Pastor's Sermon Notes - June 10, 2007

God’s Covenant Lawsuit

Against Israel
Amos 3:9-15

[9] Publish in the palaces at Ashdod,
and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say,
Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria,
and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof,
and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
[10] For they know not to do right, saith the Lord,
who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
[11] Therefore thus saith the Lord God;
An adversary there shall be even round about the land;
and he shall bring down thy strength from thee,
and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
[12] Thus saith the Lord;
As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs,
or a piece of an ear;
so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria
in the corner of a bed,
and in Damascus in a couch.
[13] Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob,
saith the Lord God, the God of hosts,
[14] That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel
upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel:
and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
[15] And I will smite the winter house with the summer house;
and the houses of ivory shall perish,
and the great houses shall have an end, saith the Lord.

Introduction:

In chapters 1-2 Amos has brought the prophesied judgments of God home to Israel.
In chapter 3:1-8 Amos has made it clear that he can do nothing but prophesy, and that there are valid reasons for the coming judgments which are now to be prophesied.

Now in 3:9-15 we enter into a series of oracles against Israel.

An oracle is a solemn divine pronouncement,
a revelation from God uttered by His spokesman.

Outline:
I. The Presentation of the Covenant Lawsuit (3:9-11)
II. The Destructon of the Covenant Lawsuit (3:12)
III. The Focus of the Covenant Lawsuit (3:13-15)

Let us begin our consideration of this passage with the first oracle found in verses 9-11, where the covenant lawsuit is presented.

I. The Presentation of the Covenant Lawsuit - Amos 3:9-11

[9] Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say,
Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria,
and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
[10] For they know not to do right, saith the Lord,
who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
[11] Therefore thus saith the Lord God;
An adversary there shall be even round about the land;
and he shall bring down thy strength from thee,
and thy palaces shall be spoiled.

1. The Summons to the Witnesses (3:9)

Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt,
and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria,
and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof,
and the oppressed in the midst thereof.

Text and translation issue -
Ashdod (ESV, NIV, NASB, HCSB, NLTmg, YLT) vs. Assyria (RSV, etc.)

Job 1:8 - And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

We have the opposite here!

Cp. this to God inviting Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynt, Howard Stern, the Pope, Don Corleone, Sadaam Hussein, and Osama Bin Laden to witness the chastening of the Church! Not possible? Consider the following verse!

1 Cor. 5:1 - It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.


2. The Reading of the Indictment (3:10)

For they know not to do right, saith the Lord,
who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.

Amos 5:7 - Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,
Amos 5:11 - Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.
Amos 6:12 - Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:
Amos 6:3 - Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;
Amos 8:6 - That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? (4-6)
Psalm 14:4 - Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.
Isaiah 3:14-15 - The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses. [15] What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts.
Jeremiah 4:22 - For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Habakkuk 2:8-11 - [8] Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. [9] Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! [10] Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. [11] For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.
Micah 6:10-12 - Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? [11] Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? [12] For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
Zeph. 1:9 - In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
Zech. 5:3-4 - Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. [4] I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

How do we know right from wrong?
How can we get to the point where we don’t, where we are no longer able to?

3. The Pronouncement of the Judgment (3:11)

Therefore thus saith the Lord God;
An adversary there shall be even round about the land;
and he shall bring down thy strength from thee,
and thy palaces shall be spoiled.

God acts contrary to the wisest stratagems of men in attacking their strongest points rather than their weaknesses - cp. Sun Tzu, The Art of War -
"To achieve an advance that cannot be hampered, rush to his weak points...To be certain to take what you attack, attack where the enemy cannot defend." [footnote 1]

2 Kings 17:5-6 and 18:9-12
Deut. 28:31, 43, 47-57
Contrast Deut. 1:26-28

Amos will now illustrate the completeness of Israel’s coming destruction with a graphic figure of speech. Consider verse 12 with me -

II. The Destruction of the Covenant Lawsuit - Amos 3:12

Thus saith the Lord; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs,or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.

1. The Figure of the Shepherd (3:12a)

Thus saith the Lord; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear;

"According to ancient laws, shepherds were to demonstrate their diligence by rescuing a portion of a sheep taken by wild beasts..." [footnote 2]

Genesis 31:39 - That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. [Jacob to Laban]
Exodus 22:9-13 - [9] For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour. [10] If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it: [11] Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good. [12] And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof. [13] If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

"If the animal be killed in the stable by God ( an accident), or if a lion kill it, the herdsman shall declare his innocence before God, and the owner bears the accident in the stable." [footnote 3]

1 Samuel 17:34-35 - And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: [35] And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

Can it be that God is depicted in this figure as both the lion and the shepherd?

2. The Reality of Israel (3:12b)

so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.

