God Gets to the Heart of the Matter --- 2019/11/19
Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio
English - November 20, 2019 21:17 - 16 hours - 38.1 MB - ★★★★★ - 84 ratingsChristianity Religion & Spirituality sharper iron his time kfuo bible study interview treasury of daily prayer morning prayer Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Rev. Christopher Jackson, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Algoma, WI and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Forestville, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Amos 8:4-6.
Amos proclaims the reason for the LORD’s condemnation against His people. They have not recognized the brotherhood that exists among the people of Israel. Instead, they have mistreated the poor, abusing them even to the point of selling them into slavery for the most paltry of debts. The merchants have fleeced the poor in every possible way to maximize their profits, engaging in corrupt business practices even while trying to make everything appear right. The merchants have not acted alone, however. They have been aided by corrupt priests like Amaziah in an effort to cover up their sins with outward religiosity. The LORD knows their hearts. Even as they outwardly observe the festivals correctly, they are only concerned with getting back to their oppression of the poor. Amos’ preaching will not let us off the hook for either our mistreatment of the poor or our idolatrous worship. In Jesus Christ, we see the matter of right faith and right living come together for our great good. He cares for the poor, not only economically, but spiritually as well. He calls out those who would use religion to cover up their sins. He trusts perfectly in God as He sacrifices Himself on the cross in full generosity to us poor sinners. Redeemed in Him, our worship is made true and faithful so that our lives show forth the fruits that He produces toward our neighbor.