One More Sermon

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land. Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court. Amos 7:10-13

At this point in the history of the divided kingdom of Israel, both the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom were enjoying political and economic success. The Prophet Hosea was crying out against Israel’s apostasy and rejection of God’s love and the Prophet Isaiah was crying out against religious issues in Judah. It was at this time that God raised up Amos in Judah to go and prophesy against Israel. This was different. God had previously used residents of the region to prophesy to the Jews. Amos began his prophecy by denouncing Israel’s enemies and declaring that God was going to judge them for their crimes against Israel. This undoubtedly pleased Israel. Then Amos pronounced God’s judgment because of Judah’s transgressions. Finally, the word of the Lord through Amos turned to Israel. The details of the impending judgment against Israel did not bode well and the chief priest in Israel took offense at the words of the prophet.

I. Amos
a. Resident of the Southern Kingdom of Judah
b. Sent by God to Prophesy against the Northern Kingdom of Israel
c. Prophesied at Bethel (translated: House of God)

II. Amaziah
a. The Chief Priest of Israel at Bethel
b. Rejected Amos’ Prophecy
c. Accused Amos of Treason against King Jeroboam
d. Demanded that Amos leave Israel

III. Amos’ Sermon
a. Personal Testimony
i. He was not a Prophet
ii. He was not the Son of a Prophet
iii. He was a Country Farmer doing God’s Will
b. He was God Called and God Sent
i. God came to Him (Amos was not seeking this assignment.)
ii. God called Him away from his work as a Shepherd
iii. God sent Him to Israel
c. The Message
i. The King will be Killed
ii. Israel will be taken into Exile by a Foreign Nation
iii. God demands Social Justice along with Righteousness

When Israel strayed from God’s plan for their government, they ended up with a three-pronged leadership model. The leaders included the king (often chosen by the people), the high priest (often chosen or controlled by the king), and the prophet that God would raise up to rebuke the first two and prophesy to the people. Although the chief priest, Amaziah, conspired with King Jeroboam to expel Amos from Israel, Amos, however, was not going to leave until he finished what God sent him to do. Amos had one more sermon for them and it was not good. Amos is a reminder that God always has the last word concerning a matter. If a situation seems to be hopeless, God has one more sermon to restore hope. If it seems that someone is going to get their own way, God has one more sermon to rebuke the backslider. If a sinner has never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, God has one more sermon that they can either accept or reject. No matter the situation or the persons involved, God always has one more sermon.


Robert C. Hudson
April 19, 2009

Before and After

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Phil 2:5-9

Many marketing schemes that promote self-improvement products or systems utilize the concept of “before and after”.

Before and after a diet plan
Before and after the restoration of a classic automobile
Before and after remodeling a fixer-up house
Before and after a fashion makeover
Before and after reconstructive surgery
Before and after formal training

All of these concepts have one thing in common. There is an expectation that the “after” represents a noticeable improvement over the “before”. In advertisements, the picture labeled “after” is to be preferred to the “before” snapshot. If a product claims to be able to cause you to go down four dress sizes or five inches in the waist after six weeks, it is bound to be an instant hit. The proof of the claim is typically displayed by using a “before and after” photograph of an actual customer. Likewise, those seeking to get top dollar on a restored classic automobile are apt to have before and after pictures to indicate the magnitude of work that went into the restoration so that the buyer can appreciate the full value of the labor put in by the seller. It is rare that someone would allow you to see the details of what really happens in between the “before” and the “after” unless it is to establish value of the transformation. Usually, they just want you to see the two extremes, i.e., the “before” and the “after”.

