WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:03.200 Well, pleased to have a seat and a very good evening, everyone. 00:00:03.320 --> 00:00:06.259 I hope you've had a great afternoon in 1st of November, 00:00:06.459 --> 00:00:08.300 which I heard from Lawrence in Wales. 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:10.679 It was 22.7 degrees, Lawrence. 00:00:11.140 --> 00:00:12.400 Unheard of, November. 00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:13.200 There we go. 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:14.580 Amos chapter 6. 00:00:14.660 --> 00:00:15.900 Please turn there in your Bibles. 00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:20.719 Also, I've made us a sermon outline this evening, 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:22.600 which is going to massively help us, I think, 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:24.940 see the big idea of what Amos 6 is all about. 00:00:25.100 --> 00:00:26.280 So if you don't have one of them, 00:00:26.339 --> 00:00:27.379 then please put up your hand. 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:31.500 And Johnny, I'm sure, will be able to get one to you. 00:00:31.539 --> 00:00:34.179 Hopefully that's going to be very helpful for us this evening. 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:37.719 What a joy it is to be together at the end of what is a busy week, 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:40.719 and I'm sure on the cusp of what is going to be another busy week, 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:43.340 just to spend time in God's presence. 00:00:43.879 --> 00:00:46.599 So why don't we pause and let's pray together 00:00:46.599 --> 00:00:48.579 before we dive into Amos chapter 6. 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:50.859 Let's pray together. 00:00:53.519 --> 00:00:55.560 Our gracious and loving God, 00:00:55.560 --> 00:00:59.140 we are so thankful for our time together this evening. 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:04.240 Father, we ask that as we continue to look at this book of Amos, 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:07.100 this sometimes difficult book to understand, 00:01:07.260 --> 00:01:08.520 Lord, that you would help us, 00:01:09.079 --> 00:01:10.120 by your Holy Spirit, 00:01:10.240 --> 00:01:12.280 to understand what you are saying to us. 00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:14.079 Would you help us to know more of you? 00:01:14.620 --> 00:01:16.900 Would you help us to see more of your goodness 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:20.879 and your glory in this passage we ask in Jesus' name? 00:01:21.460 --> 00:01:21.859 Amen. 00:01:21.859 --> 00:01:21.980 Amen. 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:26.719 So I want to begin by taking you back to your school days. 00:01:27.659 --> 00:01:29.500 I wonder if you were like me, 00:01:29.959 --> 00:01:33.140 my dad would come home after every day from work, 00:01:33.239 --> 00:01:34.379 and he would say to me, 00:01:34.459 --> 00:01:36.099 son, how was school today? 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:38.439 And I replied, one word answer. 00:01:38.579 --> 00:01:40.019 I wonder if anyone else did this. 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:40.480 One word. 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:41.180 What was that word? 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:42.420 Fine. 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:43.219 Every time. 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:43.960 Fine. 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:45.879 And so my dad, bless his heart, 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:48.019 he would try and get a bit more out of his stroppy teenager, 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:48.640 and he would say, 00:01:48.739 --> 00:01:50.280 son, what about maths? 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:51.400 Did you enjoy maths today? 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:53.159 And I said, well, yeah, it's going well. 00:01:54.420 --> 00:01:55.359 What about English? 00:01:55.400 --> 00:01:57.140 You've been doing that project in Macbeth. 00:01:57.219 --> 00:01:57.840 Are you enjoying it? 00:01:57.879 --> 00:01:58.359 How's it going? 00:01:58.480 --> 00:01:59.659 Yeah, it's going all right. 00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:00.879 Not too bad. 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:02.320 Quite like Macbeth. 00:02:03.079 --> 00:02:03.960 I said, well, what about history? 00:02:04.019 --> 00:02:04.799 You love history. 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:06.359 Tell us about World War II. 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:08.620 Tell us what you're learning about German history 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:09.680 in the Weimar Republic. 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:10.500 Yeah, it's all right. 00:02:10.580 --> 00:02:11.400 Teacher's a good guy. 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:15.199 Everything was always fine. 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:17.560 But I wonder if you were like me. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:19.580 There was one day in the school calendar 00:02:19.580 --> 00:02:22.240 that I dreaded above all others. 00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:24.199 And it was the day when I came home 00:02:24.199 --> 00:02:25.840 with my school report cards. 00:02:26.180 --> 00:02:27.920 Because that was the day that revealed 00:02:27.920 --> 00:02:30.759 that all things weren't in actual fact fine. 00:02:31.979 --> 00:02:33.240 And I remember those days well, 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:35.460 with trembling hands and with knobbly knees. 00:02:35.980 --> 00:02:38.920 I would hand this report card to my dad, 00:02:39.140 --> 00:02:40.860 and out the door I sprinted to play football 00:02:40.860 --> 00:02:41.439 with my friends, 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:43.939 because I was bracing myself for the worst. 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:46.780 We all know that experience, don't we? 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:49.020 What our mouths kept hidden, 00:02:49.639 --> 00:02:52.919 the report card so massively exposed. 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:56.400 And I think that is a good way to understand 00:02:56.400 --> 00:02:59.859 what is going on in Amos chapter 6 this evening. 00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:01.919 I found this a really helpful way 00:03:01.919 --> 00:03:03.479 for understanding what's going on here. 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:07.560 This is the last part of the first section of this book, 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:11.979 and it's the second of these warning or woe oracles 00:03:11.979 --> 00:03:13.879 that Amos has been bringing to God's people, 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:16.479 the first one of which we saw last week. 00:03:16.900 --> 00:03:18.560 And I think what we need to understand 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:22.460 is that if you had asked God's people at the time 00:03:22.460 --> 00:03:23.960 how things were going, 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:26.759 they would probably tell you they were going fine. 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:29.140 In fact, they were going better than fine. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:31.900 They are flying right now as a people. 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:35.939 We are experiencing the favor and the blessing of the Lord. 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:38.439 It's no doubt what they would have piously 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:40.199 and presumptuously told you. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:42.599 Things are going good in the land. 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:45.759 Remember, John introduced this letter a few weeks back. 00:03:45.859 --> 00:03:48.699 Things are going very well for Israel at this point. 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:51.659 They are prosperous and they are victorious. 00:03:52.539 --> 00:03:56.240 These are good times on the surface for God's people. 00:03:56.419 --> 00:03:58.319 Things are going fine. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:01.500 Amos chapter 6. 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:03.780 He's about to deliver to them 00:04:03.780 --> 00:04:08.599 God's report card on how he thinks things are really going. 00:04:09.099 --> 00:04:11.479 And let me tell you, it is stinging. 00:04:12.699 --> 00:04:16.100 Right at the heart of this stinging take on things, 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:18.259 the divine looking at things, 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:21.899 the biggest displeasure that God has with his people, 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:24.819 the precise details that we'll look at in a minute, 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:27.939 the very heart of this is their pride. 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:32.839 God is disgusted with the pride of his people. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:34.879 Open report card, page 1. 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:35.639 It says that, 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:39.620 I detest, I abhor your pride. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:41.199 I abhor it. 00:04:41.579 --> 00:04:42.560 I hate it. 00:04:44.360 --> 00:04:46.439 And notice who Amos is addressing here. 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:49.939 Firstly, he's addressing the people of God. 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:51.459 Right? 00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:54.240 The people who are supposed to be God's people, 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:55.900 representing him, 00:04:56.100 --> 00:04:57.180 as we heard this morning, 00:04:57.400 --> 00:05:01.259 shining for him and displaying God's glory to the watching world. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:04.300 That people, God's anger, 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:06.139 is against them. 00:05:06.519 --> 00:05:08.060 It's not just against any old nation. 00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:09.759 It's against God's people, 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:12.259 which incidentally is why the lessons from this 00:05:12.259 --> 00:05:14.300 are so applicable to us this evening. 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:16.480 This is God's people. 00:05:16.699 --> 00:05:18.800 Secondly, within that people, 00:05:18.900 --> 00:05:20.600 look halfway through verse 1. 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:24.800 We saw Amos last week addressing, 00:05:24.960 --> 00:05:25.520 or two weeks ago, 00:05:25.580 --> 00:05:27.939 addressing the females in Israel. 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:29.560 So the cows of Bashan, 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:31.240 which I thought Ian so helpfully 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:33.080 and delicately took us through. 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:37.060 We're looking this week at the male of the species. 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:39.300 Amos is speaking directly, 00:05:39.379 --> 00:05:40.020 did you notice it, 00:05:40.060 --> 00:05:41.180 to the notable men. 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:43.340 So he's speaking to the men 00:05:43.340 --> 00:05:45.540 in the corridors of power, 00:05:45.900 --> 00:05:48.180 both in the north and in the south. 00:05:48.180 --> 00:05:50.620 The men at the top of society, 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:51.720 the movers and shakers, 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:53.100 the men of influence, 00:05:53.540 --> 00:05:54.600 the decision makers, 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:56.800 the leaders of God's people. 00:05:56.959 --> 00:05:59.740 These are the people that Amos is speaking to. 00:06:00.280 --> 00:06:02.340 And these are the people in his sights 00:06:02.340 --> 00:06:05.680 as he delivers this stinging report card. 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:08.860 God detests their pride. 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:10.139 Hates it. 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:12.960 And for that pride, says God, 00:06:12.960 --> 00:06:17.240 you are heading for destruction and exile. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:21.220 I think we see that emphasis 00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:23.000 come out so strongly 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:24.800 in the way that Amos has shaped 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:28.600 and structured this message in this chapter. 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:30.759 Now, here's a question for you this evening. 00:06:30.860 --> 00:06:33.639 Put your hand up if you like a sandwich. 00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:35.819 Excellent. 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:36.860 Peter, favourite sandwich? 00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:39.060 Take your time. 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:42.500 Stuffing. 00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:42.960 Excellent. