Too Late

Introduction

A. You may be familiar with the story of Benedict Arnold. During the Revolutionary War, Arnold committed treason. He escaped and lived out his days as a hero in England. But the man with whom Arnold was in cahoots was John Andre. Andre was captured and eventually hanged for being a spy. Part of what is of great interest about the story is that Andre during his imprisonment and eventual hanging won the hearts and emotions of his captors. Highly decorated American officers openly wept at his execution.

B. Andre was befriended by Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton tried to persuade George Washington and others to release Andre in exchange for other prisoners. An offer for exchange was made for Benedict Arnold, but the British refused and Andre was hanged. At the place of his hanging a monument was erected which speaks of Andre’s heroism and honor as a British officer. Several years after his execution, Andre’s remains were exhumed and returned to England where he was buried at Westminster Abbey with a hero’s welcome.

C. What is amazing about this story is the effect Andre’s trial and execution had on George Washington’s reputation. For a time, Washington was despised by many for not releasing Andre. The tears shed for a spy seem out of place. But Andre was a charismatic man and made friends easily—even among the enemy. Andre’s spying and subsequent reaction by his captors demonstrates that we can quickly become confused about sin.

D. Andre’s spying was without question. But over time, his captors became convinced that Andre was a nice guy and that his “sins” should be overlooked. This often happens with our own sin. We look at our sin and plead “I’m not such a bad person” expecting to be let off the hook. Our text today will not allow such a reaction. When Amos spoke to the people of Israel he called for their repentance. Their refusal to change resulted in punishment so severe that the kingdom was lost forever. God preserved this writing for each successive generation. While spoken originally to 8th century B.C. citizens, the words are to make us think, to ponder, and to change. Like those of 2800 years ago, our sins are before us and we minimize them. We fall into the trap of saying that we aren’t such bad people. And God’s words need to penetrate our hearts and minds—“I will never forget anything you have done.” Minimize our sin; fail to repent; and God never forgets. Let’s have open hearts today.

The Text

A. In this section is a restatement of the sins of Israel. None of these are new. We have seen them before. Verse 4, there is a call to listen carefully to what God has against them. The problem is Israel is not listening. But the litany of things which violates God’s will is given. Israel mistreats the poor; they cheat the poor; they treat the poor as less than human. And with verse 7, God’s patience is quickly coming to an end. “I will never forget anything they have done.” God makes this statement swearing by his own name. In other words, God is saying based upon his very character as the God who never lies, he will never forget these sins.

B. And with these words, God describes the intensity of the destruction. Like the Nile which floods and then recedes, the land will be flooded with judgment. Verse 9, the judgment will be like the sun going dark in the middle of the day. This is a reference to a solar eclipse. Such an eclipse occurred on February 9, 784 B.C. and another on June 15, 763 B.C. It is this latter event which Amos may have in mind. Chapter 1:1 tells us that Amos prophesied two years before the earthquake. An event which triggered great fear in Israel. The great earthquake occurred sometime between 765 and 760 B.C. The point—God is using earthly events for a spiritual message. The eclipse and the earthquake were designed to get Israel’s attention to change.

C. God goes on to describe his judgment as being a time of great mourning and bitter to accept. But his judgment will also bring a famine. Not a famine of food and water but a famine of his word. When judgment comes at the time when people would like to hear the word of God, the word of God will not be heard. So great will be the judgment, the young who can survive much will not survive. The kingdom of Israel will fall and it will never be a kingdom again.

So What?

A. First, Amos reminds us that if we want to be on God’s side we must be on the side of the poor and needy. In a section from Deuteronomy 15:7-11, God specifically commands that those who are his people will be generous towards those who are poor and needy. Verse 11 reads, “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.” This is part of our congregational vision. We want to be openhanded. Wise in how resources are used but we want to have a generous heart. Israel took advantage of the poor treating them as less than human. It is the disposition of the heart that God is interested in.

B. Second, Amos reminds us that God’s priorities must be our priorities. In verse 5, the priorities of the merchants are seen. They can’t wait for the Sabbath to be over so that they can get back to work. Their priority was to make money and they could make the money more quickly by cheating the customer. Israel’s priority was merchandising not worship. Too many come into the assembly with their minds on other things. Some think “when will this be over.” These are the words of a person whose priorities are different from God’s. It is a great blessing to be in God’s presence.

1. To say services are boring may be true if one's focus is on excitement and action. I've been in services that seemed intent on draining every ounce of enthusiasm from the assembly. I've seen dispassionate song leaders; heard prayer leaders who were just going through the motions; heard and delivered sermons that had little focus or energy.

2. But what about the worshiper? Does the worshiper bring energy and focus and enthusiasm? To walk in here to see what will inspire you may be necessary at times. Life can give us some hard knocks and the result is that we have little energy or enthusiasm. But to consistently walk in here expecting someone else to infuse energy and enthusiasm and passion is to misunderstand the nature of worship.

3. We join with others to come into the presence of God. The Creator welcomes us. We are able to share our heart and thoughts with the God who rules this universe. We have been forgiven. We bask in the grace of God. He alone is worthy of praise and honor. And you are bored?? You have no passion?? And you can't wait to leave?? Your heart needs to change.

C. Third, Amos reminds us that God judges justly. When hearts are hardened, God doesn’t forget. Israel had been warned over and over again. Amos was not the first prophet and he wouldn’t be the last. But Israel ignored the warning. Instead they replaced their own desires with the desires of God. The result—God doesn’t forget their sin. Part of the justice of God is seen in our own choices.

1. As an author put it, God cannot be merciful to those who reject his mercy. God cannot save those who will not be saved. God cannot withhold judgment on those who call for his judgment.

2. C.S. Lewis in his book "The Problem of Pain" writes about the judgment of God and those who will not change. "In the long run the answer to all those who object to the doctrine of hell is itself a question: 'What are you asking God to do?'...To forgive them? They will not be forgiven. To leave them alone? Alas, I am afraid that is what he does. I....believe that the damned are, in one sense, successful rebels to the end; that the doors of hell are locked on the inside."

3. Israel demanded to be left alone. Israel thought they knew more about what they needed than God did. Never mind that God wanted to be in a covenant relationship with Him. Never mind that God promised unspeakable joy. Never mind that God had allowed them to be a great kingdom. And like Israel, too many say it will be my will. And God's response is "Your will be done." Invitation.

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