AMOS
“Promise Me”
Last week instead of my usual walking in with my son for guitar lessons I had an errand to run so I dropped him off at the curb. I told him that I’d be back to pick him up in this very spot after his lesson was over. As he got out of the car (with a little trepidation) he looked at me and said, “So you’ll be back here when I’m done. “ I replied, “yes I will”. To which he said, “Promise me!” So I did.
There is something about the word “promise” that seemingly sets in stone our words – but all too often it is merely a word flippantly thrown out to squelch an objection or end a disagreement.
The bible is replete with what we would call “promises” from God. But in the midst of turmoil it seems like we are left hungry for even a morsel of promise in our lives.
In the book of Amos God delivers promises to his people… most of which are not pleasant – it is that they will be overtaken, placed in bondage and scattered because of their ungodliness and overt sin. However, true to His word God’s punishment is only to a point. He provides them enough ‘hope’ so that they are never overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
Amos was a breeder, rancher and farmer in the region of Tekoa which was a small town in the region of Judah. He lived in times of material prosperity, stability and expansion to the two kingdoms of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom).
Brief History lesson: Israel had three kings; Saul, David and Solomon. When Solomon died a civil war broke out as Solomon's sons and generals fought for the throne. Rehoboam had his fathers blessing to be the new king, but Jeroboam had more military influence. In the end, Rehoboam took the southern half of the country and called it "Judah". Jeroboam took the northern half and kept the name Israel. Each claimed to be God's chosen king.
Ten tribes in the north formed the northern kingdom of "Israel" and two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) formed the southern kingdom of "Judah."
Amos’ message was directed to the Northern kingdom - Israel. Israel had been victorious in extending her borders and controlled the trade routes hence, wealth began to accumulate in her cities. There was a class distinction between rich and poor, debt was rampant, morality was low – but “religion” flourished. People thronged to the shrines and yearly festivals and considered themselves immune to disaster because, “God was with them.” (HE HAD PROMISED HE WOULD BE). So what do we do when God’s ‘promises’ of never leaving us are overshadowed by real life pain and loss – when disaster happens - did God ‘take back’ his promise?
The scenario found in the book of AMOS is a familiar pattern even to this day; Prosperity, Pride and a wandering from God, Punishment (consequence), Returning to God – Restoration.
Begin reading AMOS 1:1-4 then STOP:
You know what – jump over to 9:11.
Why have I skipped over 9 chapters? Because the day’s of judgment have ended. If you are in Christ there is no more judgment for you. Listen… I desire to be more like Jesus and He says, “I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” (John 12:47) God is no longer angry… at least He’s not angry with me – I got lost in Christ.
So, this morning is a ‘happy’ morning. Let me show you what I mean – Acts 3:19-20 – “repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.”
- How many of you want refreshing?
- Refreshing comes from the presence of the LORD.
- God is enthroned on the praises of Israel (His people).
- Tell Him.
What has the LORD done for you this week? Tell Him thank you. If you can’t think of anything… thank him that you have a mind that can think you don’t have anything to be thankful for.
NOW that we have the mindset that GOD is in a good mood: – there are lessons to be learned from the book of Amos
Romans 15:4 –“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction… so that we might have hope.”
First, Be thankful for ‘grace’ - If God wanted, he has enough to convict you: 1:3, 1:6, 1:9, 1:11 and 1:13 – “For three transgressions… and for four I will not revoke punishment…”
• The idea is sin multiplied on sin –
• Without Jesus… we are without hope.
Second, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck… you got it: 3:2-6
If people are together in their ‘walking’ they must agree in the direction to go. The prophets continued to proclaim the same message to Israel. If you are being prompted to begin or stop a certain behavior repeatedly… NOW is the time to take care of dealing with it.
Third, Learn to take a hint (6 times): 4:6-11
• The encouraging thing about God is that He provides “chances” for us. He is on our team – He wants us to succeed – He allows chances to get it right… but eventually “time is up”.
Fourth, you can’t get away with sin: 5:18-19
• Because of sin life goes from bad to worse.
Fifth, Be thankful for gravity – 7:7-9
• A plumb line was used to determine the ‘straightness’ of a wall – if the wall had settled and began to lean it was torn down and rebuilt so as to prevent a catastrophe of the wall falling upon people. God’s word is consistent like gravity – regardless of location it applies equally to all people. There are no ‘favorites’ in the Kingdom of God. Although there are people who have the “favor” of God upon their life. The hope is that because of its consistent nature – people will recognize when they begin to tilt and lean the other way so as to prevent a catastrophe.
Sixth, There are worse things than being without food – 8:11-12
• What’s worse? Silence from God.
Seventh, God is the champion of Hide and go seek – 9:2-3
Finally, the verses in chapter 9 from 11-15 describe a literal time when the nation of Israel will be restored with the return of Christ. While this day may not be ‘that day’ we are progressing towards it. As we embark to bring the kingdom of Heaven to earth we advance the cause of Christ and by doing so usher His return.
That is part of our mission at Summit Life Church; Touch hearts, Transform minds and train disciples for the kingdom of God.