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:43.319 Cool. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:44.040 Anyone else? 00:06:44.100 --> 00:06:44.600 Favourite sandwich? 00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:44.980 Lawrence. 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:47.800 Cheese and ham. 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:48.100 Okay. 00:06:48.220 --> 00:06:48.640 Anyone else? 00:06:48.700 --> 00:06:49.040 One more. 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:50.840 A BLT. 00:06:51.280 --> 00:06:51.580 Standard. 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:52.259 Excellent. 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:54.720 Here's the sandwich we're going to look at this evening. 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:57.319 This is the Amos 6 sandwich. 00:06:57.780 --> 00:06:58.600 Very simple. 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:00.420 Two bits of bread, 00:07:00.960 --> 00:07:02.259 two bits of cheese, 00:07:02.460 --> 00:07:03.960 and a bit of meat in the middle, 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:05.439 which is the focus of 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:07.620 and the substance of the sandwich. 00:07:08.340 --> 00:07:09.379 Amos 6 sandwich. 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:10.520 You'll see it on your sheet. 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:12.139 The mark of pride, 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:12.919 number one. 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:14.799 The mark of pride, 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:15.699 number two. 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:17.459 And the meat in the middle, 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:19.039 which is the very focus of 00:07:19.039 --> 00:07:20.299 and the sharp end 00:07:20.299 --> 00:07:23.319 of what Amos is saying to God's people. 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:26.539 God is disgusted 00:07:26.539 --> 00:07:29.779 with the pride of his people. 00:07:30.859 --> 00:07:32.019 Mark of pride, 00:07:32.199 --> 00:07:32.819 number one. 00:07:33.659 --> 00:07:35.699 His people's complacency. 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:39.519 God hates his people's complacency. 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:41.479 You'll see the first bit of this sandwich, 00:07:41.859 --> 00:07:43.039 verses 1 to 3, 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:44.979 and verses 13 to 14. 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:47.899 This is the bread of the Amos 6 sandwich. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:49.519 And what does he start? 00:07:49.699 --> 00:07:51.139 Verse 1, chapter 5, 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:51.719 the word, 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:52.620 woe. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:55.979 Now, I've had many a bad report card in my time, 00:07:56.279 --> 00:07:58.060 but none of them have started with woe. 00:07:58.219 --> 00:07:59.539 Started with a lot of other words, 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:00.560 but not woe. 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:03.379 This is shockingly surprising, isn't it? 00:08:03.539 --> 00:08:04.019 Woe. 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:05.519 It is strong language. 00:08:06.419 --> 00:08:08.099 Who is this woe addressed to? 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:10.439 It's to the capital cities. 00:08:11.140 --> 00:08:12.439 Capital city in the north, 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:14.400 capital city in the south. 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:17.060 To those who are at ease in Zion, 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:17.980 so that's Jerusalem, 00:08:18.700 --> 00:08:21.760 and those who are secure in Samaria. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:24.439 These men at the top, 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:28.340 whom the people of the land, 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:31.180 they come to seek counsel and advice from, 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:32.879 they are quite happy, 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:36.480 quite happy with how things are going in the land. 00:08:37.060 --> 00:08:39.860 And that ease may suggest comfort to those leaders, 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:43.860 but it reeks of complacency to God. 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:44.980 Here's what they're doing. 00:08:45.060 --> 00:08:46.240 They're doing two things, okay? 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:47.159 Firstly, 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:50.419 they are looking at favorable comparisons. 00:08:51.419 --> 00:08:52.220 Now, you'll notice it. 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:53.259 Johnny did excellently 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:55.299 in reading the place names 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:56.500 that are in here in these verses. 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:57.639 Look at them with me, okay? 00:08:57.639 --> 00:08:59.159 The place names. 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:00.360 Kalna, 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:01.659 Hamath, 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:02.879 and Gath. 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:05.639 These are the nations that surround Israel. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:09.500 And we can understand that at this point in time, 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:11.519 Israel are far better off 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:13.279 than the nations surrounding them. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:15.639 And as the leaders of God's people, 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:17.939 when they go compare.com, 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:20.720 they come off very favorably. 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:22.439 And it produces within them 00:09:22.439 --> 00:09:23.759 a sense of smugness 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:25.039 as they compare themselves 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:26.639 to the nations round about them. 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:28.139 Now, look at verse 2. 00:09:29.340 --> 00:09:30.600 Commentators think that this, 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:31.199 verse 2, 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:33.139 is the propaganda of the day. 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:36.000 So, when the people of the land, 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:37.220 they come to the leaders 00:09:37.220 --> 00:09:39.000 with their problems 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:41.120 and their cases of injustice, 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:43.620 instead of dealing with them, 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:45.980 the leaders simply fob them off 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:47.340 by telling them 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:48.460 that instead of complaining, 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:49.840 what they really should do 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:51.740 is be extremely thankful 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:52.980 that they live in Israel 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:54.159 and they don't live 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:55.539 in one of the surrounding nations. 00:09:55.539 --> 00:09:57.339 Be so thankful 00:09:57.339 --> 00:09:58.519 that you live here 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:00.099 and you don't live over there. 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:01.039 This is what they're saying. 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:03.099 And so, they're just fobbing them off. 00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:04.959 Now, to get your head around 00:10:04.959 --> 00:10:06.299 what this would look like, 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:07.539 here's what I want you to picture. 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:11.099 Imagine you write to David Cameron 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:13.480 and you're appealing to him 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:14.580 because your employer 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:17.100 has tripled your contracted hours of work, 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:19.899 is making you work without a break, 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:21.820 and to sum it all up, 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:23.659 he has halved your pay. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:27.500 So, you make your way to number 10 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:28.720 and you meet David Cameron. 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:30.000 He hears your complaint 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.220 and he says to you, 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:33.560 well, I could deal with your complaint. 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:34.500 I could deal with it. 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:36.320 But I put it to you 00:10:36.320 --> 00:10:37.500 that you should be thankful 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:39.360 that you live in the United Kingdom 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:41.159 where you have a job 00:10:41.159 --> 00:10:44.399 instead of living in a third world country 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:45.500 where you don't have a job. 00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:48.419 So, here's what I suggest to you, 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:50.259 that instead of coming to me with a complaint, 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:52.000 just stop yourself next time 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:53.860 and count your lucky stars 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:55.000 that you live here 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.340 and you don't live over there. 00:10:58.080 --> 00:10:59.299 Now, would you be satisfied 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:00.720 that justice has been done 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.580 in that situation? 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:03.200 Of course you wouldn't. 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:04.540 Of course you wouldn't. 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:06.440 But that is exactly 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:08.180 what is going on 00:11:08.180 --> 00:11:10.500 in the land of God's people 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:12.879 at this precise moment. 00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:13.740 These leaders, 00:11:14.040 --> 00:11:15.220 these people at the top 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:17.220 should not be at ease 00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:19.940 over how things are going. 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:23.080 There's a distinct moral unjustness 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:26.720 that is rife in the lands 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:28.820 and they are being complacent 00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:30.080 in the way that they are leading 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:31.600 this nation. 00:11:33.340 --> 00:11:34.500 And adding to that sense 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:35.259 of complacency, 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:35.879 secondly, 00:11:36.060 --> 00:11:37.040 they are exaggerating 00:11:37.040 --> 00:11:37.700 their achievements. 00:11:37.900 --> 00:11:38.520 Look at the bottom 00:11:38.520 --> 00:11:39.560 of the sandwich here. 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:42.759 So, this is verses 13 and 14. 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.660 The bottom bit of bread. 00:11:46.420 --> 00:11:46.980 So, this is, 00:11:47.560 --> 00:11:48.240 look at it with me, 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:50.080 Lodabar and Karname. 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:52.320 They are two place names. 00:11:52.920 --> 00:11:53.900 They are two places 00:11:53.900 --> 00:11:55.640 of recent military victories 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:56.559 for Israel. 00:11:57.319 --> 00:11:58.679 And the fact that they are 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:00.539 two recent military victories 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:02.000 has led to God's people 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:04.080 feeling super confident 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:05.259 in their own abilities 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:06.299 and strength. 00:12:06.699 --> 00:12:08.100 And what does Amos say? 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:10.419 You foolish people. 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:11.639 You foolish people. 