Text and translation issue -
Damascus (NIV, NLT, YLT), cover (NASB),
part (ESV, RSV), cushion (HCSB)
Issue: whether the city or the cloth produced there is intended, and whether that cloth was referred to as such during Amos’ times.
"Damask" is "A rich patterned fabric of cotton, linen, silk, or wool." [footnote 4]
Note: This term may not have been used before 1200-1250 A. D. for the type of cloth produced in Damascus. [footnote 5]

Is this prophesied to extend hope for a remnant or to teach the complete destruction of the Northern Kingdom? When a lion devours a sheep does the sheep continue to exist? What does the shepherd bring back but the proof of the destruction of the sheep? Get the figure right, and you will not read into it what it will not bear. This is not a picture designed to extend hope to the nation, but fear and trembling before the utter destruction of the Almighty.

God’s focus in the destruction is the next subject He will address through His spokesman Amos.

III. The Focus of the Covenant Lawsuit - Amos 3:13-15

[13] Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord God, the God of hosts,
[14] That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel
upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel:
and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
[15] And I will smite the winter house with the summer house;
and the houses of ivory shall perish,
and the great houses shall have an end, saith the Lord.

1. The Divine Warrior Addresses the Prophet (3:13)

Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord God, the God of hosts

These titles of God occur together only here in Amos.

"In times past God had been a warrior on their behalf. But now He would lead another army against them to punish them for their sins..." [footnote 6]

From God’s mouth into Amos’ ears.
From Amos’ mouth into Israel’s ears.

2. The Divine Warrior Against the Idolators (3:14)

That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel
upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel:
and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.

"A fugitive could gain asylum by grasping the horns of the altar (1 Kin. 1:49-51), though this privilege was not always observed (1 Kin. 2:28-35). Even this last resort for sinful Israel will be cut off." [footnote 7]

Cp. Lev. 4, 8:15; 16:18-19; 26:31; Ps. 118:27

However, this has nothing to do with the false altar at Bethel! (1 Kings 12) It never was, nor could it be a true place of sanctuary.

Amos 4:4 - Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
Amos 5:5-6 - But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought. [6] Seek the Lord, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.
Amos 7:10 - Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
Amos 7:13 - But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.

Alternative places of worship & couch potatoes (vs. 12) - cp. Heb. 10:19-25

The issue of idolatry and unrighteousness in the Church:
1 Cor. 6:18 - Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
1 Cor. 10:14 - Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Tim. 6:11 - But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
2 Tim. 2:22 - Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 John 5:21 - Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

3. The Divine Warrior Against the Rich (3:15)

And I will smite the winter house with the summer house;
and the houses of ivory shall perish,
and the great houses shall have an end, saith the Lord.

Make no mistake about this! God is not on the side of any human "ism"! The human systems known as communism, socialism and capitalism are all likewise condemned by God! Beware of defending any of these in the name of Christianity! Even in the streets of Scranton blood flowed in the past as oppressed coal miners rose up against the greedy capitalists who owned the mines! [footnote 8] All of these systems and those who profit from them are likewise condemned as unrighteous by the King of kings whose kingdom is not of this world!

Christianity and the politics of this world make strange bedfellows! What Christians should do in the political sphere is to point to God the judge of all who condemns them for their pride and greed and oppression as William Wilberforce did. What must be done is to speak with the voice of the prophets into the darkness of the sins in high places that God will bring down to the dust!

The high and mighty, the rich and powerful of this world will not be well-represented in heaven. God has not called many of them! [footnote 9] Where do we fit into this scheme of things? Did you ever compare your standard of living with those in other countries around the world?

As you read, consider and study these ancient prophecies, take them to heart! Take them personally!

Conclusion:

Make no mistake about the end of those who oppress the poor! A fearful judgment awaits those who enrich themselves at the expense of others, who luxuriate in the fine things of this world to satisfy their flesh.

There should be a marked difference between the children of God and the children of this world! Be ye holy!


Footnotes:

1. Ch. 6, "Weakness and Strength", http://www.sonshi.com/learn.html.

2. New Geneva Study Bible, eds. Luder Whitlock, Jr., R. C. Sproul, Bruce Waltke, Moises Silva, et al. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), pg. 1399.

3. The Code of Hammurabi, Para. 266, Trans. Leonard William King (1910, public domain) at Wikisource: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Codex_Hammurabi. Also at Washington State University (ed. Richard Hooker, copyright 1996): http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/CODE.HTM.

4. damask. Dictionary.com. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed. Houghton Mifflin Co., 2004.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/damask (accessed: July 10, 2007).

5. Ibid. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc.; Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/damask. So A. R. Fausset, A Commentary Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d.), II:2:538.

This contradicts C. von Orelli, The Twelve Minor Prophets, trans. J. S. Banks (Minneapolis: Klock & Klock Christian Publishers, n.d.; 1977 reprint from T. & T. Clark, 1897 original), pg. 120; C. F. Keil, Minor Prophets, Vol. X, Commentary on the Old Testament, by C. F. Keil, and F. Delitzsch, trans. James Martin (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d.), I:264; H. R. Reynolds and Prof. Whitehouse, "Amos", in Ellicott’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, A Verse by Verse Explanation, ed. Charles John Ellicott (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, n.d.), III:V:455.

