Hosea 10

Our Legacy – Unfailing love or Deception ?

Hosea 1 “1Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones. 2Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones. 3Then they will say, “We have no king because we did not revere the LORD. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us?”…

“12Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. 13But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors, 14the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be

“devastated — as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children. 15 Thus will it happen to you, O Bethel, because your wickedness is great. When that day dawns, the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.” – Hosea 1:1-3, 12-15

7 Sins of Israel (identified in Hosea)

1. Infidelity (Hosea 1:2; 4:2,14; 5:7; 7:10; 9:1)2. Independence (Hosea 5:4; 7:7,13; 8:4;

10:3,13)

3. Intrigue (Hosea 4:2; 6:8)4. Idolatry (Hosea 2:13; 4:13; 8:5; 9:10;

10:5)5. Immorality (Hosea 4:10,14; 7:7)6. Ignorance (Hosea 4:6,10,14)7. Ingratitude (Hosea 2:8,12; 7:15; 10:1)

God didn’t even need to send disasters to them – the evil (ambitions of men) around Israel will punish her – God simply has to withhold His protection from her invaders.

Psalms 80:8-11; Ezekiel 19:10-11 10“Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water. 11Its branches were strong, fit for a ruler’s scepter. It towered high above the thick foliage, conspicuous for its height and for its many branches.

1. Under God, Israel was truly blessed.

In the same way, we the people of God will be blessed.

1. Under God, Israel was truly blessed.

In the same way, we the people of God will be blessed.

a. Because of God’s favor – God promises to bless His people

(Genesis 12:2, Deuteronomy 28, John 10:10, Ephesians 1:3).

b. Because of God’s Word (if we live in accordance to it) – its wisdom will help us to reap rewards

“wherever true Christianity spreads it must cause diligence and frugality, which must beget riches.”

– John Wesley

Geneva

Geneva in 1530

Geneva in 1530Smelliest City in Europe !!!

Geneva in 1530Smelliest City in Europe !!!

a city of great corruption, crime and ignorance

Geneva in 1530

Calvin preached on

• individual responsibilities

• the value of work as worship

John Calvin preached on

• individual responsibilities• the value of work as worship• God-centred family life

John Calvin preached on • individual responsibilities• the value of work as worship• God-centred family life• Word-based economic principles

John Calvin preached on • individual responsibilities• the value of work as worship• God-centred family life• Word-based economic principles

• Every child should be taught to read and learn from God’s Word – hence schools were built to give free education to all children

There is a great blessing when we simply obey God’s instructions on a daily basis.

1. Under God, Israel was truly blessed.

In the same way, we the people of God will be blessed.

a. Because of God’s favor – God promises to bless His people

(Genesis 12:2, Deuteronomy 28, John 10:10, Ephesians 1:3).

b. Because of God’s Word (if we live in accordance to it) – its wisdom will help us to reap rewards

Deuteronomy 8:12-14 “when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

“wherever true Christianity spreads it must cause diligence and frugality, which must beget riches. And riches naturally beget pride, love of the world, and every temper that is destructive of Christianity.”

– John Wesley

3 great pursuits of life !!

The 1st Pursuit Ecclesiastes 1:13, 16 – “I devoted myself to study and to explore by

wisdom all that is done under heaven. … I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge. ”

The 1st Pursuit – the Pursuit of Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 1:13, 16 – “I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom

all that is done under heaven. … I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge. ”

3 great pursuits of life !!

The 2nd Pursuit Ecclesiastes 2:1, 10 – “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to

find out what is good.” . … I denied myself NOTHING my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. ”

The 2nd Pursuit – the Pursuit of Pleasure

Ecclesiastes 2:1, 10 – “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out

what is good.” . … I denied myself NOTHING my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. ”

The 3rd Pursuit – the Pursuit of Achievement

Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 – “I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself

and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. ”

Pursuits of Knowledge, Pleasures and Achievements need not be sinful; can even be good;

but, these pursuits could turn our eyes from God and from others to satisfy only self.

Hosea 1 “1Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones. 2Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt.”

Kepler Boyle

Newton Faraday

Boyle

Boyle : “study of science could improve glorification of God”

Have we considered the amount of time, resources and passion we have invested in our pursuits for pleasures and achievements ?

1. Is God incidental to your life ?

“I can do things my way. I am a master of my own destiny, but sometimes I need God. When I am sick or in trouble, I need God. God, You are incidental. Don’t call me, I’ll call You.”

1. Is God incidental to your life ?2. Is God supplemental to your

life ? “I need God like I need extra vitamins. Sometimes God gives added value. But He’s not your centre. God is supplemental.”

1. Is God incidental to your life ?2. Is God supplemental to your life ?3. Is God fundamental to your

life ? This means God is in everything – in your speech, actions and choices. He features so strongly that He is foundational to your life.

“Lord, help me to grow to be more like Your Son.

Maybe today You are not fully in my speech, actions and choices,

but Holy Spirit, please work in my heart, so that I will slowly be transformed, to have more of God in my heart, and less of my selfish desires.”

“14the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will bedevastated — as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children. 15 Thus will it happen to you, O Bethel, because your wickedness is great. When that day dawns, the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.” – Hosea 1:14-15

What legacy do we want to give to our children ? Faith in Jesus Christ or

just a Christian name ?

2nd Gens(2nd Generation

Christians)

2nd GensGroup 1 – “The Discipled Youths”

5% of the church youths

2nd GensGroup 1 – “The Discipled Youths” 5%

Group 2 – “The Mainstream Youths”

85% of the church youths

Group 2 – “The Mainstream Youths”

a. Those who know Jesus and agree with the message of the gospel in their heads (intellectual Christians)

b. Those for whom church is a place for an emotional high (roller-coaster Christians with no discipline or root)

Group 2 – “The Mainstream Youths”a. Those who know Jesus and agree with the message of

the gospel in their heads (intellectual Christians)

b. Those for whom church is a place for an emotional high (roller-coaster Christians with no discipline or root)

c. Those who are indifferent (apathetic and forced by parents to go to church)

The challenge for “the Mainstream Youths” as a whole is for them to have a spiritual awakening about the reality of God and His presence in their lives.

2nd GensGroup 1 – “The Discipled Youths” 5%

Group 2 – “The Mainstream Youths” 85%

Group 3 – “It’s Complicated” 10%

What legacy do we want to give to our children and the children in our church, the young people in this great school whose premise we are worshipping in ? Unfailing love or Deception ?

“12Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. 13But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors, 14the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be

For our sake, for the sakes of our children;

can we re-examine our lives – have we been setting aside God in favor of our 3 pursuits (3 pursuits more important to us than God – it will come out in our priorities : how we spend our time, our passion, our resources) ?

Can we not return to God fully, and re-invest in the next generation – being a model for them in faith, spending time caring for them, sharing with them our walk of faith and our experience ?