00:12:13.319 --> 00:12:14.340 There's some irony 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.340 going on here as well. 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:17.399 These two towns, 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:18.720 we can understand, 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:20.179 they were not hard to conquer. 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:22.059 They were not hard to conquer. 00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:22.819 Lodabar, 00:12:23.219 --> 00:12:24.859 the name literally means nothing. 00:12:25.459 --> 00:12:26.079 It means nothing. 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.079 I mean, 00:12:27.099 --> 00:12:27.819 this is the equivalent 00:12:27.819 --> 00:12:28.479 of Scotland 00:12:28.479 --> 00:12:29.919 beating San Marino 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:30.599 at football 00:12:30.599 --> 00:12:32.019 and thinking that we are 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:32.659 world beaters 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.500 off the back of it. 00:12:34.199 --> 00:12:34.719 Now, I say that 00:12:34.719 --> 00:12:35.959 knowing that sometimes 00:12:35.959 --> 00:12:37.599 we don't beat San Marino, 00:12:37.719 --> 00:12:38.500 but you get the point. 00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:41.439 Don't get ahead of yourself. 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:42.659 That's Amos' point. 00:12:42.819 --> 00:12:43.919 Don't get ahead of yourself. 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:45.539 That wasn't a difficult victory. 00:12:46.479 --> 00:12:47.159 And Karname, 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:47.979 again, 00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:49.079 it's not a big place, 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:49.939 but its name, 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:52.180 it means horns. 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:52.540 So, 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.680 it's the symbol 00:12:53.680 --> 00:12:55.180 of power and authority. 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:55.960 So, 00:12:56.040 --> 00:12:57.000 to conquer a land 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.800 with horns 00:12:57.800 --> 00:12:58.780 on the emblem, 00:12:59.320 --> 00:13:00.100 it most likely 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:01.660 fed Israel's pride. 00:13:02.900 --> 00:13:03.760 Both of these 00:13:03.760 --> 00:13:05.200 are hollow victories. 00:13:06.900 --> 00:13:07.820 They're not something 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:09.400 to be boasting about. 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:09.900 They're not something 00:13:09.900 --> 00:13:10.980 to be bragging about. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:12.460 And I think 00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:13.860 these favorable comparisons 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.640 and this exaggerated 00:13:15.640 --> 00:13:16.780 sense of achievement 00:13:16.780 --> 00:13:17.860 has led to this 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:20.259 sense of invincibility. 00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:22.860 And as they look 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:23.720 to their army 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.419 and as they look 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:25.360 to their borders, 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.620 they think they are 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.320 invincible 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.800 when the truth is 00:13:28.800 --> 00:13:30.080 they are anything but. 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:32.259 They are 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.519 a complacent 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.320 people. 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:36.100 They are a complacent 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:36.560 people because 00:13:36.560 --> 00:13:37.279 they have taken 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.480 their eye off the ball. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:39.919 They have taken 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:40.740 their gaze 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:41.320 away 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:42.720 from God. 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:44.060 They have fallen 00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:45.340 out of a right 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:46.700 relationship with Him. 00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:47.740 and they have 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:48.740 stopped judging 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.600 things by how 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.840 He views things 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:51.800 and they have 00:13:51.800 --> 00:13:52.680 started judging 00:13:52.680 --> 00:13:53.640 things by their 00:13:53.640 --> 00:13:54.860 own standards 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.620 and their own 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.180 interpretation. 00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:57.980 They say things 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:58.560 are fine. 00:13:59.120 --> 00:13:59.879 They are not. 00:14:01.280 --> 00:14:02.200 You are 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:03.400 a complacent 00:14:03.400 --> 00:14:03.780 people, 00:14:03.900 --> 00:14:04.360 says God. 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:06.960 And I guess 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:07.540 we've got to ask 00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:07.840 ourselves, 00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:08.259 haven't we, 00:14:08.300 --> 00:14:09.160 as God's people, 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:10.840 are we 00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:12.040 complacent? 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:12.600 Would that be 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.340 as we open 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:14.400 our report card, 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.340 would it say 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:16.180 complacent? 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.899 Are we 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.840 settling 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:20.399 for hearts 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:20.940 that are 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:21.980 at ease? 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:23.740 Are we 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.740 settling for 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.980 a haphazard 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:27.580 prayer life? 00:14:28.180 --> 00:14:28.759 Are we 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.660 becoming 00:14:29.660 --> 00:14:30.379 casual 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:31.660 in our 00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:32.320 treatment 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:33.300 of God's 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:33.780 words? 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:35.120 Both 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.700 indications, 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.060 I think, 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:36.519 that we are 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.480 doing things 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.240 in our own 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.920 strength. 00:14:39.280 --> 00:14:39.600 Friends, 00:14:39.680 --> 00:14:40.400 have we become 00:14:40.400 --> 00:14:40.940 numb 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:42.160 because of our 00:14:42.160 --> 00:14:43.400 comfortable lifestyles 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:44.120 to the broken 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:44.879 world in which 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.539 we live? 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:46.899 Are we 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:47.720 being lulled 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.480 into thinking 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:49.019 that we are 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:49.740 doing well 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.799 at shining 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:51.559 for Jesus 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.539 because we 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.179 are comparing 00:14:53.179 --> 00:14:53.879 ourselves 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.779 to the world 00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:55.240 in which we 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:55.759 live and we 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.139 think we're 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:56.679 just that 00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:57.079 little bit 00:14:57.079 --> 00:14:57.759 more moral 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.699 than everyone 00:14:58.699 --> 00:14:59.480 else? 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.319 Brothers and 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:01.559 sisters, 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:02.019 have we 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:02.559 taken our 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:03.799 eyes off 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.539 of God 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:05.759 and are we 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.779 stopping 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:08.460 judging things 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:08.960 by his 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:09.519 standards 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.299 and are we 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:10.960 judging things 00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:11.620 by our 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.080 own? 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:13.980 You know, 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:14.379 it was Jim 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.120 Elliott who 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:15.440 said, 00:15:15.800 --> 00:15:16.180 forgive me 00:15:16.180 --> 00:15:16.660 for being 00:15:16.660 --> 00:15:17.460 so ordinary 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.580 while claiming 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:19.000 to know 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:20.019 so extraordinary 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.740 a God. 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:23.160 And so what 00:15:23.160 --> 00:15:23.800 does Amos say 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:24.220 to this 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:24.900 complacent 00:15:24.900 --> 00:15:25.379 generation 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:25.900 of God's 00:15:25.900 --> 00:15:26.160 people? 00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:26.740 Look at 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.300 verse 3. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.460 You put 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:29.900 off the 00:15:29.900 --> 00:15:30.240 day of 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.759 disaster 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.519 and bring 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.259 near a 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.400 rain of 00:15:33.400 --> 00:15:34.100 terror. 00:15:35.900 --> 00:15:36.139 I mean, 00:15:36.160 --> 00:15:36.460 I know it 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:36.879 was Halloween 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.240 the other 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:37.420 night, 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:37.720 but these 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:38.340 are scary, 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:39.200 scary words, 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:39.540 aren't they? 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:40.919 Mark of 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:41.519 pride number 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:41.919 one, 00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:42.559 their 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:43.480 complacency. 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.019 Mark of 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:44.620 pride number 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:44.959 two, 00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:45.240 their 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:46.019 carelessness. 