subject 00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:30.940 that will give more bite 00:40:30.940 --> 00:40:31.480 to preaching 00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:32.639 than the certainty 00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:33.159 of judgment. 00:40:33.280 --> 00:40:33.579 Can you? 00:40:34.059 --> 00:40:35.679 I can't think of any other subject 00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:36.440 that will cause people 00:40:36.440 --> 00:40:37.539 to look for the healing balm 00:40:37.539 --> 00:40:38.240 of the gospel 00:40:38.240 --> 00:40:39.480 of the Lord Jesus 00:40:39.480 --> 00:40:40.300 more than the message 00:40:40.300 --> 00:40:40.780 of judgment. 00:40:41.079 --> 00:40:41.460 Can you? 00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:43.099 Now thankfully, 00:40:43.240 --> 00:40:44.059 it's not the only note 00:40:44.059 --> 00:40:44.920 that needs to be struck, 00:40:45.039 --> 00:40:45.740 but it is a note 00:40:45.740 --> 00:40:46.380 that is missing 00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:48.360 in today's Western world 00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:49.219 as it teeters 00:40:49.219 --> 00:40:50.780 on the brink of disaster, 00:40:51.219 --> 00:40:52.139 just like Israel 00:40:52.139 --> 00:40:54.400 in the 8th century BC. 00:40:55.240 --> 00:40:56.260 John Piper says, 00:40:56.820 --> 00:40:58.619 sometimes the people 00:40:58.619 --> 00:41:00.679 need a holy fright. 00:41:01.679 --> 00:41:02.420 Amos was the guy 00:41:02.420 --> 00:41:03.079 who brought it. 00:41:04.219 --> 00:41:05.079 It's thought by some 00:41:05.079 --> 00:41:05.659 that Amaziah 00:41:05.659 --> 00:41:06.639 was eventually able 00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:07.739 to have the prophet Amos 00:41:07.739 --> 00:41:09.079 deported back to the south. 00:41:09.480 --> 00:41:10.119 If that's the case, 00:41:10.219 --> 00:41:11.099 but no proof of it, 00:41:11.339 --> 00:41:12.679 his voice may have been silenced 00:41:12.679 --> 00:41:13.279 in the north, 00:41:13.559 --> 00:41:14.920 but he became one of the first 00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:15.839 of the writing prophets, 00:41:16.039 --> 00:41:18.079 and although he's long since dead, 00:41:18.139 --> 00:41:19.739 he's still speaking today. 00:41:21.679 --> 00:41:22.420 I don't want to steal 00:41:22.420 --> 00:41:23.119 anybody's thunder, 00:41:23.259 --> 00:41:24.359 but as you go through this book 00:41:24.359 --> 00:41:25.319 with its recurring theme 00:41:25.319 --> 00:41:25.779 of judgment, 00:41:25.780 --> 00:41:27.100 it's important 00:41:27.100 --> 00:41:28.320 not to lose sight 00:41:28.320 --> 00:41:28.940 of what's coming 00:41:28.940 --> 00:41:29.880 in the last chapter 00:41:29.880 --> 00:41:31.820 where God's mercy 00:41:31.820 --> 00:41:32.760 becomes clearer 00:41:32.760 --> 00:41:34.519 as the long night 00:41:34.519 --> 00:41:35.019 of judgment 00:41:35.019 --> 00:41:36.120 comes to an end. 00:41:36.620 --> 00:41:37.340 I picked up a book 00:41:37.340 --> 00:41:38.180 by Mark Deaver. 00:41:38.420 --> 00:41:39.280 Some of you will know 00:41:39.280 --> 00:41:40.140 who I'm talking about, 00:41:40.220 --> 00:41:40.560 American. 00:41:42.019 --> 00:41:43.040 He says he loves 00:41:43.040 --> 00:41:44.260 to answer the question, 00:41:44.460 --> 00:41:45.060 how are you doing? 00:41:45.100 --> 00:41:45.460 You know, people, 00:41:45.580 --> 00:41:46.180 how are you doing? 00:41:46.480 --> 00:41:47.300 He loves to answer 00:41:47.300 --> 00:41:47.780 the question, 00:41:48.040 --> 00:41:49.380 better than I deserve, 00:41:50.000 --> 00:41:50.720 is how he loves 00:41:50.720 --> 00:41:51.680 to answer that question. 00:41:52.019 --> 00:41:52.980 Better than I deserve, 00:41:53.040 --> 00:41:53.360 and he says, 00:41:53.560 --> 00:41:54.580 because it reminds him 00:41:54.580 --> 00:41:55.160 of the gospel. 