Amos
If a community claiming to follow God’s ways treats its people the same way as a community not practicing God’s ways, what message is sent? Jesus says the world will know His disciples by our love. If the world doesn’t see anything different in those who follow
Amos
God knows if our heart is wrong, our actions don’t really matter. Ever get a gift from an unwilling giver? Ever receive an apology from someone who doesn’t mean it? Such actions are empty. An uncaring gift or an ungrateful apology are hollow. They accomplish the necessary goal
Amos
Before God can bring us into glory, God needs to take care of our heart. This is why we talk about repentance. God wants relationship with us. He wants to dwell with us forever. Yet we sin, preventing us from attaining that reality. God needs to take care of our
Amos
God will come among us and evaluate what He finds. He did not create the world so He could stand off at a distance and study what we do with it. He wants us to become more like Him as we live. He wants us to see His characteristics in
Amos
God is the cure for our broken societies. He is the only one who can hold onto power and refrain from corruption. He is the only one who can weigh the needs of the many against the needs of the one. He alone can see into our hearts and know
Amos
If we are God’s people, then our governance should illustrate God’s character, not oppress those around us. That doesn’t mean we give everyone what they want. God does not give us what we want. God gives us what is good, which is a characteristic determined by Him.
Amos
Can there be any doubt God is disappointed when we treat each other so poorly? The God who loves us so much He sent His son to die can only tolerate it so much when we take advantage of other people. How can our selfish dreams compare to His dream
Amos
God does not want us creating and living in a society where our moral compass is fueled by our selfishness. He came to save us because we need Him. He cares for us and teaches us a better way. We are His people, not His possessions. Amos points towards a
Amos
God wants us to seek Him and find Him, not create hollow rituals that look good on the outside. God tells Hosea, a contemporary to Amos, that He desires steadfast love rather than sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6). God desires relationship with
Amos
God teaches us to look past the surface of our life and find out what truly exists in the depth of our heart. God is always interested in what motivates us. His concern is as much about our why as our what. Sin and righteousness are not just determined by
Amos
God doesn’t want us to destroy ourselves in our own sinfulness, but in our free will we sometimes leave Him with no other option. He wants to be with us in love. He wants us to choose to follow. Unfortunately, we are sinful. Life is a tug-of-war.
Amos
Coming to the altar isn’t about the show, it is about God and being humble before Him. Is God impressed by our fancy bands, our smoke screens and stage performances, and the size of our projection screens? Is God impressed by how entertaining the sermon is or how many