MAJOR LEARNING IN THE MINORS:

Thirsting for a God of Forgiveness.

Amos (Page 1419)

Thirsty?

THE MAIN POINT

People are thirsty for God whether they acknowledge it or not.

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BACKGROUND:

Timeframe: 755 BC Assyrian Rule.

Audience: North and South Israel.

About Amos: “burden” or “burden-bearer”, shepherd and traveling fig-nipper!

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MAJOR LEARNING FROM THE MINORS: AMOS

Chapter 1: Verse 1 = 755 BCGod knows what is going on and he

will act. Cf Revelation 2-3The main part of the chapter

focuses on why the people around them should be concerned about

God coming in judgment.

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AMOS CHAPTER 2Moab is addressed and then things get close to home as Judah is addressed in 2:4-5 and Israel (10 tribes) are addressed in 2:6-8.

God’s faithfulness and a reminder of God’s provisions are covered in 2:9-16.

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AMOS CHAPTER 3North and South are addressed and it is pointed out that God has warned them.

Amos 3:7 says “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”

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AMOS CHAPTER 4(Verse 1 is funny) More reasons for their captivity, warnings of what is to come, why their acts of worship are meaningless, and how they did not turn to God during difficult times that were intended to have them focus on God.

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AMOS CHAPTER 5

Only a remnant will be left, but God will leave a remnant!

This chapter also speaks about having a heart that seeks God.

Amos 5:18 says “Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Who do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light.”

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AMOS CHAPTER 6Woe to the complacent and those who feel secure and how he abhors the pride of the tribe of Jacob (vs 8).

This section is not to be skipped by us either!

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AMOS CHAPTER 7The visions! God shows Amos a swarm of locusts ready for punishment. Amos asks for mercy and God relents.

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AMOS CHAPTER 7God shows Amos judgment by fire. Amos asks for mercy and God relents.

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AMOS CHAPTER 7: VISIONS

God shows Amos a plumb line. This object lesson shows how far off true the people are and Amos does not ask for mercy.

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AMOS CHAPTER 7 – STOP TALKING!

We often get the same request today when we see if people are thirsting for forgiveness!

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AMOS 7:14-15“I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”

Matthew 28:18-20! “Go, and make disciples….”

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AMOS CHAPTER 8

“The time is ripe for my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.”

This chapter also gives a glimpse of what the day of judgement will look like.

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AMOS 8:11“The days are coming, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.”

Today God’s word is available constantly and people resist… but we still offer it, and pray to meet those who are thirsty.

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AMOS CHAPTER 9

“I will fix my eyes upon them for evil and not for good.”

All who deserve punishment will be punished!

Israel’s restoration by the hand of God himself when he brings them back from exile and not uproot them again.

Thirsty?MAKING THE CONNECTION

To a person trying to pass on God’s message of forgiveness to people

who think that life is fine.

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BLESSINGS ASKED FOR…May God bless you with thirsty people in your life.

May you be aware of your sin and on the alert for pride.

May you avoid the entanglement of wealth and busyness.

May you desire forgiveness and the advancement of the kingdom.

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BLESSINGS ASKED FOR…May you thirst, and be refreshed by God’s word in your life.

May you not give up sharing the news of God’s forgiveness.

May you have a head of flint and a soft heart as you face the opposition of a stubborn and prideful world.

May you take time to praise God for his grace and mercy.

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FOR TWO WEEKSHosea – Our Thirst for a God of Steadfast Love.