Doctrine: Judgement of Believers and Unbelievers

Text: Amos 1–9 Lesson 13 Doctrine: Judgment of believers and unbelievers Bridge to Doctrine: God calls individuals and nations to account for their sins against Him and other people. Amos declared God’s judgment on eight nations, but leveled specific charges against Israel. Key Points and Insertion of Doctrine into Passage: Amos 1:1–9:10 Because God is perfectly holy, He cannot overlook sin. Sin demands God’s righteous judgment. Every human and every nation live infected by sin’s corruption. Therefore, judgment awaits all people. God is wholly just, but also compassionate and merciful. So great was mankind’s debt of sin that God sacrificed His only Son to take the judgment sinners deserve. Because the sinless Christ took sin’s punishment for believers, God’s holiness is not compromised when He shows compassion to repentant sinners. Christ’s atoning sacrifice pays the price of God’s forgiveness for every sinner who puts their faith in Christ. Believers will be rewarded for their acts of faith and obedience, accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit, but will not face the condemnation their sins deserve. Without Christ, unbelievers face God’s inevitable judgment and wrath against their sin. When I do not believe that God judges sin, I fail to weigh rightly the eternal consequences of my sinful appetites and actions. I elevate myself over others I believe are “worse” than I am. I wrongly consider myself the master of my own destiny and do not sense my inescapable accountability to God. When I believe that my own debt of sin deserves God’s righteous judgment, I humbly realize that no solution to my sin problem can be found within myself. Sin is not a trivial matter, but a serious one. I turn to Christ and accept His death on my behalf with humble gratitude and obedience. I battle sin in the power of the Spirit. Possible Applications for Leaders: The following concepts can be developed into applications specific to your leaders: God’s judgment is an inescapable reality most people ignore or reject. o Truth does not change when people ignore or reject that truth. God will hold sinners accountable. o How does the future meeting between God and people you know create a sense of urgency to share the gospel? o In what ways do we knowingly or unknowingly anesthetize ourselves against the heartbreaking reality of judgment? The truth about the judgment I deserve magnifies the beauty of Christ’s sacrificial love. o Contemplate Jesus’ sacrifice for you. How can you maintain a fresh sense of wonder at what He did for you? o In what way does your personal deliverance from sin’s judgment lead you to worship? There is no condemnation for those who find refuge in Christ. o Believers will not be judged for their sin. This daily and eternal reality should amaze us. o Are there ways you still struggle with the burden, guilt, and shame of past sins? o The perfect righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer. When God looks at the believer, He sees Christ. o Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Extra lecture thoughts:

Did you notice what doesn’t make the list of attributes..

judgement…wrath..

See- judgement and wrath are not who God is.

Judgement and wrath exist where righteousness does not.