Year A - Proper 27

Liturgy of the Word:
Amos 5:18-24
Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13

Having gone through the lectionary cycle twice using the Gospel lessons for my sermon text each week, it is time to move on. I am primarily an Old Testament reader. Since my own personal revival, I have concentrated on the Hebrew Scriptures. The past six years concentrating on the Gospel passages has taught me a lot about the New Testament, especially about the teachings of Jesus and the differences of the four Gospels. But I long to get back into my study of the Hebrew Scriptures. So, beginning with this Sunday's sermon, I will be taking my text from the Old Testament lesson, still using the lectionary as a guide to the particular message God has for me and my congregation.

This week, I have been thinking about what Amos says about the expectations of the Day of the Lord. For Christians this would be the Second Coming of Jesus. It's all about the end-times. In the nature of "Pie-in-the-sky-bye-and-bye" Christianity, looking toward the end times is filled with hope. Hope for a better life. Hope for deliverance from our persecutors. But Amos reminds us that the Day of the Lord, the Second Coming, is still, and always has been, a day of Judgement. In the words of anglobaptist it will be a day of "rigorous honesty." Can we face a trial by fire. Can we face the exposure of our darkest moments and still have hope that this day will come soon? Wouldn't we be better served if God delayed a little longer so we might have time to undo all the evil that men do?

Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptations call
Where could I go but to the Lord

Where could I go where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to help me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord

Neighbors are fun I love 'em everyone
We get along in sweet accord
But when I pass the chilling hand of death
Where could I go but to the Lord

Where could I go where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to help me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord

Life here is grand with friends I love so well
Comfort I get from God's own Word
But when my soul needs manna from above
Where could I go but to the Lord

Where could I go where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to help me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord

Where could I go where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to help me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go but to the Lord
- J. B. Coats, sung by Emmylou Harris