Not So Famous Amos. When God Calls Ordinary People
Not So Famous Amos: When God Calls Ordinary People
Have you ever felt like you're just too ordinary for God to use? Meet Amos – a simple shepherd who changed everything.
The Unlikely Prophet
When we think of biblical heroes, names like Moses, David, or Paul often come to mind. But tucked away in the Old Testament is a man whose story might surprise you – Amos. He wasn't a professional prophet, didn't come from a priestly family, and had no formal religious training. He was simply a shepherd and a tender of sycamore fig trees from the small town of Tekoa.
Yet God chose this "not so famous" man to deliver one of the most powerful messages in Scripture.
God's Plumbline: A Standard That Still Matters
In Amos 7:7-17, we encounter a remarkable vision – God standing beside a wall with a plumbline in His hand. This simple construction tool, used to ensure walls are built straight and true, becomes a profound metaphor for God's standards.
"Look, I am setting a plumbline among my people Israel," God declares. The plumbline represents divine justice, righteousness, and God's unwavering expectations for how we should live.
But here's what's beautiful about God's plumbline – it's not meant to condemn us, but to guide us. Just as a builder uses a plumbline to construct something strong and lasting, God uses His standards to help us build lives that honor Him and serve others.
The Heart of the Message
Amos's message wasn't just about judgment – it was about justice, compassion, and authentic faith. He challenged people who were going through the motions of religion while ignoring the needs of the poor and marginalized. His words echo through the centuries: true worship isn't just about what happens in the sanctuary, but how we treat our neighbors.
This connects beautifully with Jesus's parable of the Good Samaritan. Both stories ask the same fundamental question: Who is my neighbor, and how does God expect me to care for them?
Why "Not So Famous" Matters
In our celebrity-obsessed culture, it's easy to think God only uses the famous, the talented, or the well-connected. Amos reminds us that God delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
You don't need:
Living by God's Plumbline Today
So, what does it mean to live by God's plumbline in 2025? It means:
Pursuing Justice: Standing up for what's right, even when it's uncomfortable Showing Compassion: Seeing the needs around us and responding with love Authentic Faith: Ensuring our actions match our beliefs Humble Service: Using whatever gifts we have to serve others
Your Calling Awaits
Like Amos, you might feel ordinary, overlooked, or unqualified. But God has a history of using the "not so famous" to change the world. He's not looking for perfection – He's looking for availability.
The same God who called a shepherd from Tekoa is calling you today. The question isn't whether you're famous enough, talented enough, or qualified enough. The question is: Are you willing?
Join us this Sunday, July 13 at 10 AM as we explore "Not So Famous Amos" together. Discover how God's plumbline can guide your life and how He wants to use ordinary people like you and me to make an extraordinary difference.
Community Reformed Church Whiting
36 Lacey Road, Whiting, NJ 08759
www.whitingcrc.org
Have you ever felt like you're just too ordinary for God to use? Meet Amos – a simple shepherd who changed everything.
The Unlikely Prophet
When we think of biblical heroes, names like Moses, David, or Paul often come to mind. But tucked away in the Old Testament is a man whose story might surprise you – Amos. He wasn't a professional prophet, didn't come from a priestly family, and had no formal religious training. He was simply a shepherd and a tender of sycamore fig trees from the small town of Tekoa.
Yet God chose this "not so famous" man to deliver one of the most powerful messages in Scripture.
God's Plumbline: A Standard That Still Matters
In Amos 7:7-17, we encounter a remarkable vision – God standing beside a wall with a plumbline in His hand. This simple construction tool, used to ensure walls are built straight and true, becomes a profound metaphor for God's standards.
"Look, I am setting a plumbline among my people Israel," God declares. The plumbline represents divine justice, righteousness, and God's unwavering expectations for how we should live.
But here's what's beautiful about God's plumbline – it's not meant to condemn us, but to guide us. Just as a builder uses a plumbline to construct something strong and lasting, God uses His standards to help us build lives that honor Him and serve others.
The Heart of the Message
Amos's message wasn't just about judgment – it was about justice, compassion, and authentic faith. He challenged people who were going through the motions of religion while ignoring the needs of the poor and marginalized. His words echo through the centuries: true worship isn't just about what happens in the sanctuary, but how we treat our neighbors.
This connects beautifully with Jesus's parable of the Good Samaritan. Both stories ask the same fundamental question: Who is my neighbor, and how does God expect me to care for them?
Why "Not So Famous" Matters
In our celebrity-obsessed culture, it's easy to think God only uses the famous, the talented, or the well-connected. Amos reminds us that God delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
You don't need:
- A theology degree to share God's love
- A perfect past to have a purposeful future
- Fame or fortune to make a difference
- Special credentials to answer God's call
Living by God's Plumbline Today
So, what does it mean to live by God's plumbline in 2025? It means:
Pursuing Justice: Standing up for what's right, even when it's uncomfortable Showing Compassion: Seeing the needs around us and responding with love Authentic Faith: Ensuring our actions match our beliefs Humble Service: Using whatever gifts we have to serve others
Your Calling Awaits
Like Amos, you might feel ordinary, overlooked, or unqualified. But God has a history of using the "not so famous" to change the world. He's not looking for perfection – He's looking for availability.
The same God who called a shepherd from Tekoa is calling you today. The question isn't whether you're famous enough, talented enough, or qualified enough. The question is: Are you willing?
Join us this Sunday, July 13 at 10 AM as we explore "Not So Famous Amos" together. Discover how God's plumbline can guide your life and how He wants to use ordinary people like you and me to make an extraordinary difference.
Community Reformed Church Whiting
36 Lacey Road, Whiting, NJ 08759
www.whitingcrc.org
Recent
Archive
Categories
no categories
No Comments