Reference

Amos 7:7-15

Sermon Notes

I Lift Up My Soul

This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand.

And the Lord said to me, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A plumb-line.’ Then the Lord said,

‘See, I am setting a plumb-line
in the midst of my people Israel;
I will never again pass them by;
the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,
and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,
and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.’

Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, ‘Amos has conspired against you in the very centre of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words.

For thus Amos has said,
“Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel must go into exile
away from his land.”’

And Amaziah said to Amos, ‘O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.’

Then Amos answered Amaziah, ‘I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”’

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.

 

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Text: Amos 7:7-15

Key Verses: 14 Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am no prophet nor a prophet's son, but I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees, 15 and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'

Questions

What situations today make you feel like speaking up is risky—or even hopeless?

“No situation is hopeless as long as people speak up. And that includes us.”

  • Where do you see injustice, complacency, or abuse of power in your community or world?
  • What holds you back from speaking up?
  • What happens when people don't speak up?

How do you relate to Amos—the ordinary person called to speak truth?

“Amos was a shepherd and a sycamore fig farmer … but he spoke out anyway.”

  • Can you think of a time when you, or someone you know, used their voice for justice despite feeling unqualified?
  • What might God be asking you to say or do right now?

How do we sometimes confuse power and prosperity with God’s blessing?

“We think military power and prosperity is a sign that God is on our side.”

  • In what ways do you see this mindset shaping politics, faith, or society today?
  • How can we resist the temptation to worship success instead of seeking justice?

What does it mean to “lift up your soul to God” instead of giving in to fear or intimidation?

“To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul …” (Psalm 25)

  • How can prayer, trust, and honest lament strengthen you to speak out or act in hard situations?
  • Where do you need courage right now?

Who are the “Amos voices” you hear today—and how can you support or join them?

“We need ordinary people speaking up.”

  • Are there people, movements, or communities that you see speaking truth to power?
  • How can you encourage, amplify, or join their witness?

Prayer Prompts

A prayer for courage to speak truth

“God, give me the courage to speak truth to power, even when it’s uncomfortable or risky.”

  • Pray for boldness like Amos to stand up for justice in your family, community, or nation.
  • Ask God to help you use your voice faithfully and wisely.

A prayer of repentance for times we’ve stayed silent

“Forgive me, God, for the times I’ve stayed quiet when I should have spoken up.”

  • Confess moments when fear, comfort, or indifference kept you from standing with the vulnerable.
  • Ask for a spirit of "power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).

A prayer to resist false gods of power and prosperity

“God, help me reject the false idols of wealth, privilege, and political power.”

  • Pray for discernment to see when society, leaders, or even our hearts worship power over justice.
  • Ask God to help you follow the way of compassion and integrity.

A prayer to lift up your soul in trust

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul …” (Psalm 25:1)

  • Offer your fears, hopes, and struggles to God in trust.
  • Pray for strength to hold fast to faith when facing opposition or discouragement.

A prayer for justice to roll down like waters

“God, let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)

  • Cry out for justice in specific situations of oppression, neglect, or abuse of power.
  • Ask God to raise up voices—including your own—for mercy, justice, and love.