Good evening, everyone.
You're all doing all right today.
And I just want to jump into the text.
Why don't we open our Bibles in Amos chapter 3.
I'm seeing a lot of new faces here.
Hopefully by the end of the evening, you'll be able to figure out my accent.
And then somehow you'll understand what I'm saying.
I'll try to do my best, I promise.
Whether it's going to work or not, don't know.
God's grace.
Let's open our Bibles, Amos chapter 3.
This is what the Word says.
Hear this word, people of Israel.
The word of the Lord has spoken against you.
Against a whole family brought up out of Egypt.
You only have chosen all the families of the earth.
Therefore, I will punish you for all your sins.
You two walk together unless they have agreed to do so.
Does a lion roar in the ticket when he has no prey?
Does he growl in his den when he has cut nothing?
Does a bird swoops down to a trap on the ground when no bait is there?
Does a trap spring up from the ground?
Yet he hasn't cut anything.
When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble?
When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?
Surely, the sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants, the prophets.
The lion has roared, who will not fear?
The sovereign Lord has spoken, who can't bad prophesy?
Proclaim to the fortresses of Ashdod and to the fortresses of Egypt.
Assemble yourselves in the mountains of Samaria.
See the great unrest within her and the oppression among her people.
They do not know how to do right, declares the Lord, who were stored up in the fortresses, where they had plundered and looted.
Therefore, this is what the sovereign Lord says.
An enemy will overrun your land, pull down your strongholds, and plunder your fortresses.
This is what the Lord says.
As a shepherd rescues from the lion's mouth only two leg bones or a piece of an heir,
so will the Israelites living in Samaria be rescued, with only the head of the bed and a piece of fabric from the couch.
Hear this and testify against the descendants of Jacob, declares the Lord, the Lord God Almighty.
On that day I punish Israel for her sins.
I will destroy the altars of Bethel.
The horns of the altars will be cut off and fall to the ground.
I will tear down the winter house along with the summer house.
The houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed, and the mansions will be demolished, declares the Lord.
Ah, what a difficult passage it really is.
Tell me about it, really.
I was given this passage quite a few months ago.
Originally, I actually wrote on my phone that I was preaching chapter 4.
And I was preparing myself to chapter 4.
I was reading chapter 4, although I was reading a whole book, I would deny it.
But I was focusing on chapter 4.
And last Friday, I come to church, to the office, and go to meet John.
We were just discussing what Amos is going to be like.
And suddenly he says, yeah, but, you know, 3 and 4 are always together, so it's going to be easy.
I'm like, what do you mean 3 and 4?
And that's when actually I realized I was not doing chapter 4, but actually doing chapter 3.
So, if you feel I'm preaching chapter 4 today, please, I apologize, you now know why.
But I'm going to try to do it in chapter 3.
And the first thought that I have in my head when I was reading the book of Amos, which is actually a kind of book very difficult.
Not many people really like reading Amos because they feel it's very difficult to get.
Normally, when you get to Amos in the Bible, you're doing like chronologically,
or you're just going through the whole book of the Bible, you just jump in.
You go to the next one, next, and then you jump to that.
And the first thing that came to my head was, and I'm going to be honest with this,
how can God do something like this?
I was like, what can I do with this passage?
And then I began to spend a lot of time in Amos.
Of course, that's not the message, basically.
But then I began to spend a lot of time with Amos, and I began to discover what is actually behind it,
to see what the context is about.
And my thinking changed from how can God do something like this to,
what horrible people, what horrible Israel were.
How can they forget what God has done for them?
That is basically the whole message of Amos.
God is roaring.
God is crying out for them to see what they have forgotten.
They have forgotten about him.
They have forgotten what he has done for them.
And they are going in a way that he is not happy with.
That is when the judgment comes.
That is why when it feels like God is roaring,
with angriness, perhaps.
But it's lots of love being implied in that.
So I'm going to try to lead you to that,
and we'll try to see it.
So I'm going to tell you a bit more about Amos.
Amos is in...
I need to put this one up.
Yep.
So Amos is a book...
Amos was a prophet who actually lived in Judah,
but he spoke to Israel.
And his ministry took place during the reigns of Uzziah, Judah,
and the king of Jerobo,
Jerobo and the second of Israel,
which is about 790 to 740 before Christ,
for you to have a picture of what's happening there.
And basically his message was about judgment.
