SEEK GOD (AMOS 5:1-5)

1. The word lamentation is used in Amos 5:1.

2. This word described a poem or song that was read at someone’s funeral.

3. This word meant that Amos was grieving over the northern section of Israel.

4. It was like the people in Northern Israel had died and Amos was at their funeral.

5. Amos was sad and he told the people why he was sad.

6. Notice what is said in the second verse of Amos 5.

A. The prophet compared Israel to a virgin.

B. Previous lessons have shown that Israel was not pure.

C. These people offered corrupt worship to God and they were guilty of many sins.

D. In this passage the word virgin means that the people had not been conquered by another nation.

E. Israel had not been overtaken by a foreign power.

F. While this had been true in the past, this was going to change.

7. The nation of Israel would be “cast down.”

8. A foreign power (Assyria) would come against her.

9. When Assyria attacked Northern Israel “none would raise her up.”

10. No other nation would come to Israel’s aid.

11. Most of us, at one time or another, have fallen.

12. Imagine falling in such a way that we cannot get up.

13. No matter how hard we try or how long we try we cannot get up.

14. We are wholly and totally immobilized.

15. Furthermore, there is no one around to help us.

16. No one hears or responds to our calls for help.

17. We cannot reach the telephone to call 911.

18. We are on our own and we need help.

19. God said this would be the fate suffered by His people.

20. The depth of the devastation that came to Israel is further described in verse 3.

A. When a nation sends troops to war it is hopeful that many will come back home.

B. We expect some causalities in war but most do not expect catastrophic losses.

C. God said (verse 3) that some cities would be able to send forth a thousand soldiers.

D. Imagine our community sending a thousand young men off to war.

E. If we sent away a thousand soldiers from this county how many would we expect to return?

F. A realistic hope might be 900; perhaps 800.

G. We would hope that the loss would not exceed 10 or 20 percent.

H. Notice what Amos told the people.

I. A thousand would be sent but only 100 men would return.

J. The casualty rate would not be 10 or 20 percent. It would be 90%.

K. Another community could send only 100 soldiers; of these 10 would return (10%).

L. What God predicted happened.

21. In 722 B.C. the Assyrians invaded Israel.

22. Israel became an Assyrian province and it never again became a separate nation.

23. THINGS WERE SO BAD IN ISRAEL THAT AMOS HAD A LAMENTATION (FUNERAL SONG) FOR THE NATION. NORTHERN ISRAEL WAS SO IMMERSED IN SIN THAT AMOS VIEWED IT AS BEING DEAD.

