Untitled Sermon (8)

Hosea 6:3

Hosea 6:3 CSB

3 Let’s strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.

Hosea 6:3 The Message

3 We’re ready to study God, eager for God-knowledge. As sure as dawn breaks, so sure is his daily arrival. He comes as rain comes, as spring rain refreshing the ground.”

Introduction

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Background

Minor Prophets, Hosea-Malachi Commentary

Building on the Lord’s statement that it is only when God’s people realize their hopeless position that they will search for God, Hosea prays vicariously on behalf of all Israel. He urged them to join him in heartfelt repentance and recognition that their present troubles are divinely sent. Because it is God who ordered them, only he can alleviate the situation. This he will do if only his people turn once again to him. Once this is done, in his set time he will restore his people to his favor and they will live in his blessed presence (Isa 54:1–8).

The Prophet in this text is making a call to repentance.

Let us STRIVE to KNOW the LORD

Strive - rdf (Hebrew) - to pursue, follow after

What are you pursuing in this season?

Is what you are pursuing pushing toward or pulling you from the mark

Philippians 3:14 CSB

14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Who are you following after?

Does your leader have good vision?

(Home, Church, Job, Friends)

“Strive to Know”

Knowing vs. Knowing of Someone

(Association, Affiliation, Actual Connection)

Do you even know Him.

Acts 17:23 CSB

23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

Minor Prophets, Hosea-Malachi Notes

6:3 Oh, that we might know the LORD! Failure to know God was “one of the primary failings of the people (4:1)” (Garrett 1997:159). Isaiah (Isa 54:13) looked forward to the day when Israel would be taught by the Lord.

Hosea 4:1 CSB

1 Hear the word of the Lord, people of Israel, for the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth, no faithful love, and no knowledge of God in the land!

God isn’t judging us by the size he’s inspecting our weight!

God or Baal

God of Rain and Fertility

Can you discern the difference between God and good things?

Baal could produce things to make you think it was God.

Be careful that it’s not Baal blessing you.

Sermon Points

Consistant