Woe To Those At Ease in Zion

Amos 6:1

Amos 6:1• Amos, a prophet from Judah

sent primarily to Israel (1:1)• Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam

(II) in Israel (ca. 780-740 BC)• A time of prosperity, with

corruption and immorality. • Also complacency!

At Ease in Zion• Zion, a name for Jerusalem.

Often with a dual meaning pointing toward God’s kingdom. The place where God dwells with His people!

• Israel (and Judah) are warned to REPENT and wake up.

At Ease in Zion• Complacency: A feeling of

being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to make them better.Self-satisfaction, especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complacency

At Ease in Zion• Complacency in Zion• Zion thought they had it made.

They lived in luxury, trusting in the might of their neighbors, etc.

• They despised the laws of God and followed false prophets (2:4-5)

• They put off judgment.

At Ease in Zion• Complacency in us?• How is our service to God?• Are we growing as we ought to?• Are we putting off obedience or

repentance?• Do we live as if we have plenty of

time?• Are we concerned about others?

At Ease in Zion• The Bible and complacency•Prov. 1:32, “For the turning away of

the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them”

•Matt. 25:1-13, the 5 unprepared virgins

•Romans 12:11, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord

At Ease in ZionIs NOT because:•There is nothing to do•The Christian life is one of being busy. Growing, moving ahead!•Eccl. 9:10, Colossians 3:23; whatever you do

•John 4:35, the harvest is white

•Acts 10:38

At Ease in ZionIs NOT because:•There are too many workers•Luke 10:2, Matt. 9:37-38; the harvest is plentiful

•John 4:35•If you need something to do, ask! We will find something!

At Ease in ZionIs NOT because:•There is plenty of time•Prov. 27:1, “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.”•John 9:4, night is coming

•2 Peter 3:10-12, the day of the Lord

•2 Tim. 4:2-3•2 Corinthians 6:1-2

At Ease in ZionIs NOT because:•There is no reward•Eccl. 11:1, “Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.”•1 Cor. 15:58, night is coming•There are rewards both NOW, and in the next – Heb. 9:4, 1 Pet. 1:3-5

At Ease in ZionWHY are we at ease?•We are too comfortable in this world!•Colossians 3:1-2, James 4:4•The ways of the world sometimes make it too appealing. Are there things we don’t want to give up?•There is something to be said about persecutions! Cf. Matt. 5:10-12

At Ease in ZionWHY are we at ease?•We have let down our guard!•Sometimes we are so busy, we have simply quit paying attention to our spiritual surroundings.•Heb. 2:1

At Ease in ZionWHY are we at ease?•We are ignorant• Sometimes we don’t realize we are unprepared because we don’t know what being prepared involves•Hosea 4:6•I.e. the Positive preaching movement, (i.e. Joel Osteen)•Ignorance is NO excuse, 2 Tim. 2:15

At Ease in ZionWHY are we at ease?

•We are indifferent• We don’t really care! Some don’t want to change, or be bothered about the future (right now)

•Isa. 30:9-11

At Ease in ZionHow do we overcome?

•We must WAKE UP!• 2 Cor. 6:2

•Isa. 55:6, “Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.”

At Ease in ZionHow do we overcome?

•If needed, repent!• 2 Cor. 7:10-11

•1 John 1:7, if we walk in the light!

At Ease in ZionHow do we overcome?•Return to the Old paths!• Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” •Heb. 10:32-36

At Ease in ZionHow do we overcome?

•Get to work!• Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Don’t quit!

Sadly…• Israel did not heed the

warnings of Amos. A few years later, Israel fell to Assyria, and later Judah fell to Babylon.

• IF we fail to wake up, we will suffer a much worse fate!!!!

• TRUE ease will come, when this life is over (Rev. 14:13

Are You At Ease in Zion?