Return to God: A Call for National Repentance

 

Summary

In the book of Hosea, God presents a powerful message to His people, a message that resonates deeply with the current state of America. The scripture speaks of a divine lawsuit against a nation that has turned away from truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God. This message is not just for Israel but for every nation, including America, which has been blessed as a covenant nation. The sins of swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and adultery have led to a land in mourning, and God’s judgment looms as a result of these transgressions.

Reflecting on history, the Civil War serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of breaking God’s laws, particularly in the realm of slavery. The parallels between the Dred Scott decision and modern-day abortion laws highlight a chilling repetition of history, where human life is devalued. The Supreme Court's rulings have echoed past injustices, and the nation is once again on a perilous path.

The rise of secular humanism in education has further eroded the moral fabric of society, promoting a philosophy that dismisses the divine and elevates human reasoning above all. This has led to a culture where situational ethics prevail, and the sanctity of life is undermined. The consequences are evident in the increasing rates of abortion, child abuse, and a general disregard for human life.

The call is clear: America must return to God’s Word and His principles. The church and its leaders have a responsibility to preach the gospel with conviction, calling the nation to repentance. The lack of knowledge of God has led to lawlessness, and only through a return to His truth can healing and restoration occur.

The message is urgent: time is running out, and a storm is coming. Individuals must make a personal decision to turn to Jesus, the only source of true life and fulfillment. This is a call to action, a call to repentance, and a call to embrace the love and salvation offered through Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Divine Lawsuit Against Nations: Just as God had a controversy with Israel, He holds nations accountable for their sins. The absence of truth, mercy, and knowledge of God leads to societal decay and divine judgment. Nations must heed this warning and turn back to God. [03:28]

- Historical Parallels and Repeated Mistakes: The chilling similarities between past injustices like slavery and current issues such as abortion highlight a cycle of devaluing human life. History teaches us that ignoring God's laws leads to severe consequences. [11:32]

- Secular Humanism's Impact: The rise of secular humanism in education has led to a rejection of divine absolutes, promoting situational ethics that undermine the sanctity of life. This philosophy has contributed to moral decay and societal issues. [19:20]

- Urgency of Repentance: The message is clear: a storm is coming, and time is running out. Individuals and nations must repent and return to God’s Word to avoid impending judgment. The church has a crucial role in leading this call to repentance. [45:31]

- Personal Decision for Salvation: Salvation and true fulfillment come only through Jesus Christ. Individuals must make a personal decision to accept Him as Lord and Savior, embracing the new life He offers. This is the most important decision one can make. [49:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:38] - God's Message to Nations
- [03:28] - Divine Lawsuit Against America
- [05:52] - Historical Judgment and Civil War
- [08:22] - Parallels Between Slavery and Abortion
- [11:32] - Repeated Mistakes in History
- [13:33] - Rise of Secular Humanism
- [16:48] - Humanism's Impact on Education
- [19:20] - Situational Ethics and Moral Decay
- [21:37] - Sanctity of Life and Abortion
- [23:58] - Consequences of Abortion
- [27:01] - Lawlessness and Violence
- [31:32] - True Love Through Christ
- [35:03] - Call to Preachers and the Church
- [45:31] - Urgency of Repentance
- [49:35] - Personal Decision for Salvation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Hosea 4:1-3

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#### Observation Questions
1. What specific sins are mentioned in Hosea 4:1-3 that led to the land mourning? How do these sins relate to the sermon’s message about America? [03:28]
2. How does the sermon draw parallels between the historical context of Hosea and the current state of America? [05:52]
3. What role does secular humanism play in the moral decay described in the sermon? [13:33]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Supreme Court decisions mentioned, and how do they relate to the message in Hosea? [08:22]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of a "divine lawsuit" against a nation help us understand God's expectations for societal behavior? [03:28]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that history is repeating itself in America, and what lessons can be learned from this repetition? [11:32]
3. How does the rise of secular humanism challenge the traditional values mentioned in the sermon, and what are the implications for society? [19:20]
4. What does the sermon imply about the urgency of repentance, and how does this urgency relate to the message in Hosea? [45:31]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the sins mentioned in Hosea 4:1-3. Are there any areas in your life where you see similar patterns, and how can you address them? [03:28]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of returning to God's Word. What practical steps can you take to prioritize scripture in your daily life? [45:31]
3. How can you actively participate in countering the effects of secular humanism in your community or family? [19:20]
4. The sermon calls for a personal decision for salvation. Have you made this decision, and if not, what is holding you back? [49:35]
5. Consider the historical parallels drawn in the sermon. How can understanding these parallels influence your perspective on current societal issues? [11:32]
6. The sermon emphasizes the role of the church in leading a call to repentance. How can you support your church in this mission? [35:03]
7. Reflect on the urgency of the message. What changes can you make in your life to align more closely with God's expectations? [45:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Accountability and National Consequences
God holds nations accountable for their actions, just as He did with Israel. The absence of truth, mercy, and knowledge of God leads to societal decay and divine judgment. This message is a warning to all nations, including America, to turn back to God. The sins of swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and adultery have led to a land in mourning, and God’s judgment looms as a result of these transgressions. Nations must heed this warning and return to God’s principles to avoid the consequences of their actions. [03:28]

Hosea 4:1-2 (ESV): "Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed."

Reflection: In what ways can you personally contribute to bringing truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God back into your community today?