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:47.459 God 00:15:47.459 --> 00:15:48.259 detests his 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.779 people's 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:49.620 carelessness. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:51.139 And you'll 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:51.519 see this 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.139 next layer 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.439 of the 00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:53.199 Amos 6 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:53.679 sandwich. 00:15:53.839 --> 00:15:53.939 Okay, 00:15:53.959 --> 00:15:54.199 we're into 00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:54.719 the cheese 00:15:54.719 --> 00:15:55.439 section now. 00:15:55.959 --> 00:15:56.740 Verses 4 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.299 to 7 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.199 and verse 00:15:58.199 --> 00:15:58.679 12. 00:15:59.659 --> 00:15:59.879 Now, 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.539 why might 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.599 you be 00:16:01.599 --> 00:16:01.899 asking? 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:02.399 Why are 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:02.539 they 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:02.959 careless? 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:04.579 Well, 00:16:04.599 --> 00:16:05.240 to be blunt, 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:06.179 friends, 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:06.679 they really 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.439 couldn't care 00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:09.099 less about 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:09.680 what's going 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:10.180 on in 00:16:10.180 --> 00:16:10.759 their land. 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:11.519 These 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.019 notable 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:12.720 men could 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.340 not care 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.620 less about 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.220 the people 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:15.740 underneath 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.259 them in 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.700 the pecking 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:17.120 order of 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:17.639 society, 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.480 and they 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:18.840 couldn't 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:19.700 care more 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.279 about 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:21.080 prospering 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:21.899 themselves. 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:23.879 Look at 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:24.440 verses 4 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:24.920 to 7. 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.200 Amos gives 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:26.500 us such 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.240 a flavour 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.019 of the 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:28.659 reality of 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.060 what's going 00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:29.379 on in 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:29.759 the land 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:29.960 here. 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.259 It's a 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:30.759 picture of 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.460 affluence, 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.379 it's a 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:32.779 picture of 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:33.519 indulgence 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.460 and luxury. 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.420 All round 00:16:36.420 --> 00:16:36.960 about them 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.300 there is 00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:38.259 poverty and 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.179 ruin amongst 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:39.720 God's 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.059 people. 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:40.480 Look at 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:40.860 the words 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.360 that Amos 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:41.919 uses here. 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:42.159 Look at 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:42.819 this description. 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:44.600 What's he 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.200 saying here? 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:45.480 This is 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:45.860 what's going 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.159 on in 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.919 the land. 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:48.080 Beds 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.980 of ivory, 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:50.580 lounging 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.600 on couches, 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:52.860 dining on 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.860 choice lambs 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:54.759 and fattened 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.299 calves, 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:56.759 drinking wine 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.220 by the 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:57.919 bowl full, 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.679 strumming on 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:00.419 instruments, 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:00.799 I don't think 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.200 that's anything 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:01.720 against the 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.340 harp there, 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:03.700 using the 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:05.039 finest lotions, 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:05.519 bathing 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.160 themselves. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.140 Do you get 00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:07.579 the picture 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:07.980 here? 00:17:09.199 --> 00:17:09.419 Do you 00:17:09.419 --> 00:17:09.740 see what 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.099 he's trying 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:10.659 to tell 00:17:10.659 --> 00:17:10.899 us? 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:11.339 That this 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:11.960 stuff that's 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.539 going on, 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:13.059 God's not 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:13.779 blind to 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.740 it, God 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.480 sees it, 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.179 God sees 00:17:16.179 --> 00:17:16.639 how they're 00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:18.319 behaving, and 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:18.779 he hates 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.059 it. 00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:20.240 He hates 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:20.519 their 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.259 carelessness. 00:17:22.899 --> 00:17:23.220 And you'll 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:23.859 notice two 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:24.379 biblical 00:17:24.379 --> 00:17:25.199 characters that 00:17:25.199 --> 00:17:25.799 Amos uses 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.139 there in 00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:26.619 those verses. 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.599 I think they 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.220 add to that 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.699 sense of 00:17:28.699 --> 00:17:29.039 rebuke. 00:17:29.159 --> 00:17:29.579 Firstly, you 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.079 get David 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:30.519 in there, 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:31.819 and I think 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:32.500 Amos is 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.019 saying, and 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.319 it's a 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:34.079 massive lesson 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:34.679 for God's 00:17:34.679 --> 00:17:35.159 people, that 00:17:35.159 --> 00:17:35.519 just because 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.240 you act like 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:36.639 David, 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.520 David, doesn't 00:17:37.520 --> 00:17:37.800 mean you've 00:17:37.800 --> 00:17:38.280 got a heart 00:17:38.280 --> 00:17:38.900 like David, 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.880 and also we 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:41.820 get Joseph in 00:17:41.820 --> 00:17:42.180 there as 00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:42.300 well. 00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:42.640 What's he 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.120 doing in 00:17:43.120 --> 00:17:43.340 there? 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:44.460 Well, we 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.220 studied him, I 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:45.540 wonder if you 00:17:45.540 --> 00:17:46.400 remember, a few 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:46.900 months ago. 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:47.480 We did a 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.280 series in 00:17:48.280 --> 00:17:49.040 Genesis looking 00:17:49.040 --> 00:17:49.759 at his life, 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:51.259 and you may 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.759 remember that 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.519 episode in 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:54.180 Genesis 37, 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:55.960 where his 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:56.879 brothers, filled 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:57.579 with jealousy, 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.440 they throw him 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.180 into the depths 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.339 of the pit and 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:00.960 leave him there 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.619 for events to 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:02.079 take their 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:02.460 course. 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:02.980 They literally 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.519 just leave him 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.059 for death. 00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:05.740 And then a few 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.480 chapters later 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.339 on in Genesis 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:08.480 42, the 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.000 brothers are 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.940 looking back on 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.579 this incident, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:10.980 they're looking 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.500 back on this 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.039 incident, but 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:13.259 Joseph now is 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.160 in the place of 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:15.220 power in Pharaoh's 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:15.700 courts. 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.400 And they say 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:18.259 this in Genesis 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.640 42, looking back 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.099 on that, they 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:20.960 confess to one 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.200 another. 