These last are apparently influenced by the works of Gesenius and Ewald.

6. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck (n.p.: Victor Books, 1985), pp. 1434-1435.

7. New Geneva Study Bible, op. cit.

8. "Hyde Park History", excerpts from History of Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties, Pa., (New York: W. W. Munsell & Co., 1880), and Jubilee History of Lackawanna County Pennsylvania, by Thomas Murphy (Topeka-Indianapolis: Historical Publishing Co., 1928), http://www.thomasgenweb.com/hyde_park_history.html. See also: "The Coal Riot. Horrible Treatment of the Laborers by the Miners. - Condition of the Wounded - A War of Races - Welsh vs. Irish and Germans", New York Times, May11, 1871; and The Great Riots, by Edward Winslow Martin, pseudonym for James Dabney McCabe (Philadelphia: National Publishing Co., 1877), pp. 189-222, http://books.google.com/books?id=87Pm8CLO82MC&pg=PA189&vq=Scranton&dq=scranton+riot+coal+miners#PPA189,M1.

9. 1 Cor. 1:26 - For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; cp. also Mt. 19:23-24; Mk. 10:17-25; Lk. 1:51-53; 6:24-26; 12:13-21; 14:12-24; 16:1-3; 18:18-25; 1 Tim. 6:3-21; Jas. 1:9-11; 2:1-7; 4:13-5:6; Rev. 3:17-18; and 6:15-16.

Pastor's Sermon Notes - May 27, 2007

Who Can But Prophesy?
Amos 3:1-8

[1] Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you,

O children of Israel,
against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt,

saying,
[2] You only have I known of all the families of the earth:
therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
[3] Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
[4] Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey?
will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
[5] Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him?
shall one take up a snare from the earth,

and have taken nothing at all?
[6] Shall a trumpet be blown in the city,

and the people not be afraid?
shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?
[7] Surely the Lord God will do nothing,
but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
[8] The lion hath roared, who will not fear?
the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

Introduction:

Outline of the Book

"The most extensive use of repeated vocabulary to demarcate sections is probably in the Book of Amos." [footnote 1]

Main divisions of the book of Amos: chapters 1-2, 3-6, 7-9

Interruptions noted at 5:18-6:4 (5:18, 21; 6:1, 4), 7:10-17, and 8:4-14.

Five visions of 7-9 noted at 7:1, 4, 7; 8:1 and 9:1.

Outline of chapters 3-6

Significance of 3:1-8

"Hear this Word!"
Are your ears open or shut?
Are you listening?
Are you really listening?
Do you hear Him?
He has some questions for you - will you hear them?
Do you want to know why?
Are you sure that you really want to know why?
He has spoken - what will be your response?


I. The Relationship of God with Israel is the Basis for their Judgment (3:1-2)

[1] Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you,
O children of Israel,
against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt,
saying,
[2] You only have I known of all the families of the earth:
therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

1. The Call of the Lord to Hear His Word of Judgment (3:1)
Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you,
O children of Israel,
against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt,
saying,

Covenantal documents:

Deut. 4:1 - Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.
Deut. 5:1 - And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
Deut. 6:3 - Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

Covenant lawsuit material:

Amos 4:1 - Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
Amos 5:1 - Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel.
Jeremiah 2:4 - Hear ye the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
Hosea 4:1 - Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

Here and in verse 8 are the only two places in Amos where the Lord is the express subject of the verb "to speak". [footnote 2]

2. The Relationship to the Lord as the Basis for His Judgment (3:2)
You only have I known of all the families of the earth:
therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

"For nation or man to be allowed to go on in sin without rebuke is the greatest curse that can befall it or him." [footnote 3]

"Know" = sovereign choice, election, favor = intimate relationship -

Genesis 18:19 - For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
Deut. 7:7-8 - The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: [8] But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
John 10:14 - I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
2 Tim. 2:19 - Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

This also applies to God's "foreknowledge" which may never be reduced to a bare "prescience" or "foresight":

Romans 8:29 - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 11:2 - God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Acts 2:23 - Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

"Election to privilege is consequently only another name for election to duty!" [footnote 4]

"Responsibility flows from relationship." [footnote 5]


II. The Reasons of God for Judgment Upon Israel are Assumed (3:3-6)

[3] Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
[4] Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey?
will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
[5] Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him?
shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
[6] Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?
shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?

1. A Question Concerning Walking Together (3:3)
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Do two walk together,unless they have agreed to meet? (ESV)
Do two walk together, unless they have made an appointment? (RSV)
Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment? (NASB)
Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (NLT)
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? (NIV)

Psalm 119:63 - I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 - [14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. [7:1] Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Ephes. 5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Who is walking together here, or not?
Is this focused on Amos' relationship with God, or Israel's?

Who agrees with who?
Have you agreed with God?
Or, do you expect Him to agree with you?

