AlterterOriginalJVMcGee2005 SONGS: CLOSE:LoveFoundaWay(Wonderfullovethatrescuedme)

TheGreatestSininALLtheWorld
MeetTheGodWhoLovesYou3 TEXT: Hosea 1:2 AIM: To show the building blocks of any society and the necessity of Hoseas personal experienence to be the background for his ministry. INTRODUCTION: Theaccusationissometimesmadethatthepresentdaypulpitisweakandindecisive. Likewise,itschargeinsteadofbeingavoiceinthewildernesstoday,themodernpulpithas settleddowncomfortablytobecomejustasoundingboardforthewhimsandwishesofa comfortableandindifferentpeoplewhohaveitchingears. Ifthechargeistrueanditslikelythatitisthenitisbecausethepulpitisreluctanttograpple withthegreatissuesoflife.ThishesitancyIthinkisbornofadesiretoescapecriticism.Itsa dreadofbecomingoffensivetothefinersensibilitiestobepoliticallycorrect.MoreoftenI thinkitisacowardlyfearoffacingtherawrealitiesoflifeandwrestlewiththisGoliathof livingissuestoday. TheprophetMicahsaidinhisdaythatthepeoplelikedthefalseprophetswhotoldthem onlywhattheywantedtohear.InMicah2:11hesaid,Ifamanwalkinginthespiritand falsehooddolie(wemightsayittodaywalkinginthespiritoffalsehood),saying,Iwill prophesyuntotheeofwineandofstrongdrink;heshallevenbetheprophetofthispeoplei.e.he wouldbejusttheprophetforthiskindofpeople. Thepulpittodayquotespoetryandsprinklesrosewater.Itlivesinalandofmakebelieve insteadofsayingbelieveintheLordJesusChristandThoushallbesaved.Thetheatre today,thecinema,theTVandallotheragenciesofcommunicationdealwithlifestrippedof allofitsniceties.Theseinstrumentsforreachingandteachingthemassestaketheglovesoff andtheywadeintototheproblemsthatwefacedaily.Butnotsothepulpitthepulpitis avoidoftheseissues. AswecometotheprophecyofHoseawecannotavoiddealingwiththeproblemsandissues oflife.ForthatisastorythatsbehindtheHeadlinesintheprophesyofHosea. Itsnotaprettystory. BUTwemustunderstanditifwearetounderstandthemessageofHosea. I. THE STORY WHICH IS BACK OF THE PROPHESY OF HOSEA IS THE TRAGEDY OF A BROKEN HOME. A. You have in this book the personal experience of Hosea and that is the background of his message. 1. Hewalksoutofabrokenhometospeaktothenationfromaheartthatis breaking.

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2.

HeknewexactlyhowGodfeltbecausehefeltthesameway.

B. Now the home is the rock foundation of society and always has been of any people. 1. Godhasgivenhometomankindregardlessofwhotheyareandwheretheyare. Hegaveitattheverybeginningofmanshistory.ThehomeistheMOST importantunitinthesocialstructure. Thehomeistosocietywhattheatomistothisuniverse. Wearetoldtodaythatthelittlelowlyatomisthebuildingblockoftheuniverse. a. Wellthehometodayisthebuildingblockofsocietyandabuildingisknown bythebricksthatgoinit. 1) Thecolourofthebuildingisdeterminedbytheindividualbricks 2) Thecharacterofthebuildingisdeterminedbythecharacter&qualityof thebricksthatgointoit. b. Nonationisanystrongertodaythanthehomesthatmakeitup. 1) Forthehomedeterminesthecolourandcomplexionofsociety. 2) Itsthehometodaythatrevealsthestrengthofanynationoranypeople. 4. Thehomeisthechainofanationthatholdsittogether. a. Upanddownthislandofours,downthestreetsandtheboulevardstheyre thelinksinthischain.

2. 3.

b. Thischainrunsonoutintothehighwaysandbywaysoflifeandnochainis anystrongerthanthelinksthatmakeituptherefore,thoseindividuallinks areimportant. 5. Myfriends,thehomeistheplacethatistheverybedrockfoundationofany society. a. Thehomeiswhereweliveandmoveandhaveourbeing. Itsinthehomewhereweareourselves.

b. Oh,wedressupphysicallyandpsychologicallywhenwegoout. Weputupquiteafrontsometimeswhenwegothroughourfrontdoorand moveoutuponthestreet. c. 6. Butitiswithinthewallsofthehomethatwetakeoffourmasksandweare reallyourselves.

