Series: When God has had Enough … A Study in Amos

Episode: He Offers Repentance on His Terms (Amos 5)

Key Verse – Amos 3:7-8

“For the Lord God does nothing

1. God is in mourning – v1-3

2. Seek Me, not Religion, and LIVE! – v4-5

3. Seek Me, not Self-Righteousness, and LIVE! – v6-9

4. Seek Good, not Evil, and LIVE

5. IF NOT- Judgment – v16-23, 25 – Therefore!

6. Solution – Let Justice roll down… Actively meeting the needs of others should be as natural as water flowing downhill.

Series: When God has had Enough ... A Study in Amos

Episode: He Holds His People Accountable

Key Verse – Amos 3:7-8

“7 For the Lord God does nothing

Compare Amos 3:1-2 with 1 Peter 2:9-10

1. A Distinct People

2. A Distinct Punishment

i. In the open for all to see

ii. Strongholds plundered

iii. Suffering great loss

3. A Distinct Standard

4. Multiple Distinct Opportunities – designed to provoke them to repent!

5. A Distinct & Sobering Reality – Prepare to meet your God!

Series: When God has had Enough ... A Study in Amos

Episode: He Roars With Warning

Key Verse – Amos 3:7-8

“For the Lord God does nothing

7 Truths about these warnings:

1. God is Gracious to warn His People of pending Judgement.

a. He certainly does not have to!

b. It is consistent with who He is – Exodus 34:6-7

c. 2 yrs before the earthquake; Zech 14:5

d. 45 yrs before Israel will be carried off into captivity and cease to exist.

2. His judgements are not arbitrary or random

a. They are well earned by sin

b. Abuse, torture, neglect, terrible sins from the outside and the inside of the nation

c. Especially when it is directed toward the Poor, the Helpless, and toward God’s People and His Great and Holy Name

3. His Patience has a Limit – Longsuffering, but…

a. Just, Holy and Righteous

b. Gen 6 _ Noah

c. Gen 18_Sodom

d. Exodus with Pharoah

e. Num 14:20-23 with the generation freed from Egypt

f. With Solomon and the Kings after him in the now divided nation of Israel and Judah

g. And now in the time of Amos - with Israel for their Greed, Abuse, Affliction, Ignorance and Sexual Immorality – even in the very Temple of God! Ignoring God as if He does not see, cannot hear how they profane his name. (2:6-8)

4. His judgements are swift & thorough

a. Again, see Num 14: 22-24

5. His judgements are explained – 2:9-12

6. His warnings target self-sufficiency 2:13-16

7. There is also the Hope available by way of repentance – Jeremiah 12:14-17

8. What about us? Any parallels? What is He saying to the church today? To the individual Christian? To you?

Going Deeper - Deeper Choices

Joshua 24:14-28; Judges 2:6-10

Going Deeper - Deeper Spirit 

A Deeper Spirit-Filled Life 

Acts 2:1-47; 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3  

Happy Birthday Church!  

The beginning of the first church happened on Pentecost – the Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of the Harvest or Firstfruits – established in Leviticus, but always pointing to this one – 7 weeks after the Resurrection of Christ when the Church is empowered by the Holy Spirit for fulfilling the Great Commission.  

Having seen the church established thru the Spirit, we now see her functioning in accord with her mandate – verses 42-47  

Verses 38-39 show us the gift of the Spirit is given at Conversion as God calls people to Himself  

He comes to live in you as your Comforter, Convictor, and Guide.  

But, are you trusting Him to guide and control your life? Are you surrendered to Him moment by moment?  

How do we live this out?   

Deeper Sacrifice

John 15:12-14; 10:10-18; 1 John 3:16-18

I. Deeper Sacrifice is born out of a deep, abiding Love

II. Deeper Sacrifice is lived out through Obedience

III. Deeper Sacrifice unifies others around the Mission

IV. Deeper Sacrifice is not the end of the Story

V. Deeper Sacrifice must be Remembered

Colossians - Episode 9 

(Colossians 4:7-18)  

Two Kinds of People in the World – Those who stop watching movies at “The End” or those who watch all of the credits. Movie Credits reveal all of the important contributors who worked together for the outcome.  Today, we’re going to roll the credits & we’ll learn a lot in the process.   

You and Who?  

Do you see yourself on this list?

- Beloved Brother; Faithful Minister; fellow Servant; fellow Prisoner…  

Do you need any companions like that? 

 Companions recognize and celebrate the 2-way nature of the relationship  This requires faithful intention to ask and receive opportunities to work together  

Whose Colossians 4 list are you on? What descriptors would be used?  

Who is on your list?

Colossians - Episode 8

(Colossians 4:2-6)

1. Begins with Deeper Prayer – v. 2

a. Continue – remember our opening message in the series – Deeper Prayer from Col 1

b. Steadfastly

c. Watchful – pay attention to movement and answers

d. With Thanksgiving

2. Is Motivated by the Example of Others – v. 3-4

a. Their zeal for prayer

b. Boldness to walk through Open Doors

c. Christ-centered perspective

d. Clarity

3. Moves Outward – v5-6

a. With Wisdom

b. With Vision

c. With Words

d. With Grace

e. With Salt

f. With Discernment

MOM = M.O.M. = Model of Ministry

So, let’s think together this morning about the Deeper Care that a Mother brings to our lives – and how that helps us think about the right kind of ministry impact we want to have in our relationships as Christ-followers:

1. Gentle – Epios – only 2 uses in the NT (2 Tim 2:24)– to warm, to foster, cherish – One who follows the will of another – and is ready to do what he wants”; mild

2. Nourisher – One who provides with food or other substances necessary for life and growth; to foster the development of; promote:

3. Affectionate – yearning for

4. Sharing life to be life-giving – giving of ourselves – our psyche – soul – all in!

5. Very Dear – agapetos – beloved – loved unconditionally

6. Hard Work – Prov 31:10-31; especially in the care of her household referenced in v 15, 21, 25-28 – concludes with v 29-31

In summary: As you live out your faith – as you go deeper in relationships, you must invest yourselves in people. Moms are our Models for Ministry. People need to know we care – and no one cares like a mother – especially a mother who is following Christ. Gentle – like one who follows the will of another and is ready to do what He wants.

Be gentle; nourish; provide; protect; care deeply; love unconditionally; celebrate presence; be fully present.

When sharing the gospel, share your life as well – just as a mother gives and gives for her children – you do likewise for your spiritual children – those you disciple in the faith

Thank you, mothers, for giving us a multitude of personal, practical examples of loving care, tender affection, and life-giving love!

Colossians - Episode 7 

(Colossians 3:18-4:1)  

All of what we think about today comes within the context of last week’s message – the practice of our Christian Faith as described in the 1st 17 verses of the chapter.   

    6. Masters – be just and fair - remember you are accountable to your master!