The movement in the next six questions is from a rural and natural setting transitioning into the urban and human realm. Once again we see the inevitable and implacable onslaught of God stripping away the defenses of man where he feels the most safety.

2. Two Questions Concerning the Lion and His Prey (3:4)
Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey?
will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?

Rural/natural setting

Amos 1:2 - And he said, The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
Hosea 5:14 - For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.
Hosea 11:10 - They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

3. Two Questions Concerning the Snare and the Bird (3:5)
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him?shall one take up a snare from the earth,
and have taken nothing at all?

Suburban/human interaction with nature setting

4. Two Questions Concerning the Evil and the City (3:6)
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?

Urban/human setting

"Evil which is sin the Lord hath not done, evil which is punishment for evil the Lord bringeth." [footnote 6]

Isaiah 45:7 - I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
Lament. 3:38 - Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
Micah 1:12 - For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the Lord unto the gate of Jerusalem.

Today this would be a siren, or more likely, a radio/TV warning system.


III. The Revelation of God Concerning Judgment must be Announced to Israel (3:7-8)

[7] Surely the Lord God will do nothing,
but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
[8] The lion hath roared, who will not fear?
the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

1. The Revelation of God Through His Prophets Precedes His Judgment (3:7)
Surely the Lord God will do nothing,
but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

No "sucker punches", no "sneak attacks"

2. The Revelation of God Through His Prophets Cannot Be Restrained - Two Climactic Questions (3:8)
The lion hath roared, who will not fear?
the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

"The Gospel of the Lion’s Roar!" [footnote 7]

1 Cor. 9:16 - For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!


Conclusion:

"Hear this Word!"
Are your ears open or shut?
Are you listening?
Are you really listening?
Do you hear Him?
He has some questions for you - will you hear them?
Do you want to know why?
Are you sure that you really want to know why?
He has spoken - what will be your response?


Footnotes:

1. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Toward an Exegetical Theology, Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981), pg. 74. Concerning the questions in this section Kaiser writes that they are a "...series of nine rhetorical questions that lead irrevocably and unmistakably to the cause-and-effect conclusion towards which Amos' argument is aimed: "The Lord has spoken, who can but prophesy?" (3:8)." Op. cit., pg. 75.

2. A. Berkeley Mickelsen, Interpreting the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1963), pp. 58, pp. 83-84 - note 7, 84.

3. H. R. Reynolds, and Prof. Whitehouse in Ellicott's Commentary on the Whole Bible, A Verse by Verse Explanation, ed. Charles John Ellicott (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, n.d.), III:454.

4. George I. Robinson, The Twelve Minor Prophets (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1926), pg. 57.

5. H. A. Ironside, Notes on the Minor Prophets (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, Inc., Bible Truth Depot, n.d., 1st ed. 1909), pg. 151.

6. Augustine, cited by Reynolds and Whitehouse, op. cit., III:455.

7. Robinson, ibid.

Pastor's Sermon Notes - May 13, 2007

Flee From the Wrath to Come!
Amos 1:3 - 2:16

Introduction:

Review Amos 1:1-2

“...the longest catena of oracles against foreign nations among the Minor Prophets.” [footnote 1]

The form = compound oracle
The primary category = oracles against foreign nations
The incidental category = messenger speech [footnote 2]

There are usually five basic elements in "oracles against foreign nations" [footnote 3]

Amos may have preached this message repeatedly, at various locations over a period of time. [footnote 4]


I. The Inevitability of God’s Judgment

Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of....and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof...

The pattern = N+1 = patterns of sin, not isolated incidents

Matthew 3:7 - But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Luke 3:7 - Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?


II. The Justice of God’s Judgment

because they...

Hebrews 10:26-31 - [26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, [27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. [28] He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: [29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.


III. The Awfulness of God’s Judgment

But I will send a fire...which shall devour the palaces...

Deut. 32:22 - For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

Hebrews 12:25-29 - [25] See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: [26] Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. [27] And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. [28] Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: [29] For our God is a consuming fire.

“Amos is obviously moving from one compass point to another...” [footnote 5]

Their attention is directed first to Damascus in the north, then to Gaza in the southwest, after this to Tyrus in the northwest, then to Edom in the far southeast, then on to Ammon in the east, and Moab in the southeast...

It was as if they could hear the impacts of God's judgments, off in the distance, one after another, at all these points of the compass, as Amos directed their attention there. It was, in modern terms, as if there were contrails from aircraft criss-crossing the sky overhead as God brings devastation against these foreign nations. [footnote 6]

But, God was not done, as the seventh oracle of judgment, which they may have hoped would be the final one, is pronounced against their fellow tribes in Judah to the immediate south. And, even then, God was not finished. He has surrounded them with judgment, and now He singles them out for special attention, as the real focus of His wrath. They were the last, but they were far from the least of those God announces judgment against through His prophet Amos.

