Amos - Free sermon outlines, Bible study and

that the culminative judgment falls (iv. 12).In the third address we see the uncompromising severity of Divine judgment on the impenitent,where sin has been obdurately persisted in (v. 2, 3; vi. 8-14).Constable: [Alternative Approach]After announcing that God would judge Israel, Amos delivered five messages in whichhe explained more fully why God would judge the Northern Kingdom. Appeals forrepentance and explanations of how to avoid judgment appear within these messages.The first three begin with the word, "Hear" (3:1; 4:1; 5:1; cf. Prov. 8:32), and the last twobegin "Alas" (5:18) and "Woe" (6:1), both translations of the Hebrew word hoy. The firstmessage was explanation, the second accusation, and the third lamentation.A. (3:1-15) Message #1 -- Judgment Should Be No Surprise –Israel Stands Guilty of Idolatry, Violence and MaterialismGreat privilege brings great responsibility“You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth;Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” (3:2)1. (:1-10) Judgment Deserveda. (:1-2) Israel’s Unique Covenantal Relationship with Godb. (:3-8) Inescapable Judgment -- for Ignoring God’s Clear Revelation to HisChosen PeopleWiersbe: At this point, the people were probably saying, “Who is this rustic farmer that heshould preach to us and claim to be God’s prophet? What kind of authority does he think hehas?” Amos even dared to preach uninvited at the king’s chapel at Bethel, where KingJeroboam’s chaplain told Amos to go home and preach in Judah (7:10-16).Amos replied to their ridicule by arguing from effect to cause. If two people want to walktogether, they have to appoint a time and place to meet (Amos 3:3). If the lion roars, it’s becausehe’s caught his prey (v. 4). If a trap springs, it means the bird has been caught (v. 5); and if thepeople in a city are terrified, it’s because the trumpet has blown, warning them of danger (v. 6).These are obvious facts of life that any thinking person would acknowledge.When a prophet proclaims God’s Word, it’s because the Lord is about to do something importantand wants to warn His people (3:7).MacArthur: The Lord posed a series of questions to show that, as some things are certain innature, surely nothing happens in Israel that is outside His sovereignty. Certain actions havecertain results! The Lord had spoken a word, and therefore the prophet was to speak, and thepeople were to listen with trembling. Instead, they tried to silence the prophet (cf. 2:12;7:12,13).c. (:9-10) Publicized Judgment – Invoking Witnesses to God’s JudgmentAgainst Samaria for Idolatry, Violence and MaterialismWiersbe: In his day, the Prophet Isaiah called heaven and earth to witness against Judah (Isa. 1:2;