Becauseofthestrategicpositionofthehomeinsociety,Godhasthrownaboutit certaintremendoussafeguardstoprotectit.Godhasputaroundthehome certainmarks,certainbulwarksinorderthatHemightprotectthatwhichisso important. GodhasgivenmoreattentiontotheinstitutionofmarriagethanHehastoany otherinstitutionthatsinthisworld. a. SocietyNEVERmademarriagesocietywasgivenmarriage.

C. The bulwark of the home marriage. 1.

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b. Godmademarriage,hegaveittomankindandmarriagerestsuponHis directWord!WhatthereforeGodhathjoinedtogether,letnotmanputasunder (Mk.10:9). c. Godperformedthefirstmarriageceremony. o o 2. Hegavethefirstbrideaway. Heblessedthefirstcouple.

Marriageismorethanjustalegalcontractitsmorethananeconomic arrangementitsmorethanaunionofjustthosewithmutualloveitsanact ofGodifyouplease!ItrestsuponHisauthoritativecommand. a. Therearemanyyoungpeopletodaywhothinkthatmarriageisonlyapiece ofpaperanditisntworththeinkitiswrittenon. 1) EventhoughGoddisapprovesofcohabitationandcallsitfornication/ adultery,multitudesconvincethemselveseveryyearthatlivingtogether beforemarriageisagoodideasinceitcouldsparethemtheagoniesof divorce. a) Thetryitbeforeyoubuyitphilosophysoundslogicalbutin realitywhowouldallowyoutodriveacarfor6mos.,oraliveina housefor6mos.,orwearasuitofclothesfor6mo.beforeyoudecide topurchaseit? b) Whywouldyouallowsomeonetolivewithyoutryingyouout whoarenotsurethatyoupossessthequalitiestheyarelookingforin amate? c) Withthatkindofloveandcommitmentiswhycohabitation relationshipsusuallyfail. (i) ThethingthatsgoingtocauseyourmarriagetosucceedisNOT whetheryouvetriedeachotherout.Anybodycanbeonhisor herbestbehaviourwhenontrial. (ii) Successorfailureisgoingtobedeterminedbythestuffoutof whichthetwoaremadebymoralandspiritualvaluesyou holdbytheselfishorunselfishtraitsyoupossess. b. ManyChristianyoungpeoplethinkallthatyouneedtogetmarriedistoget alicenceandapreacherandthenyouvegotitmade. 1) Myfriend,ifyouaregoingtohaveasuccessfulmarriageyouhaveto haveGodandyourcommittoGodandHisWordtomakeitwork, otherwisethatmarriagewillgoontherocks. 2) Godhasgivenadrivetotheracetoreproduceintheframeworkof marriageandthatswhatmakesthehome.Hesaid,theytwainshallbe oneflesh(Mt.19:5;Mk.10:8). 3) BeforemanwalkedoutoftheGardenofEdenGodgavehimthis institution,andbesidestheskinsthatAdamandEvehadon,theonly thingtheyhadwasamarriagecertificatefromGod.

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4) ThatstheonlyinstitutionthatcameoutoftheGardenofEden.Marriage isasacredrelationship;itsaholyunion.RememberPaulsaid,he sinnethnot:letthemmarry(1Cor.7:36). 3. TheNewTestamentseemstosumupthemindofGodwhenitsaysinHeb.13:4 Marriageishonourableinall,andthebedundefiled:butwhoremongersand adulterersGodwilljudge. o o o a. c. Marriagecannotbebrokenbyjustsomelittlelegalact Marriagecannotbebrokenbyafitoftemper, Marriageitcantbebrokenbyselfwill.

Ipersonallybelievethereareonlytwoacts,whichbreaksarealmarriage. Thesecondisunfaithfulnessandthatsunfaithfulnessontheparteitherof themanorthewoman.Thatripstherelationshipintwo.NowIdidntsay thatwasgroundsfordivorcebutIdorecognisethatisoftentheresult.

b. Thefirstactisdeathofcoursethatautomaticallyseverstherelationship.

4.

