The Book of Amos “Introduction”

The book of Amos was written by the prophet Amos. He was a shepherd, and a dresser of sycamore trees by trade. His prophecy was by inspiration of God, and lasted a very short time. Some scholars believe he prophesied just a few days. He prophesied during the reigns of Jeroboam the second in Israel, and Uzziah in Judah.

In the course of his writings, he used the expression "thus says the Lord" 40 times. He did not claim to be a professional prophet, and actually admitted to his lowly beginning. The name "Amos" means burden, or burden-bearer. And sense his message was mostly about the coming judgment of God on His people, he did indeed carry a heavy burden.

Chuck Swindoll writes, “More than almost any other book of Scripture, the book of Amos holds God’s people accountable for their ill-treatment of others. It repeatedly points out the failure of the people to fully embrace God’s idea of justice. They were selling off needy people for goods, taking advantage of the helpless, oppressing the poor, and the men were using women immorally (Amos 2:6–8; 3:10; 4:1; 5:11–12; 8:4–6). Drunk on their own economic success and intent on strengthening their financial position, the people had lost the concept of caring for one another; Amos rebuked them because he saw in that lifestyle evidence that Israel had forgotten God.”

The book of Amos has a timely word for all who hold themselves above others. Injustice is all around us today, and turning a “blind eye” to it, is not the answer. God has shown us what is good and what He requires of us in Micah 6:8, “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Not to embrace arrogance, self-righteousness, lawlessness, or materialism.

Amos communicated God’s utter disdain for the hypocritical lives of His people (Amos 5:21–24). His prophecy concludes with only a brief glimpse of restoration, and even that is directed to Judah, rather than the northern kingdom of Israel (9:11–15).

We will begin in chapter 1 tomorrow. God bless.

The Truth: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

Colossians 4 “Christian Graces”

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (vv.2-6)

Here in chapter 4:2-6, Paul gives us three very important "Christian graces," pray earnestly, walk wisely, and speak gracefully.

In verses 2-4 the encouragement is not to make room for prayer, because it is obvious that they did so, but to continue in it. How? individually, collectively as the men of the church, and corporately as a church body. Paul also requested prayer for himself, for divine appointments to share "the mystery of Christ" even through he was in chains.

Walking in wisdom (v. 5), simply means making godly decisions. What you do affects your witness, so do what is right! CH Spurgeon said, "A man’s life is always more forcible than his speech. When men take stock of him they reckon his deeds as dollars and his words as pennies. If his life and doctrine disagree, the mass of onlookers accept his practice and reject his preaching." So may God help us all to "walk our talk."

Finally, when speaking to others (v. 6), we are to extend the grace of God (that was given us) through seasoned words to the people around us. By doing this, we will deepen and enrich the lives of others by the graceful words the Spirit leads us to say. Lecturing, berating, condemnation or pulling rank, does not extend grace nor give anyone reason to receive our words. But listening, choosing our words carefully, and saying them with love and seasoned with salt (enough to get into the heart), this will minister to all who hear and see us.

"Tart words make no friends: spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a Gallon of Vinegar." (Benjamin Franklin 1744 )

The Truth: "He said unto her, 'Woman, where are your accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?' She said, 'No man LORD.' And Jesus said unto her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'" (John 8:10-11)

Colossians 3 "Forgive One Another"

“Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (v.13)

An unforgiving spirit is often the last emotional fortress we yield to the power of God. Even as Christians, we may cling to anger and bitterness, feeling that those who have wronged us should suffer for their offenses. But when we realize how much God has forgiven us, we are compelled to extend mercy to others. The Bible urges us to "put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; . . . even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do,"

Here in chapter 3, Paul is teaching the brethren in Colossi to, "Put on the new man.” In verses 12-17, he speaks specifically of the “characteristics” of the new man – one of which is forgiveness, and the importance of forgiving one another. The seriousness of which becomes very clear in the light of God’s willingness to forgive us, by sending His Son to the death of the cross. Therefore, we can be absolutely certain that God takes forgiveness of sin very seriously.

As a result, we need to forgive those who have wronged us, even though it may be difficult. Holding a grudge can only due your spirit harm, hinder your prayers (1 Peter 3:7), and even your own forgiveness from the Lord (Matthew 6:14). Therefore forgive one another.

The Truth: "For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14) 

Colossians 2 "Walk In Him"

"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” (v.6)

What does it mean to “walk in Him?” The apostle Paul said this in Galatians concerning his walk, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (v.6). Meaning, Paul no longer lived for himself. He lived by faith in the Son of God who loved him and gave His life to change his.

The Christian walk is a process of growth in which we advance from one stage to the next: from spiritual infancy to maturity; from milk to strong meat; from being rooted in Christ to being firmly established. We may want to be grown up all at once, but we must learn to take one step at a time. That's how spiritual growth occurs.

If we will be led by Him, there will not only be deliverance from our old life, and its bad habits, but He will produce in us the fruit of holy living which will please God and refresh others.

Therefore, “Walk in Him.”