IV. The Impartiality of God’s Judgment

Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;

“Israel, being the most guilty of the group, has become in effect a foreign nation to Yahweh.” [footnote 7]

1 Peter 4:17-18 - [17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? [18] And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

1 John 4:17 - Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.


Conclusion:

We love to sing the sweet Gospel hymns such as "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound", and "Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life".
And, our love for such songs is understandable.

However, not everything we find in the Word of God drips with such sweetness. There is nothing of that here in this section of the prophecy of Amos.

The greatest men of God throughout history have trembled before Him, and at His Word. They have seen themselves as worms before Him.

Where is your place of refuge and safety?
Do you imagine it to be here at this church?
Or, in the ministry that you are involved in as you serve the Lord?
Do you think your place of refuge is in your devotions, and your acts of worship?
Is the Lord Jesus Christ, and the salvation He gives by grace alone your only place of refuge and safety?

Is there something that you love more than the Lord, that you will cling to as the rich young ruler did with his riches?
Something that prevents you from wholehearted obedience to the Lord?
(Luke 18:18-30)

Or, is your prayer that of the publican in Scripture, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner!"
(Luke 18:13)

Is this your prayer, your cry of desperation to God:
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
(Romans 7:24)

Is your answer the answer of the Apostle Paul:
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Romans 7:25)

Jude 1:1-25

[1] Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: [2] Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
[3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. [4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [5] I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. [6] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. [7] Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. [8] Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. [9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. [10] But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. [11] Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. [12] These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; [13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. [14] And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, [15] To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. [16] These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
[17] But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; [18] How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. [19] These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. [20] But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, [21] Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. [22] And of some have compassion, making a difference: [23] And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
[24] Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, [25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Footnotes:

1. Douglas K. Stuart, Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 31, Hosea-Jonah (Dallas: Word, 1987), pg. 308.

2. Ibid.

3. Op. cit., pp. 308-309.

4. Op. cit., pg. 309.

5. Op. cit., pg. 312.

6. I am indebted to Pastor Maurice Bergeron for this last vivid image, as we stood outdoors at a Bible conference recently, and he pointed up to a sky criss-crossed with jet contrails, and reminded me of what I had mentioned to him from this passage.

7. Douglas K. Stuart, op. cit., pg. 309.

Pastor's Sermon Notes - April 22, 2007

Harsh Words in a Smooth Season [footnote 1]
Amos 1:1-2

[1] The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa,
which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah,
and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel,
two years before the earthquake.
[2] And he said,
The Lord will roar from Zion,
and utter his voice from Jerusalem;
and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn,
and the top of Carmel shall wither.

Introduction:

prologue or superscription, perhaps the most complete in the prophets
Outline of Amos
Outline of sermon
Connection to our own day
Theme of the book = 4:12 - prepare to meet thy God


I. The Smooth Season of Amos (1:1)

1. The Identification of the Prophet (1:1a)
The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa

The words of Amos -
Jeremiah 1:1 - The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
Deut. 1:1 - These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.
Isaiah 1:1 - The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Hosea 1:1 - The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Nahum 1:1 - The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

herdmen -
2 Kings 3:4 - And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.
Amos 7:14-15 - Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: [15] And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Tekoa -
2 Samuel 14:2 - And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
Jeremiah 6:1 - O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

2. The Times of the Prophet (1:1b-d)
which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah,
and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel,
two years before the earthquake

Zech. 14:5 - And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
2 Chronicles 26
[2 Kings 15:13 - Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.]
[2 Kings 15:30 - And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.]
Amos 7:10 - Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
Isaiah 29:6 - Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
2 Kings 15:1-7 - In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. [2] Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. [3] And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; [4] Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. [5] And the Lord smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land. [6] And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? [7] So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
2 Kings 14:23-29 - In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years. [24] And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. [25] He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gath-hepher. [26] For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel. [27] And the Lord said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. [28] Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? [29] And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.


II. The Harsh Words of Amos (1:2)

1. The Nature of the Judgment of God (1:2a)
And he said, The Lord will roar from Zion,
and utter his voice from Jerusalem;

The contrast between the shepherd (Amos) of vs. 1 and the lion (God) of vs. 2

The voice of the Lord - Gen. 3:8; 1 Kings 19:12 (Ps. 29:4; Is. 30:30); Mt. 3:17; 17:5; Jn. 12:28-29

The roar of the Lord -
Joel 3:16 - The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
Jeremiah 25:30-33 - Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. [31] A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord. [32] Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. [33] And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
Isaiah 42:13 - The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
Hosea 11:10 - They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. (cp. also Hosea 5:14; 13:7)
Rev. 10:3 - And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

The shepherd and the lion -
1 Samuel 17:34-37 - And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: [35] And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. [36] Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. [37] David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.

Cp. also Amos 3:3-8, 12; 8:11-12; 4:12

2. The Effect of the Judgment of God (1:2b)
and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn,
and the top of Carmel shall wither

merism: "synecdoche in which totality is expressed by contrasting parts" (e.g. high and low, young and old), 1894, from Mod.L. merismus, from Gk. merismos "dividing, partition," from merizein "to divide," from meros "part." [footnote 2]

Amos 9:3 - And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:

the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn -
Jeremiah 12:4 - How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.
Joel 1:18-19 - How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. [19] O Lord, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.