IntheOT,theonethatisguiltyofadulterywastobedealtwithinoneofthe harshestmannersimaginable. a. Haveyouevernoticethatin>>Lev.20:10andtheimportancethatGod placeduponit.Andthemanthatcommittethadulterywithanothermanswife, evenhethatcommittethadulterywithhisneighbourswife,theadultererandthe adulteressshallsurelybeputtodeath.

b. InDeut.22:20,21Butifthisthingbetrue,andthetokensofvirginitybenot foundforthedamsel:Thentheyshallbringoutthedamseltothedoorofherfathers house,andthemenofhercityshallstoneherwithstonesthatshedie:becauseshe hathwroughtfollyinIsrael,toplaythewhoreinherfathershouse:soshaltthouput evilawayfromamongyou. 1) BothPaulandJesustaughtthatmarriagewasuntildeathdouspart. Rom.7:2Forthewomanwhichhathahusbandisboundbythelawtoher husbandsolongasheliveth;butifthehusbandbedead,sheisloosedfromthe lawofherhusband. a) Therearenobiblicalgroundsfordivorceandremarriage,but rememberwearenotundertheLaweither,forifwewerethe unfaithfulmemberofamarriagewouldbeoutsomewherepushing updaisies. b) TheguiltypartyintheOTwasstonedtodeathsotherewasnoliving oneleft.Butwedontdothattoday,sothereisadifferent arrangementtoday. 2) YoumighthavenoticedinDeuteronomy22itsaysifthedamselisguilty andshewastobestonedtodeath. 3) Someoneasks,whyintheworldisthewomanpickedonisnttheman justasguilty?No,notinthiscase,asthisoffencedealswithamanwho marriedagirlandsuspectsshewasnotavirgin.Ifyouweretocontinue

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toreadthefollowingverses,inchapter22,youwouldfindiftheman werefoundguiltyhetoowastobeputtodeath. 5. WheniscomestodealingwithsinGoddoesnothaverespecttogenderbutGod doesdifferentiatebetweentheman&woman.Scripturedoesnotteachadouble standardbutitteachesadifferentstandardbetweenmen&women. a. Ifyoudontbelievethatjustgotothedepartmentstore.Youllfindyoucant buymensclothesinthewomensdepartmenttheymakeadistinction.

b. Ifyougotothehospitalyouhavethemenswardandthewomensward. Anywhereyouturntodayinlifethereisthatdistinctionmadeandthe Scripturemakesthatdistinction. c. TheScripturepointsoutthatGodmadethewomangentler,more compassionateandfinerthanaman.Godmadeherfinerthanaman!

d. Thatsthereasonwhenshegoesbadsheisworse.Wetakeourwatchestoa repairmanwhorepairsthesame;wetakeourcarstoanotherbecausethey aredifferent.Awomanisdifferentthanamansheismadefinerthanaman. 1) Iveseenchildrenandsoyouhaveseenthemovercomethehandicapof agoodfornothingfatherbutIhaveneveryetseenchildrenovercome thehandicapofabadmother. 2) Motheristhecentreofthehome.Iheardsometimeagoofawomanwho wasaskedtotakeanofficeinthechurch,sherefusedtodoitandshe gaveasareasonshesays,Iamamissionarytothecrche,andthereare threepairsofeyesthatarewatchingmeandIwanttodirectthemto God. NowIsaytoyouthatGodsputwomaninthehome,andmadeherallimportantinthat place.IthinkImaymakethisclearbyquotingtoyouthedefinitionofWhatisaGirlby AlanBeck.Thisisoneoftheloveliestthingsthathaveeverbeencomposed. Willyoulistentothis? Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people. They are born with a little bit of angel-shine about them, and though it was as thins sometimes, there is always enough left to lasso you heareven when they are sitting in the mud, or crying temperamental tears, or parading up the street in Mothers best clothes. A little girl can be sweeter (and badder) oftener than anyone else in the world. She can jitter around, and stomp, make funny noises and frazzle your nerves, yet just when you open your mouth, she stands there demure with that special look in her eyes. A girl is innocents playing in the mud; Beauty standing on its head, and Motherhood dragging a doll by the foot. God borrows from many creatures to make a little girl. He uses the song of a bird, the squeal of a pig, the stubbornness of a mule, the antics of a monkey, the spryness of a grasshopper, the curiosity of a cat, the slyness of a fox, the softness of a kitten, and to top it off He adds the

