Amos 3:1 Hear this word which the LORD has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt, ² "You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities." ³ Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment? ⁴ Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl from his den unless he has captured something? ⁵ Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all? ⁶ If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it? ⁷ Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets. ⁸ A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?

PRIVILEGE & RESPONSIBILITY/AMOS 3:1-8

Have you heard the phrase, "To whom much is given, much is required"? This truth is found in Luke 12:48. This is not just a New Testament principle, but one found in the Old Testament as well. And, this is not something we should take lightly as we will see in our text today. Everyone here this morning has been given much, especially as it related to the abundance of God’s Word. Each time God’s Word is opened in your hearing, a greater level of accountability is added. Dear folks, I fear for all of us! Let’s heed the warning of Amos today, lest we too fall under temporal, and spiritual judgment. We begin with ...

I) ONE NATIONS PRIVILEGED POSITION–Vv.1-2

A) Amos calls upon the people of Israel to listen well to what he is saying, which is a word from God to them (v.1a). Amos reminds them that God brought them out of bondage in Egypt nearly 700 years earlier (v.1b). Hear what God is saying to them through the prophet Amos in verse 2. In the first part of verse 2, God reminds His people of the special relationship He has with them. He called them, He adopted them, He elected them, and He has intimate fellowship with them. They are unique among the nations. Such privileges cannot be underestimated, nor should they be overestimated. This seems to be the case as we will soon see. These to whom Amos preaches are trusting that their special relationship with God will keep them from calamity, and will result in continued prosperity. Note with me the final part of verse 2. Because they overestimated their privileged place, sin became the characteristic trait that defined them–not holiness, but sin. And, because they failed to live up to (underestimated) their holy calling, God punished them.

1) Here then is a foundational principle found in Amos’s message, and of the Scripture in general: "Elective privilege entails responsibility." God is very concerned about the individual lives of His people–then and now. God is very concerned about the holiness of His people, and always has been. God’s grace, in no way, minimizes a believer’s responsibility to pursue holiness. It is the grace of God that makes such a pursuit possible, even desirable! We have been called, elected, chosen by God for a task. The end is not just a personal relationship with God through Christ, though that surely is a benefit. The end is making God known in this world. This was Israel’s charge/calling, and it is the Church’s today. Are we taking this calling seriously? Is it evident in our individual lives, our family lives, our business lives, our recreational lives, and in our spiritual lives? "A church that rejoices in the gospel must realize how dangerous and demanding is its ‘privilege.’" Now, a second principle ...

2) God will use whatever means He chooses to bring His people into conformity to His perfect and gracious will. God is concerned about spiritual complacency/lethargy amongst His people. Have God’s great blessings become routine, expected, demanded, and unappreciated in your life? If so, and you are a biblical Christian, then expect God to act. God will use calamity in your life to awaken you from your. God uses calamity/difficulties to purge us of our sinful self-reliance, and arrogant sense of entitlement. We hear of this in the following verses: Hebrews 12:4-13; John 15:1-11. Let’s consider one NT example of such a thing cf. Luke 22:31-34. Now, back to our text ...

II) CAUSE AND EFFECT–Vv.3-6

A) Briefly note cause and effect mentioned in these verses. What’s important here is that God is building His case for the certainty of His judgment upon Israel. Verse 6b brings this out clearly. God will keep His Word, and we should know that as well. But, ...

III) A MOMENT OF OPPORTUNITY–Vv.7-8

A) God gives people–then and now–the opportunity to repent. God has sent His prophet Amos to warn the people of God’s certain judgment, but there is a note of hope for those who will turn from sin and repent. Amos announces a moment of God’s grace, and this in the voice of His prophet. Today, we too, have an announcement of God’s grace. Even if our temporal circumstances do not change (kids remain rebellious, spouses remain alienated, health fails, resources dwindle, or government fails), God will safely bring His chosen ones through to the other side. Ultimate deliverance comes through death–death to self, and the death of self, physically speaking. "A lion has roared! Who will not fear" The Lord God has spoken!" Don’t let this moment of opportunity pass you by. Don’t delay! Come today!