“The Lord Roars from Zion” Amos 1:1-2:16

TRANSCRIPT

Date: August 9, 2026 Author: Wayne J. Edwards

Every five years, or so, I include the expository study of the Book of Amos in my sermon calendar, for while the other prophets are just as accurate in their warning to the Israelites that God’s judgment was near, the Book of Amos directly challenges the economic injustice, the superficial religious practices, and the sheer apathy of today’s comfortable, i.e., “sickening,” “lukewarm” Christianity. Written around 750 BC, during a time of great material prosperity and moral decay, Amos reminded God’s people that a nation’s moral health is measured by how it treats the vulnerable. Amos targeted the wealthy who lived in ease while ignoring the suffering of the poor. Amos warns modern prosperous nations against greed and indifference to people in need.  Amos said that God rejected Israel’s loud worship songs and religious festivals because their daily actions exploited others . He reminded his hearers and readers that worship is meaningless if it is disconnected from daily integrity. Amos famously called for justice to “roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (Amos 5:24). Amos serves as a timeless warning that God cares deeply about how humans treat one another. The title of this first sermon is, “Return to Me: The Lord Roars from Zion.”  Read Amos 1:1-2:16 The sermon may be viewed at theheritagechurch.org Join us on Sunday at 10:00 AM for the live stream and participate in the worship service. The sermon will be available on our website and YouTube. The YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com@heritagebaptistchurchperry Thank you for your continued support. Please share this email with anyone you think might find it helpful to their spiritual growth. Pastor Wayne

Every five years, or so, I include the expository study of the Book of Amos in my sermon calendar, for while the other prophets are just as accurate in their warning to the Israelites that God’s judgment was near, the Book of Amos directly challenges the economic injustice, the superficial religious practices, and the sheer apathy of today’s comfortable, i.e., “sickening,” “lukewarm” Christianity.

Written around 750 BC, during a time of great material prosperity and moral decay, Amos reminded God’s people that a nation’s moral health is measured by how it treats the vulnerable. Amos targeted the wealthy who lived in ease while ignoring the suffering of the poor. Amos warns modern prosperous nations against greed and indifference to people in need.  Amos said that God rejected Israel’s loud worship songs and religious festivals because their daily actions exploited others . He reminded his hearers and readers that worship is meaningless if it is disconnected from daily integrity.

Amos famously called for justice to “roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (Amos 5:24). Amos serves as a timeless warning that God cares deeply about how humans treat one another. The title of this first sermon is, “Return to Me: The Lord Roars from Zion.”  Read Amos 1:1-2:16

Pastor Wayne

Download the following translated Sermon guides:

Old Testament – Jeremiah 29:4-13 New Testament – 1 John 1:5-2:2

The eternal significance of the Word of God is very evident as we look at the words spoken by the Prophet Amos to the people of Israel 2700 years ago.

Do you have such a burden for your people today?

Just as God was raising an ungodly nation to come against Israel to judge them for their sins, God is raising an ungodly people from within America to show us how far we have drifted from His Word.

Amos began his message by pointing out the sins of the pagan nations around Israel, and how God was going to punish them. He then turned his focus toward Judah, his own people, and then finally, Israel and Jerusalem!

When God begins to judge a nation, He does not begin with the corrupt government, businesses, or organizations that profit from sin: He begins with the institution that represents Him.

“Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down to make Your name known to Your Adversaries, that the nations may tremble in Your presence. For we have sinned, and we need to be saved so that times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord.” Selected passages

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