Day 2: Learning from Historical Mistakes
History is a powerful teacher, and the parallels between past injustices like slavery and current issues such as abortion highlight a cycle of devaluing human life. The Civil War serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of breaking God’s laws. The chilling similarities between the Dred Scott decision and modern-day abortion laws show how history repeats itself when God's laws are ignored. It is crucial to learn from these mistakes and uphold the value of human life. [11:32]

Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 (ESV): "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us."

Reflection: Reflect on a historical event that resonates with current societal issues. How can you apply the lessons learned from that event to advocate for change today?


Day 3: The Erosion of Moral Absolutes
The rise of secular humanism in education has led to a rejection of divine absolutes, promoting situational ethics that undermine the sanctity of life. This philosophy elevates human reasoning above divine truth, resulting in moral decay and societal issues. The consequences are evident in the increasing rates of abortion, child abuse, and a general disregard for human life. It is essential to recognize the impact of secular humanism and return to God’s Word as the foundation of truth and morality. [19:20]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where secular humanism has influenced your beliefs or actions. How can you realign this area with the truth of God’s Word today?


Day 4: The Urgency of Repentance
The message is clear: a storm is coming, and time is running out. Individuals and nations must repent and return to God’s Word to avoid impending judgment. The church has a crucial role in leading this call to repentance, preaching the gospel with conviction. The lack of knowledge of God has led to lawlessness, and only through a return to His truth can healing and restoration occur. This is an urgent call to action for everyone to turn back to God. [45:31]

Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to repent and return to God? What steps can you take today to begin this process?


Day 5: Embracing Salvation Through Christ
Salvation and true fulfillment come only through Jesus Christ. Individuals must make a personal decision to accept Him as Lord and Savior, embracing the new life He offers. This is the most important decision one can make, as it leads to eternal life and a relationship with God. Embracing Christ’s love and salvation brings true fulfillment and purpose, transforming lives and communities. [49:35]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: Have you made a personal decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, what is holding you back from embracing the new life He offers today?

Quotes

"For the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth nor mercy nor knowledge of God in the land. Now remember, he was speaking here of his chosen people. By swearing and lying and killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood." [00:02:54]

"Because there is no knowledge, no truth, no mercy, because the land is filled with swearing and lying and killing and stealing and adultery, blood touching blood, therefore the land mourns. I want to use for a subject tonight God's lawsuit against America. The word controversy in the Hebrew means lawsuit." [00:03:33]

"Jesus said when he looked at Capernaum where he had made his headquarters if the miracles Capernaum that had been done in thee had been done in Sodom and Gomorrah they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. I feel tonight strongly I sense it. I don't say it for controversial matters." [00:05:52]

"In 1857 Over 100 years ago Concerning slavery The United States Supreme Court In essence said these words Although he Meaning the black man And the black woman May have a heart and a brain And he may be a human life biologically A slave is not a legal person The Dred Scott decision By the United States Supreme Court Has made that clear." [00:08:58]

"History repeats itself. The United States of America is trotting the same path that it trod over a hundred years ago. The cruelty, the inhumanity to man, the sin is just as repugnant in the nostrils of God tonight. The cruelty, the inhumanity to man, the sin is just as repugnant in the nostrils of God tonight." [00:12:01]

"This philosophy of secular humanism Now listen to me America Listen to me Canada Listen to me every nation in the world This religion, and that's what it is This philosophy, religious philosophy Called secular humanism Has raped the minds of millions of our children And it has helped make the United States of America The cesspool of iniquity that we are in today." [00:13:53]

"To truly induce completely creative thinking, we should teach children to question the Ten Commandments. We should teach children to question patriotism and laws against incest. And this, Jim, to be a better citizen, a person needs to learn how to apply for welfare and to burn the American flag." [00:16:59]

"Ethics, they said, is autonomous and situational, needing no theological or ideological sanction. Ethics stems from human need and human interest. That is situational ethics. This is the manifesto of secular humanism. We should teach children to question the Ten Commandments. This is what is being taught our children in our school systems." [00:18:56]

"Child abuse has increased and little human life becomes cheap because you see when you have no mercy or concern for one segment of society sin will always spread to other segments of society. No mercy. No law. No knowledge of God in the land. And God is not God almighty looks and loves that little unborn baby just as much as he loves any human being on the face of this earth." [00:25:56]

"God expects listen to me he expects the church of Jesus Christ in this nation to call this country back to repentance he expects the preachers of the gospel listen to me preachers listen to me preachers to stand behind pulpits and stand for something preachers preach the gospel preach it without fear preach it without favor preach it under the anointing of the holy ghost preach it with tears preach it with a broken heart preach it if your church throws you out in the street preach it if you lose your pension preach it if your denomination castigates you preach it if the priest throws you out preach it no matter what and God will stand by your side for the power of heaven at your beck and call." [00:36:03]

"The sands of the hourglass have almost run out. The hands on the clock are of you in this vast audience of thousands tonight? You are away from God. You're not living right. You do not know Jesus. You've not made him the Lord of your life. Now listen carefully. Jimmy Swigert, I'm not living right." [00:44:42]

"If you mean business tonight, you can take upon yourself a new life. It is the only way that will bring fulfillment. But he loves you. I don't care who you are. Last week, this time, you may have been drunk. You may be standing here tonight with liquor on your breath, or drugs in your." [00:48:27]

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Transcript
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