JESUS IN AMOS: Supernaturally Empowered
Jesus is revealed in Amos as the unexpected and under-qualified prophet. This brings great encouragement to me personally.
Amos was the overlooked and undervalued shepherd from a rural area in Judah. Suddenly he emerges from having had a conversation with God. This would be like an unknown farmer from Gotebo, OK showing up prophesying and calling order to the church on every level across this land.
Amaziah, priest of Bethel, made it clear that Amos was not welcome and that he should go home. Amos would not be dissuaded by the religious crowd from fulfilling his assignment from God.
Amos 7:14-16 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. 15 But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 16 Now then, hear the word of the LORD…. NIV
I love his response! Rather than trying to build a case to prove that he was something he wasn’t he simply admitted what he wasn’t so he could clearly define who he was. I’m not a prophet nor the son of a prophet. Now that that we all understand that I understand
Stop trying to prove yourself to people who are deeply devoted to misunderstanding you! God’s purposes for you are more powerful than other people’s opinions of you.
People are searching for something genuine in our generation.
This is why it’s so important for you to be more than inspired. You must be empowered. Can’t go to church are the church. “Dad if can’t go then can’t leave”
Amos 3:7-8 Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared-- who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken-- who can but prophesy? (NIV)
Last wk last days s&d proph
Created to be fascinated! The less we pay attention to the Holy Spirit the more we thirst for entertainment.
2 Cor 13:14 “ May the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (NAS)
Gal 5:16-17 “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other…
John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; (NAS)
“I can hear the voice of God!” Hearing isn’t listening – all the wives said, “Amen!”
In our Christian school I’ve seen students during morning announcements. They are hearing that voice over the speakers but paying little to no attention. God’s constantly making announcements and unless we’ve learned to pay attention the sheep can be hearing but not listening.” John 10:27 is true! Are you paying attention?
Your relationship with the Holy Spirit is one of the most important relationships you can work at in your life. You can actually develop a relationship with God's Word while neglecting your relationship with God's Spirit.
Rom 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (NAS)
Eph 5:18 “…be filled with the Spirit.” (NIV)
Even secular historians call the 20th century the century of the Holy Spirit. In the year 1900 there were no Christians claiming a Pentecostal experience from God. By 1945 16 million people claimed a Pentecostal spirit-filled experience. The progression over the decades is astonishing!
By 1955 this number had grown to 27 million. By 1965 it was 56 million. By 1975 it was 97 million. By 1985 it was 268 million. By 1995 it was 463 million. And by the year 2000 650 million people were reporting a Pentecostal spirit-filled experience. Sociologists now say that never in the history of man has a non-militaristic, non-political, voluntary movement seen this kind of explosive growth.
Your relationship with the Holy Spirit is one of the most important relationships you can work at in your life. You can actually develop a relationship with God's Word while neglecting your relationship with God's Spirit. To learn more about what the Bible says about this important topic you can watch this brief message.
http://destinyokc.com/holyspirit
GP4RL: #TurnThePage every day. Make time to read your Bible and make time to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your life.
GOING DEEPER:
The Message Bible introduction to the Book of Amos:
More people are exploited and abused in the cause of religion than in any other way. Sex, money, and power all take a back seat to religion as a source of evil. Religion is the most dangerous energy source known to humankind. The moment a person (or government or religion or organization) is convinced that God is either ordering or sanctioning a cause or project, anything goes. The history, worldwide, of religion-fueled hate, killing and oppression is staggering. The biblical prophets are in the frontline of those doing something about it.
The biblical prophets continue to be the most powerful and effective voices ever heard on this earth for keeping religion honest, humble and compassionate. Prophets sniff out injustice that is dressed up in religious garb. They sniff it out a mile away. Prophets see through hypocrisy that assumes a religious pose. Prophets are not impressed by position or power or authority. They aren't taken by numbers, size, or appearances of success.
They pay little attention to what men and women say about God or do for God. They listen to God and rigorously test all human language and action against what they hear. Among these prophets, Amos towers as a defender of the downtrodden poor and accuser of the powerful rich who use God's name to legitimize their sin.
None of us can be trusted in this business. If we pray and worship God and associate with others who likewise pray and worship God, we absolutely must keep company with these biblical prophets. We are required to submit all our words and acts to their passionate scrutiny to prevent the perversion of our religion into something self-serving. A spiritual life that doesn’t give a large place to the prophet-articulated justice will end up making us worse instead of better, separating us from God’s ways instead of drawing us into them.
There is an incredible prophecy in this book that specifically tells how God would darken the day at noon during Messiah's death:
Amos 8:9 It will come about in that day," declares the Lord GOD, "That I will make the sun go down at noon And make the earth dark in broad daylight NAS
Matt 27:45-46 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). NIV
Israel had developed social extremes. The rich were comfortable and uninterested in helping the poor who were being exploited and cheated in a corrupt judicial system.
Amos shows up making bold declarations about Israel’s sinful condition and is met with great resistance.