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:21.640 This is what 00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:22.140 they say. 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.339 We saw how 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.740 distressed he 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.200 was. 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.559 So that's 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:26.839 Joseph. 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.619 We saw how 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.180 distressed he 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:28.779 was when he 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:30.339 pleaded for his 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.759 life, but we 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.980 would not 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.619 listen. 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:36.319 We saw his 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.799 cries and we 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.180 did nothing. 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:40.680 We heard the 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.480 cries, we saw 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:42.379 it, we turned a 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:43.119 blind eye to it 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:43.700 and we did 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.200 nothing. 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:45.839 And it's almost 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:47.319 as if Amos is 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:47.980 saying to this 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:48.700 generation of 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:49.299 God's people, 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.620 you are at it 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:50.920 again. 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.120 You're doing it 00:18:52.120 --> 00:18:52.380 again. 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.799 You turn a 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:57.200 blind eye to 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:57.860 injustice. 00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:58.880 You ignore it 00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.799 as if it wasn't 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.000 there. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.740 This is happening 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.720 right under your 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.079 noses. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:02.700 You know about 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.620 this stuff and 00:19:03.620 --> 00:19:03.980 you're doing 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:05.420 nothing to stop 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:05.759 it. 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.799 As leaders of 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.319 God's people, 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:08.819 you're supposed 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.539 to be those who 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.400 love God. 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.440 You love God 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.220 and you love 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.960 and you serve 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.180 his people and 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:15.360 you are doing 00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:16.480 anything but. 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.700 And that 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.940 mismatch behavior 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.839 isn't right, 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.019 it isn't right 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.980 morally and it 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:24.039 isn't glorifying 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.839 to the God who 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:26.039 you claim to 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.640 represent. 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.299 You're not 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.220 shining for him. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.059 And as if to 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:31.579 drive home the 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.259 point, we get the 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.220 second part of that 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.019 sandwich at verse 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.420 12. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.240 And the big idea 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:38.039 that Amos is 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.819 painting for them 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:41.039 here is this idea 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:42.920 of mismatches. 00:19:43.360 --> 00:19:44.200 So this is things 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.099 that everybody knows 00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:46.059 don't go together. 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:47.559 So look what he 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:47.759 does. 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.319 What does he say? 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:49.179 Would you take 00:19:49.179 --> 00:19:50.159 your horse out of 00:19:50.159 --> 00:19:51.460 the paddock and 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.200 instead of taking 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.339 it to a lush green 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:54.359 field for a run 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:55.059 around, would you 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.619 take it to the 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.299 rocks to run 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:56.599 around? 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.559 Of course you 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:58.919 wouldn't. 00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:00.039 Of course you 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.359 wouldn't. 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.240 Would you take 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.480 your oxen out to 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.819 plow and instead 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.519 of going to the 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.700 lush soil of the 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.500 farm to plow, 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:07.079 would you go to 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.779 the sea to 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.059 plow? 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:09.539 Of course you 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:09.879 wouldn't. 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.619 Everybody knows 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.399 those things do 00:20:12.399 --> 00:20:13.139 not go together. 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.919 It does not take a 00:20:13.919 --> 00:20:14.879 genius to work 00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.399 that out. 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.519 And so follow the 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:17.819 logic. 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.519 What does he say 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.019 next? 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.659 Would you expect 00:20:20.659 --> 00:20:21.919 life-giving justice 00:20:21.919 --> 00:20:23.119 to produce poison? 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:25.059 Would you expect a 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.039 healthy tree to 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:27.279 produce bitter fruit? 00:20:27.419 --> 00:20:28.000 Of course you 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.440 wouldn't. 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.379 Of course you 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:29.619 wouldn't. 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.980 And yet, and 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:32.039 yet, that is 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.639 precisely what is 00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:35.159 going on in your 00:20:35.159 --> 00:20:35.960 land. 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.240 Precisely what's 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.679 going on. 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.220 Now if you've got 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.000 an ESV there, 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:41.599 you'll notice it 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.399 verse 12. 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:43.480 Instead of 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.139 bitterness, it 00:20:44.139 --> 00:20:44.879 uses the word, 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:45.660 Amos uses the 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.480 word wormwood. 00:20:47.280 --> 00:20:48.180 I find that 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:49.340 quite a helpful 00:20:49.340 --> 00:20:50.940 image in 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.900 understanding what's 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.360 going on. 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:52.820 I wonder if you've 00:20:52.820 --> 00:20:53.640 had that experience 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:55.220 in your life where 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.880 you've gone to pick 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:56.840 up an old table or 00:20:56.840 --> 00:20:57.520 an old chair that 00:20:57.520 --> 00:20:58.080 was sitting in the 00:20:58.080 --> 00:20:59.020 attic for years and 00:20:59.020 --> 00:20:59.740 years and years, 00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:01.240 and as you lift it 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.560 up, it just falls to 00:21:02.560 --> 00:21:03.320 pieces beneath you. 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:03.700 Have you had that 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.380 experience before? 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.540 I've had that 00:21:05.540 --> 00:21:06.280 experience before. 00:21:07.020 --> 00:21:08.440 It is rotten to the 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:08.680 core. 00:21:08.800 --> 00:21:09.820 It is eaten by 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:10.560 woodworm. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:12.500 And it gives you 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:14.019 the impression that 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.019 it is healthy and 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:16.079 stable, while all the 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:17.119 time it is rotten to 00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:17.500 the core. 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.359 And that's what's 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:20.000 going on here. 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:21.659 Here is a people at 00:21:21.659 --> 00:21:23.019 face value are giving 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.839 the impression that 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:25.379 they are healthy and 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:25.879 stable. 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:27.500 Reality is there's 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.359 nothing going on. 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.720 They are rotten. 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:34.400 You are a careless 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:34.759 people. 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.960 What does Amos say to 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.039 this careless generation 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.880 of God's people? 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.220 By the way, you'll 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.039 notice that where it 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:41.059 says, those who 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.740 strive to put 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.620 themselves first. 