Sermon 251

SERMON 251 — REFORMATION OR FAMINE

Text: Amos 8:11–14 (Read 1–14)
Date: October 30, 1949
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

Tomorrow is Reformation Day.We commemorate the 16th-century Reformation under Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli.Our text from Amos warns of a coming famine, not of bread, but of hearing the Word of the Lord.This warning shows both the importance of the Reformation and the need for a new Reformation today.

SUBJECT: REFORMATION OR FAMINE

I. THE NATURE OF THE REFORMATION NEEDED

A. In the days of the ten tribes of Israel
1. They forsook God’s Word.
2. They established their own forms of worship at Dan and Bethel.
3. They rejected the teachings of Scripture.
4. Their views of God and salvation no longer agreed with truth.
5. God said, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
6. False prophets flourished.
7. They sought salvation in ceremonies and sacrifices rather than repentance and faith.
Forsaking the Word of God was the root of Israel’s religious and social evils.

B. Before the 16th-century Reformation
1. The Bible was closed and not the rule of faith and life.
2. Human authority replaced Scripture.
3. Rome forsook biblical teaching about salvation:
  a. Works instead of grace
  b. Self-righteousness instead of Christ’s righteousness
  c. Money for indulgences instead of Christ’s finished work
4. A return to the Bible was necessary.The Reformers’ cry was: Back to the Word of God.

C. Today
1. Churches again depart from Scripture.
2. People base hope of salvation on their own goodness, vague ideas of God’s kindness, or church dues.
3. Scripture is ignored in moral and social issues.
4. God calls us again to return to His Word.

II. THE FAMINE TO BE AVOIDED

A. The choice: Reformation or famine
1. This was Israel’s choice in Amos’s day.
2. It was Europe’s choice in the 1500s.
3. It is America’s choice today.

B. The nature of the famine
1. Not bread or water.
2. A famine of hearing the Word of the Lord.
3. Like a blackout where all stations are silent.
4. People hear words, but not God’s Word.
This is frightening.Without the Word, spiritual life dies.Saul experienced this famine when God no longer spoke to him.

C. Its tragic consequences
1. People seek a word from God, but too late.
2. Youth faint from spiritual starvation because their fathers rejected God’s Word.
3. They fall before dumb idols.
4. There they perish.

D. A real threat today
1. God’s Word is despised or neglected.
2. If America does not return to Scripture, it will perish.
3. If churches do not preach the Bible, they will die.

CONCLUSION

In the Reformation, returning to the Word prevented famine.Had people refused, Europe would be in darkness today.Imagine how dark our nation will become if we do not turn back.When the Word is removed, civilization collapses, darkness spreads, hope dies, confusion reigns.Reformation or famine.The choice remains.