Carmel -
1 Samuel 25:2 - And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
Isaiah 33:9 - The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.


Conclusion:

A "smooth season" may not be the safest time for the people of God!

The voice of the Lord may enter into our "smooth season" as the roar of a lion uttering "harsh words" when we are comfortable in our sin.

When our external circumstances appear unruffled and smooth, when need to be on our guard against stagnation and sin. We may find the Lord's perspective quite contrary to our own when we assume everything is going along smoothly. It may be otherwise in our relationship to the Lord!


Footnotes:

1. The Oxford Annotated Bible, The Holy Bible Revised Standard Version Containing the Old and New Testaments, eds. Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger (New York: Oxford University Press, 1962), pg. 1107.

2. "merism." Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. 21 Apr. 2007.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/merism>.

Pastor's Sermon Notes - April 8, 2007

A Resurrection Catechism
1 Corinthians 15:12-19

[12] Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead,
how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
[13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead,
then is Christ not risen:
[14] And if Christ be not risen,
then is our preaching vain,
and your faith is also vain.
[15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God;
because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ:
whom he raised not up,
if so be that the dead rise not.
[16] For if the dead rise not,
then is not Christ raised:
[17] And if Christ be not raised,
your faith is vain;
ye are yet in your sins.
[18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
[19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ,
we are of all men most miserable.

Introduction:

Review the outline of 1 Cor. 15 - 1-11, 12-19, 20-28, 29-34, 35-50, 51-58
Many Easter messages are confined to the first section of this chapter.
We will be considering the second, verses 12-19.

This will probably be unlike any "Easter" message you have ever heard.
It involves reasoning from the resurrection, and reasoning to the resurrection.

You will notice the "if...then..." clauses that structure this section. Even in verses 12, 17 and 19 where the "then" is not expressed, it is implied and understood.
This requires the ability to reason - to think reasonably.

Faith is not a leap in the dark.
The place for logic must be appreciated - to think logically.

Faith and understanding are not mutually exclusive.

There is thus the need to catechize - to think catechetically.

We must ask questions and get answers.
Go to Scripture with questions. Ask and ye shall receive.
Go to God with your questions. Seek His answers in His Word.

Human hands abused, crucified and buried Christ. Now it is God alone in the tomb!

Grief, doubt and questioning consumed Christ’s disciples for three days.
And then...God’s power, God’s greatest miracle took place.

Yet even the empty tomb was not enough to convince all of them!
The question some came away from the empty tomb with was, "Who stole His corpse?"

Strangely, not long after this the Apostle Paul had to write to a church:
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead,
how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? (1 Cor. 15:12)

There were serious issues at stake here, and they should have known better! Here is Paul’s response to this false teaching:
"I speak this to your shame..." (1 Cor. 15:34)
"Fool..." (1 Cor. 15:36)

We are not certain what created this situation. It may have been related to the issue we find Paul dealing with in 1 Th. 4:13-18 (and also in 1 Th. 5) that developed over a concern over the delay in Christ’s return, or confusion regarding those who were dying after His resurrection.

We have our own issues to contend with in these days due to those who would profess to be Christian leaders and teachers, and who would subtly deny the reality of the literal, physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb.

N. T. Wright (Anglican Bishop), and John Dominic Crossan (Jesus Seminar, Prof. Emeritus at DePaul University) debated this issue at the Greer-Heard Point-Counterpoint Forum held at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (March 11, 2005). At one point in the debate Crossan denied that the empty tomb and the post-resurrection appearances of Christ were sufficient causes for the belief in the resurrection among those in the early Church. He said, "Something else is absolutely needed to make that leap of faith [to belief in a literal, bodily resurrection]....If you want to debate what has to be taken literally and what has to be taken metaphorically, it is a perfectly valid debate. But there is something else - the question of meaning....Those who disagree over the mode of the resurrection, whether literal or metaphorical, will find common ground in the area of meaning."1

Let our response to such shameful foolishness be clearly understood at the outset of our consideration:
1. Nothing else was needed!
2. Faith is not a "leap"!
3. There is no debate, and no validity to the supposition that the resurrection is debatable!
4. There is no "common ground"whatsoever "in the area of meaning" or elsewhere with those who deny the literal, physical, bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ!

There are serious issues at stake, and they should have known better!
"I speak this to your shame..." (1 Cor. 15:34)
"Fool..." (1 Cor. 15:36)

Explain the empty tomb!

Frank Morrison tried to explain it away, and the result was his book Who Moved the Stone! Gen. Lew Wallace was another who attempted to disprove the literal, physical, bodily resurrection of Christ, and the result was his book Ben Hur!

Are you satisfied that you have explained away the empty tomb?

You shouldn’t be!