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:43.259 You'll notice that 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.539 idea of first as you 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.200 read this through. 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.039 They put themselves, 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:49.180 they are the first 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.680 nation in their eyes. 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.259 The leaders place 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.920 themselves first in 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:54.600 this nation. 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.160 They eat and anoint 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.039 themselves with the 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:59.140 finest or the first of 00:21:59.140 --> 00:22:00.160 meats and oils. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.460 What does Amos say? 00:22:01.600 --> 00:22:02.340 Verse 8. 00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:04.600 Therefore, you will be 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:07.200 among the first to go 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:08.480 into exile. 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:10.400 Your feasting and 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:12.080 lounging will be at an 00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:12.480 end. 00:22:13.860 --> 00:22:16.080 God detests his 00:22:16.080 --> 00:22:17.660 people's carelessness. 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:20.040 He hates it. 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.840 And it's a real, real 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:24.100 challenge to us. 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:26.620 Friends, would God on 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:28.680 our report cards, would 00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:30.140 he write careless? 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:32.400 Are we those who are 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:34.500 living mismatched lives? 00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:35.700 Are we people who say 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:37.279 one thing, claim to be 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.440 living for one thing, and 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:39.180 are doing something 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:40.160 completely else? 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.220 Are we giving the 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.680 impression of health and 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:45.180 life, but the truth of 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:46.620 it is, on the inside, 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.940 there's absolutely nothing 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.500 going on? 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:50.640 Now just think about your 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:52.420 own personal walk with 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.340 the Lord for just a 00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:53.580 second. 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:56.539 are you good at putting on 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.579 the front in here? 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:01.059 Are you, have you 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:02.419 mastered the church 00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:02.799 lingo? 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.720 Do you know the right 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.819 times to say amen? 00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:07.899 But actually the reality is 00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:09.539 that the fire, the inward 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:11.019 affection and love for 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:13.000 Jesus has long gone out. 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.799 Friends, do we care about 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.659 justice? 00:23:17.139 --> 00:23:18.559 Do we care about 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:18.579 injustice? 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:20.939 Or have we got so good? 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.399 Have we mastered the art 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:24.059 of turning a blind eye to 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:25.519 it, and are simply 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.879 fattening ourselves and 00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:27.939 growing callous? 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:29.839 You know, Neil mentioned 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.759 it earlier, are we 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.579 unconcerned? 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.819 Are we concerned about the 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:35.339 plight of our brothers and 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:36.799 sisters around the world 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.579 who are facing persecution 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:39.480 for standing for Jesus 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:39.579 Christ? 00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:42.740 Does that even concern us? 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.279 Can I encourage you to come 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.240 to the prayer meeting on 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.220 Wednesday, where we'll be 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.939 praying for the 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.779 persecuted church? 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:49.259 It's just a great way of 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:51.140 remembering them in our 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.779 prayers. 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:54.940 God detests his people's 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.259 carelessness. 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.380 And now we come to our 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:59.660 favorite bit, the meat of 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:00.059 the sandwich. 00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:02.580 This is the meat of the 00:24:02.580 --> 00:24:03.080 sandwich here. 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.720 This is the sharp end of 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.960 what God is saying to his 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.960 people through Amos. 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.700 You'll see it in verses 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:09.000 8 to 11. 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:11.320 And the big idea here is 00:24:11.320 --> 00:24:13.320 that God detests his 00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:14.519 people's pride. 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:17.299 He hates his people's 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.879 pride. 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.639 What's going to happen to 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:20.279 this people? 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.180 That's the question. 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.180 What's going to happen to 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.400 them? 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.440 Well, says Amos, you are 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:26.420 headed for exile and 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.220 destruction. 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:29.639 And he describes for them 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.859 what that destruction is 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:32.039 going to look like as we 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.180 get this quite shocking 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:34.900 picture at verse 9. 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.900 Look at it there. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.839 Verse 9, it is a shocking 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.319 picture. 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:41.259 And I think it's a picture 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:43.099 of the aftermath of a 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:44.599 slaughtering battle. 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.519 And there's a relative 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.859 hunting for survivors 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:49.039 amongst the rubble, 00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:50.759 looking for bodies to 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.859 take away and burn. 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.779 And what he does, he 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:55.119 calls into the rubble. 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:55.899 He calls, is anyone 00:24:55.899 --> 00:24:56.339 there? 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:58.079 Is anyone there? 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:59.359 And a voice shouts back, 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.559 I am here. 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.159 I'm here. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.720 But whatever you do, 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.240 whatever you do, just 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:05.899 don't mention God's name. 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:08.099 Just don't mention God's 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:08.359 name. 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:11.000 Now, why is he saying 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.259 that? 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.699 Well, I think the idea is 00:25:12.699 --> 00:25:14.259 that this people have 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.879 experienced God's 00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.199 judgment. 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:17.919 And this is the 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:19.319 confession of a people 00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:20.619 who have taken God 00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:21.379 lightly. 00:25:22.199 --> 00:25:23.219 They have not listened to 00:25:23.219 --> 00:25:24.500 his words, and they've 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.259 experienced the 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:26.619 consequences of that. 00:25:28.199 --> 00:25:29.019 Now, why? 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:29.879 What does God have 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.719 against his people? 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:32.439 Well, God is disgusted 00:25:32.439 --> 00:25:33.439 with the pride of his 00:25:33.439 --> 00:25:33.719 people. 00:25:33.719 --> 00:25:35.039 Their self-sufficiency, 00:25:35.199 --> 00:25:35.699 they don't think they 00:25:35.699 --> 00:25:36.000 need him. 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:38.179 Their self-assurance, 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:38.920 it's that they can go 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.420 alone. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.820 That they think they 00:25:40.820 --> 00:25:41.940 have all the resources 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:43.200 at their disposal. 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:45.740 Their self-enhancement, 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:47.460 their false sense of 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.580 security, the fact that 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:49.660 they only care about 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:50.160 themselves. 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.500 That's what's going on 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.600 here on the surface. 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:54.220 But I think we need to 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.000 work a little bit harder 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.460 than that. 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:59.299 Because lying behind this 00:25:59.299 --> 00:25:59.759 pride, 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.320 lying, I mean, 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.019 pride is just a 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:02.840 manifestation of it, 00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:03.019 right? 