God's Unchanging Nature: A Call to Obedience
Summary
God's unchanging nature is a central theme, reminding us that He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. This constancy means that when we choose to go against His ways, we position ourselves as His enemies. While God is gracious, merciful, and loving, He also holds us accountable for our actions, rewarding obedience and disciplining disobedience. The arrogance of self-sufficiency can deceive us into believing we are untouchable, but God warns that He can bring us down from our lofty places. The story of Amos serves as a powerful reminder of this truth. Amos, a prophet from the southern kingdom, was called to deliver a message of repentance to the prosperous yet ungodly northern kingdom. Despite their wealth and influence, they had strayed from God's ways, mistreating the poor and engaging in sexual immorality. Amos's message was clear: prosperity is not an indication of God's favor, and true peace and fulfillment are found in obedience to Him.
The Bible, though written by men, is inspired by God and serves as a guide for living a righteous life. It is not enough to claim a life with Jesus without knowing or living by His Word. The prophets, including Amos, were sent to call people back to God, emphasizing that God's discipline is an expression of His love, aiming to guide us back to Him. The book of Amos challenges us to examine our lives, ensuring that our actions align with our professed beliefs. It warns against letting blessings become stumbling blocks, reminding us that God disciplines those He loves to steer us in the right direction. Ultimately, God is in the business of restoration, promising to rebuild and strengthen what has been broken when we turn back to Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Unchanging Nature: God's constancy means that His standards and expectations remain the same. When we choose to go against His ways, we become His enemies, despite His grace and mercy. Our actions have consequences, and we must strive to align our lives with His Word. [39:14]
2. The Deception of Self-Sufficiency: Arrogance can lead us to believe we are untouchable, but God warns that He can bring us down from our lofty places. True security is found in humility and dependence on God, not in our achievements or possessions. [45:06]
3. The Role of the Bible: The Bible, though written by men, is inspired by God and serves as a guide for living a righteous life. It is not enough to claim a life with Jesus without knowing or living by His Word. Our lives should reflect our commitment to Him. [49:09]
4. God's Discipline as Love: God's discipline is not a sign of disapproval but an expression of His love. He disciplines us to guide us back to Him, ensuring we live in a right-standing relationship with Him. This discipline is necessary for our growth and alignment with His will. [56:56]
5. Restoration and Rebuilding: God is in the business of restoration, promising to rebuild and strengthen what has been broken when we turn back to Him. Our actions have consequences, but God's ultimate desire is to restore us to a right relationship with Him. [01:09:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - God's Unchanging Nature
[03:15] - The Deception of Self-Sufficiency
[06:30] - The Role of the Bible
[09:45] - God's Discipline as Love
[12:00] - Restoration and Rebuilding
[15:20] - Amos's Message to the Northern Kingdom
[18:40] - The Importance of Repentance
[22:10] - The Consequences of Disobedience
[25:30] - Living a Life Aligned with God's Word
[28:50] - The Call to Action
[32:15] - Prayer and Commitment
[35:00] - Closing and Invitation to Easter Services
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Amos 9:11-15
2. Hebrews 12:6
3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Amos 9:11-15 reveal about God's intentions for restoration and rebuilding? How does this passage reflect God's ultimate desire for His people? [01:09:17]
2. According to Hebrews 12:6, what is the purpose of God's discipline, and how does it relate to His love for us? [01:02:29]
3. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the purposes of Scripture as outlined in the passage, and how does this relate to living a righteous life? [49:09]
4. How does the sermon describe the consequences of self-sufficiency and arrogance, and what biblical examples are used to illustrate this point? [45:06]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Amos challenge the belief that prosperity is an indication of God's favor? What does this suggest about the relationship between material wealth and spiritual health? [49:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's discipline is an expression of His love? How can this understanding change one's perspective on facing challenges or corrections in life? [56:56]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of the Bible in guiding believers to live a life aligned with God's will? What are the implications of neglecting this guidance? [49:09]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the dangers of letting blessings become stumbling blocks? How can believers ensure that their blessings do not lead them away from God? [53:29]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt self-sufficient and independent from God. How did that impact your relationship with Him, and what steps can you take to foster humility and dependence on God? [45:06]
2. Consider a recent challenge or correction you faced. How can viewing it as God's loving discipline change your response and attitude towards it? [56:56]
3. Identify one area of your life where your actions do not align with your professed beliefs. What practical steps can you take this week to bring your actions in line with your faith? [49:09]
4. Think about the blessings in your life. Are there any that have become stumbling blocks, leading you away from God? How can you refocus on the blesser rather than the blessings? [53:29]
5. How can you incorporate regular Bible reading into your daily routine to ensure that your life is guided by God's Word? What specific changes can you make to prioritize this practice? [49:09]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What role did familiarity and routine play in that distance, and how can you reignite your passion for honoring and worshiping God? [01:00:50]
7. Identify one person in your life who may be struggling with self-sufficiency or arrogance. How can you lovingly encourage them to find true security in humility and dependence on God? [45:06]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unchanging Standards
God's nature is unchanging, and His standards remain constant throughout time. This means that His expectations for us do not shift with cultural trends or personal preferences. When we choose to go against His ways, we position ourselves as His enemies, despite His grace and mercy. Our actions have consequences, and it is crucial to align our lives with His Word to remain in His favor. This constancy is both a comfort and a challenge, as it assures us of His reliability but also calls us to a higher standard of living. [39:14]
"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." (Malachi 3:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to compromise God's standards? How can you realign these areas with His unchanging Word today?
