The gate was the heartbeat of the city.
Specifically two institutions were in full-bloom at the gate:
1) Marketplace.
2) Government.
Anything that was to be done would take place at the gate of the city.
During Amos's time what was happening?
* There was greed in the marketplace.
* There was no justice being done in the government.
If anyone stood for God as the absolute standard for the market or government they were hated.
So what did God tell Amos should be done?
1) Hate evil - we tolerate what God says we should hate.
2) Love good - love looks like something, so if we truly love we will truly act.
3) Establish justice in the gate - how?
* By first showing up at the gate.
* Second, by being a living rebuke at the gate.
In the marketplace this is running a kingdom business.
In government this is our voice and our vote.
Amos 5:10 & 15 (12/24/14)
The Gate
December 24, 2014 • Benham Brothers
Amos 1:1 (12/12/19)
December 12, 2019 • Benham Brothers
* What do Amos, Elisha, Jesus, and the Disciples all have in common? * They were gainfully employed in business when God called them. * They were shepherds, farmers, carpenters, accountants, doctors, fishermen - all men of business. * Why? * I believe the marketplace is the best place to train people - it’s the great “sifter” of men. * How? * If you don’t bring real value in the marketplace you don’t make it! * In vocational ministry you are often judged by your INTENTIONS. * So if the event didn’t go well or your lunch meeting went 3 hours too long, then it must have been God’s will. * But in the marketplace you are judged by your ACTIONS. * If the event didn’t go well or you took 3 hours too long in a meeting, you could get fired! * That trains you to stay on point and bring real, tangible value. * Amos was a poor country farmer, but God gave him a powerful word to speak. * What does this say about you and me? * We are God’s ministers in the marketplace!!!!
Amos 2:4-6 (12/14/17)
December 14, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* Judah was going to be judged for rejecting God’s law. * If you reject God’s law you reject God. * State-funded police write tickets because violating their rules is a violation of the state. * If you reject your parent’s rules you are rejecting your parents. * When confronted with the law we have a choice - accept or reject. * Here’s the key - If you accept the rule you accept the rule-giver. * If you reject a rule you reject the rule-giver. * If you reject Him He rejects you.
Amos 3:3-6 (12/14/17)
December 14, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* Amos was a farmer and used examples from nature. * He was trying to show the Israelites that God’s punishment wasn’t without cause. * God had used natural disaster (locusts, etc) to punish them. * Look at Amos’s examples: * vs 3 - if two people walk together (effect) they had to first agree on a direction (cause). * vs 4 - if a lion is going to roar in a thicket or his den (effect) he had to first find his prey (cause). * vs 5 - if a bird is going to be caught in a trap (effect) he must first be baited (cause). * vs 6 - if disaster comes upon a city (effect) then God had to have planned it (cause). * vs 10 - if God planned disaster on a city (effect) then the people have sinned against Him (cause). * Apply this to your life - what effects do you see? * This will help you get to a cause.