NO SECOND CHANCES

IN THE BOOK OF AMOS WE READ ABOUT A FAMINE.

A. This famine was bad.

B. When we think about famines we normally associate them with insufficient food and water.

C. The famine described by Amos was not related to physical nourishment.

D. The prophet said there would be a famine concerning the word of God.

E. READ Amos 8:11-14.

F. Amos spoke of a time when people would be searching for God and His word.

G. People would want to know about spiritual things.

H. There would be people who would seek God.

I. No matter how hard the people looked, God and His word would be hidden.

2. The famine described by the prophet is promised in verse 11.

3. God said that there would be no words from “Jehovah.”

4. In other words, there would be no prophets.

5. There would be no visions and dreams.

6. All the preachers would be gone.

A. When this was spoken this prediction must not have concerned the people.

B. The people didn’t like Amos and his message.

C. They didn’t want to hear God’s word.

D. They had no interest in studying the Bible.

E. The prophet said this would change.

F. A time was coming when the people would want to hear a prophet.

G. A time was coming when people would change their minds about spiritual things.

H. I find this to be encouraging.

I. We may go through times when people do not want to hear the word of the Lord.

J. Times change. People change. Some do eventually become interested in spiritual things.

K. When these people changed God said that they would wander from sea to sea.

L. People would wander from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean.

M. They would traverse the land looking for the word of God but it would not be found.

N. Because of some present time we are seeing some unusual bargains.

O. These bargains are for a limited time.

P. If we want them we must buy them now; they are for a limited time.

Q. This is what God said concerning His word.

R. A time was coming when it would be withdrawn.

S. The 12^th verse shows that this withdrawal would be complete.

T. The people would search from “north even to the east.”

7. This expression is especially noteworthy.

8. In different parts of this book Amos predicated that Assyria was coming.

9. This foreign power would eventually enslave northern Israel.

10. Where was Assyria located? It was north and east of Israel.

11. This statement meant that the Hebrews would enter into captivity.

12. While being held against their will they would want to learn about God.

13. They would want the scriptures or someone who could share the word of God with them.

14. God said, “You can forget about church services.”

15. “You can forget about having Bible class teachers.”

16. “Don’t expect any Sabbath sermons.”

17. “Don’t look forward to having access to my word.”

A. “I am not going to send any prophets to you.”

B. “You will not receive any visions and dreams.”

18. This information may be contrasted with the material in verse 5.

19. These people didn’t like to worship.

20. They attended worship but they wanted it to be over with as soon as possible.

21. Service to God was something that interfered with the people’s business transactions.

22. God said, “Don’t worry. A time is coming when you won’t need to think about Me.”

23. “I’ll not be a bother to you any longer.”

24. In fact, “You will not be able to find me or my word.”

25. GOD PROMISED THAT HE WOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE NORTHERN SECTIONOF ISRAEL. THIS WITHDRAWAL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH GOD’S’ WORD. THE WITHDRAWAL OF GOD’S PRESENCE AND WORD SUGGESTS A VARIETY OF LESSONS.