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.480 Lying behind this 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:06.379 pride is a people who 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:07.599 have lost sight of who 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.759 God really is. 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.900 Because right at this 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:13.799 root, right at the root 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.519 of this pride, 00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.680 standing right behind it, 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:17.039 this is a worship 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.599 problem. 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.420 This is a worship 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:19.859 problem. 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:21.240 They've ceased to 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.519 worship God as he 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:24.220 truly is, how God has 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.359 revealed himself to be, 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:27.039 and instead they are 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:28.539 bowing at the altars of 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.539 the God of their own 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.480 imagination and 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:30.960 preferences. 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:33.500 So you can think 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.100 about it this way, 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:35.079 in the life of this 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:37.000 nation, God's people 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.480 at the time, God has 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.579 gone from being in the 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:41.740 driver's seat to being 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:43.180 but a speck in the 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.860 rear view mirror. 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.180 They've just forgotten 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.880 about him. 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.720 And God reminds them 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:50.480 here of who he really 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.120 is. 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.420 Notice the names that 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.539 God uses for himself 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.779 at verses 8 to 11. 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:57.380 The sovereign Lord, 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.200 verse 8, 00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:00.620 the Lord God 00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:01.299 Almighty, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.480 verses 8 and 14. 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:06.059 He is the holy 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:07.039 God. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:09.819 He is the awesome 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.519 God. 00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:12.319 He is the all-powerful 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.819 God. 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:14.519 He is the redeeming 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.980 and loving God. 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:16.900 He is the God who 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:18.160 controls the entirety 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:20.299 of the world which he 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.160 made. 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.819 All people, 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.900 all people, 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.880 including God's 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.240 people, 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:27.319 answer to him. 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:29.079 So do you see what 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:29.779 God is doing here? 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.879 He's committing the 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:33.220 totality of who he is 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:35.079 to doing what he says 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:36.679 he is going to do. 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:38.079 Let me ask you this 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:38.859 evening, let's pause 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.700 just for a second and 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.619 ask ourselves this 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.259 because it is so 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.740 important. 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.599 Friends, do you have a 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.240 worship problem? 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.460 Have you lost sight of 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:49.679 who God really is? 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.599 Have you just lost 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.240 sight of it? 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.039 And instead, are you 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.899 making God into a 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:56.480 figment of your own 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.700 imagination and being? 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.680 Is God who he says he 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:01.120 is or is God who you 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:01.819 say he is? 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.599 You see, lying behind 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:05.160 this people, the core 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.839 of the people's 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:08.120 problem here is that 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:09.779 they have failed and 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.839 they are ceasing to see 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:12.180 God as he really is. 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.319 It's a worship problem. 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:16.420 I'm always reminded of 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:18.000 the words of Lucy from 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.940 The Lion and the Witch 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:19.720 and the Wardrobe, if 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.259 you remember that. 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:20.980 She's speaking about 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.460 Aslan. 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.400 And what does she say? 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:25.540 He is not a tame 00:28:25.540 --> 00:28:27.640 lion, but he is good. 00:28:28.540 --> 00:28:30.000 He is not a tame 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.880 lion, but he is good. 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.620 God's people are headed 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.840 for exile and 00:28:35.840 --> 00:28:36.360 destruction. 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.880 And of course, we've 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:38.660 got the privilege of 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.700 having history on our 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.019 side. 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:41.380 We know that 40 years 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.759 or so later, the 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.640 Assyrians are going to 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.700 come marching into town 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.840 and destroy Israel. 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:47.360 And if what we know 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:48.259 about the Assyrians is 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.120 true, they're not the 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:50.080 most humane of people 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:50.860 when it comes to 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.860 conquering a nation. 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:53.740 And Judah, of course, 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:55.799 the little brother of 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.859 the north and the 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.159 south. 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:58.519 Judah, they're not far 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:58.879 behind. 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:02.119 God is disgusted with 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:03.759 the pride of his 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.159 people. 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:07.139 Now, this Amos 6 00:29:07.139 --> 00:29:07.899 sandwich, it's been a 00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:08.779 hard chew, hasn't it? 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.039 It's been a hard 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:10.279 chew. 00:29:10.919 --> 00:29:11.639 But here is the 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:13.219 aftertaste that I 00:29:13.219 --> 00:29:15.459 wanted for us to be on 00:29:15.459 --> 00:29:16.439 our tongues as we 00:29:16.439 --> 00:29:17.299 leave this evening. 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:18.299 Because believe it or 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.439 not, there are two 00:29:19.439 --> 00:29:20.699 great encouragements. 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:21.799 I know, honestly, there 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.640 are encouragements in 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:23.160 this passage. 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.880 Two great encouragements 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:26.880 for us in Amos chapter 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.380 6. 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.700 Firstly, what comes so 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:31.620 clearly across in this 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:32.440 chapter, and indeed 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.400 throughout the whole 00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:34.680 Bible, Old and New 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:36.259 Testament, is that God 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:37.539 detests pride. 00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:38.640 He hates it. 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:41.680 God opposes the 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.039 proud. 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.600 But praise God that he 00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:46.000 gives grace to the 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.299 humble. 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.340 James chapter 4 would 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:49.500 tell us that wonderful 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.839 truth, that he gives 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:51.819 grace. 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.839 We need to see that God 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:55.579 warning his people of 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.500 their pride, him 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:58.140 pointing it out, is a 00:29:58.140 --> 00:29:59.660 mark of his loving and 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.799 great grace. 00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:02.700 It's grace. 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.920 And that gracious hand of 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:06.140 God is still outstretched 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:07.519 today through his son, 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:09.319 Jesus Christ, the man who 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:10.640 John describes in his 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:12.140 prologue, John chapter 1, 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:14.799 as being full of grace and 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.279 truth. 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.900 Encouragement number one, 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:18.500 friends, that God gives 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:20.099 grace to the humble. 