(The kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven are used interchangeably)
Bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth is what Jesus did: “From that time on Jesus began to preach, saying, “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mat 4:17)
Again… These are literal things that will happen to Israel when Christ returns. So why am I telling you that? Because, the role of the OT is to provide types and shadows – prophetic images of Jesus and the Kingdom.
For INSTACNE:
• Moses delivered Israel from Egypt (evil) – Jesus delivered us from evil.
• The Israelites demonstrated baptism by walking through the waters of the Red sea, separating themselves from evil. Jesus demonstrates baptism and a “new life”.
• Israel leaving Egypt (evil) is like repentance. Jesus calls everyone to repentance.
• God gave Israel an inheritance – we have been given an inheritance through Jesus as well… heaven.
• God fed the Israelites manna from haven – we have been given the bread of life.
So what? So – because the church is a shadow of the nation of Israel we are able to apply (with type and shadow) the promises found in the OT to our lives today. They are not literal, rather they speak to a ‘shadow’ of what can be expected for believers.
Hebrews 1:1 tells us “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son.”
MEANING: In the past God spoke in a variety of ways; prophets, law, psalms – in these last days there is only one voice… Jesus (who is perfect theology). Everything must hold up to the message and manifestation of Jesus.
The prophetic words of judgment and condemnation for those who, by faith believe unto Jesus, no longer apply – Jesus did not demonstrate them. The prophetic words of edification, promise and advancement do apply, because they are demonstrated by the life of Christ.
When we read prophetic promises from the OT we are to apply them to our lives through the life of Christ. The ‘voice of God’s son’. There are many prophetic promises in the OT that align with the ‘voice of Christ’. Promises of freedom, deliverance and advancement.
Q: Then why is it common to remain in bondage to a thought pattern or a behavior and not embrace what has been promised to us?
The bible provides the answer… imagine that. As is evident throughout the bible whenever there is a promise – there is immediate resistance from the enemy.
Mark 1:9-12 – Jesus is given the promise from God, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” – IMMEDIATELY he was driven out to the wilderness being tempted by Satan.”
- V11 – The ‘booth’ being raised up and repaired is the uniting of the 12 tribes of Israel – as they were once under the rule of David. The promise is that there will be unity among the body of Christ. That it is God’s hope that the body of Christ unites and affects the world. The resistance, disunity through being offended. Resentment, doubt, and accusation.
LIFE is about this: Our actions and words either gather or scatter.
- V12 – Possessing the remnant of Edom describes how the Israelites will defeat the world’s system and possess all the nations called by the LORD. The promise is about inheritance – it is about stepping into your destiny. It’s about overcoming the world’s system by seeing with supernatural wisdom and revelation (seeing beyond the veil into ‘that day’) The resistance is an orphan spirit. A spirit that believes, “It’s all up to me.” “I’m alone.” “This life is all I have.” “If I were to ever be myself people wouldn’t like me.”
NOTE: this is about defeating the worlds system… not the world.
How will the worlds system be defeated? Not by war but by the truth of God’s word (Psalm 149:6-8)
- V13 – the plowman overtaking the reaper and the treader of grapes overtaking him who sows the seed. The promise is abundant provision and favor from God. Supernatural necessities given by God to sustain our lives. The resistance is the mindset of humanism. The emphasis on what we do for God instead of what God does for us. An attitude that causes us to believe that by doing what we want to do will become what we want to be. A mind that hears, “I create my own destiny.” “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul” (Invictus-William earnest Henley).” Humanism presses us to rely on our accomplishments for favor – not God’s unmerited favor. Humanism produces pecking order and manipulation (intimidation = a spirit of witchcraft). Not even Abraham (the father of our faith) considered his accomplishments enough to earn the favor of God – it was his FAITH that was counted to him as righteousness.
- V14 – restoring the fortunes of me people
• The promise is being brought out of bondage. Being set free from malevolence , hopelessness and oppression. The resistance is a spirit of legalism; rules, standards, a spirit of management, rigid, critical. Thoughts like, “I can’t believe they choose to do it like that?” “This is the way it should be done.” If your life is fixed on the promise that God has brought you out of bondage, it will be obvious to the world. PSALM 126
- V15 – Plant them on their land and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them
• The promise is stability and security in this day despite circumstantial uncertainty. The resistance is returning to the familiar, to former days of ease. Ideas that sounds like, “It was better when…” “Why can’t it be like it used to be?” “I wish I had it to do over again.” The people of Israel said this, “”Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”
I understand circumstantial uncertainty – starting a new church tends to do that…
- From week to week the numbers are added, the people are counted and the bills are paid (hopefully).
- Yet, here is what I do know. I am immovable, stable, secure and incorruptible because of the Spirit of God that lives in me.
WHY? Because daily - I put off the accuser and remind myself that I am a child of promise.
- That there will be unity in the body of Christ.
- That I have an inheritance to fight for.
- I believe that I am abundantly provided for.
- I am free from bondage and oppression.
- And that despite what I see I believe by faith that my God is more real than anything I can see.
In former days “We would promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears.”
In the last days “We are to live according to our hopes, and perform according to God’s promise.”
In response to our asking to "Promise Me" God says:
“I am not man, that I should lie, or a son of man, that I should change my mind. I have said, and I will do it. I have spoken and I will fulfill it!”
Numbers 23:19
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