"THE FAMINE FOR THE WORD OF GOD"
Intro: For years the Bible has been the #1 seller. Yet there is a famine
for the Word of God. Amos a layman, herdsman & fig picker. Prophet
to Israel first message to Damascus - Gaza - Tyre - Edon - Moab -
Judah - mild -thunders against sins of Israel - privilege
creates responsibility. Great judgment - Famine for Word.
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY FAMINE FOR WORD OF GOD?
A. Not that God ceases to speak.
B. Man no longer understands or hears.
1. No message from the unseen.
2. No message to the deepest area of life.
3. No consciousness of the infinite.
4. No thrill to the voice of God.
C. What is the reason for man's lack? vs. 14
1. Substitution of the creature for the creator.
a. Substitute nature for God.
b. "...Priest for God.
c. "...Ceremony for God.
d. Though God's voice speaking you never hear;
stopped short of God.
e. It's not that the letter killeth.
D. Idolatry always results in famine.
II. WHAT DOES THE FAMINE PRODUCE?
A. Restlessness -a search.
1. An ignorant restlessness.
2. They really don't know what they are searching for
3. A semi-conscious restlessness.
a. Try to substitute something very religious for
the Word of God.
1. Lodges.
2. Theosophy & Christian Science - Unity
God without government; sin without
guilt.
3. A conscious search that finds no
answer.
a. Looking for something new & novel.
b. They search the scriptures not to find Christ
but to find some new theory.
Materialism is a perpetual lust; an unanswered agony of desire.
Ill. WHO IS AFFECTED BY THE FAMINE?
A. The whole society but it manifests itself in the youth. vs. 13
1. The prophet speaks of the effects upon the next
generation - fair virgins & young men.
2. Those with the life all ahead of them fainting for
thirst.
3. We have fed our youth with hulls & chaff & now wonder
why they are not strong.
4. A man I know with a great drinking problem tells me he
doesn't need faith in Christ. It's a crutch for weak
people, he has decided God doesn't exist.
IV. WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO THE FAMINE?
A. Put away our idolatries, quit worshipping & serving the
creature.
B. Quit running around after experiences "Last days not enduring
sound doctrine..."
C. Seek the Lord and His Word, until He begins to speak to you.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.