00:41:55.159 --> 00:41:56.179 Well, brothers and sisters, 00:41:56.239 --> 00:41:56.899 can I tell you something? 00:41:57.519 --> 00:41:58.399 If it was only down 00:41:58.399 --> 00:41:59.779 to justice being done, 00:41:59.940 --> 00:42:00.839 you and I would be 00:42:00.839 --> 00:42:02.779 cast off. 00:42:05.000 --> 00:42:06.000 Even in how we've lived 00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:06.759 the Christian life, 00:42:06.859 --> 00:42:07.659 never mind how we lived 00:42:07.659 --> 00:42:08.639 before we were Christians, 00:42:09.500 --> 00:42:10.539 but God is a God 00:42:10.539 --> 00:42:14.099 of incredible mercy. 00:42:16.139 --> 00:42:17.079 Can I give you the words 00:42:17.079 --> 00:42:18.000 of a hymn just to finish? 00:42:18.000 --> 00:42:18.619 Just a verse. 00:42:19.779 --> 00:42:20.859 After all these years. 00:42:23.279 --> 00:42:24.079 Is this not the language 00:42:24.079 --> 00:42:24.920 of our hearts tonight? 00:42:25.000 --> 00:42:25.420 All of us, 00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:26.699 if we really know ourselves 00:42:26.699 --> 00:42:27.599 in the light of these 00:42:27.599 --> 00:42:28.980 great truths that are 00:42:28.980 --> 00:42:29.519 in this book, 00:42:30.239 --> 00:42:31.940 nothing in my hands I bring. 00:42:33.920 --> 00:42:36.099 Simply to thy cross 00:42:36.099 --> 00:42:36.799 I cling. 00:42:37.279 --> 00:42:37.599 Naked. 00:42:38.299 --> 00:42:39.579 Come to thee for dress. 00:42:39.719 --> 00:42:40.159 Help us. 00:42:40.279 --> 00:42:41.619 Look to thee for grace. 00:42:42.259 --> 00:42:42.519 Foul. 00:42:43.239 --> 00:42:44.739 I to the fountain fly. 00:42:45.860 --> 00:42:46.739 Wash me, Savior, 00:42:46.739 --> 00:42:48.579 or I die. 00:42:50.259 --> 00:42:51.799 We said it a long time ago, 00:42:51.899 --> 00:42:52.439 did we not? 00:42:52.619 --> 00:42:54.199 Are we not saying it again tonight? 00:42:54.339 --> 00:42:56.279 God, be merciful to me. 00:42:57.119 --> 00:42:57.779 I am a sinner. 00:42:58.239 --> 00:42:59.419 You're the judge of all the earth. 00:42:59.479 --> 00:43:00.059 You're going to judge 00:43:00.059 --> 00:43:01.099 the secrets of all men. 00:43:01.359 --> 00:43:02.599 What Amos is saying here 00:43:02.599 --> 00:43:04.359 way back in the 8th century BC 00:43:04.359 --> 00:43:05.359 is just a forerunner 00:43:05.359 --> 00:43:06.339 of the great day 00:43:06.339 --> 00:43:07.219 that is yet to come. 00:43:07.859 --> 00:43:08.479 But we know 00:43:08.479 --> 00:43:10.500 that in Christ 00:43:10.500 --> 00:43:12.479 the promises of God 00:43:12.479 --> 00:43:14.199 are all yes 00:43:14.199 --> 00:43:15.779 and amen. 00:43:16.259 --> 00:43:17.219 And there's hope 00:43:17.219 --> 00:43:18.099 for us all 00:43:18.099 --> 00:43:19.460 in Jesus. 00:43:20.339 --> 00:43:21.019 Let's just pray. 00:43:21.739 --> 00:43:22.599 Father, thank you 00:43:22.599 --> 00:43:23.639 for Amos, 00:43:24.579 --> 00:43:25.359 his fearlessness, 00:43:26.719 --> 00:43:27.699 his faithfulness. 00:43:29.699 --> 00:43:30.839 Help us, Lord, 00:43:31.339 --> 00:43:34.219 in the small way 00:43:34.219 --> 00:43:36.639 that we are able 00:43:36.639 --> 00:43:38.839 to be just as fearless 00:43:38.839 --> 00:43:41.079 and just as faithful 00:43:41.079 --> 00:43:43.480 and to preach your truth 00:43:43.480 --> 00:43:45.240 and to live out 00:43:45.240 --> 00:43:46.400 your truth in love 00:43:46.400 --> 00:43:47.139 and grace 00:43:47.139 --> 00:43:47.900 and with mercy 00:43:47.900 --> 00:43:50.219 but not to choose 00:43:50.219 --> 00:43:50.699 the things 00:43:50.699 --> 00:43:51.619 that we want to say. 00:43:53.380 --> 00:43:54.440 To say the things 00:43:54.440 --> 00:43:55.559 that you want us to say 00:43:55.559 --> 00:43:57.340 even if that strikes 00:43:57.340 --> 00:43:57.820 the note 00:43:57.820 --> 00:44:00.380 of a righteous judgment. 00:44:02.000 --> 00:44:02.699 Hear our prayer. 00:44:04.699 --> 00:44:05.920 For Jesus' sake, 00:44:05.920 --> 00:44:07.039 Amen.