Amos
What is it that brings true rest in our lives? There are times when I wake up from a long night’s sleep and I feel just as tired as when I went to bed. There are days that i have off that I will do very little besides sit around the house but end up feeling more run down. There are times when I return from a vacation, and I am more worn out than when I left. How can this happen? How is it that doing nothing can make me feel deflated? True rest can prove illusive. So, what is true rest?
The Bible has much to teach us about rest. The Lord promises the people of Israel that he will give to them rest when they enter the promise land (Ex 33:14). He commands that his people rest one day in seven (Ex 35:2). The Lord Jesus promises that whoever comes to him will find rest for their souls (Matt 11:29). And the author to the Hebrews promises that there is a rest that remains for those who are in Christ (Heb 4:9). The Lord is clearly moving his people toward a place of rest.
However, in our passage for this Sunday the people of Israel are rebuked for pursuing the wrong type of rest. In verse 1 we read,
“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion…”(Amos 6:1 ESV)
The people of Israel were resting but they were resting in presumption, indulgence, and pride. They were at ease, but they were not at peace. And what we will see is that true rest does not lead to such self-centered ends but rather it leads to Christ-centered trust, satisfaction, and humility. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Amos 6, Exodus 33:13-15, Joshua 1:13, Proverbs 29:23, Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:1-13, and this article on Rest.
As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s Day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above.” the Acclamation of Praise “He Will Hold Me Fast” and the Hymn of Response “Arise, My Soul, Arise” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him.
Sermon Information
Text: Amos 6:1-14
Title: True Rest
Outline:
- You Must Turn from Presumption to Trust (vv. 1-3)
- You Must Turn from Indulgence to Satisfaction (vv. 4-7)
- You Must Turn from Pride to Humility (vv. 8-14)