Outside the Word of God
A Sermon on Amos 8:9-12
Scripture
9And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day: 10And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into …
Sermon Description
God made humanity for Himself and His own pleasure. In this sermon on Amos 8:9–12 titled “Outside the Word of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the warnings of sin and the promises of obedience God gave to Israel. The Christian message starts with personal condemnation and exposure of sin, but it does not stop there. Hear the gracious message of God making a way for people in spite of their grievous sin. God’s only Son came to deliver humanity from the wrath they deserved. Why do people ignore the word of God? They think they know better. This is the same today as in Amos’s time with the children of Israel. Humanity doesn't like the word of God because they don’t like what it commands and what it prohibits. This is a moral problem. Is religion just a parachute to fall back on in time of need? God sends His word and speaks, but people ignore it. God chastises and punishes, but He gives hope by calling people back to Himself through famines. Learn about the worst famine of all—the silence of God. The disobedient person is left to themselves and completely hopeless. Nothing they or anyone else can do will improve their position. Find a firm foundation in the hope of Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- God sends his word to men. This is how God begins his dealings with mankind. He addresses us through his word, the Bible.
- Man ignores and turns his back upon the word of God. This is the story of mankind and the children of Israel. Man thinks he knows better, dislikes what the word tells him, and believes he can always fall back on the word in times of trouble.
- God chastises and punishes to call us back to himself. He may send famines, droughts, troubles, sickness, losses, or even allow wars and natural disasters. God always warns before he strikes.
- If man persists in ignoring God, he pronounces final punishment. This is eternal separation from God in misery. The sun goes down at noon, feasts turn to mourning, and there is no comfort or hope.
- To die without knowing the gospel is to be left to yourself with no comfort or hope, not understanding life or God. You are condemned already.
- But it is not too late. Now is the day of salvation. Turn from sin and believe the gospel, and you will know the glories of God's word.
Old Testament
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.