For Three Transgressions, Yes, for Four

This passage deals with the scene in which God, through Amos, declares that he will judge the surrounding Gentile nations, including Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, as well as Judah and Israel. When Israel was under the rule of great powers, it resolved to serve God, but the moment it enjoyed freedom and prosperity it grew proud instead, exploited the poor and powerless, and became corrupt. Before judging his beloved people, God first judged the Gentile nations and gave them a chance to repent, but they never came to understand.

The sermon emphasizes that God begins his judgment at the sanctuary and does not forgive even small injustices, discrimination, and idolatry. In particular, the sin of the chosen people, who ignored God's Law and trampled the weak, is treated as heavier than the sins of the Gentile nations. We must be careful not to believe our own thinking is right and judge others, or become a whip to the world. God is not one who is present only in the church; he is the Lord of justice, who watches over the sins of the whole world and judges them.

We must look back on whether we truly have a better faith than the Gentile nations, and whether we have become believers who are not proud but humbly fear God. Take this opportunity God has given to reflect seriously on whether there is any promise you have failed to keep, and whether you have been proud toward other believers.