Sermon Tone Analysis

Secular:

*   Why speed traps?

* Those who know… (signs… laws… d~/l test)

* Those who believe still speed

*  Why tax penalties?

* Would we file on time?

* Would we do what was right?

*  Do children always obey their parents… ever obey… just cuz it is right?

* Is there a reason Scriptures exhorts the use of corporal punishment?

* Correction… values justice

* Correction… values relationship

Biblical:

Amos 3:1 Hear this word which the LORD has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt: 2 "You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." 3 Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?

4 Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey?

Does a young lion growl from his den unless he has captured something?

5 Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it?

Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all? 6 If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble?

If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it?

7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets.

8 A lion has roared!

Who will not fear?

The Lord GOD has spoken!

Who can but prophesy?

9 Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod and on the citadels in the land of Egypt and say, "Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria and see the great tumults within her and the oppressions in her midst.

10 "But they do not know how to do what is right," declares the LORD, "these who hoard up violence and devastation in their citadels."

11 Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, "An enemy, even one surrounding the land, Will pull down your strength from you And your citadels will be looted."

12 Thus says the LORD, "Just as the shepherd snatches from the lion's mouth a couple of legs or a piece of an ear, So will the sons of Israel dwelling in Samaria be snatched away-- With the corner of a bed and the cover of a couch! 13 "Hear and testify against the house of Jacob," Declares the Lord GOD, the God of hosts.

14 "For on the day that I punish Israel's transgressions, I will also punish the altars of Bethel; The horns of the altar will be cut off And they will fall to the ground.

15 "I will also smite the winter house together with the summer house; The houses of ivory will also perish And the great houses will come to an end," Declares the LORD.

Personal:

*   We can spot “Abnormal relationships”

* Crass

* Unloving

* Violent

* Unfaithful

* Not unusual… but not we are created for

*  We ache for what God designed us for…

 

Bridge:

*  God loved Israel

* Redeemed Israel

* Blessed them

* Made them a blessing

* But Israel was repeatedly unfaithful

* God is long suffering… with Israel

* God is long suffering… with us

* But there comes a time for justice… for punishment

Body:

Normal Relations…

Amos 3:1 Hear this word which the LORD has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt: 2 "You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities."

*  */Hear… /*is not just listen!

* This is good for us to remember… God’s message is not just words… they are instructional… directive… valuable… action oriented…

*  Affect your heart… effect your actions

* The Lord begins by calling them his….

* Brought out of Egypt…

* Exodus 6:7 'Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

* Out of slavery

* Through the desert…

* Manna… Water… protection

* To the promise land

* The exodus was a big event in their history… it was about who they were and God’s activity in their life…

* It is like the reminders mothers can make… 15 hours of labour and this is what I get from you….

* Or I brought you into this world… and I can take you out…

*  God chose to display his love to them and through them

* God chose them for a loving relationship

* Deuteronomy 7:6 "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

* But… with Privilege comes responsibility… (Amos theme)

* God…

* I chose to Love You

* I chose to Know you

* I chose to make myself known to you

* Normal Relations…

* Loving and Serving

* Normal is corrective

* Normal is hurt by those closest

* *Normal Relationship to God*?

* Hear

* Love

* Serve

 

Normal Behaviour…

3 Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?

4 Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey?

Does a young lion growl from his den unless he has captured something?

5 Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it?

Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?

*  

*  3 Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?

* No… not just happening

* Ancient world… Travel distance… share food ~/ shelter… heavily planned…

*  4 Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey?

Does a young lion growl from his den unless he has captured something?

* Lion roar without prey?

No…  scares everything away

* Young lion… growl… no… unless he is protecting someone

* 5 Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it?

Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?

* Bird go into empty trap…?

Fish bite an empty hook?

No….

* Trap spring into the air… not unless something sets it off…

* Does anything happen for nothing?

* Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.