📖 “Famine of the Word of God”

By Pastor Terry – DocBMedia.com

🔥 Main Text:

Amos 8:11 (KJV)

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land,not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”

🚪 Introduction: A Famine Like No Other

Now, most people know what a famine of food is. We’ve read about it in history. We’ve seen it on the news. When people are starving, they do desperate things:

• Parents feed children before themselves.

• People dig through trash just for a scrap.

• Some walk hundreds of miles hoping for one meal.

But what happens when people are spiritually starving?

God said through the prophet Amos that a time was coming when people would long to hear the Word of the Lord — but not be able to find it.

And friend, I believe we are dangerously close to that day.

📚 Old Testament Illustration: A Famine You Could Hear

In 1 Samuel 3:1, we’re told:

“The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”

Why? Because the people were corrupt. The priests were wicked. And no one was listening. God was silent. Imagine living in a world where Heaven isn’t speaking anymore — and the worst part is, nobody even notices.

That’s not just judgment — that’s mercy withdrawn.

📖 New Testament Warning: People Choosing Fast Food Over Manna

In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul writes:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine… but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears…”

We’re watching it happen:

• Sound doctrine traded for smooth talk.

• Conviction swapped for comfort.

• Bibles are closed while emotions are stirred.

People still gather. They still sing. They still “go to church,”…But they’re starving because they’re not getting fed the Word.

💡 The Devastation of This Famine

This famine of the Word doesn't kill the body — it rots the soul:

• It’s why people can sit in church for years and never grow.

• It’s why confusion spreads like wildfire on social media.

• It’s why whole generations are losing their biblical compass.

And listen — the most dangerous part? They think they’re full… but eat fluff instead of Bread.

🧍‍♂️ Illustration: A Starving Man at a Banquet

Imagine a man seated at a banquet table, but all he eats is the garnish. There’s steak, Bread, fresh vegetables — but he’s nibbling parsley and sipping water.

Now, imagine he’s proud of it. He says, “This is all I need. I feel full.”

But in time, he’ll weaken, fade, and eventually die of starvation — surrounded by what could’ve saved him.

That’s what’s happening in churches where the Word is absent.

🙏 God’s Grace-Based Warning

Now hear this: God didn’t say, “I’ll stop loving you.”He said, “I’ll stop speaking… if you stop listening.”

That’s not punishment — this is a brokenhearted Father giving His children what they said they wanted. Silence!

But the good news? That famine hasn’t fully arrived — yet. The Bread is still on the Table. The Living Water still flows. The Spirit is still whispering, “Come and eat.”

📖 Jesus’ Promise: The Holy Spirit Will Teach You

You don’t need a theology degree or fancy words. You need an open Bible and an open heart.

John 16:13 – “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…”1 John 2:27 – “…the anointing… teacheth you of all things…”

💬 Summary: Why I Keep Preaching This

I’m not trying to be dramatic. I’m not trying to shame you. I’m trying to wake you up before the silence falls.

You can’t live off what your pastor knows. You can’t survive off yesterday’s sermon. And you sure can’t grow by hoping someone else will read it for you.

God told YOU to:

• Read the Word

• Teach it to your children

• Share what the Spirit shows you (Even if you never preach a sermon or set foot in a sanctuary)

  
  

🙌 Altar Call

If you’ve let the Bible sit unopened…If you’ve relied more on emotion than Scripture…If you’ve been eating garnish instead of Bread…

Today’s the day to come back to the Table.

🙏 Sinner’s Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I confess I’ve wandered from Your Word. I’ve been too busy, too distracted, or too dependent on others to feed me.I repent — and I come back hungry.Thank You for dying for me, rising again, and calling me to follow You. Fill me with Your Spirit. Open my eyes when I open the Bible.Teach me, guide me, and feed me with Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

📖 Final Challenge: Start Today

Go home and open your Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. Start with one chapter a day — and expect Him to speak.

This is not about legalism.This is about life or death.The famine is coming — but for now, the Bread is still warm.

Note: I have preached this message from my heart for decades. Now it’s time to send it to the ends of the earth — Before the Silence Falls.

Please read it, start reading your Bible, pray, and repost this message to as many people and places as possible.