30(Amos 07,10-17) Who Do You Think You Are

One of the most difficult things we are called to do is perhaps witnessing, exhorting those whom we know personally and who know us. They call it meddling. They may even say, “Who do you think you are?”

This is a question you might ask someone who thinks too highly of himself, pretending to be someone she is not, someone who puts on airs when they are just like yourself.

When you are trying to witness to a friend about Jesus, or about how their life would improve if they got back in church, or changed their lifestyle, and they may say to you, “who do you think you are? Billy Graham? Do you think your so perfect you can advise me?”

Sometimes Satan asks us that question when we are getting serious with God, taking on a job in church like teaching SS or VBS or becoming a deacon. “Who do you think you are, some kind of saint? You’ve still got lots of sins in your life, there are still things about the Bible you don’t understand. You make lots of mistakes. How can you presume to lead others?

A faithful proclaimer/preacher/teacher of God’s word will –

1.   Have love toward his hearers. (7:2,5)

A.    These people lived in luxury, Amos was a farmer. Yet he was able to love them.

B.    Jesus demonstrated His great compassion on those he taught.

      John 13:1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

C.    Moses loved those to whom he preached.

      Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written."

D.    Paul was concerned about the souls of his listeners.

      Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

E.    We must develop this same love and concern for the souls of those we reach.

2.   Accompany his proclamation with fervent prayer (2,5)

A.    Prayer is God’s appointed way of obtaining His blessings.

B.    Apostles regarded prayer coupled with teaching as THE most important thing they could do.

      Acts 6:3-4 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

C.    We CANNOT effectively preach/teach the gospel without praying for those who will hear.

1.     If we leave off prayer, we demonstrate an attitude of independence which will be damaging to our efforts.

3.   Accept the fact that God demands Justice (7-9).

      Malachi 3:5 And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien-- Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts. 

4.   Stir up his listeners with his message from God (10-12).

A.    Amaziah twists words to achieve his desired effect. (10-11)

B.    Keep your religion out of polite company. Keep it in church.

C.    Sometimes we are so afraid of being “too emotional” in our preaching and teaching of God’s word that we do not bear down hard enough to convict people of their lost condition.

1.     Peter cut to the heart

      Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

2.     The effect of Stephen’s great sermon in Acts 7.

      Acts 7:54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

3.     Paul’s preaching in Ephesus stirred up the opposition.

      Acts 19:23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.

D.    We do not need to be ashamed if we cause people to be uncomfortable in their lost condition as they listen to the truth.

E.    A definition of Preaching: comfort the afflicted; afflict the comfortable.

5.   Be willing to endure the opposition (14-16).

A.    Amaziah tried to run Amos off, but Amos was not to be intimidated.

B.    He first knew and related that he was no different, not ego-centered. (14)

C.    He sensed the prompting of God to prophesy and was determined to deliver it. (15)

1.     God’s message is interrupting.

        a. It interrupts your career (herdsman, farmer)

        b. It interrupts your calmness “took me” (seize capture) out of element.

2.     God’s message is informing.

      Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

3.     God’s message is irrefutable.

D.    Paul faced tremendous opposition and suffered. (2 Cor 11:23ff).

6.   Preach/teach the consequences of disobedience to God. (17)

A.    The terror of the Lord was a motivation for Paul.

      2 Corinthians 5:11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

B.    The terrible consequences of hell should be enough motivation for every child of God to preach the gospel to every man/woman.