'The Identity Of The People Of God'

Amos 1-2

What defines our identity as people of God? For Israel the answer was simple. God was at work in their lives and in their history. He had brought them out of Egypt, led them to the Promised Land, revealed himself through the prophetic word.
However, as Amos compares the lifestyle of his contemporaries to the sins and crimes of the surrounding nations, a horrible truth begins to emerge. By practicing injustice Israel has betrayed its identity as the people of God and sank to the level of its pagan neighbours.
Our identity is defined by what God has done for us. But it is expressed in a lifestyle of justice and in actions of mercy and compassion towards the weak and the poor.


Message Points:

  1. The Crimes of Israel's Neighbours
  2. The Crimes of Israel
  3. Justice and Christian Identity

Application Questions:

  1. How do we as Christians define our identity?

  2. In your own context who are the 'people who do no matter'?

  3. How is oppression manifested in our world, in our community, in our own life?