At the beginning of his prophecy,
he firstly spoke of the six nations surrounding Israel,
which are...
Does anybody remember?
Which...
There are no six nations of Rabi, okay?
That's different six nations.
The six nations are Moab, Damascus, Gaza, Tyre,
Eden, and the Ammonites.
And then he not only spoke about them,
but he also spoke about Judah.
And then finally...
He moves to speak to Israel about Israel.
Although Amos is speaking,
but if God, the lion, as I describe it,
he is roaring.
And he is roaring against the six surrounding nations of Israel.
And Israel goes...
I can imagine when Amos is beginning in chapter 1,
at the beginning of chapter 1,
declaring all the sins against those six nations,
Amos, the people of Israel, would be like,
Yes!
Keep going, Amos.
Do it.
Do it that way.
And then the prophecy changed,
and Amos goes,
I'm no longer speaking about the six nations.
I'm going to go and speak again Judah.
And of course, Israel and Judah weren't good friends.
So I can imagine the people from Israel were like,
Yes!
Keep going, keep going.
Bring it on.
Bring it on, buddy.
And then, finally,
from chapter 2, from verse 6 and on,
the message changed.
And then Amos is no longer speaking about the six nations.
He's no longer speaking about Judah.
But now he turns drastically
and faces Israel
and says,
And now I have something for you, Israel.
This is the message for you.
It's actually you the main reason why I'm coming to prophesy.
My whole prophecy has nothing to do with them,
but it has a lot to do with you.
That's why I'm here.
And basically, that is where the Israelites are in chapter 3.
They went from the enjoyment of chapter 1
to the confusion of chapter 2
to the show of chapter 3
where the judgment is being revealed to them.
And precisely, Israel is actually being judged,
not just despised by the far they were privileged,
but because of the fact,
they were privileged.
Because of the things they were given for God,
is that God has to precisely
do something with them.
So, once we begin to dig into the first,
to the first few verses of the chapter,
3,
we develop a...
I hope this one works.
Okay, there we are.
So, I made three different titles for this one.
So, the first one is the fairness of God's judgment.
You can actually see in verses 1 and 2.
And this is what it says.
Hear this word, people of Israel.
The word of the Lord has spoken against you,
against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt.
You only have I chosen,
but all the families of the earth.
Therefore, I will punish you for all your sins.
Amos begins this chapter by reminding them
that God's judgment is fair.
He begins this word by saying,
hear this word.
The beginning of chapter 3,
the beginning of chapter 4,
and the beginning of chapter 5
had a common scene,
something very much in common.
They all began with the same word.
Hear this word.
Basically saying,
Amos,
listen to this.
This is very, very, very important.
Listen to this,
and this is for you.
That is how Amos started
the next three chapters.
And he starts in here.
And then he goes to develop the next thing.
And basically,
it's a reminder that Israel must listen
and they must obey.
But we probably will discover
they wouldn't do that.
So Amos draws deeply on an early scripture
to show how fair and biased God's judgment is.
He calls them people of Israel.
When he's saying people of Israel,
he's not only defying the people of that place,
but it's actually defying the whole people
from Israel.
Both tribes,
both different nations,
Judah and Israel,
because they were both
taken out from Egypt
and brought from God
to the place where he was promised.
There are two important words here to see.
The first one is in verse 2,
where it says,
you only have a chosen.
Slice of working.
Anyway.
And this word chosen
in this particular context
describes a relationship,
describes a word
with God having a relationship
or covenant with them.
God had chosen Israel
to reveal himself,
to reveal himself to them
and to have a permanent relationship with them.
And that's what he says,
I have chosen for all the families of the year,
you, Israel.
And that's what I chose him to do.
The first one we actually,
and basically this describes
the God's sovereign choice of Israel.
And basically,
he's loving and showing,
he's loving concern for them
that he really cares
and he chose them.
That was the first thing,
that Israel is not only a nation.
Israel is the only one nation
with God having a specific covenant,
a relationship or covenant.
But then he goes to the next one,
therefore I will punish you.
And the second word I want us to look
is actually punish.
Generally,
in some other translations of the Bible,
the same word is used
in a different way.
It's used as basic.
So,
the point that is happening here
is like this,
the word can also be translated
as basic.
And it occurs in different contexts.
If you remember,
if you ever read chapter 50 of Genesis,
Joseph is about to die.
The Israelites are in Egypt.