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mysterious mind of a woman. A little girl likes new shoes, party dresses, small animals, dolls, make believe, ice-cream, make-up, going visiting, tea-parties and one boy. She doesnt care so much for visitors, boys in general, large dogs, handme-downs, straight chairs, vegetables, snowsuits or staying in a front yard. She is loudest when you are thinking, prettiest when shes provoked you, busiest at bedtime, quietist when you want to show her off, and most flirtatious when she absolutely must not get the best of you again. Who else can cause you more grief, joy, irritation, satisfaction, embarrassment, and genuine delight than this combination of Eve, Salome, and Florence Nightingale. She can muss up your home, your hair, your dignityspent your money, your time and your patienceand just when your patience is ready to crack, her sunshine peeks through and you are lost again. Yes, she is a nerve wracking nuisance, just a noisy bundle of mischief. But when your dreams tumble down and the world is a messwhen it seems you are pretty much of a fool after allshe can make you a king when she climbs on your knee and whispers, I love you best of all.
http://www.appleseeds.org/AGirl.htm

II. THE PROPHECY OF HOSEA IS THE STORY OF A BROKEN HOME. A. Its a story of that which must be contrasted with Gods ideal of marriage and of womanhood. Thats its message! ThisisthewayGodtellsHisstorytoIsraelandtoyouandme. InthehillcountryofEphraiminoneofthemanylittletownstherealittletownthatisnot onthemapsofthisworldtherelivedtwoyoungpeople. OnewasaboybythenameofHoseatheotherwasagirlbythenameofGomer. Theyfellinloveitisthesameoldstorythathasbeenrepeatedthousandsandthousands andmillionsoftimes.Idontthinkitisstretchingtheimaginationtosaythattheyfellmadly inlovewitheachotherandthenforsomeunaccountablereasonGomerwentbad. Sheresortedeventotheoldestprofessionthatsknowntomankind.Gomerhaddonethe thingssheshouldnothavedoneandHoseawasbrokenheartedandshamefilledhissoul. HehadtherecoursetotheMosaicLawandhecouldhavetakenherbeforetheeldersofcity andhadherstonedtodeath,butdidnt. Doesthatremindyouofanotherstorythattookplace700yearslaterinthatsamehill countrywhenamanbythenameofJosephwasengagedtoagirlbythenameofMary? TheonlythingisJosephwasWRONGinhisthinkingandtheangeloftheLORDhadto appeartohimtostophimfrommakingamistake.ThismanHoseawasRIGHTforGomer wasguiltyofbeingunfaithfulanditisatthisparticularjuncturethatthebookofHosea opens.LISTENnowtothe1:2. 1. Nowtherehavebeenthosetodaythathavemadethisstatementthatwhatwe justreadisnothingbutanallegorythisreallyneverhappened. a. SuchpeoplearetriflingwiththeWordofGodwateringitdowntillit

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becomesaharmlesssortofthingandmeaninglessthisissickening. b. Thisissomethingthatactuallyhappened.Letsfaceit,Godcommandedthis manHoseatobreaktheMosaicLawandgomarrythiswoman. 1) Godsaidyougogetherandmarryher. 2) Thelawsaidstoneher,Godsaidmarryher. 2. ThethingGodcommandedtothismanHoseamusthavecausedhimrevoltin everyfibreofhisbeing. a. ButthismanHoseadidnotraiseobjectionsheobeyedGodwhollyand completelyandexplicitly.

b. HoseawentandtookGomerinHolywedlock,hegaveherhisnameandshe cameintohishomevs.3. c. LISTENtotheApostlePaulashespeaksofthisrelationship.1Cor.6:16 What?Knowyenotthathewhichisjoinedtoaharlotisonebody?Fortwo,saith he,shallbeoneflesh. 1) OhItellyouthathomeofHoseabecameadesertislandinaseaof criticism. 2) Itwasanisolationwardinthelocalsocietyacaseofleprosyinthe homecouldnothavebrokenoffcontactanymoreeffectivelythanthis thingthathadhappened.Imaginethismanmarryingthiswoman! B. Children were born into the home3 of them were born. 1. Letgiveyoutheirnamesmeaning:Jezreelwasthenameofthefirstone,means GodwillscatterandGodwillavengevs.45 a. ThereferencetowhatGodtoldHoseawasdirectlytothehouseofJehuwho hadcarriedoutGodsinstructionsindestroyingthehouseofAhab,buthe diditinhatredandwithgreatpersonalvengeance.

d. Inthatlittletownatattlingtailwindofgossipreallypickedup.

