I can still remember my wedding day as the pastor said that today the two shall become one as God intended. Marriage is a beautiful picture of what God is doing in and with the church. The church is referred to in the book of Revelation and elsewhere as the bride of Christ. While many people think that only the New Testament speaks of the Gospel going to the Gentiles, today’s text will shows us that this simply isn’t the case. From the beginning of time, God has always intended to make one family out of two groups, the Jews and the Gentiles. In our text today, Amos is writing about the certainty of God’s judgment on Israel. Amos was not only talking about judgment on Israel, but he was also looking ahead to a future judgment, when God judges the world. However, Amos also sees God’s mercy and His restoration both for Israel, and then eventually the world. Amos 9:11-12 says, “On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up it ruins, and rebuilt it as the days of old; that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does this thing.” Here we can easily see that God always planned for the Gospel and His kingdom to include both Jews and Gentiles. This is really speaking about the unity that the Gospel gives.
Our unity is rooted in the Trinity. There is one God, who exists in three separate, equal parts. They are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. While the Trinity is made up of three persons, they are all united and equal to one another. They have different functions, but the same purpose. This is a picture of marriage. The husband and wife are equal in that they are made in God’s image; however, God has given each of us separate, distinct roles. However, the purpose is the same, to glorify God and to spread His kingdom. This is also a picture of the church. Paul makes it clear in Romans 12 that while there are many members, there is only one body. We all are equal in God’s eyes, but God gives different spiritual gifts to each believer, for a specific purpose. When we use our spiritual gift for the glory of God and the good of the church, the church is built up and strengthened. The end result is that the church is a witness to its community of the power of the Gospel to change hearts and lives. It also results in the Gospel spreading further, which is a fulfillment of the Great Commission. If you are a child of God, this is your calling. We are to be a disciple who makes disciple-makers. We are to protect the unity and the testimony of the church. It is important that we take our calling seriously, because God has said over and over that a day of judgment is coming. If the church spends all of its time fighting with each other, then people will not hear the Gospel. When people don’t hear the Gospel, then they die having never heard the only message that could save them, and the result is they will spend eternity in the lake of fire. So my appeal to my brothers and sisters is this, let’s walk in unity for the sake of the church and for the sake of the lost, that we might be united in love and mission to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
By His grace and for His glory,
Pastor Justin