And he is about to go away,
but he speaks to the people of Israel.
And he tells them this,
remember,
God is going to come
and come out
from where you are,
here in Egypt.
And will come and visit you
and take it.
He will take you
to the land
that he has promised you.
That was the first time
that actually this word was used
in the context of basic.
And now the prophet
is coming to say
that therefore God
is going to come
and punish them.
And the same word
is used in a very
backwards way,
I would say.
So now,
they are in a promised land,
but Amos is saying
that the Lord
is going to come
and punish you
slash visit them.
So the Lord
is going to come
and take them,
for where they are,
which is the promised land,
they are going to be
taken away
to the exile.
Do you see the contrast there?
How,
because of disobedience,
because of the fair judgment,
that
treatment of God
has been reversed.
This visit from God,
that doesn't mean
they are taken
to the promised land.
actually,
they are being taken out
from the promised land.
So that therefore,
here,
is the word
that comes very strong.
The Lord's covenant
of grace
includes punishment
for sins,
precisely because
the Lord chose Israel.
Therefore,
He loves His people
too much
to let them sin.
The whole reason
why God
is going to take Israel
away
from where they are,
because they have been
so disobedient to Him.
And they have not behaved
in the way
He has chosen to.
And He has to do something.
So Amos is coming to say,
because of what you're doing,
therefore,
this is what the Lord
is going to do.
That is basically
the fairness
of this judgment.
And for a moment,
I want you to
to think.
Let's just stop for a moment.
I've got a question for you.
I want you to
answer in your head.
Probably you won't tell me,
but answer it.
Is God right
to judge Israel
at this point?
Is God being unfair
with them?
Is God doing something
that He shouldn't do?
God chose His people
and gave them a name.
He gave them a land.
He gave them victory.
He rescued them.
He defeated their enemies.
He gave them more
and more
and more things.
And even with all
they got from God,
they have forgotten
about Him.
He even gave them
a relationship
with covenant.
He said,
I'll,
you'll be my people.
And especially,
the most astonishing thing,
God said,
and I
will be your God.
And they have forgotten that.
So is this fair?
Yes.
Sadly it is.
God is being fair.
Even when He sounds horrible,
God is being fair.
His treatment to Israel
is fair.
So the next thing
we can actually see
is from verses 3 to 8
is that this judgment
is actually inevitable.
I will read it to you again.
Amen.
Do two walk together
unless they have agreed
to do so?
Does a lion
run in the thicket
when he has no prey?
Does a growl
in its den
when it has
caught nothing?
Does a bear
swoop down
to a trap
ground
when it has no
bait in there?
Does a trap
spring up
on the ground
when it has not
caught anything?
Amos presents
a series of rhetorical questions
to emphasize
that actually
the judgment
is not that far away
that the judgment
is imminent.
That the judgment
is going to come
and it's imminent
and inevitable
and it will actually
come to those
who don't respond.
the question
in verse 3
continues
this theme
relationship
playing in the
relationship
between God
and Israel
as it is intended.
The clear
implications
is that
the initial
call
of Israel
needs to be
sustained
by a continuous
walk with God.
Some seem
precisely
they have
stopped doing it.
What it says
like
do two walk
together
unless they have
agreed so?
They were supposed
to agree so.
that's why
there was
the relational
covenant
but Israel
was not doing that.
Israel began
to walk with God
but eventually
drove away
his hand
and didn't want
to walk
with God
anymore.
Verse 4
and 5
the point
that Amos
is trying
to do
in verse 4
and 5
is he's
trying to
come across
that every
effect
has a cause
or every cause
is produced
by an effect.
