SCRIPTURE: Amos 5:18-9:15
“Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:23-24)
Stop singing worship songs, start living worship lives!!!!
According to Amos, God is not impressed by our love songs, when not accompanied by love lives.
Churches today need to heed the warnings of this prophecy.
The ‘church’ at that time was ‘complacent in Zion’, comfortable and careless.
Are we any better?
We can get so wrapped in our Sunday morning ‘worship’, we forget the worship of life!
What is the worship that pleases God?
It is not fancy buildings, skilled musicians, dramatic productions, beautiful music, large crowds, etc.
Yes, the heart of worship is love for God and Jesus… but it is also love for God’s others.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)
The sacrifice of praise AND the sacrifice of goodness and generosity – this pleases God!
The worship of service pleases God more than the worship of song!
And the worship of song is only pleasing when it is accompanied by the worship of service.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive us for missing the point as Christians. Rescue us from our worship services, that we might worship You with service!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
I’ve had conversations recently with friends who say ‘you should so come to this church’ they have the best worship team! Though in my response I say ‘that shouldn’t matter’. In all honesty it doesn’t. If the worship music is what keeps people going to church or not, then it’s all for the wrong reasons I think. Not to say it’s not important because I’m a huge music person and feel in tuned with God during ‘worship’ but I agree it has to be aligned with service through God as his people that makes it truly beautiful.
Observation/Application
The plump line – finding out how straight/level the building is – finding out how true the people are. They were not true. Once again they had drifted from the Way and done their own thing like in the days of Judges – they did what was right in their own eyes – not God’s. The Lord would deal with these people who were not really His by their actions, like the surrounding nations. Judgement would come upon them also. No special privilege. The people had false security.
Amos, the farmer now prophet saw all that was to happen and cried out to the Lord. Restoration will take place. God’s people need to be rooted in Him.
Where does my help come from?
My Help comes from the Lord my Maker and all that I do must honour Him. I must be rooted in Him. All of my life I need to serve the living God. Guide me and direct me by Your Spirit Lord.
My life is in You Lord
My strength is in You Lord
My hope is in You Lord
In You, It’s in You (repeat)
I will praise You with all of my life
I will praise You with all of my strength
With all of my life
With all of my strength
All of my hope is in You!