Sermons from September 2018
What Is It Going to Take? (Amos 4:6-13)
Amos has been speaking out about Israel’s sins. He now shows all that God has done to bring them back to Himself. Gluttony and famine The chapter begins with gluttony, but Amos now speaks of the famine that God had brought previously. Whether full or starving, it did not matter; they would not return to the Lord. Drought and rain God sent severe drought at times, and yet at other times He brought abundance of rain. It did not matter.…
Asa
We now look at the reign of Asa. And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah. And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah his mother,…
Religious Deeds Bring Judgment (Amos 4:4-5)
Strict religious observance In spite of all their sins, the people of Israel were very devout in their religious observances. They were faithful to attend religious services and offer daily sacrifices. They were so faithful in their tithing and offerings that they even followed the once every three years tithe God commanded in Deuteronomy 14:28. They were constantly offering sacrifices of all kinds. They were very, very devout in their religious devotions. God calls their religious observances sin Instead of…
Rehoboam, Jeroboam, and Abijam
We now look at the reigns of Rehoboam, Jeroboam, and Abijam. At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go…
Selfishness Brings Judgment (Amos 4:1-3)
Well fed cows Amos calls the women of Israel “Cows of Bashan.” Bashan was a place known for its fine beef; all the cattle there were well fed. Amos is not making fat jokes; instead Amos is pointing out the luxurious lifestyle they lived at the expense of the poor. These well fed women were surrounded by starving masses of poor people. The issue with their gluttony was that they only cared about themselves. Like the Rich Man they ate…
Rehoboam and Jeroboam
We now look at the end of Solomon’s reign and the splitting of the Kingdom. But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And…
God’s Judgment is Devastating (Amos 3:9-15)
God’s judgment is public The sins of Israel are public. The surrounding nations all know of Israel’s sins. God calls even the heathen nations to sit in judgment against Israel. This call to the heathen indicates several things. First, Israel is no longer ashamed of her sin; she publically displays her sin for the whole world to see (Jeremiah 6:15.) Second, even heathens condemn what Israel is doing. The people of God have become worse than the surrounding nations (1…
Solomon
Today we will look at how Solomon became king Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. So they sought for a fair damsel throughout…
God’s Judgment is Certain (Amos 3:1-8)
Amos brings out a point that is counter to what we would expect from God: He begins His judgment with His people. This is what Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 5 and what Peter tells us as well. The reason for this is found in Hebrews 13, God disciplines His own children. We cannot believe that we will escape God’s judgment because of who we are. If we are His children we should expect His judgment and correction. God’s judgment…
David (Part 4)
Today we continue looking about how David’s kingdom fell apart and the Lord restored it. And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he…