the lion
roars
when he
has found
a prey
a young lion
grows
when he
has got
something
a trap
needs a bait
in order to work
can you imagine
a trap
is going to
work
without a bait
we wouldn't
be that
fooling out
with it
a trap
spring
doesn't
shut
when it's
empty
it has
to do
something
basically
what Amos
is saying
if you
do this
this is
going to
happen
you take
state A
actually you
have to
take state B
because that's
what is actually
happening
so Amos
is telling
them
this is
inevitable
this is
going to
happen
and this
is caused
by something
you have
done
verse 6
says
that when a
trumpet
sounds in a
city
does people
not tremble
every time
in the past
when a
trumpet was
blown
in a
city
people
would
know
there
was
something
about
to
happen
either
were
calamity
invasion
something
wrong
and when
the trumpet
was blown
everyone
would shake
everyone
would tremble
oh let's
do something
let's get
my child
let's call
daycare
let's do
something
oh let's
go to
Ikea
and get
something
we need
to
because we
are
going to
be
invaded
let's
prepare
for that
and people
knew it
and Amos
is calling
that and
say
you know
that
but now
when I'm
coming to
you and
telling you
the message
from God
that God
is roaring
you don't
even care
you know
how to
be alert
when a
trumpet
blows
in a
city
but when
God
is blowing
when he
is crying
out
you don't
do
anything
Amos is
saying
I'm
coming to
blow the
trumpet
God has
spoken
he
is
roaring
you
must
respond
you
must
turn
to
God
the
judgment
is
coming
do
sons
in
Israel
but Israel
is not
doing
anything
Israel
had seen
God's
judgment
in pagan
nations
many times
in the
past
but now
they are
about to
face
the same
just
judgment
from
God
to each
one of
them
verses
7 and
8
declares
that
the
Lord
has
revealed
this
to
Amos
God
has
spoken
now
the
prophet
must
prophesy
like a
lion's
voice
evokes
fear
when you
hear it
so
thus
the
word
of
the
Lord
compels
the
prophet
to
prophesy
Amos
is
saying
like
everything
that
the
Lord
has
told
me
cannot
be
quiet
I have
to
tell
you
this
is
the
message
for
you
Israel
wake
up
realize
what
you're
doing
walk
away
from
it
God
is
roaring
and
he's
screaming
out
realize
it
they
wouldn't
do it
Amos
can't
stop
this
neither
can
Israel
but
although
even
when
judgment
cannot
be
stopped
it
could
be
easily
be
prepared
for
but
since
they
are
not
doing
anything
they're
not
able
to
be
prepared
for
there
is
always
an
implied
call
for
repentance
in the
prophecy
or
judgment
God
is
showing
in
some
ways
his
stake
of
laws
over
Israel
he
sent
his
prophet
to
come
and
speak
to
them
it
would
have
been
easy
for
God
to
judge
and
right
away
to
bring
the
Assyrians
the next
day
and they
would
be
done
but
God
is
actually
showing
his
love
given
the
time
and
saying
you
got
this
prophet
he's
coming
to
speak
to
you
my
behalf
repent
do
something
it's
actually
funny
from
the
day
when
the
prophecy
was
given
it
took
like
40
years
when
we
actually
the
Assyrians
came
it is
a long
time
isn't
it
I'm
not
even
40
yet
so
many
years
for
them
to
repent
so
many
opportunities
for
them
to
realize
what
God
was
doing
they
wouldn't
care
Amos
was
not
speaking
about
God's
people
Amos
was
speaking
to
God's
people
the
message
was
straight
to
them
it
was
not
about
them
it
was
to
them
you
must
depend
you
must
change
God
is
telling
you
to
do
something
different
they
wouldn't
listen
to
people
were
ignoring
the
word
of
God
spoken
by
Amos
none
of them
were
responded
and I
wonder
how many
times
do
we
like
Israel
when
we
hear
the
voice
of
God
through
his
word
and we
just
ignore
it
we
don't
listen
to
it
sometimes
when
even
we
know
what
the
Bible
says
we
still
choose
to
run
how
similar
to
Israel
can
we
actually
be
I
don't
know
just
a
generic
question
that
just
came
to
my
head
how
many
times
I
have
been
in
that
situation
where
I
feel
like
even
knowing
what
the
Bible
says
I
do
something
wrong
and
it
it's
fine
nobody
knows
it's
fine
I
got
the
freedom
to do
whatever
I
want
this
country
gives me
freedom
so I
can
do
whatever
I
want
and
so
many
other
excuses
to do
whatever
you
want
even
ignoring
what
the
Bible
says
this
is
the
position
of
Israel
this
is
how
they
are
they
are
ignoring
what
God
has
told them
what
to
do
if
they
don't
want
to
do
it
if
they
don't
want
to
have
this
permanent
relationship
with
God
and
God
has
been
so
merciful
to
them
he
is
letting
them
know
that
they
are