You’ve just begun!
Now explain over 500 eye-witnesses and their testimony to the literal, physical, bodily appearances of the risen Christ!

You have your work cut out for you, and the united faith of Christians over 2,000 years cries out that the burden of proof lies with any who would continue to deny the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ bodily from the dead in the face of such evidence and testimony!

Consider the testimony of Carl F. H. Henry on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ:

"Only the reality of the resurrection welded Jesus’ followers into a joyful community ready for a world task."2
"The resurrection of the crucified Jesus becomes in New Testament context the central historical reality upon which resurrection faith focuses."
"The New Testament portrays the resurrection of the crucified Jesus as a threshold event, one that inaugurates the new eschatological age and guarantees the future resurrection of mankind." "The force of physical death is experientially neutralized since the believer identifies himself with the historical death and resurrection of Christ who in his coming final victory will completely abolish physical death."3
"...in an age when Greek philosophy wholly excluded the bodily resurrection of mankind, and when even Jewish culture confined the hope of the resurrection to the future eschatological age, Jesus’ followers affirmed his third-day resurrection and staked their lives on its factuality."4

Now let us direct our attention to this passage of Scripture, and to questions which may be drawn from this passage. My prayer is that this will aid you to understand the inspired reasoning of the great Apostle concerning this fundamental of our faith.


Q. 1. What connection is there between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of all others?
A. There is a direct connection. They stand or fall together. A denial of either one of these realities necessarily involves a denial of the other.

[13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
[16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

Q. 2. What is the immediate consequence of denying the resurrection of the dead?
A. Christ is not risen.

[13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
[16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

Q. 3. What are some of the secondary consequences of denying the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?
A. Our preaching is vain, our faith is vain, we become false witnesses of God.

[14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
[15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God

Q. 4. What connection is there between the preaching of the Gospel of the resurrected Christ, and our faith in that Gospel?
A. There is a direct connection. They stand or fall together. If one is empty, then so is the other. If one is futile, then so is the other. If one is meaningless, then so is the other.

[14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Q. 5. Why do we become false witnesses of God if Christ is not risen from the dead?
A. Because we testified concerning God that he raised up Christ from the dead, and that is not true if the dead will not be resurrected.

[15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

Q. 6. What are some other secondary consequences of denying the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?
A. We remain in our sins, and those Christians who are already dead died in their sins, and will remain in that condition.

[17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
[18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

Q. 7. What does it mean we are yet in our sins?
A. To remain in our sins means that we are unforgiven, unjustified, unredeemed, unreconciled, unpropitiated. It means we remain under the condemnation and wrath of God. It means that we remain bound to the power and penalty of our sins, our sin nature, and the eternal consequences of our sins at the final judgment of God.

The Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 17
Q45: What benefit do we receive from the "resurrection" of Christ?
A45: First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, that He might make us partakers of the righteousness which He has obtained for us by His death.[1] Second, by His power we are also now raised up to a new life.[2] Third, the resurrection of Christ is to us a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.[3]
1. I Cor. 15:15, 17, 54-55; Rom. 4:25; I Peter 1:3-4, 21
2. Rom. 6:4; Col. 3:1-4; Eph. 2:5
3. I Cor. 15:12, 20-21; Rom. 8:11

Romans 4:25 - Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
1 Peter 1:3-4 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Peter 1:21 - Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Romans 6:4 - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Col. 3:1-4 - If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Ephes. 2:5 - Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Rom. 8:11 - But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Q. 8. What is the final secondary consequence of denying the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?
A. Our hope in Christ is limited to an illusion in this life, a temporary self-delusion without any benefit in eternity, and providing no benefits in the face of death and the judgment to come. As a result we are the most pitiful creatures on the face of the earth.

[19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Conclusion:

Two final questions:

Q. 1. Is this the last word?
A. No!

But now is Christ risen from the dead,
and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Cor. 15:20)

Q. 2. What does this mean?
A. The dead shall rise!
Christ is risen!
Our preaching is not vain!
Our faith is not vain!
We are found true witnesses of God!
We are delivered from our sins!
Our hope in Christ transcends this life, and is secured in eternal glory!
We are of all men most to be envied, of all men most blessed, of all men most glorious!

Footnotes:

1. Gary D. Myers, "Tom Wright Debates The Resurrection", The Banner of Truth (June 23, 2005); http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?806.

2. Carl F. H. Henry, God, Revelation and Authority, Vol. IV, God Who Speaks and Shows, Fifteen Theses, Part Three (Waco, TX: Word Books, Publisher, 1979), pg. 29.

3. Op. cit., Vol. V, God Who Stands and Stays, Part One (1982), pg. 80.

4. Op. cit., pg. 408.

Matthew Bible Study: Matthew 5:17-20

This Wednesday, June 20, we will be discussing Matthew 5:17-20. You have had two weeks to study and prepare for this Wednesday so I expect good observations and thoughts! I hope you have not "slacked off," but rather you have taken "full advantage" of this opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ!

