Clear sight, Hosea 10
Hosea 10
July 27, 2006
Intro: (A man once wrote) "A Democracy can not exist as a permanent form of government if the majority always votes for the candidate who promises the most benefits. Then democracy collapses over a loose fiscal policy. This is usually followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been about 200 years., (we are now in 230). The progress of nations is usually been something like this: from bondage to spiritual faith. From spiritual faith to great courage. From courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance. From abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, and from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, and from dependency to bondage".
A- This analysis was done by historian Alexander Fraser
Tytler , who was born in Scotland in 1747.
1- With Israel it’s NOT a Democracy BUT a Theocracy
even though the process is the same.
a- They’ve gone from:
> The bondage of Exodus, to the Spiritual faith of Deuteronomy, to the courage of Joshua, to the liberty of Judges, to the abundance of 1 Kings (Solomon), to the selfishness of Chronicles, to the complacency and apathy of Hosea, to the dependence on idols during the times of the Prophets, to the bondage of Assyria and Babylon and on.
- So that which Alexander Tytler theorized in
the 1700’s Israel exemplified in 700BC.
B- What Israel has found is SUFFERING through
selfishness.
1- This is a people who, when things are going so well,
they haven’t really needed to seek God, have now
forgotten to glorify God, and now instead of living in
the Spirit have gone to living for the flesh.
Romans 8:13, For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
a- Living for the flesh is the ultimate in selfishness.
- To live in the Spirit is to be others orientated.
> So Hosea searches society in his time, just as we need to do in ours, and sees the writing on the wall.
Read Daniel 5:23-31
1- The writing on the wall today?
a- Earthquakes, Tsunami (2), Hurricanes,
Pestilences (AIDS), Wars and rumors of wars.
Matthew 24:8, All these are the beginning of sorrows.
#1- So the 1st statement Hosea sees plainly written on the wall:
SELFISHNESS IS NOT THE WAY TO prosperity.
Read Verse 1-2
A- That which should have been offered to God is being
kept for self.
1- And even the overtones of idolatry here speak of
self.
a- See Israel has increased alters; The idea of an
offering place to God.
b- They have also “embellished their sacred pillars”
- The idea is that of a society that has more
alters (places of worship) that ever before.
Even it’s become popular to have mega-
alters.
* See how godly we are.
- They also have their sacred pillars and are
even embellishing them (or made them
titillating).
* “Sacred pillars” = asherah poles = sex
symbols fashioned from stumps or
trees.
- Pornography
* Embellished = Casino Marengo.
B- Instead of offering to God, instead of worshipping God,
man worships that which is of himself.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God., Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
1- A true servant of Jesus Christ seeks to be faithful and
not famous.
a- Most popular TV show = American Idol.
b- Who want to be a million heir.
1 Corinthians 4:7, For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
2- It’s not about how high I can jump with what I got
BUT how straight I will walk with what’s been given
to me.
Read Verse 2
a- When all burns here on the earth: the churches
are going to go with the strip joints.
#2- So the 2nd statement Hosea sees plainly written on the wall:
BE CAREFULE WHAT YOU ASK FOR YOU MIGHT GET IT.
Read Verses 3-4
A- Israel says they have no king because the kings of the
time were inept and assonated before they could do
anything of notoriety.
1- And really impure representation comes from impure
people. BUT in reality the 2 go hand in hand.
a- The Bush elections a reaction to the Clinton
years.
Matthew 15:14, ... And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
Read Verse 4
B- Who are these false leaders of today THOSE WHO ARE
REALLY OUR LEADERS (most influence upon our lives)
1- The alphabet kings (CBS, ABC, NBC)
a- They tell us what to buy, what to think, and how
to react (laugh tracks).
2- There are the arts kings.
b- Actors, Musicians.
3- The net kings, video kings, ...
c- Al that rules our lives with no accountability, no
supervision, no responsibility.
Read Verse 4
Hosea 8:7, “They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind.
#3- So the 3rd statement Hosea sees plainly written on the wall:
IS ADDICTION.
Read Verses 5-6
A- An idol will never last and never deliver, it only takes,
and takes, and takes.
1- (Webster’s) IDOL = Any thing on which we set our
affections; that to which we indulge an excessive and
sinful attachment.
a- So Playboy comes out with a new cover girl
every month. (because the next one????)
b- More money, power, next party, better drugs, one
more drink will do it.
Read Jeremiah 2:26-28
2- Next time you find yourself in trouble call upon your
idol. (Tom Cruse, Singer)
Read Verses 7-8
Turn to Revelation 6:12-17
A- This is to effect all who exist at the time.
1- Kings of the earth = All heads of state through out the
world.
2- The great men = High-ranking officials in government.
3- The rich men = Those who control commerce.
4- The commanders = military leaders.
5- The mighty = The influential in society.
Proverbs 11:4, Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.
a- Every slave and free man = Everybody else.
B- Notice the reaction of the hardened of heart who are driven by their flesh.
1- Their desire is death over repentance.
a- Who is man more like in this state???
James 2:19, You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
Read Verse 16
A- Instead of repenting to the Lord.
1- (Think of Yankee stadium) We have this world wide prayer meeting appealing to Mother Nature.
Romans 1:21-22, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
a- They think there’re going through hell now.
- If they die they find terror as they never knew.
#4- So the 4th statement Hosea sees plainly written on the wall:
SIN.
Read Verses 9-14
A- What is the practice of your life?
1- Look at all the categories of your life and where is your
effort most directed?
#5- So the 5th statement Hosea sees plainly written on the wall:
REPENTANCE.
Read Verses 12-15
A- Today the writing is on the wall for the church to see.
1- Most people in this nation would not think of denying
the existence of God, they would claim to be a
Christian, say they worship Him, even go to church.
a- BUT in Hosea’s time as well as ours:
- People spoke of their love for God BUT
WERE UNFAITHFUL.
- They pretended to be truthful but practiced a
falsehood.
- They posed as righteous but indulged in sin.
> Three theological test to determine the writing on your wall in
the midst of all the worlds graphite.
1 John 3:4-10 Are you practicing righteousness?
1 John 3:11-18 Are you loving the brethren?
1 John 4:1-6 Are you centered on truth
Matthew 24:13, But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Hosea 10
July 27, 2006
Romans 8:13
Daniel 5:23-31
Matthew 24:8
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
1 Corinthians 4:7
Matthew 15:14
Hosea 8:7
Jeremiah 2:26-28
Revelation 6:12-17
Proverbs 11:4
James 2:19
Romans 1:21-22
1 John 3:4-10
1 John 3:11-18
1 John 4:1-6
Matthew 24:13
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