When one considers the two passages of scripture in our text today, the similarities are so striking that it would be easy to overlook the fact that they represent a “before” and an “after”. The first passage is Isaiah’s view of the pre-incarnate Christ seated in his glory. The Hebrew term that has been translated “lifted up” simply means exalted. This heavenly view of Christ in his glory is so awe inspiring that Isaiah is devastated by his own shortcomings and declares “woe is me”. He felt doomed because Christ’s glory was such a contrast to his own unrighteousness. The angelic beings worshiped and praised Christ because of his holiness. The temple’s structure trembled at his presence. All of this was before the Word became flesh. On the other hand, Paul’s declaration of Christ’s current state is that he is highly exalted (or high and lifted up) and every knee in heaven and on earth shall bow at his presence. At a distance, there appears to be no real contrast between this “before and after” description of Christ. But there is a difference and this difference occurred as in all cases between the before and the after. This difference represents an interruption in the endless succession of eternity that allowed he who is eternal to become a part of that which is known as time. Time has no significance in the eternal scheme. Moses declared that a thousand years in God’s sight is like yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night (3 hours). Yet, this sliver of time was enough time to cause the necessary change to the “after” exaltation of Christ. In that sliver of time, he who is immortal took upon himself mortality. Since the details needed to distinguish the before and the after cannot be adequately seen using Paul’s view, we should look at it from the Apostle John’s view. When John saw him, he looked like a lamb that had been slain. This reminds me of the forty days prior to him reassuming his seat on his throne in glory. It was Jesus who invited Thomas to put his finger in the holes in his hands or to thrust his hand into the opening in his side made by the Roman soldier’s spear. His after picture was scarred up and showed visible signs of physical abuse. In his after picture, he bore the scars of Calvary. How then was this after an improvement over the before? The improvement is in what is not seen. When he ascended, he led captivity captive. In other words, he overruled death not just for himself but for all that would accept him by faith as their Lord and Savior. That is the reason I celebrate today. It’s not about Easter bunnies or dyed eggs. I love those traditions but I thank God today that I heard about the “before and after” of Christ.

Today we celebrate the centerpiece of the Christian faith. Resurrection Sunday is a reminder for Christians of the one thing that distinguishes Christianity from all other religious doctrine. Like Christians, there are others that believe in one God and many claim to have a personal relationship with him. Many have claimed for years to hear voices from the gods they worshiped outside of the Judeo-Christian belief systems. However, the bodily resurrection of a man who claimed to be the son of God prior to his death should not be ignored by any serious salvation seeker nor should it be ignored by any who might be curious of phenomenon that appears to go against the natural order of things. The resurrection from the dead was not new within Judaism for it was reported on several occasions hundreds of years prior to Jesus’ resurrection. What was new was the absence of a human agent through whom God displayed his power over death. Jesus claimed that he could lay down his life and pick it up again; and the power to do so was all within him. This is not just a claim to have power over the death event itself but power over all of the ensuing consequences of death. This is power over rigor mortis, brain damage from lack of oxygen, major organ failure from lack of nutrition, and total loss of physical faculties. Jesus claimed that he is the resurrection. Not only is he the author of the resurrection event, he is the very event itself. Jesus is the resurrection. It is Jesus who is able to constantly reproduce “before and after” effects throughout the world. There’s something about a person who has had a salvific encounter with Jesus. They are just no longer the same afterwards. It may take a while to see it on the outside but there is an inward change that works its way to the outside. When a person asks Jesus to come into their heart, the after is always an improvement over the before.


Robert C. Hudson
April 12, 2009

Receiving Faith

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matt 13:18-23

As we continue our faith walk, the word of God admonishes us that the just shall live by faith and that without faith it is impossible to please God. We reject faith in one of two ways. We either stubbornly refuse to believe the preached word of God or we speak against the word of God. We cannot continuously refuse and accept at the same time neither can we speak against the word and whole heartedly receive it. So if receiving the word of God is the key to receiving faith from God, then how do we go about receiving it? We can thank God that Jesus gave the answer to that specific question. The synoptic gospel writers present Jesus as the master teacher who carefully utilizes parables as a teaching aid. It should be noted that John’s gospel account does not include any of Jesus’ parabolic teachings. Of the thirty or forty parables recorded in the gospel accounts, a fifth of them can be found in the thirteenth chapter of Matthew. The one that explains how different listeners hear the word of God and respond to it is found here along with Jesus’ interpretation of the parable. In fact, Jesus told his disciples if they could not understand this parable, then how could they understand the others. This is an indication that it is important for Christians to understand this one. The proclamation of the gospel is the seed that is sown. The heart of man is the ground on which the seed falls. What happens after that depends on the ground or the condition of the person’s heart. Many can listen to the same preaching but all will not necessarily receive it and become fruitful as a result of it.