wrong
giving
them
a
chance
to
repent
but
this
again
they
wouldn't
do
it
do
not
never
do
not
allow
yourself
to
be
like
them
anytime
you
do
not
ever
ignore
the
word
of
God
ignore
what
the
Bible
says
the
last
thing
I'll
be
dealing
with
comes
from
verses
9
to
15
he's
not
only
describing
the first
point
he was
describing
was
the
fairness
of
the
judgment
the
second
point
he was
describing
that
this
judgment
was
inevitable
and
it's
going
to
happen
you
don't
respond
the
judgment
is
going
to
come
to
you
and
now
he's
describing
the
nature
of
the
judgment
what
actually
the
judgment
is
going
to
involve
what's
going
to
happen
with
it
the
first
thing
is
worth
notices
in
verse
9
it
proclaim
to
the
fortresses
Ashdod
and
to
the
fortresses
of
Egypt
assemble
yourselves
to
the
mountain
of
Samaria
see
the
great
unrest
within
her
and
the
oppression
among
her
people
when
God
has
rescued
Israel
from
slavery
and
when
God
had
chosen
Israel
to
bring
them
to
a
promised
land
and
when
God
had
chosen
to
have
a
permanent
relationship
with
them
the
purpose
was
for
them
to
reflect
what
God
is
or
who
God
is
for
them
to
show
what
a
godly
nation
should
be
like
he
had
brought
up
Israel
to show
to the
world
what a
godly
nation
should
be
and to
reflect
to the
pagan
neighbors
what a
nation
should be
like
but here
the
prophets
with
big
irony
is
called
Ashdod
which was
a Philistine
city
and
he's
calling
Egypt
which was
an
enemy
of
Israel
an
enemy
of
God
and
he's
calling
these
two
people
to
come
and
witness
against
Israel
how
wicked
Israel
may have
been
that the
prophet
has to
call
two
barbarians
horrible
and
evil
doers
nations
to come
and witness
against
God
holy
people
God
the
prophet
is
calling
these
two
pagan
nations
to come
and witness
against
Israel
can you
imagine
if I was
an Israelite
at that
point
that may
have
been
shocking
God
is so
proud to
show
an
unbeliever
and say
like
look
look how
my son
is not
behaving
the way
he wants
look how
my people
are not
doing what
I want
them to
do
and you
laugh
and look
at them
that is
kind of
the way
he's
picturing
it
it's
irony
and sadness
at the
same time
the scene
was so
evident
as expressed
in verses
nine
there was
oppression
see the
great unrest
within her
and the
oppression
among her
people
there was
materialism
and violence
verse 10
their fortresses
are filled
with wealth
taken by
robbery
and violence
even verse 10
says they do
not know
how to do
right
normal
proper
behavior
is so
far away
from them
and that
leads to a
gross
materialism
and violence
defending
a wealth
and privilege
so they
are doing
everything
that God
has told
them
not to
and because
of that
they must
be
punished
all
these
behavior
will lead
to evident
destruction
that therefore
here comes
very strong
in verse
11
it says
therefore
this is
what the
sovereign
lord
says
an enemy
will
overrun
you
your land
pull down
your strongholds
and plunder
your fortresses
it's funny
but this
the beginning
of this
verse
verse 11
with the
therefore
it's pretty
similar
to what was
happening
in chapter
28
when God
was describing
actually
sorry
Deuteronomy
chapter 28
when God
was describing
what the
blessings
and the
curses
for obedience
or disobedience
are going to
happen
and this
verse here
in chapter
in verse
11
brings to
my head
a lot
of that
for the
whole chapter
of Deuteronomy
as I was
saying
it is
about
the blessings
for disobedience
and the curses
for
the blessings
for obedience
and the curses
for disobedience
from verses
1 to 14
in chapter
28
I'm just giving
you a heads
up about
that
God
is describing
what a
blessing
they would
get
in their
obedience
but
in verse
15
or 28
he says
however
if you are
disobedient
this is what
you're going
to get
and it's
pretty similar
with basically
the pattern
that is
happening
here in
Amos
I'm pretty
sure
Amos
knew
about
chapter
28
of Deuteronomy
the second
thing
is going
to happen
with them
and there
comes the
therefore
as I said
so they
are showing
oppression
they are
acting in sin
and God
is going
to come
and punish
them
God
is going
to come
and do
something
for them
two main
things
he's going
to do
the first
one
they're going
to be defeated
in battle
as verse 11
and 12
says
as I said
before
the Assyrians
were going
to come
they're going
to come
and destroy
them
they're going
to come
and do
something
to them
they're going
to destroy
all the
