Life is short and valuable One day you are minding your own business, buying school supplies for your kids, and the next moment, you and your kid are gone Life is so precious and fragile

Status & Significance Family Reunion – watching the years go by, losing loved ones, cousins my age turning into parents and even grandparents. We honestly do not realize how little time we have with one another (study showing the amount of time people had left with loved ones based on how often they see each other) Makes me reflect on something Bob Husband said a while back… “while we are younger, we seek status, and as we get older, we seek significance” Made me think about answering the question, “How do I live my best life”?

It has to be about JUSTICE, not JUST US Living and Dying for a Just World

Are you a follower of Jesus Are you a follower of Jesus? He sends out tweets all the time so my teaching may be interrupted a few times this morning

Jesus is concerned

ACCOUNTABILITY?

Amos: Background Jeroboam 2nd (782-753 *B.C.) was king of Israel and Uzziah (767-740 *B.C.) was king of Judah Amos came from Tekoa, about 12 miles south of Jerusalem. He was a *shepherd and he looked after *fig trees (as many people in the Bible, was a regular Joe) During the time of Jeroboam 2nd the nation of Israel became rich, country expanded to the times of Solomon due to less pressure from surrounding conquerors (Syria in particular, but no pressure from Assyria or Egypt either) which allowed control of the trade routes Most of Amos’ proclamations were towards Israel although he was from Judah

Amos: the Message

Amos: Background 6 This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Israel,     even for four, I will not relent. They sell the innocent for silver,     and the needy for a pair of sandals. 7 They trample on the heads of the poor     as on the dust of the ground     and deny justice to the oppressed. As I was saying, Israel’s people were prospering, feeling pretty secure about their lives, living pretty comfortable An affluent upper class formed in Israel and began to use their influence to maintain their lifestyles, at the detriment of others (namely, the poor) Amos was directed against the privileged people of Israel, a people who had no love for their neighbor, who took advantage of others, and who only looked out for their own concerns Slavery, Oppression, Denial of Justice

Amos: Warnings & Critiques Used false worship (of idols) as power over others 26 You have lifted up the shrine of your king,     the pedestal of your idols,     the star of your god     which you made for yourselves. Any of these things sound familiar? Are there any idols being worshipped and used to justify evil acts? Idol of fear is being used to justify police shootings, ICE raids, and putting kids in cages

Amos: Warnings & Critiques 5: 21-23 Hypocritical service rejected 5:21-23 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals;     your assemblies are a stench to me. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,     I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,     I will have no regard for them. 23 Away with the noise of your songs!     I will not listen to the music of your harps. Did not think behavior mattered as long as you went through the motions of religion

Amos: Warnings & Critiques 5: 11-12 11 You levy a straw tax on the poor     and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,     you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards,     you will not drink their wine. 12 For I know how many are your offenses     and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes     and deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Taking advantage of the farmers and take their land through unfair business practices You manipulate the justice system to get your way

Wait Just a Minute

Today’s Israel Homelessness (Utah and the homeless) Burdened by debt (student loans, payday/title loans, credit card debt/interest, IRS Tax Laws, Money order fees, mortgage interest, etc.) The 5%, 15%, and 80% Healthcare Slavery – the past and the present Mass Incarceration Judgement when getting help (why don’t people judge corporate welfare, tax breaks, or business practices?)

Israel Today

What’s the Move? Living your best life

How do I rebel? Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 – 1945 ) was a Lutheran Pastor who was an influential critic of Hitler and Nazism, executed in 1945. He publically spoke against the Nazi policy of euthanasia and the murder of Jews. He was executed in a Nazi concentration camp, shortly before the end of the war. 15 Highlighted Germans that stood against Hitler (9 or 60% died for justice)(3 arrested)(1 used all his money to protect Jewish factory workers of a plant he bought)(2 Fled but still contributed to the cause)

How do I rebel? Bryan Stevenson – Just Mercy Harvard Law Degree Chooses to dedicate his life to freeing innocent men on death row Amos 5:10 10 There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court     and detest the one who tells the truth.

Amos said it Best 24 But let justice roll on like a river,     righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Amos: Message of hope – Abundance for all Amos 9:13 - “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman     and the planter by the one treading grapes.

Words of advice Give yourself life goals with deadlines Remember that the Greatest Story Ever Told is still being written and we all have a role in it

Come spend some time with me Why did God choose the route he did to spread his message to the world (Jesus sacrificing himself on a cross)? Whatever the reason, this method showed us an example of how to live and die for one another. It inspires me to do the small things I can do to promote his teachings and resemble the behaviors he would want us to follow. It inspires me to live out my part in the story to the best of my ability