A. The first thing I see is that these people would be looking for God in the wrong places.

B. The prophet said the people in Northern Israel would search throughout the land but not find God.

C. When this written (and even when the Assyrians came) God could be found.

D. His presence and His word were in Jerusalem.

E. Had the people humbled themselves and gone to Jerusalem they could have found God.

F. These people didn’t want to do that.

G. They wanted to find God but they wanted to find Him on their own terms.

H. They wanted to search for God but they only wanted to search in places that pleased them.

I. This approach to God is what we find at the present time.

J. People will search for God.

K. They will read books, buy books, videos, and go to conferences.

L. They will surf the net for religious information.

M. They will send money to religious groups.

N. God is sought but He is not sought on His terms.

O. This is a problem.

P. Jesus, perhaps seeing this type of attitude, said this: Lk. 6:46.

Q. Why search for God if we are not committed to doing His will?

R. This is a question that must be asked at the present time.

26. There is a second lesson in Amos 8.

27. The word that is translated “wander” meant to “stagger.”

28. Other synonyms would be “totter” or “reel.”

A. Have we ever seen someone who could not control themselves?

B. Perhaps we have watched someone who has a severe health problem.

C. This problem has left them with almost no coordination.

D. If they begin moving they have no control over their direction.

E. Such a person lurches from place to place.

F. Maybe we have seen someone who is intoxicated stagger down the street.

G. Seeing someone who lacks control over their body is a sad sight.

H. The prophet said that without God these people would stagger.

I. People may not be drunk and they may not be burdened by a coordination problem.

29. The prophet said that without God people stagger through life.

30. This was true for the people in the days of Amos.

31. These Hebrews thought they had everything figured out.

A. They had shops. They were businessmen. They had nice homes.

B. These people had figured out ways to make lots of money.

C. They knew how to cheat people and apparently get away with it.

D. They had wonderful luxuries.

E. They had what seemed to be the good life but it was all fleeting.

F. Without God life was vain.

G. Without spiritual direction life was meaningless.

H. Even now this is true.

I. This is why the wise man Solomon said, “I have figured things out.”

J. “I know what is important. I have learned the meaning of success.”

K. “Fear God and keep His commandments; this is the whole of man.”

32. These people were going to learn this lesson first hand.

33. When they finally got the message it was too late.

34. We have a world full of people who are staggering through life.

35. The trade center bombing woke some people up.

36. Some have started to realize, that there is more to life than money and prestige.

37. There is more to life than comfort and luxury.

38. Without God we ultimately wander through life with no true goal.

39. Living this kind of life is the ultimate exercise in futility.

40. THERE IS ANOTHER LESSON IN AMOS 8.

A. The people that Amos spoke to had children (verse 13).

B. Parents must have thought their daughters were beautiful.

C. The prophet referred to the young ladies as “fair” (NAS: beautiful; NIV: lovely).

D. There were “young men” who must have excelled in strength and vigor.

E. These young people were going to face difficulties.

F. The end of the 13^th verse says “They (the children) would faint for thirst.”

41. Many parents try to give their children the best they have.

42. Some want their children to receive the best education money can buy.

43. Attention may be given to culture, etiquette, business sense, politics, or something else.

44. Some parents offer their children everything but spiritual training.

45. This fact is depressing.

46. Some children are never taught that the only thing that lasts is their spiritual life.

47. Everything else is eventually lost.

48. Only the spiritual part of life (or the lack thereof) is eternal.

49. Thus, the greatest gift we can give to the children is spiritual knowledge and training.

A. We live in a country that believes in giving.

B. In recent weeks we have seen people give millions of dollars.

C. People are in the stores shopping for Christmas gifts that they will give to others.

D. At this time of the year we must affirm that some fail to give the right kind of gift.

E. Some fail to give their children gifts that will last for eternity.

50. There is an explanation of the young men and women that I want to mention.

51. Some think there is a difference in Amos 8:13-14.

52. The difference is this.

A. The older people could remember the times when they had a knowledge of God.

B. They could remember the prophets like Amos.

C. They could remember some of the sermons.

D. Even though God would take away His word these memories would stay with the older generation.

E. The young people would not have these memories.

F. The had not hear the prophets.

G. They had not attend the Bible classes.

H. These young people would live during a time when God’s word was taken away.

I. Young men and young women would want to know but the information would be gone.

J. For this reason the prophet said, “They would faint.”

K. There would be no spiritual foundation to sustain the young men and women.

L. This explanation may be related to the present time.

53. We are surrounded by information that somehow relates to spiritual things.

54. The word God is on our money.

55. Practically every motel and hotel room in the United States has a Bible in a nightstand.

56. Dozens of Bible translations have been produced.

57. Reference works of all kinds have been produced.

58. Thousands of tracts have been written. There are Bible software programs for computers.

59. Nearly every community in America has at least one religious group.

60. In spite of our being surrounded with spiritual things, there are indications of a future famine.

61. Fewer and fewer people can quote Bible verses.

62. By in large Bible knowledge seems to be on the decline.

63. If many read their Bibles once a week they feel like they have done well.

64. A generation is arising that knows very little about New Testament Christianity.

65. At a time of year when many are thinking about gifts we want to think about the greatest gifts.

66. Salvation. Spiritual knowledge. Helping people know and defend the truth.

67. Are these the gifts we are trying to give to our children and others?

68. Are we encouraging others to seek God on His terms?

69. The opportunities available to those in the days of Amos were limited.

70. This is still true.

71. We have limited opportunities to obey and even to teach God’s word.

72. Are we using these chances?