The Truth: “For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Colossians 1 "Delivered From Darkness"

“He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (vv.13-14)

In Colossians 1, Paul wrote to people who had come to know Jesus Christ and whose lives showed evidence of their faith, but whom he had never seen. After assuring them of his prayers for them, to know God’s will, and to please Him (vv.3-12), Paul used a powerful word picture to describe what God had done for them all: “He has delivered you (us) from the power of darkness and conveyed you (us) into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (vv.13-14).

Meaning, in Christ, we have been rescued! He has taken us from danger to safety; from one power and destiny (Satan and the pit), to another (Jesus and heaven); from death to life. But is that deliverance permanent? Does this mean, “once saved, always saved?” Can one now do whatever they want and be assured of salvation?

Paul speaking of being reconciled in Christ states, “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister” (vv.21-23).

Wow, that’s a pretty big “if” to consider. While each of us has been rescued from darkness, and would never consider open rebellion against God, there were (and are) false teachers/doctrines that slowly took (and still take) many off course, away from the hope of the gospel and faith in Jesus. So Paul warns them here of such heresies that were sprouting up concerning the nature of Jesus, that they might remain steadfast and continue in the faith.

I for one would not want to put my eternal hope in any such teaching or doctrine. I believe that we are eternally secure in Christ alone if we continue in the faith and abide in Jesus.

The Truth: “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Stepping outside of that in any shape or form knowingly or unknowingly puts us right back where we were...in darkness, needing to be reconciled back to God. 

Joel 3 “Blessing on God’s People”

“And it will come to pass in that day 
that the mountains shall drip with new wine, 
the hills shall flow with milk,
 and all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water;
 A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD, and water the Valley of Acacias. Egypt shall be a desolation,
 and Edom a desolate wilderness,
 because of violence against the people of Judah,
 for they have shed innocent blood in their land.
 But Judah shall abide forever,
 and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
 For I will acquit them of the guilt of bloodshed, whom I had not acquitted; 
For the LORD dwells in Zion.” (vv.18-22)

This prophetic book of Joel, which began with the desperate plague of locusts, ends with a promise of restoration and redemption, in which God will show mercy to His people and grant them forgiveness. And, while it is not good to be an enemy of God, it is good to be in His care. Vengeance is the Lord's and His judgment will come.

And, after God’s final victory at the Battle of Armageddon, there will also be lasting abundance in Israel, and the days of drought will be just a distant memory, for all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water. And Egypt, "shall be a desolation,” along with the other enemies of the LORD and His people. But Judah, "shall abide forever and Jerusalem from generation to generation."

For His people, God is a refuge; for His enemies, their worst nightmare. Our hope is in Christ alone, and it's all because of His grace.

The Truth: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

Joel 2 “Return To The LORD”

“Rend your heart, and not your garments. Now return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil.” (v.13)

CH Spurgeon wrote, “Garment-rending and other outward signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested and are frequently hypocritical; but to feel true repentance is far more difficult, and consequently far less common.”

In the prophet Joel’s day, God’s people engaged in religious rituals like fasting and tearing their garments to outwardly express their repentance. The problem with these efforts was that they were often not performed with a repentant heart (v.12). As far as God was concerned, the outward form of such rituals was not nearly as important as the attitude of the heart. Therefore, He challenged them saying through the prophet Joel, “Rend your hearts and not your garments” (v.13).

True repentance is never a matter of performing certain rituals, but is grounded in relationship. Those who turn to God in repentance should not base their appeal for forgiveness on their own performance, but upon God’s character.

In our text the prophet gives the people five reasons for “rending their hearts”: God’s grace, compassion, patience, love, and mercy (v.13). Based upon this, the prophet called upon the priests to declare a sacred assembly in the hope that sincere repentance would result in restoration.

The Lord longs for us to confess our sins to Him and receive His forgiveness so we can love and serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This can be done privately in your own personal prayer time with Him, in a public gathering for prayer or worship, or one on one with another brother/sister in Christ.

The bottom-line here is, whatever you need to tell the Lord today, just say it—and say it from the heart.

The Truth: “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Joel 1 “The Day of the LORD”

“Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.” (v.15)

The prophet Joel spoke to the southern kingdom of Judah. His message was singular in its warning, “repent for the day of the LORD is at hand.” He was not announcing the coming day of judgment of the LORD, but their present state – devastation by successive swarms of locusts, first chewing, then swarming, then crawling, and finally consuming. Judah would experience a time of famine and financial ruin because of these locusts, and the drought which followed.

The idea behind the phrase the day of the LORD is that this is Gods’ time. Man has his “day,” and the LORD has His day. In the ultimate sense, the day of the LORD is fulfilled when Jesus judges the earth and returns in glory. In a lesser sense, a time of judgment as Judah experienced with the locusts and drought is also an example of the day of the LORD.

In this time of destruction, drought, and discipline, all Judah could do was cry out to God. They were powerless to fix their problems. God now had their full attention, as they finally realized only He could help them.

So sad when a Christians lets the sin in their life get to the point where God has no choice but to break them down. O He will let you wonder off and learn your lessons the hard way if necessary, but why go through the pain? Repent now and save yourself the pain both now and in the future.

The Truth: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)