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When God is darkness not light (Amos 5:18-27)

Mark BarnesMark Barnes, September 21, 2008
Part of the Amos series, preached at a Sunday Morning service

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https://www.bethel-clydach.co.uk/sermons/?show&file_name=2008-09-21-am.mp3 Download
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« Job - Growth of the soul If you love your life you will lose it Present grace and future grace »

Amos 5:18–27 (Listen)

18   Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD!
    Why would you have the day of the LORD?
  It is darkness, and not light,
19     as if a man fled from a lion,
    and a bear met him,
  or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall,
    and a serpent bit him.
20   Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light,
    and gloom with no brightness in it?
21   “I hate, I despise your feasts,
    and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22   Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them;
  and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
    I will not look upon them.
23   Take away from me the noise of your songs;
    to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
24   But let justice roll down like waters,
    and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

25 “Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 26 You shall take up Sikkuth your king, and Kiyyun your star-god—your images that you made for yourselves, 27 and I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the LORD, whose name is the God of hosts.

(ESV)

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Anna’s story

“I wanted forgiveness and heaven, but I thought doing what God wanted would make me unhappy”

I desperately wanted all the good things being a Christian has to offer; forgiveness, heaven, etc., but I didn't want to do anything that was too difficult or uncomfortable for me. I thought doing what God wanted would stop me being happy. But it’s funny how things turn out, isn't it? My biggest fear came true and yet I am happier than I ever dreamed I would be. I know I can trust God with all my fears; knowing and trusting him is the happiest place to be. He made us as people who will only ever be truly satisfied and happy when we find our satisfaction and happiness in him.
Read more of Anna’s story
Finding faith
We love sharing our faith with others, but we also know from our own experience that many people need time and space to think through the message of the Bible for themselves. So if you want to explore what Christianity offers, we think you'll find Bethel a great place to do that. If you want to just listen, that's fine. If you've got questions, we'll do our best to help. If you've problems that no-one else seems to be able to help with — perhaps a bereavement, family crisis, or spiralling debts — then you'll find Bethel a place where you can not only get emotional and practical support, but spiritual help, too.
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