“When Religion Turns Bad” 02-26-17pm
iSpeech
Amos 5: 18-24
Intro: But let justice rolls down like waters,
And righteousness like an ever flowing stream.
ā¢ Many today think this is a MLK quote. Actually, MLK was quoting one of his favorite writers. He referred to him often, AMOS. Amos 5:24 (āI have a dreamā and often)
Read Amos 5: 18-24
Amos came with a Message of Judgment and Authority:
The LORD is Sovereign over people and nations. No one is beyond His jurisdiction!
t/s ā Amos Focus on Two groups/characteristics āat Ease in Zionā
The Wealthy & The Religious (often same folks)
Note: On Israelās Worship established by Jeroboam I
Ī½ Established for Political reasons (Bethel & Dan)
Ī½ Jeroboam fell to the great temptation of political leaders. He Traded, āthe Lord will use meā for āI will use the Lord.ā
Ī½ Calf (image); festivals held early; familiar rituals; false priesthood; compromised updated theology!
Ī½ Purpose = Make Israel feel good about Israel.
Amos confronts this empty, contrived, consumer-driven Religion.
Religion can be Deceptive and Detrimental to your Spiritual Health.
Religion is Toxic when Itā¦
Insulates the Heart from Fear (18-20)
Exp ā The religious people of Israel lived with False Security.
āDay of the LORDā = Dramatic intervention of LORD to
Defeat His enemies and bless His people.
ā¢ They assumed they were His friends; in reality, enemies!
ā¢ A Day of Darkness, not Light; Gloom, not brightness.
Like a man who runs from Lion, then bearā¦ Then Snake bit at home!
ILL ā John the Baptist and Jesus worked to shake people out of the slumber of false Security built on religious identity and activity
āDonāt go saying we have Abraham for our father!!ā
App ā Security is wonderful gift from God, unless it is False Security.
Religious background; ritual or family linkā¦
Life-changing encounter with Jesus!
t/s ā Religion is Toxic when Itā¦
Substitutes Religious Activity for Righteousness (21-23)
Exp ā Notice the aggressive first person verbs. LORD is fired up!
ā¢ Religious Holidays; Multiplied Offerings; Music
ā¢ As God Spoke, they responded with increased Religious Ritualā¦ Amos 4:4-5
Ill ā John Steinbeck, East of Eden, of Mrs. Edwards
She spent a great part of her time with the mechanics of her
Church, which did not leave her time for either its background
or its effects.
ā¢ Back ground=Theology; Effects =Impact on community
App āThe people of 8th C. Israel were exceeding religious, AND
Corrupt at the core.
t/s ā What is Righteousness? Look at the crescendo verse!
Amos 5:24 Religion Is Toxic when it ā¦
Separates Righteousness from Relationships
Exp - Disconnection between Worship and How we Treat People!
ā¢ Dry stream bed in Amosās part of Judah, steep mountains.
(Flash Flood of Justice
ā¢ Justice = Righteousness = Fairness for the weak; Dignity for the poor; compassion for those in need.
ā¢ If Justice doesnāt come from YOU, it will come from LORD!
ILL ā MLK, jr. arrested in Birmingham 54 years agoā¦
Eight White Ministers letter to editor, āA Call for Unityā
King was branded an outsider and an Extremist.
Kingās letter in responseā¦ Amos was both!!
Was not Amos an extremist for justice: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
When Worship does not compel us to treat people Right, it is empty and maybe even offensive to the Lord.
Jesus was asked to sum up all the Law in prophets with One
Great Rule:
Love the LORD with all your heart, soul and mind.
Love your neighbor as your self!
The tell-tale sign of Empty, false religion is a claim to Love God, while neglecting to love People, especially those in need.
T/S ā Great Caution of the gospel story, especially Passion Week:
The bad guys are the religious ones
Not all --- Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimatheaā¦
Stay Humble and Fix your Hope of Jesusā¦
At the age of 82, Newton said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner ā and that Christ is a great Savior!"
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