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.960 And the second great 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:23.279 encouragement that I think 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.579 we can take from this, 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.640 Amos here is addressing a 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:29.660 generation of God's people, 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:31.660 and specifically addressing 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:33.200 a generation of corrupt 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.839 leaders of God's people. 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.819 Complacent leaders, 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.960 careless leaders, leaders 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:41.140 who couldn't care less about 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:42.440 the affairs of their people, 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:45.019 leaders who are self-serving, 00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:46.180 who are quite literally 00:30:46.180 --> 00:30:48.360 leading their people into 00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:50.060 death and destruction. 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.799 And I think most importantly, 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:53.160 they are leading this people, 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:55.320 their people, away from the 00:30:55.320 --> 00:30:56.360 presence of God. 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:59.600 Well, praise God. 00:31:00.320 --> 00:31:01.960 Praise God, friends, that the 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:03.759 true and perfect leader of 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:06.160 God's people, Jesus Christ, 00:31:06.560 --> 00:31:08.660 came as one who was fully 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:10.799 obedient to God, who was fully 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:12.500 dedicated to his people, 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:15.460 and who fully gave it all to 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.099 save them. 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:19.779 For Jesus came not into riches 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:22.380 and palaces, but into poverty, 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:25.000 with nowhere to lay his head. 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:27.940 He left his throne room. 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:29.859 He humbled himself. 00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:32.559 And he took our poverty. 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:33.940 He took it. 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:36.960 So that we, through him, 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.400 might become rich. 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:41.200 Jesus came not eating and 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:42.500 dining with the high and 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:44.519 mighty, but associating himself 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:46.600 with the meek and lowly. 00:31:47.340 --> 00:31:49.400 He came not wearing the 00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:50.900 sweetest smelling aromas of 00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:52.940 finest perfumes, but he was 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:55.140 born into the stench of a 00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:55.480 stable. 00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:58.920 And Jesus is the true leader of 00:31:58.920 --> 00:32:00.820 God's, true leader of God's 00:32:00.820 --> 00:32:02.800 people, through whose costly 00:32:02.800 --> 00:32:04.840 sacrifice on the cross took 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:07.340 God's disgust and judgment that 00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:08.019 we deserved. 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:09.799 He took it on himself. 00:32:11.659 --> 00:32:13.199 And his self-giving for his 00:32:13.199 --> 00:32:15.079 people has opened the way back 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:17.039 up for us to come to the 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.459 Father. 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:19.199 Do you see what's going on 00:32:19.199 --> 00:32:19.419 here? 00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:20.919 This is beautiful stuff. 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:22.839 These leaders of God's people 00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:24.819 are leading their people away 00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:26.039 from the presence of God. 00:32:26.459 --> 00:32:29.099 Jesus leads his people straight 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:30.539 into the very presence of God. 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:33.179 The contrast couldn't be any 00:32:33.179 --> 00:32:34.699 greater between these two 00:32:34.699 --> 00:32:36.959 leaders of God's people. 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:38.340 Friends, let me ask you this 00:32:38.340 --> 00:32:38.620 evening. 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:41.079 What leader are you trusting 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:42.079 in this evening? 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:45.579 Are you like Israel in Amos 6? 00:32:45.640 --> 00:32:47.160 Are you trusting in yourself? 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:49.100 Do you rate your own 00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:50.460 achievements and capabilities? 00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:53.500 Or are you trusting in Jesus, 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:56.559 the true and perfect leader of 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.220 God's people? 00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:58.600 If that's you this evening, if 00:32:58.600 --> 00:33:00.160 that's where you are, then this 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:01.960 is a great cause for rejoicing. 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:03.960 That we have been saved from 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:05.059 death and destruction. 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:07.700 And we are now found in the 00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:09.319 true and perfect leader of 00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:09.920 God's people. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:11.460 And what does he tell us to do 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.840 as his followers? 00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:15.539 To live now for his kingdom. 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:17.360 The kingdom that he will bring 00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:18.740 when he returns in glory, where 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:20.940 all social injustice will be 00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:23.120 abolished, all oppression 00:33:23.120 --> 00:33:25.160 ceased, and where he will rule 00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:26.920 his people in grace and truth 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:28.460 in the very presence of God. 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:30.759 And what does he tell us to 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.840 pray and to do? 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:34.559 That it would be done on earth 00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:36.299 as it is in heaven. 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.660 You see, there's that wonderful 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:40.200 cause for rejoicing this evening 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:41.640 that we are found in the 00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:43.000 perfect leader of God's people, 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:43.340 Jesus. 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.860 What a great thing. 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:47.759 But as we close, let me just 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:49.079 take you back to school for a 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.220 minute. 00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:52.000 When it comes to the report 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:53.100 card of our lives, friends, 00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:54.920 let's be honest with one another, 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:56.299 none of us are getting straight A's, 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:56.600 are we? 00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:59.259 I mean, not even close to that. 00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:02.299 None of us are perfect. 00:34:02.419 --> 00:34:03.959 But the gospel tells us that 00:34:03.959 --> 00:34:06.679 Jesus has taken our blotted 00:34:06.679 --> 00:34:07.480 report card. 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:09.579 The report card of our lives that 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:11.339 justifiably read guilty and 00:34:11.339 --> 00:34:12.699 excluded and dead. 00:34:13.739 --> 00:34:15.960 And he's given us his unblemished 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:16.579 perfect one. 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:19.319 And so we don't come in fear and 00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:20.739 unbelief before God. 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:23.380 We come before him with confidence 00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:25.639 and assurance in Jesus Christ that 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:27.539 we are acceptable to him and 00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:29.659 praise God that we can call him 00:34:29.659 --> 00:34:30.420 father. 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:33.539 That is what God has done for us in 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:33.980 the gospel. 00:34:34.099 --> 00:34:35.779 He's taken spiritually dead people 00:34:35.779 --> 00:34:37.259 and he's made them alive. 00:34:37.719 --> 00:34:39.779 He has turned enemies, his enemies, 00:34:40.179 --> 00:34:41.679 into his friends. 00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:45.339 And he's turned orphans into sons and 00:34:45.339 --> 00:34:47.219 daughters of the living God. 00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:49.819 What a great and wonderful God that we 00:34:49.819 --> 00:34:50.219 serve. 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:52.480 Why don't we pray? 00:34:53.879 --> 00:34:55.500 And I'm just going to allow just a 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.480 few minutes, 00:34:57.219 --> 00:34:58.439 maybe just 30 seconds actually, 00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.539 let's just respond 00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:02.619 to what God has been saying to us 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:03.719 through his word this evening. 00:35:03.719 --> 00:35:23.579 God with you. 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:36.619 Let me just read you one of the verses 00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:39.279 of one of my favorite hymns called Here is Love. 00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:43.119 Let me all thy love accepting, 00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:44.900 love thee ever all my days. 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:47.619 Let me seek thy kingdom only 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:49.619 and my life be to thy praise. 00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:52.460 Thou alone shalt be my glory, 00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:54.240 nothing in the world I see. 00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:57.340 Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me. 00:35:58.079 --> 00:36:00.240 Thou thyself hast set me free. 00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:03.599 So Father God, we thank you so much for Jesus. 00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:06.579 We praise you, Lord, for the gospel. 00:36:06.740 --> 00:36:08.599 We praise you for our great leader, 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:10.500 Captain, King, and Savior, 00:36:10.679 --> 00:36:13.220 who has saved us, rescued us from death, 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:15.900 and transported us into your wonderful family. 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:20.099 Help us, Lord, this week as we live our lives in this world 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:22.480 to seek your kingdom above all. 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:25.880 Lord, help us to be people who don't live for ourselves, 00:36:26.259 --> 00:36:27.420 but live for your glory. 00:36:28.259 --> 00:36:31.619 And this is our prayer in and through Jesus' wonderful name. 00:36:32.239 --> 00:36:32.500 Amen.