b. Godsaid,Illjudge,butthenHesays,IwillscatterIsrael.Godpromised toputanendtoIsraelasanindependentkingdomthatiswhatismeantby breakthebowofIsrael.BUTweshalllearnthereisgoingtobemercyevenin Godsjudgement,thatsthefirstchild. 2. Thesecondchildwasnamedinvs.6.Shewasagirl,Loruhamah,anditmeans, sheneverknewafatherspity. a. Nowthatdoesntmeanshewasanorphan,itmeansshedidntknowwho herfatherwas.

b. ThiswomanGomerhasstartedtogobadagain.Godissayingtothese peopleinHoseasdayoftheNorthernKingdom,whichhasnowgoneinto idolatry,youwillnotknowmypityforIamnotyourFather. 3. Thisbringsustothelastchildvs.9.Loammiwasthenameofthelastboy. a. Itmeans,notmypeople.Ifyouwanttoputitinthesingular,itsnotmy child.

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b. Hoseasaid,IdidntknowaboutthesecondonebutIdoknowaboutthe thirdone,Iamnotthefather,itisnotmychild. C. What a message! What a message to that day and what a message to this day! 1. TheLiberaltodaysayseverybodyistheSonofGod. a. Godsaysyouarewrong!Ihavenoillegitimatechildren. b. Iknowwhomychildrenare.Youthinkmychildrenaretheoffspringofthis kindofaunion?ABSOLUTELYNOT! c. YouareonlymychildthroughfaithinJesusChrist.ItwastheLordJesus thatsaidtothoseinHisdaywhosaidwearesonsofAbrahaminJohn8:44, Hesaid,Yeareofyourfatherthedevilyoucouldmakenoclaimofbeing Godschild.

2.

Myfriend,areyouLoammi?AreyouGodschildtoday?Orareyouan illegitimatechild?Whenyousay,IamaChristian,areyoujustsayingsomething thatisnottrue? a. NobodyisbornaChristian,theremustbeadayandtimeinyourlifewhen youbecomeachildofGod.

b. Jn.1:12says,ButasmanyasreceivedHim(thatistheLordJesus)tothemgave hethepower(i.e.theright;theauthority)tobecomethesonsofGodeventothem that(dontdoanymorenorlessthan)believeonHisname. 3. Thisisasadstoryisitnot?AndtocapitallGomerlefthome,sheranaway. a. NowImconfidentmanyarethinking,wellcertainlyGodsgoingtosayto Hosea,youvedoneallyoucan,youtriedtoreformthewomananditdidnt doanygoodshesreturnedbacktoheroldlifeofbecomingacommon prostitute. HoseawentafterherBUTshewouldntcomeback.Hoseasentthechildren andtoldthemtopleadwithyourmotherin2:2.Thesethreechildrenwent afterherandshestillwouldntcomeback.

b. Hosea,takethechildrenandleaveherGodsays,Gogether. c.

d. Andaswomendidinthosedaysthatweredestituteshesoldherselfinto slavery.ThismanHoseawentandboughtherandbroughtherbackhome. 1) OhmyfriendswhatapictureoftheSaviourtoday.Hecreatedusandwe belongtoHimbutweareguiltyofgoingoff,andgivingourlove,and ouraffection,ourtimetothesinoftheworld. 2) InthemidstofthatwhenwewereyetsinnersChristcamedownand boughtuswithapriceinouruglyconditionthatHemightmakeusHis legitimatechildren. 3) Whatlove!Andsoitwasatthisparticularjuncturewhenshecameback thatthemessagegoesoutfromHoseatothenation. 4. IwishIcouldsaythatwhenshecamebackhomethatshebecameafaithfulwife. IcantIdonotknow.

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a.

Thebookleavesusindoubt,butIdoknowthis,Hoseasteppedoutofa homescarredbyshameintohispublicministrytothenationIsrael. Thismanhadamessagethathadfireinithestoodbeforethisnationwith abrokenheartandhehadasorrowthatwasintolerable.

b. Thismanwentbeforeanationwithaheartthatwasbreaking. c.

d. Scaldingtearswerecoursingdownhischeeksandhedenouncedthenation Israelsaying,YouhavebeenfaithlesstoGod.IknowhowGodfeelsIfeel thesameway.YouhavebrokentheheartofGod. D. What a picture! He denounced the nation he declared a verdict of guilty for the crime of all crimes. 1. 2. 3. Hesaidsimplybuthesaiditspecificallythatthissinwasasblackasitcouldbe andthatGodwouldpunish. HesaidthisnationthathadknownGod,asthiswasthenationGodhad redeemedoutofEgypt. TothisnationHecouldsay,youhadseewhatIdidtotheEgyptians,howIbore youoneagleswingandbroughtyoutoMyself. a. NosooneraretheyoutofEgypttheyturnrightaroundandmakeagolden calf.Judgementcame.

