Sermon 219

📖 SERMON 219 — REFORMATION OR FAMINE (PART 2)

Text: Amos 8:11–14
Date: October 30, 1949
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

Amos warned of a coming famine — not of bread or water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. This warning applies to any age that neglects or rejects God's Word. Previously the nature of the needed reformation was considered. Now the consequences of refusing that call are set forth.

II. THE FAMINE TO BE AVOIDED

A. It is either reformation or this famine

1. This was true in the days of Amos.
2. It was true in the days of the Reformation.
3. It is true today.
4. There is no middle ground — return to God's Word, or lose the Word altogether.

B. The nature of the famine

1. Not a famine of food or drink — the people would have enough to eat and drink.
2. But a famine of hearing God's Word:
   • God would no longer speak to them.
   • They would hear voices, but not God's voice.
   • Like a radio in a blackout — static remains, but no message.
3. A most dreadful experience:
   • Man shall not live by bread alone.
   • Without the Word the soul dies.
   • The greatest calamity for a nation is losing God's Word.
4. Illustrated in the life of King Saul:
   • Saul longed to hear God, but the Lord had departed from him.
   • He sought a message through a medium — too late.
   • When God withdraws His Word, it is judgment.

C. The famine fulfilled in Israel

1. The people ignored the Word when it was offered:
   • They rejected the prophets.
   • They mocked the warnings.
   • They preferred idols and pleasures.
2. God withdrew His Word — “Leave them alone.” No more warnings.
3. Then they sought the Word but could not find it:
   • They wandered from sea to sea.
   • They searched east, west, north, and south.
   • The famine remained.
4. The tragedy of the youth:
   • The younger generation suffers most when parents reject Scripture.
   • They faint for lack of truth.
5. They fall in despair before idols:
   • Their idols cannot speak.
   • The gods they trusted become their destruction.
   • Thus the famine came and the nation perished.

D. The present threat

1. God’s Word is being despised today.
2. Unless America reforms and returns to Scripture, a spiritual famine is coming.
3. Unless the Church returns to preaching the pure Word of God, she too will perish.
4. Signs of famine already visible:
   • biblical ignorance,
   • moral confusion,
   • spiritual emptiness,
   • a rising generation fainting for lack of truth.

CONCLUSION

During the Reformation, when God's Word was restored, the famine was prevented. But if the Bible continues to be neglected, darkness deepens, truth is silenced, civilization collapses, hope evaporates, and confusion reigns. How tragic that a nation calling itself Christian has removed God’s Word from its schools, and that even professing Christians oppose those who teach children to honor God. The choice remains: reformation or famine.