The Day of the Lord

Introduction

A. There is a philosophical view which exists in our culture. What one does in their personal life has no bearing on their professional life. Do you believe that? This is the view that is often espoused when someone is caught doing something wrong. Politicians often hold to this view. Former President Clinton when caught in adultery used this line to avoid criticism. The separation of public and private life is nothing new. The Corinthian church had a similar view. Paul addresses such a view in 1 Cor. 6 when he reminds them that sexual immorality is not a private matter but a matter against God as well.

B. Amos speaks of such a view in the latter part of chapter 5. Israel’s religious life and their everyday life was inconsistent. Some believers have that same view. What one does on Sunday has no effect every other day of the week. Or what one does every day has no bearing on what happens on Sunday. As we study today, we will be reminded of one thing — every day life and worship go together.

The Text

A. Israel has three core views. First, their covenant with God assured his presence. Second, their prosperity was a sign of God’s blessing. Third, the day of the Lord would bring great victory for them. In verse 18, the phrase the “day of the Lord” is found. This is the earliest recording of this phrase. Its use suggests that the people were already using the phrase to announce judgment and victory for God’s people. So in verse 18, we have the people suggesting that they want God’s judgment to come. They see this as a time of great victory for them.

B. To describe going from bad to worse my grandmother would say, “that’s like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.” That image is somewhat lost on this generation. We don’t have frying pans and open flames for cooking are out of the question unless one has a gas stove and then it is very controlled. But the point she was making was that things were getting worse. Oftentimes, the point was that someone trying to find relief from a situation often made poor decisions which resulted in greater discomfort.

C. That is true. When we are uncomfortable and suffering, we want such to stop and are willing to pay a huge price to escape. The result, however, is not what we would want. Amos speaks of such a situation in the verse 18. Israel wants God to bring justice. But when he does it will not be pleasant for Israel. What Israel wants will result in Israel jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Things will only get worse. It will not be victory, it will be defeat. No freedom; God will renounce his covenant with Israel. Why? Because of Israel’s unfaithfulness.

D. This statement about the day of the Lord would have been perplexing to people who thought they were fine with God. Their attendance and participation in worship was proof enough that they were serious about God. What more was needed? To deal with their misunderstanding, Amos speaks out about their worship assembly. Verse 21 is a three fold statement against their worship. How did God look at their assembly? He hated their assemblies; despised their assemblies; and couldn’t stand them. The phrase “I cannot stand” is really the phrase “I cannot enjoy the smell.” A reference to other OT texts relating to God enjoying the smell of sacrifices. We might say in our vernacular — their assemblies stink.

E. What’s the problem? Verse 22 tells us that they bring offerings. They even bring fellowship offerings. But God rejects each one. Why? Because there is an absence of justice. The missing ingredient in their worship was obedience in everyday life. They went through the assembly. Sang, sacrificed, participated. And then left the assembly and returned to a life of disobedience to God’s will.

Application

A. Some are like that today. To many come into the assembly. Participate. Bring their offering and then leave only to return to a life of injustice. The truth is that worship and obedience go together. To worship without obedience in everyday life is to be a hypocrite. Our worship changes our hearts and lives.

B. There is nothing in the text to suggest that the people didn’t come with a sincere heart. There isn’t anything in the text to suggest that the people did something wrong in the assembly. The problem was not in the assembly but what transpired outside the assembly.

1. Some come into the assembly to bring praise today and tomorrow the lips that brought praise God to God today will be filled with curses tomorrow. To praise God today and to curse tomorrow is to offend the character of God.

2. Some come into the assembly to bring praise today and tomorrow they will go back to work and will use others to get what they want in life. To praise God today and to mistreat others tomorrow is to offend the justice of God.

3. Some come into the assembly to bring praise today and tomorrow they will treat their family with disrespect. To praise God today and to disrespect your family tomorrow is to presume upon the gift of God.

C. The lesson from this section is that religious activity is no substitute for righteousness. That is, worship cannot undo the lack of mercy, generosity, and honest dealings that have taken place throughout the week. In fact, to come to the assembly having mistreated others is to make one’s praise today no longer worthy of God’s acceptance. We fool ourselves to think that today I can praise and the assembly makes no difference in how I live tomorrow.

D. But there is a second lesson. The day of the Lord is approaching. For too many the day of the Lord will bring darkness not light. For those of us claim to have faith, then our lives must reveal the faithfulness that we claim to possess.

1. Far too many want not so much a father in heaven as a grandfather in heaven: a senile benevolence who, as they say, "liked to see young people enjoying themselves" and whose plan for the universe was simply that it might be truly said at the end of each day, "a good time was had by all."

2. When the Lord's returns, will you experience relief or regret? Will the day of the Lord be a time of darkness or light? Our vision statement reminds us that we recognize that we are to treat others with dignity and compassion just as God has treated us in the same way. Let our conduct be a reflection of the character of God. Invitation.

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