To encourage and equip people to love God, love our neighbors, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What Love Is This

We know God is love. But what does that mean? It cannot be whatever we want it to be. Or at least it shouldn’t be. Whatever we say it is ought to be whatever He says it is. So, scripture must guide our way in that. As we look at this passage, we look at the way in which God’s love displays itself in action toward these Israelites.

Reaping the Whirlwind

In this passage as we might expect, the Israelites have returned not to God but to their rebellion. Their sin is ubiquitous in these 2 chapters. And, as is always the case, sin has consequences. This portion of Hosea shows what sin leads people away from.  It is wonderfully glorious and gracious that after all the Israelites have done to turn away from God, He still longs to shower them with righteousness.

Let’s talk Politics

As the sermon title not-so-subtly alludes, this passage is quite political. But not in the way folks might assume. While it does discuss political policies that the Israelites have embraced, ultimately the text shows God to be critical of those policies. In many ways this passage is a polemic against domestic and foreign dealings that don’t defer to God and yield to His way. But that doesn’t mean God is apolitical. It would seem from this text and elsewhere that He is anything but!

The God of Wanderers

In our passage this morning we see the Israelites wandering once again from God. The hard truth, however, is that everyone in some way or another has strayed or wandered from Him. But because of who He is and what He’s done, He is still God and He is still good! God is still God even when His people wander. But the idea is never that we continue to wander away from Him. 

God’s Love Is Not What You Think

God’s love flows throughout this passage! But this chapter is honest about the brokenness of the ones (Israel in the immediate context and all people by extension) God loves. Even though humanity’s sin is great, His love is greater! It is helpful as well to recognize that there are aspects of His love in this chapter that are not often emphasized when we talk about God’s love.

A Not So Awesome god

Only One God is awesome. It is not insignificant that the sermon title has a little “g” god in it. The people of Israel had come to believe other gods were awesome, rather than the One true God. The truth is, though, people today (even church folk) have a tendency to love people or things more than God. This misplaced love is consistently referred to in scripture as idolatry. But these false gods fail. Only Jesus, the One true God, is worthy of our deepest devotion. In the message I will be unpacking the ways idolatry fails, but also reminding folks that forgiveness is still offered to idolators. 

If All Hope Seems Lost

Last week’s passage made clear that judgment is coming for the Israelite people. God has said so, and what He says will be so. But God continued to talk through Hosea, and what He says in Hosea 1:10-2:1 brings HOPE, even in the midst of impending judgment. So, based on what is said here, we can be hopeful in a number of ways. Namely, that God will keep His words of promise as much He keeps His words of judgment; that judgment can be reversed; and that He has a good plan for His people.