Sermon 257

SERMON 257 — GOD’S JUDGMENT UPON SPIRITUAL APOSTASY

Text: Amos 8:1–14
Approx. Date: Late 1940s–early 1950s
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

The prophet Amos brings a solemn warning of coming judgment upon Israel.Their sins, especially their rejection of God’s Word, would lead to national ruin.This passage teaches the danger of spiritual apostasy and the certainty of God’s judgment upon it.

SUBJECT: GOD’S JUDGMENT UPON SPIRITUAL APOSTASY

I. THE CAUSE OF GOD’S JUDGMENT

A. Israel’s religious corruption
1.Their worship was man-made, centered in Bethel and Dan.
2.They blended true religion with false religion.
3.They performed outward ceremonies without heart devotion.
4.Their religion was convenient, comfortable, and corrupt.

B. Their moral corruption
1.Dishonesty in business — false balances, deceitful measures.
2.Oppression of the poor.
3.Greed disguised as piety: When will the Sabbath be over so we may sell grain?
4.Their lives contradicted the worship they professed.

C. Their spiritual apostasy
1.They rejected the prophets.
2.They silenced the voice of God.
3.They substituted human ideas for divine truth.
When the Word of God is despised, judgment becomes inevitable.

II. THE NATURE OF GOD’S JUDGMENT

A. God swears by the excellency of Jacob
1.His judgment is certain.
2.It will not be reversed.
3.The nation has crossed a moral line.

B. National calamities
1.Earthquakes.
2.Darkness at noon.
3.Mourning throughout the land.
4.Joy turned to lamentation.

C. Personal tragedies
1.The strong will faint.
2.The young will perish.
3.Families will be broken.
Sin brings sorrow, and apostasy brings destruction.

III. THE MOST TERRIBLE JUDGMENT OF ALL

A. A famine of hearing the Word of the Lord
1.Not food, not water, but God’s voice withdrawn.
2.The most dreadful punishment possible.
3.Without God’s Word, all hope dies.

B. The people will seek a word from God, but not find it
1.They will run from sea to sea.
2.They will wander north and east.
3.They will search everywhere for a message from heaven.
4.But it will be too late.

C. The youth will faint for thirst
1.They suffer because their fathers rejected the Word.
2.When one generation despises Scripture, the next generation perishes from spiritual starvation.

D. They will fall at the feet of idols
1.Idols cannot save.
2.Idols cannot speak.
3.Idols cannot answer in the day of judgment.

CONCLUSION

The message of Amos speaks powerfully to our present day.When God’s Word is rejected, judgment follows.When Scripture is silenced, nations fall.When truth is despised, the youth faint for lack of it.The only remedy is repentance and a return to the Word of God.Let us heed the warning.Let us cling to Scripture.Let us turn from apostasy before famine comes.