The Charges-Hosea 4
Notes
Transcript
The challenge of being in but not of the world.
The challenge of being in but not of the world.
We are called to be different than the world but if we are not careful we become like the world. Yet, we cannot just escape and isolate—the call of God demands something different.
Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
We must be people of the Word.
We must be people of the Word.
Our verse is not as some translations put it about having a vision for the future. It is about God’s revelation among us.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Jesus is the final Word!
Jesus is the final Word!
As John put it, “The word was in the beginning, the word was with God, and the Word was God…the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us”.
We do not just live a book but live out Jesus.
We do not just live a book but live out Jesus.
The Christian faith is not just a good story we try to live out the moral of the story or just its teachings. It is not just a textbook we can go to in order to find “the right answer” and then pass a test. It is a way of life because of who Jesus is.
Israel “knew” God but didn’t “know” God.
Israel “knew” God but didn’t “know” God.
In our text this morning we see Hosea use the word “acknowledge” over and over, in its various forms. This is similar to the word “know” and is actually from the word in the Hebrew. However, we cannot just think because we have facts about Jesus/God this is enough. To acknowldege is more about my life reflects what I know to be true, and not just facts.
The nation became oppressive towards others.
The nation became oppressive towards others.
A symptom of their lack of faith was seen in how they treated others. This was part of the issue with the Pharisees and even maybe those of us conservatives today.
The spiritual leaders failed in their duty.
The spiritual leaders failed in their duty.
Those who “knew better” did not do what they knew should have been done.
We cannot want “Jesus lite”.
We cannot want “Jesus lite”.
Sometimes we can easily want just enough of Jesus to get us into Heaven but not too much He changes who we are.
We cannot grow in truth without growing in grace.
We cannot grow in truth without growing in grace.
The two are incompatible.
We have to remain faithful, daily.
We have to remain faithful, daily.
The Gospel of Jesus is too important to become passive in our walk with him and sharing it with others.