Amos 5:18-27

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Third Sermon Continued

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The day of the Lord is darkness for those involved in religious hypocrisy.

  2. The response of the Lord is rejection for those involved in religious hypocrisy.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Are you a religious hypocrite?

QUESTIONS

  1. How does Amos begin each of his sermons?

  2. Where were these three sermons given?

  3. What does Amos denounce in this third sermon?

  4. What is the point of Amos 5:25-26?

ANSWERS

  1. “Hear this word…” See Amos 3:1; 4:1; 5:1.

  2. At Bethel in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

  3. He openly denounces the religious hypocrisy of Israel.

  4. Even though the people brought some sacrifices to the Lord during the wilderness wanderings, they were also practicing idolatry.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. The religious hypocrites of Amos’ day thought they would be blessed in the Day of the Lord. But it would be a day of darkness and judgment for unfaithful Israel. Could religious hypocrites of our day think they will see blessing and not judgment? See Matthew 7:21-23.

  2. The people of Amos’ day were going through religious motions, but they were rejected by the Lord because it was not true worship. Worship must begin with a right heart. The people from the Northern Kingdom were worshiping pagan deities at the same time, and they were not worshiping the Lord at His temple in Jerusalem. They were also involved in social injustices, taking advantage of the poor and widows and aliens – all evidence that they did not have true faith. Social justice would be evidence of a true and right heart. True faith should work itself out into everyday righteousness. Otherwise, could be religious hypocrisy and just going through the motions, which is false worship, unacceptable and rejected by the Lord. Where do you see false worship today? Religious hypocrisy is unacceptable and rejected by the Lord.

CHALLENGE

  1. Is it possible that you are just going through the motions of worship? Are you hiding behind a religious mask? Or, are you truly born again and worshiping the Lord from a true and right heart? Faith will manifest itself in acceptable worship, justice, and everyday righteousness. See Amos 5:24. Examine your heart lest you be a religious hypocrite.

KEY VERSES

  • “Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord…it will be darkness, and not light.” Amos 5:18

  • “Let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Amos 5:24



Amos, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsAmos 5:18-27