b. Hadnttheylearntalessonafterthatexperience?Whyatthisverymoment intheNorthernKingdomtwogoldencalveshadbeenmadeandthepeople hadturnedfromthelivingandtrueGodagain. c. Godsays,youhavebeenunfaithfulyouareplayingtheharlot,youturned fromme,youbelongtome,Ihaveredeemedyou,andyouhavesinnedby yourunfaithfulness. OhIknowthattherearefolkthatwillsay,Ithinkunbeliefisthegreatest sin. 1) MayIsaytoyouthatinonesenseunbeliefisthegreatestsin. 2) IfthereisanysinunpardonableitsunbeliefbutitsNOTanactitsa stateandweareallborninitnaturallyrebellionagainstGod 3) WearebornunbelieversthatbutthankGoditispardonable.Christdied thatwhenyouandIwillexercisefaith,faithinJesusChristthenHewill saveus. 4) Thissinispardonablebutunbeliefisaterriblethingandtogoonin unbeliefthereisnoremedyforitisTHEremedytotrustChristand whenwecontinueoninunbeliefwerejectedtheremedy. b. Thentherearethosethatwilltellyoutodaythatthegreatestsinintheworld issinagainstLight. 1) Wellthisiscomingclosetothegreatestsin.Tobeperfectlyfrankthere probablyisntanythingquitesobadassinningagainstLight.

4.

Thissinistheworstsinintheworld. a.

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2) Iwouldtenthousandtimesratherbeasavageinthedarkestjungleof thisworldneverhavingheardthegospelthantobesittinginthischurch todayandturnmybackonJesusChrist. 3) Therearepeoplethatwillarguewithyouaboutwhatisgoingtohappen tothesavageswhoneverheardthegospel,butnoonecanarguefrom theWordofGodwhatwillhappentothemanwhosinsagainstLight. 4) Thatisagreatsin!YouhaveheardtheGospelandthereisnotaperson heretodaythatwillbeabletogooutofhereandgointothepresenceof JesusChristandsayIneverheardthatJesusdiedformeandthatIhad totrustHimtobesaved.Youwillneverbeabletodosuchathing! 5) TherearepeoplethatareabletogointoHispresenceandsaysucha thingbutnonethelessthatisnotthegreatestsin. E. What is the greatest sin in all the world? The greatest sin in all the world is sin against love. 1. 2. 3. 4. Thisissinatitsworseyoucantgetanyworsethanthis,andthisisthegreatest ofall.AndthatmyfriendisthemessageofHosea! Gomerwasnotonlyguiltyofbreakingthemarriagevow,thatsbadenough,but shesinnedagainsttheOnewholovedher.Thatssinatitsworse! MayIsaytoyoutodaytoknowinglysinagainstGod,andaSaviourthatloves youisworsethantheanimismandtheanimalismoftheheathenworldtoday. MayIsaytoyouthesintodayofpaganismisnothingcomparedthatthesinof thosewhosinagainstlove.Itsdeeperanditsdarkerthantheimmoralityofthe underworldandthedemonismoftheoverworld.

Hoseaknewwhatsinwasandheknewwhatlovewasandsinagainstloveaggravatessin. IsraelknewtheloveofGodasnonationdid.YoualonehaveIknow,Godsaid,IfIhad knownofthenationsoftheworldyoualonehaveIrevealedthistoandyouhavesinned. ButthankGodHeisgoingtotriumph. F. May I just lift out three verses out of Hosea that tell Gods story? The first is 1. 2. Hosea4:17Ephraimisjoinedtoidolslethimalone.EphraimisIsrael.Thatsthe chargespiritualadultery. ThennoticethoughallthegreatpulsatingpassionofaninfiniteGodinHosea 11:8HowshallIgivetheeupEphraim?HowshallIdelivertheeIsrael. a. GodsaysIcantgiveyouupIloveyoutoomuch. b. AndthatisthereasonHesentHoseabacktogetGomerthesecondandthe thirdtime.HesaidHoseayouhavetoknowhowIfeeloverIsrael. 3. ThethirdandlastisHosea14:8Ephraimshallsay,WhathaveItodoanymore withidols?Ihaveheardhim,andobservedhim:Iamlikeagreenfirtree.Frommeisthy fruitfound. a. Thatsthevictory!Godsgoingtogetthevictorymybeloved.Thereisaday whenIsraelwillturnfromidolsbacktoGod.