I. Wayside Listeners
A. Hear the Word but don’t Understand It
B. Don’t Know or Appreciate the Value of the Word of God
C. The Devil takes the Word from Them before They discover It’s Value

II. Stony Ground
A. Shallow Christians
B. Religion is a Veneer Covering for Them
C. The Word excites Them but It doesn’t Change Them

III. Thorns
A. Too many Priorities
B. Worldly Concerns
C. The Pursuit of Riches
D. Christianity is a Religion and not a Way of Life

IV. Good Ground
A. Hear and Understand the Word
B. Allow the Word to take full Effect in Their Lives
C. Become fruitful because of the Word

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. How we hear determines whether we receive the word and allow it to become fruitful in our lives. The book of Acts records an occasion where a paralyzed man listened as Paul preached the gospel message. Paul perceived that this man had faith to be healed and as a result of that faith, the man was given strength to walk for the first time in his life. Paul was not preaching a message on healing but he was preaching the gospel. Receiving the word of the gospel is so powerful that it can overcome physical circumstances. Before we talk about healing or financial blessings, we should make sure that the message of the gospel is preached so that spiritual healing can occur first. When the message of the gospel falls on good ground, the person’s life will become fruitful and God will be pleased. It is a simple message: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, he was buried and he rose again the third day according to the scriptures, and he was seen by over five hundred eyewitnesses according to the scriptures. Who has ears to hear, let him hear.


Robert C. Hudson
April 5, 2009

The Rejection of Faith

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. Romans 10:17-21 (KJV)

The Apostle Paul in his treatise on Christian doctrine explains Israel’s current situation under grace or during the dispensation of grace. Israel has rejected God’s plan and messiah which has led to a way for the Gentiles to be brought into the kingdom of God. Israel has remained steadfastly religious during this time but nationally they have been blinded according to Paul. This current situation was prophesied by Isaiah as Paul points out. Because of their rejection of faith, God has blinded them to the truth of the gospel. Ironically, Paul declares that they have heard the message or the words of the message. In spite of hearing the message, they have not received it nor can they receive it until God gives them spiritual sight again. The only way to receive the word is through faith. And, according to our text today, this they have rejected.

I. Israel’s Rejection of Faith
A. Disobedience (willfully disbelieving)
B. Gainsaying (refuse or speak against)

II. The Necessity of Faith
A. Impossible to please God without Faith
B. All Things are Possible to Him who Believes
C. Salvation is by Grace through Faith

III. Christians’ Rejection of Faith
A. Willfully Disbelieving
B. Speaking Against Things We understand Not


Many Christians, today, find themselves in a situation similar to Israel’s situation. They have stopped growing spiritually. It is for the same reason as Israel’s condition. Many Christians, after accepting faith and receiving the gospel message of salvation, have now turned their backs on faith. How is that possible? It is possible through willful disbelief and stubborn refusal to accept any more faith from God. Faith is not believing in something so much that it has to be true. That is called wishful thinking. Faith is trusting God to the point of taking his word at face value, believing in it, and receiving it. Faith originates or starts with God but we have to receive it. Faith must be received from God. Faith, like grace, is a gift from God. The only way to have it is to receive it. The faith I had to be saved is not the same as the faith I need to live as a Christian. Yes, I am saved but now I have to trust God to order my steps so that I can live according to his will. Christian living is not something we have to figure out. We have to trust God’s word to the point of receiving it at face value. His word will direct our steps. As we allow the Holy Ghost to guide us, we experience a newness of life. There are many today who speak against the works of the Holy Ghost; this is not because they can prove their point of view by the scriptures. They speak against the works of the Holy Ghost because they have not experienced them. So it is impossible for them to have faith to experience those works because of their gainsaying or stubborn refusal.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” I have often wondered how two people can come to the same teaching week after week and one of them grow to the point of having a totally new spiritual walk and the other continues to ask the same type of questions or make the same type of statements as the very first day of class. The answer lies in their faith. One comes expecting and believing the absoluteness of God’s word and the other comes skeptical and believing they already know enough. Salvation is the greatest promise of all but it is our faith that makes us complete today. This is what Jesus taught. Jesus said to the woman who had an issue of blood “Daughter, thy faith has made thee whole.” He said to the leper who returned to give him thanks “Arise, go thy way: thy faith has made thee whole.” He said to blind Bartimeus “Go thy way; thy faith has made thee whole.” He said to a prostitute after she had washed his feet with her tears, dried them with the hair on her head, and kissed his feet “Thy faith has saved thee; go in peace.” What’s your testimony today? Have you rejected faith or are you walking by faith? Whenever we reject the faith that God offers us, we cannot walk by faith but instead we walk by sight. We depend on our insight, our hindsight, or our foresight. In other words, we lean on our own understanding. God wants to teach us a better way. This way starts with his son, Jesus.

Robert C. Hudson
March 29, 2009