Day 2: The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency
The deception of self-sufficiency can lead us to believe that we are untouchable and that our achievements or possessions provide true security. However, God warns that He can bring us down from our lofty places if we become arrogant. True security is found in humility and dependence on God, not in our own accomplishments. This is a reminder to remain humble and to recognize that everything we have is a gift from God, not a result of our own doing. [45:06]
"Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you rely on your own strength rather than God's? How can you begin to depend more on Him today?
Day 3: Living by the Word
The Bible, though written by men, is inspired by God and serves as a guide for living a righteous life. It is not enough to claim a life with Jesus without knowing or living by His Word. Our lives should reflect our commitment to Him, and this requires a deep understanding and application of Scripture. The Bible is not just a book to be read but a living document that should shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions. [49:09]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate more of God's Word into your daily routine? What specific steps will you take to ensure that your life reflects your commitment to Him?
Day 4: Discipline as an Expression of Love
God's discipline is not a sign of disapproval but an expression of His love. He disciplines us to guide us back to Him, ensuring we live in a right-standing relationship with Him. This discipline is necessary for our growth and alignment with His will. It is a reminder that God cares deeply about our spiritual well-being and is willing to correct us to bring us closer to Him. [56:56]
"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." (Proverbs 3:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you felt God's discipline. How can you view this as an expression of His love and use it to grow closer to Him?
Day 5: Restoration and Rebuilding
God is in the business of restoration, promising to rebuild and strengthen what has been broken when we turn back to Him. Our actions have consequences, but God's ultimate desire is to restore us to a right relationship with Him. This promise of restoration is a source of hope and encouragement, reminding us that no matter how far we have strayed, God is always ready to welcome us back and rebuild our lives. [01:09:17]
"And I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame." (Joel 2:25-26, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life that needs God's restoration? How can you invite Him to begin the rebuilding process today?
Quotes
"There is scripture that says this, God is the same what? Yesterday, come on, today and forever. And that means he never changes. If God looks at enemies and he has wrath, what makes me think that I'm any different today? And whenever I go against God's ways, hear me, I become his enemy." [00:28:33] (18 seconds)
"Because it says I'm in the family of God whenever I walk in the ways of God and I accept the Son of God. Hear me today. And what we want to think, and it's just, it's a feel-good gospel out there, that you do whatever you want to do. God is gracious and merciful and loving, and he is all of that. He is all of that. However, when we decide to go against God's ways, we are choosing to become an enemy." [00:28:54] (25 seconds)
"The arrogance of your heart has deceived you. That's important. That's important to know. You who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say in your heart, who will bring me down to earth? I don't know about you. Maybe there's people in the room that have built your life to such a point where we go, who can mess with me? I got all the money I need. I got the business I need. I got the family. I'm good. And we become our own God." [00:29:42] (25 seconds)
"And when we become our own God, we go, who's going to mess with me? Can't nobody mess with me. I made it. I'm there. Watch this. And though you build high like the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord. Here's what he says. You ain't got to come down to me, big boy. I'll come up to you, and I'll still bring you down to earth." [00:30:43] (20 seconds)
"Because God's not writing the Bible to us, but he's writing it for us. It's for us. Man, you guys, listen, I love it so much. This is the scripture that is so key and, in my opinion, hinges the entire Bible on this. And here's the reality. In reality, every book of the Bible was written by man. I will not deny that. That is truth, and that happened. However, if you remember this, you know that all scripture may be written by men, but it's inspired by God." [00:36:16] (28 seconds)
"He created the Word of God because it's profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. And here's what righteousness is, a right-standing relationship with God. And so the Bible actually teaches us and helps us live a right-standing relationship with God so that the man or woman of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." [00:37:08] (22 seconds)
"Because that's literally what the Bible's for. It's not just memorizing verses, it's to change your life. And as we go on, we've started answering questions. Now the prophets kind of answer a little bit of the same question as we go along just different ways. And here's one that I hear all the time that I think our next book today answers is this. Nobody's perfect. Jesus forgives. So can I just do whatever I want?" [00:38:49] (26 seconds)
"Now, God also throughout the book of Amos promises to restore back the promises that he gave to David. He's going to restore David's dynasty and restore God's people back to the land that he originally promised him right here in these verses. Why does that matter? Well, let's look at something. A lot of times you see in the Old Testament, a foreshadow of Jesus. Jesus was quite a burden bearer himself." [00:44:43] (26 seconds)
"Jesus also carried a message of repentance and judgment from a God that loves us, that he loves us too much to leave us where we are, that he wants our hearts and he wants us to turn back and there's repentance in that. And Jesus promises, if you turn to him, what does he say? I'll restore back to you the original appointment of a relationship between you, sinful man, and God, a holy God." [00:45:04] (25 seconds)
"God looks, and he goes, my people will be punished. You don't get to walk away from me, and it doesn't matter, and treat me however you want. In fact, in verses one through three of Amos chapter three, here's what it says. 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. You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth. Therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities." [00:56:56] (27 seconds)
"God is literally looking at them and he's saying, you worship me, but you don't care. You throw your hands up because you like the song, not because you care about who I am. You pray because you need a miracle, not because I'm God. You show up to church so that they don't say something about you, not because you can learn about me. You serve, not because I gave you a gift, but because somebody guilted you into it." [01:01:32] (24 seconds)
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