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b. ThisismyreasonforbelievingthatmaybeGomerdidturnandbecomea goodwifeandagoodmother.IdonotknowbutIdoknowthisGodisgoing totriumph.AndthepictureisthepictureofthenationofIsrael. G. Does it have any application for us today? Yesitdoes!Pastordoyoumeanthisshockingdescriptionofspiritualadulteryfitsthechurch today?WelltheNTchurchisreferredtoasmakingupTheBrideofChristintheBookof Revelation.PaulsaidtotheCorinthiansin2Cor.11:2Ihaveespousedyoutoonehusband, thatImaypresentyouasachastevirgintoChrist.Godschurchesaretobepresentedtothe LordJesusChristasabride.Listen;eventothelettertothechurchatEphesusintheBookof Revelations,theLordJesusChristsaysinRev.2:4IhavesomewhatagainsttheeIknow yourworksandIknowyoulabourandhowthoucanstnotbearthemwhichareevil:NeverthelessI havesomewhatagainstthee,becausethouhastleftthyfirstlove(Rev.2:24). CONCLUSION: MyfriendsitisNOTENOUGHtodaytobebusyforthecauseofChrist,itisNOT ENOUGHtobeactivetodayforChrist,anditisNOTENOUGHtobebelongtoaBible believingchurchALLthosethingsareforsureimportantandtheyhavethereplace,BUT THEMOSTIMPORTANTTHINGTOKNOWishaveyouleftyourfirstlove? DoyouloveHimtoday? HoseameanssalvationitisthesamewordasJoshuaandJoshuaisthesamewordas JesusintheNewTestament.OurHoseatodayisjoinedtoaspiritualharlot. ThepicturethatisgiveninRevelation17isthemostfrightfulpictureintheBible. ItsapictureofapostatereligioncalledagreatharlotMysteryBabylon.Thatsthewaythe organisedchurchisgoingtoday.Ohhowmanytodayarecoveringuptheirfrustration,their lackofspiritualexperience,therealitybyjustbeingbusy?Nothingintheworldbutjust nervousagitation!Downunderneaththeycannotsay,IloveHim;ImtruetoHim. WithhottearstodayHeaccusesthechurchofbeinglukewarm.Godpitythemanmarriedto thelukewarmwoman.GodpityourSaviourtodayjoinedtoachurchthatsjustlukewarm. Oh,HesaidIwishyouwerehotter,Iwishyouwereinlovewithme;Iwishyoudidcarefor meaboveeverything,thatswhatHesaid. Letmebeverypersonalwithyounow. Howaboutyou?HastherecomebetweentheSaviourandyoursoulacloud? Ifso,itwillshutyouawayfromHimIlltellyouthat.Anevangelistofagespastwas crossingthestreetonedayandHestoppedandhadaprayerandwhenhegottotheother sideafriendsaidtohim,whatintheworlddidyoudo?Prayinginthemiddleofthestreet! Hesaid,acloudcamebetweenmysoulandChristandIcouldntletitstaythereevenuntilI gottotheothersideofthestreet. Howaboutyoutoday? Jesussaysthisday,asHesaidyearsagotoPeter,bytheSeaofGalilee,lovestthoume? Thatsanallimportantquestion!ItissoimportantforyoutodaytobeabletosayYESI LOVETHELORDJESUS.

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JOHNsays,Hereinislove,notthatwelovedGod,butthathelovedus,andsenthisSontobethe propitiation(themercyseat)foroursins(1Jn.4:10). IfyouareheretodaywithoutChristdonttakeanycomfortfromthismessage.Becauseyou canwalkoutofhereturningyourbackonaSaviour. Hehassimplyandclearlysaid,ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegottenSon, thatwhosoeverbelievethinhimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife(Jn.3:16). WhenyourejectJesusChristtodayyourenotjustdoingsomethingthatsbad,yourenot justturningawayinunbelief,myfriendyourecommittingthegreatestsinofall! YoureturningawayfromaGodwholovesyouandwhodiedforyou!

27Feb.26,`11,MornRiverValleyBCLeixlip,Co.Kildare