24. There was no longer any hope for the nation.

25. The only chance these people had for redemption was on an individual basis.

26. Notice what is said in verse 4 – READ.

27. The word translated seek is an interesting word.

A. In some parts of the Old Testament this described going to priests and prophets.

B. This word meant the people were to search for God’s will.

C. When the people found what was right the implication is that they were to be obedient.

D. The prophet promised that those who sought God would live.

E. Whether he meant eternal life or salvation from the Assyrians is unknown.

28. Whatever he meant we can apply his instructions to our day and time.

29. The Bible teaches that people are still obligated to seek God.

30. In Acts 17:27 says that all men should seek God.

31. Tonight I want us to think about seeking God.

32. When we look at our modern day world how many are actually seeking God?

33. How many are actively trying to know who God is and understand His will?

A. The Bible says that in the past many have not sought God.

B. We have the example in Amos 5.

C. This is not the only example in the Old Testament.

D. In Rom. 3 Paul quotes from the Old Testament (this quote from Ps. 14:1-3).

E. The Psalmist said that the people in his day did not seek after God.

F. People did not want to have any real knowledge of God.

G. Friendship and fellowship with God were not desired.

H. When Psalm 14 was written this was the general attitude found in society.

I. Paul took the words of this psalm and said they also applied when he was alive.

J. When Paul wrote to the Romans this is what he said in Rom. 3:11.

K. Paul quoted from the Old Testament (Ps. 14) because this thought was still true.

L. None sought after God.

M. I should add that Paul and the psalmist both used a hyperbole (an exaggeration for emphasis).

N. The psalmist sought God. So did Paul.

O. Because these men sought after God the statement that none sought God was not absolutely literal.

P. These men meant that very few people sought God.

Q. This was even true during the days of Noah.

R. Few people were truly interested in spiritual things.

S. If you want to engage in an interesting study take out a concordance.

T. Look up the passages in 1^st and 2d Chronicles that use the word seek.

U. You will be surprised at how many times the word seek is used.

34. Again and again the Bible writers told people to seek God.

35. The scriptures also show that most failed to fulfill this command.

36. There are, however, some people who are portrayed as seekers.

37. Let’s look at one of them.

38. This seeker is a man named Nathaniel.

39. The Bible tells us about this man in Jn. 1:45-50.

40. Some have given Nathanael bad marks.

A. Some have said that this man was skeptical and hard to convince.

B. Let’s see what the text says – verses 45-46.

C. The 45^th verse shows that Nathanael’s initial enthusiasm was not too strong.

D. He was somewhat uncertain about Philip’s conclusion.

E. He didn’t think too highly of the fact that Jesus came from Nazareth.

F. Philip said, “Come and see.”

G. This man said, “Check it out. Examine the facts. Investigate things.”

H. Nathanael could have said “no.” He could have said, “maybe later.”

I. Some in his place might have said, “I will think about it.”

J. Notice what he did - verse 47.

K. Nathanael was a seeker.

L. He wanted to know the truth.

M. When Jesus spoke to him his curiosity was increased even more.

N. He said (48a), “How do you know who I am?”

O. When Nathanael heard Jesus’ response he drew a conclusion—verse 49.

41. I am not going to go into it here but most believe Nathaniel is another name for Bartholomew.

42. If this is right, the man who decided to find out about Jesus became an apostle.

43. Seeking God results in special blessings.

44. Good things come to those who seek God.

45. These good things are not necessarily material.

46. If Nathaniel was Bartholomew becoming an apostle did not make him rich.

47. He did receive many things that others didn’t get.

48. We as God’s people need to be reminded about the importance of seeking God.

49. Since we are in the gospels I want to share with you an interesting distinction.

50. This distinction is found in Lk. 13:24.

A. Jesus was making His way to Jerusalem.

B. As He was preaching and teaching someone asked Him a question about salvation.

C. In fact, this is the same question that is on our sign.

D. Will most be saved or lost?

E. Jesus’ response to this question is found in verse 24 of Lk. 13.

51. The KJV and the ASV both recognize a distinction made in the original text.

52. Notice the word “strive” in (24a) and “seek” in (24b).

A. Some who “seek” (24b) will not make it.

B. Those who “strive” (24a) will.

53. To appreciate what this verse says I want to share you with some additional passages.

A. At the end of verse 24 Jesus said that some who “seek” the kingdom will be lost.

B. The word translated “seek” is used in other passages to describe strong interest.

C. This word is used in Mt. 2:13 to describe how Herod sought Jesus.

D. Herod felt the Lord was a rival to his throne so he sought to kill Him.

E. This shows that the “seeking” in Lk. 13 is not passive or casual.

F. Mt. 13:45 uses the word seek to describe a merchant seeking nice pearls.

G. This man is not on a casual business trip.

H. He is out to make money and stay in business. He is serious about finding pearls.

I. Perhaps the most vivid illustration of the word is found in Lk. 2:45.

J. Jesus’ parents came back to Jerusalem and sought (same word) their son.

K. Have we ever become separated from a child?

L. Have we ever searched for a child?

54. Some seek God.

55. Luke 13:24 doesn’t say seek God.

56. The text says, strive for the kingdom.

57. We get our word agonize from the original word.

58. This word means that we are to strive after God with all our being.

59. This word explains why the Lord said to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.

60. This is why Jesus said in the sermon on the mount if our eyes cause to stumble pluck it out.

61. If our hands would keep us from the kingdom cut them off.

62. God’s people are to seek (Mt. 6:33) and strive (Lk. 13:24) for the kingdom of God.

63. I have met some Christians who give no indication that they are seeking the kingdom let alone striving for it.

64. Are we in that category?

65. Does anyone here need to seek and strive after God like the people in Amos’ day?

66. We know the answer.

67. If we are not seeking after God and striving for the kingdom right now is the time to change.