Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 18, 2022

Seek the Lord and Live!

Amos 5:1-17

1. Introduction

• distinct poetic structure
• principle: fear of the LORD (Psa. 111:10, Prov. 1:7)

2. Amos Reads Israel’s Obituary 1-3

• repetition: Hear this word…
• current trajectory: headed toward a funeral!
• statistics of defeat

3. Amos Reveals the LORD’S Rationale 4-17

• substitution of religious activity for authentic devotion
• substitution of rhetoric for reality (Matt. 7:21-23)
• seeking profit through ongoing injustice
• stunning supremacy of the LORD’S character
• certainty of judgment and summons to repent: passing through and not passing over (Ex. 12:12-13)
• connection to Christ (John 3:16, 1 John 2:1-2)

4. So What?

• Because your sins merit the judgment of God, trust Him alone for deliverance.
• Remember that “the world is not dying to hear the message of the gospel; it is dying in its sins.” (G. Keddie)
• Beware of embracing assurances without obeying instructions.
• “Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, oh, leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me. All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.” (“Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” Charles Wesley)