greatness
that they
used to
have
they're going
to attack
their city
their cities
are going
to be
knocked
down
something
is going
to come
it's going
to come
it's going
to be bad
keep your
eye in
verse 11
and listen
what I'm
reading
from chapter
28
verse 52
of Deuteronomy
find how
similar
the circumstances
are here
he says
chapter 28
verse 52
but keep
your eye
on Amos
3
11
and listen
to this
they will
attack
your cities
until all
the fortified
walls in
your land
the walls
you trusted
to protect
you
are knocked
down
they will
attack
all the
towns
in the
land
the Lord
your God
has given
you
that was
from Deuteronomy
chapter 28
what is
Amos
telling them
in chapter
11
precisely
that
what he
was told
if you
are disobedient
that's
going to
happen
Amos
chapter 3
is telling
them
this
is
actually
happening
this
will
happen
the
other
thing
for
then
is
going to
be
they
will
only
be
defeated
in
battle
but
there
will
also
the
places
where they
take
false
refugees
the
places
where they
take
false
worship
the
places
where they
take
false
security
is
going to
be
destroyed
verses
13
to 15
describes
the altar
of battle
the altar
of battle
was made
by
Jerobo
on the
first
it was
actually made
from a
golden
calf
and the
purpose
was
Israel
didn't want
to go
and worship
in Jerusalem
anymore
because they
were split
so Israel
decided
we don't
want to go
there
anymore
so Jerobo
on the
first
said
I don't
want to
go there
anymore
so I'm
going to
create
something
here
I'm
going to
lift
it up
an altar
and we're
going to
put a
golden
calf
here
and this
is going
to be
the altar
and people
are going
to come
here
and worship
because we
don't want
to go
to the
place
where God
told us
to go
which place
was that
Jerusalem
we don't
want to
go there
anymore
we want
to be
here
and they
decided
to do
that
that was
not a
godly
sin
that was
something
full of
idolatry
that was
something
full of
selfishness
and trying
to do
something
against
God
the other
thing
that is
actually
verse 14
is telling
us
that the
horns
on the
altar
will be
cut off
something
would
happen
in that
time
in that
altar
and somebody
was looking
for refuge
and somebody
was running
away from
something
whenever they
would get
to the
altar
they would
find the
horns
if they
would put
their hands
on the
horns
nobody
could
touch
them
they would
be able
to take
refuge
in them
but here
the prophet
is saying
that place
where you
take
forced
refuge
that place
is saying
it's going
to be
cut off
even the
places
where you
worship
even the
places
where you
take
refuge
will be
cut off
why
because of
your
disobedience
because you
have forgotten
who I am
I can
really
understand
how
Israel
could
forgotten
something like
what David
would say
remember
what David
said in
Psalm
91
verse 2
it's a very
famous psalm
you might
remember it
he says
I will
save
of the
Lord
you remember
he is
my refuge
my fortress
my God
would I
trust
but Israel
was seeking
refuge
in the
altar
seeking
refuge
something
else
do not
allow
yourself
to take
refuge
in something
else
different
than God
like David
did
God
is my
refuge
for Israel
God was
not
and he
had to
punish them
for that
the last
thing it
says that
he actually
has to
destroy
the houses
the winter
houses
and summer
houses
that has
to do
a lot
with
possession
and luxury
those places
were only
affordable
by kings
and they
have to be
very wealthy
to do that
these houses
will fail to
protect them
against God
the opening
living
in Israel
has caused
a terrible
state
they have
become
abusive
and the
rich
had
plunder
and looted
the poor
in prosperity
they have
forgotten
God
remember
when Amos
was speaking
although he's
speaking about
judgment
the judgment
is not
there yet
so they
are still
a rich
nation
they are still
prospering
they are still
doing good
and in all
this opulency
and all this
greatness
they are having
they are
forgotten
about God
and he's
coming to say
all those places
where you
actually go
and enjoy
your
you give a
good life
are going to
be cut off
are going to
be destroyed
all of those
places
they will be
destroyed
those places
won't protect
you
this brings
to my head
as well
what the
wise
the wise
Solomon
would say
at some
point
in chapter
30
of Proverbs
he would say
something like
Lord give me
nor poverty
neither riches
feed me with
the food
that is
needful
for me
lest I
be full
and deny