Having already covered a Christian's character (Matthew 5:1-12), and a Christian's influence (Matthew 5:13-16), we now move on to Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-20).

Here are some initial thoughts and observations to help you prepare for Wednesday.

1. Keep in mind "law" and "prophets" refer to the entire Old Testament.

2. Notice the progression in the text from third person (5:1-10), second person (5:11-16), to first person (5:17ff). What is the significance of this progression?

3. Notice the antithesis between "abolish" and "fulfill." Take time now to consider how Christ "fulfills" the Old Testament?

4. What connection is there between Matthew 3:15 and Matthew 5:17?

5. How do you think the original hearers felt upon hearing Christ statement of "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven?"

6. What is the relation between Christ's fulfilling of the Old Testament and Kingdom of Heaven?

Andrew Manwarren

Pastor's Sermon Notes: The Exclusivism of Christianity: So Great Salvation (Hebrews 2:1-4)

The Exclusivism of Christianity: So Great Salvation
Hebrews 2:1-4

[1] Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard,
lest at any time we should let them slip.
[2] For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast,
and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
[3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;
which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord,
and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
[4] God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders,
and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Introduction:

We have spoken recently of the walls of the Holy City and connected those walls to the safety and security of the ancient city, and by way of application of the exclusivism of the Church, and the need for exclusion in the Christian’s life.

D. A. Carson refers to three representative passages of Scripture, and he insists that it is impossible to read them without recognizing that, "...certain beliefs were viewed as nonnegotiable. Outside those beliefs there was no salvation." [footnote 1] In the history of the Church, it has never been more important that we understand this. Today I would like to direct your attention to one of those passages by way of reminder. It is critical that we never let slip what we receive here.

Years ago I preached through the book of Hebrews from this pulpit. Today I would come back once again to this great book. I thank God for the book of Hebrews, for its wonder of its truth, and the awesomeness of its power. I make no apology for returning to it again, when there is so much more in Scripture. There is so much more in this book! There is so much more in Romans! We could spend our lives in either one of them, and not exhaust what is there for us!

We need once again to peel the onion from the inside out - so great salvation (3)

Transition: Where do we look to see the greatness of God’s salvation?

I. The Communication of God’s Great Salvation (3-4)

1. The Revelation of God’s Great Salvation
spoken by the Lord (3)

2. The Confirmation of God’s Great Salvation
confirmed unto us by them that heard him (3)

3. The Verification of God’s Great Salvation
God also bearing them witness,
both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles,
and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will (4)

Transition: Another aspect of the greatness of the salvation referred to here may be seen in the way it embraces the entire span of Biblical history. Get your arms around this!

II. The Description of God’s Great Salvation (5-17)

1. The Greatness of Salvation in the Past (3-17)

1) The Objects of Salvation - Creation (5-7)

The great question of Psalm 8 - The wonder of who we are to God

2) The Captain of Salvation (9-17)

Incarnation (9-10, 14, 17)
Crucifixion (9-14)
Resurrection and Ascension (9, 13)

3) The Revelation of Salvation (3-4)

The greatness of God’s gracious truth granted to men

2. The Greatness of Salvation in the Present (8-18)

What we don’t see (8) - Everything is not in subjection to Him yet - but it will be!
What we do see (9) - Jesus! Crowned! With Glory and Honor!
Where we are being brought to (10) - Glory!
What is happening to us along the way (11) - We are being sanctified by Christ
We are being ministered to by Christ (18)

3. The Greatness of Salvation in the Future (5-17)

Subjection - Everything will be in subjection to Him in the world to come (5, 8)
Destruction - The Destruction of Satan (14)
Reconciliation - The complete deliverance of His people (15, 17)
Glorification - Glory (10)
Transition: There is another aspect of God’s salvation wherein its greatness may be seen.

III. The Obligation of God’s Great Salvation (1, 3)

The greatness of the salvation brings with it a commensurate greatness in the penalty for neglecting it! This great salvation cannot be taken lightly! It will never leave you untouched or unaffected!

Get your arms around this! It is part of the message!

1. This Obligation Demands our Undivided Attention

Take heed! Take earnest heed! Take more earnest heed! (1)

2. This Obligation Insists on our Faithful Perseverance

Don’t let what you have heard slip! (1)

3. This Obligation Requires our Constant Carefulness

Don’t neglect so great salvation! (3)

4. This Obligation Presents our Only Alternative

There is no escape! (3)

Conclusion:

How great does this salvation appear to you?

Have you really attempted to embrace it, to get your arms around it?

Has it embraced you? Have you felt the greatness of this salvation in the depths of your soul, in the core of your being, in the very fiber of your existence?

Footnote 1:
Donald A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), pg. 357. The other two passages that Carson mentions besides Heb. 2:1-2 are Galatians 1:8-9 and 1 John 2:22.

[Sermon preached 1 APR 2007 by Pastor John T. "Jack" Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA]