Hope Has Arrived

Introduction

I want you all to see our great need for a savior and know who that is.

Hosea 3 CSB

1 Then the Lord said to me, “Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” 2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and nine bushels of barley. 3 I said to her, “You are to live with me many days. You must not be promiscuous or belong to any man, and I will act the same way toward you.” 4 For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without ephod or household idols. 5 Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come with awe to the Lord and to his goodness in the last days.

Israel was rebellious towards God

Israel represents ourselves in this story. “Just as the Lord Loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.”

God loves his people even though they worship other idols and physical things.

Like Gomer chose the selfish love of another man over the genuine love of her husband Hosea, Israel chooses the selfish love of idols and objects over the genuine love of God.

What type of love do we often choose? The genuine love of God or the selfish love of the world?

God is faithful to us even in our unfaithfulness to him. Israel rebelled against God but he still promised them a New Covenant.

Does anyone know what the new covenant is?

Body

Matthew 1:23 CSB

23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”

John 1:9–14 CSB

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. 14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the New covenant, our hope had arrived that day in Bethlehem, he came to pay the price no one else could pay and through him we can have a personal relationship with God.

He didn’t come to force anyone to follow him, but freely gifts it through faith and all you have to do is open up your heart to him and trust in him.

Conclusion

Are you living for the selfish love of the world?

Popularity

Wealth

Relationships

Or are you living for the genuine love of God?

It comes down to that. Will you decide to follow the Lord or not

If you have any questions about how to do that I would be glad to answer them

Lets choose this Christmas season to trust and praise Jesus!