you
and say
who is
the Lord
or lest
I be
lest I
be rich
and deny
you
and say
who is
the Lord
or lest
I be poor
and still
and profane
the name
of the Lord
and prosperity
they have
forgotten
about God
there are
so many
things to
say
that they
would actually
do and run
and I know
probably
at this point
you are already
depressed
because either
you didn't
get my accent
or you didn't
get what I'm
saying
or what I'm
saying is
horrible
that you
don't want
to listen
anymore
and generally
chapter 3
is very
difficult
and
this is a
very complicated
chapter
but
this is perhaps
what I'm going
to finish
I can't
preach
a sermon
on judgment
but
we're not
talking about
salvation
because the
same God
who is
offering
judgment
to Israel
at this
point
through the
prophet
is crying
out saying
but
you come
to me
I will
save you
you come
to me
I will
rescue you
but Israel
wouldn't do
that
verse 12
gives us a
glance
of what
this is
going to
happen
there is
hope
it says
that a few
fragments
of the
land
rescued
from the
mouth
of the
lion
meant
that a
tiny
remnant
of Israel
which will
survive
the
judgment
even
when
the
Syrians
came
they
took
to
destroy
everything
they took
the people
into exile
and we
know
later on
by reading
the Bible
that there
was a
remnant
who was able
to come
back
and from
that remnant
like nearly
700 years
later
a virgin
was found
pregnant
God
himself
decided to
come to
this world
from that
remnant
only God
would have
chosen to
save
or do
something with
people who are
worthless
like the
Israelites
that's what he
did that day
and from that
scene
from that
remnant
he brought
Jesus
us
like 700
years
later
and he
lived a
perfect
life
we all
know
he
showed us
the way
we all
know
and he
went to
a cross
we all
know
and he
died for
our sins
we all
know
even
God
when he
was judged
in Israel
he
decided to
save
them
and held
them to
a small
remnant
to come
back
that kind
of goodness
doesn't
happen very
often
does it
precisely
it does
because the
Bible says
that God
himself
when we
were
worthless
when we
were full
of sin
as Romans
5a
says
but God
demonstrates
his own
love for
us
in this
while we
were still
sinners
Christ
died for
our sins
Israel
wasn't
worth
to be
saved
they didn't
have any
reasons
to be
saved
but even
though
God
is going
to do
something
for them
God
has shown
mercy
to them
and there
was
remnant
who
still
stand
you all
know
what's
happening
in Israel
nowadays
but at
the same
time
the same
God
decided to
show the
same
mercy
to us
God
at the
same
time
is offering
judgment
and is
offering
salvation
for us
judgment
if we
don't take
Christ
salvation
we do
but it's
only trusting
in him
that could
make us
not run
away from
salvation
or from
judgment
but Christ
takes the
judgment
that he
deserves
for us
and we
get
what we
don't
deserve
that was
being the
most
difficult
and complicated
Amos 3
you can
ever listen
you can
ever hear
but
I promise
it will get
better
somebody
better is
going to
come to
speak next
week
but at
the same
time
the message
gets better
and eventually
by chapter 9
Amos
you'll all
be excited
you'll be
like yes
that's what
we're waiting
for
let's pray
Father we
thank you
that
your judgment
is fair
it was fair
for Israel
and it's fair
for us
as well
but we
thank you
that
the judgment
for Israel
was inevitable
but they
were still
given a chance
to repent
they wouldn't
listen
help us
not to be
like them
help us
to listen
what the
Bible says
not to
ignore it
when the
lion's
floor
is roaring
help us
to come
close to
him
rather than
run away
from him
Father we
thank you
because you
are a God
who cares
and you
are a God
who has
chosen your
people
even from
the foundation
of the world
and you
sent Jesus
for us
to take the
judgment
that we
desire
and if we
only trust
in him
he gave us
this salvation
and keep us
away from
that
Father Amos
3 is very
complicated
maybe I made
it more
complicated
but we are
so thankful
that even
after Amos
one day
you sent
Jesus
and he
saved us
when we
trusted in
him
in the name
of your
son I
thank you
for this
time
I pray
for my
brothers and
sisters
here
to learn
from Amos
chapter 3
to be a
good witness
among pagan
nations
to be
good witness
in the light
when we have
to show
light in the
darkness
help us
to
take refuge
in you
and not
in anywhere
else
Father we
thank you
for today
in the name
of your
son
Amen