JR. Forasteros - October 11, 2015
Werewolves
The Werewolf is a person who has a beast living inside them. We know what that's like: to have something inside us, something we try to control. But just like the monster stories, no matter how hard we try, the Wolf gets out. And our sin doesn't just hurt us, it hurts the people around us. So what's the cure? How do we get rid of the Wolf inside? How do we find victory from the Sin we've dealt with for so long?
From Series: "Monsters"
Why do we love stories about monsters? Vampires, werewolves, zombies and ghosts fascinate us - which is strange. Monster stories aren't really about monsters - they're about us. Monster stories externalize our deepest fears about ourselves. If we're willing to face our monsters head-on, we can find freedom and hope. Let the monsters die that the humans can live!
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We all have a tendency to compare ourselves to the people around us. And especially in the Church, this can make us feel better about the rough places in our lives. We say, Sure I need to get my schedule under control, but I’m not as bad as him. Okay, I have a tendency to gossip. But I’m not as bad as she is. I really need to be kinder with my words, but have you heard him? We see the people around us and we think,
Well. It could be a lot worse. I suppose I’m good enough.
But according to Amos, “not bad” is not good enough. According to Amos, our standard for our lives isn’t what we see around us, but what God calls us to be. That’s a tough pill to swallow, so Amos comes at us sideways. He begins his prophecy with oracles against the nations surrounding Israel. Oracles are predictions of doom, and Amos delivers seven, one to each of the nations around Israel.
Amos is clearly getting Israel on his side.
He knows he’s an outsider, a foreigner. And he’s coming to deliver a message from God to this people that’s not his people. So he begins with oracles of judgment against the other nations. He talks about how They, Them, Those People, the Others, are sinning. But Amos wasn’t done. He goes on, in 2:6
This is what the LORD says: “The people of Israel have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They sell honorable people for silver and poor people for a pair of sandals. They trample helpless people in the dust and shove the oppressed out of the way. Both father and son sleep with the same woman, corrupting my holy name. At their religious festivals, they lounge in clothing their debtors put up as security. In the house of their god, they drink wine bought with unjust fines. — Amos 2:6-8 (NLT)
Instead of being priests to the world around them, Israel looks like the world. They’re darkness in the midst of darkness. This is why God is so angry: Israel should know better.
And what about us? Could we be like Israel today? Are we tempting God’s judgment?
Join us Sunday as we explore what Amos’ words have to say to us today.
