____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ March 21, 1993 ____________________________________________________ Two Preachers: Amos and Amaziah by Mark White The Old Testament prophet Amos was a shepherd turned preacher. The crowd to whom he preached was the upper class of Israel, including the King himself. He was not their choice of a preacher, however. They did not choose him--God chose Amos for them. His oratory was not refined eloquence. His preaching was not ``polite'' by their standards. If they could have ``fired'' him, they would have, but Amos was God's preacher, not theirs. Amos 7:10-13 provides commentary on his work in Israel. ``Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, `Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said: ``Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive from their own land.''' Then Amaziah said to Amos: `Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, and there prophesy. But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the royal residence.''' This text shows Amaziah to be a different kind of preacher than Amos. Amaziah would preach what his hearers wanted, rather than what they really needed. He disliked Amos' style and message. He scoffed at the warnings Amos issued about judgments coming upon Israel because of her sins. Doubtless, it pleased king Jeroboam to hear Amaziah rebuke Amos. Amaziah told Amos to leave Israel and go to Judah, where his kind of preaching might be appreciated more. ``We are too refined and sophisticated for this kind of preaching,'' Amaziah might be heard to say. Amos did not keep quiet. He did not allow Amaziah to ridicule him and his work. He said: ``I was no prophet, nor was I the son of a prophet, but I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me, `Go prophesy to My people Israel.' Now therefore hear the word of the Lord....'' Amos was not a preacher for hire! He was not a prophet because his father was, or because he had gone to a ``brotherhood preacher school.'' He was preaching because God told him to prophesy. We are made to wonder, ``Why was Amaziah preaching?'' Many churches today want preachers like Amaziah. He would never be so rude as to disturb the peace of a congregation by pointing out its errors. He would not bother people by calling on them to repent! No one would leave his preaching with feelings of guilt. Everything would be so pleasant and sweet that God would become nauseous! Conversely, Amos' preaching would not always be pleasant. It might even be troublesome at times if people insist on remaining in sin. His harsh rebukes might even cause some guilt feelings and unrest. But remember, Amos was God's preacher. Honestly, which kind of preacher would you prefer--Amos, or Amaziah? ___________________________________________ ``I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT....'' How many times have we heard this reply when we question some belief or practice which may be without Bible authority? The saddest thing about the statement is that many times it is really true. So many individuals have so little knowledge and understanding of the Bible when they are confronted with some false teaching or practice they really do not have the ability to see anything wrong with the sinful doctrine or practice. We all need our ``senses exercised to discern both good and evil'' (Hebrews 5:14). The only way we can have this ability is to put forth the necessary effort to learn and understand the truth. If we know what is right we will be able to recognize that which is contrary to it as being wrong and sinful. -- James Hahn ___________________________________________ Self-Evaluation Survey Answer those questions that apply to you and your life. 1. How would you rate yourself spiritually, on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest)? 2. Attendance (Hebrews 10:25) Do you miss services when you could come? Do you put other things first on a regular basis (Matthew 6:33)? Do you attend Sunday morning Bible study? If not, why not? 3. Giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) Do you give sacrificially? Do you think you contribute your fair share to the Lord's work? Do you consider yourself to be materialistic (where on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1, not at all and 10 being completely so)? 4. Personal Bible Study (Romans 10:17) Do you study the Bible regularly (most days, if not daily)? Do you study merely to prepare for class or do you also study for your own personal growth and development? 5. Nurturing your children (Ephesians 6:4) Do you help your children prepare their Bible class lessons? Do you work with your children to help them apply the classes, sermons, etc. to their lives? Do you bring the Bible into personal situations, like accepting defeat, getting along with other children, obeying your requests, etc.? Do you have any questions about specific problems with your children that the elders could help you with? If you do not have children of your own, do you try to help encourage the children of others spiritually? 6. Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18) How would you rate your ``prayer life'' (again, 1 to 10)? Do you pray regularly with your spouse about your relationship and other things? 7. Using talents (Matthew 25:14-30) Are you helping by teaching classes? Are you currently working with someone to convert him/her to Christ? If so, do you pray about it regularly? Is the man of the house working to prepare himself to serve as an elder or deacon? If so, what qualifications do you currently lack? What areas of your life should you work on so you can serve in this way? Are the other members of the family trying to qualify themselves to be the child/spouse/etc. of an elder or deacon? 8. What kind of influence are you at work, school, etc.? 9. Do you help with visitation of the sick, shut-ins, etc.? 10. How do you feel about the goals, congregational direction, etc.? Is there anything about the church (positive or negative) that you would like to discuss with us? -- Steve Wolfgang (via Impressions, 2/14/93) ___________________________________________ SELECTED QUOTES The religion of some people is well developed at the mouth, but lame at the hands and feet. Your strength is seen in what you stand for; your weakness in what you fall for. Plaque on the desk of an executive: ``Once I thought I was wrong--but I was mistaken.'' If you hold your religion lightly, you are sure to let it slip. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________