Understanding God's Love Through Hosea's Unconventional Call
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor focusing on the story of Hosea, a prophet whom God commanded to marry a woman of promiscuity. This command may seem shocking, given God's stance against sexual immorality, adultery, and prostitution. However, the pastor emphasizes that God had a profound reason for this command. The people of the land were committing acts of promiscuity by abandoning the Lord. God wanted Hosea and the people to see things from His perspective, to understand the pain of a one-sided relationship where God is always giving and being there for His people, but they often turn their backs on Him when He needs them the most.
The pastor then reflects on the power of love songs and how they resonate with the highs and lows of our lives. He mentions the heartache phase that many people go through after a breakup, where they come to the realization that things are not working out as planned. The pastor introduces the text verse from Hosea, where God instructs him to take a wife, a prostitute. The pastor imagines that Hosea must have been taken aback by this unusual command from God. He emphasizes that when God calls us, He often asks us to do things that may seem unconventional or uncomfortable, but it is important to trust in His plan.
The pastor continues to explore the power of love songs and how they connect to different phases of life. He acknowledges that love songs take us through the ups and downs of relationships, starting with the courting phase where individuals show their admiration and put their best foot forward. The pastor mentions specific songs that capture the essence of this phase, such as "She's a Lady" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Moving on to the love phase, the pastor describes it as a time when one's head is in the clouds and nothing can bring them down. The pastor references the song "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman" to illustrate this phase.
If everything goes well, the couple can progress to the marriage phase, symbolized by the song "Let's Get Married." However, the pastor acknowledges that life circumstances can sometimes lead to a shift in mindset, causing a breakup phase. Overall, the pastor emphasizes the highs and lows of love songs and life, highlighting the importance of maintaining the initial mindset throughout the different phases.
Key Takeaways:
- God's command to Hosea to marry a woman of promiscuity was a profound illustration of the pain God feels when His people abandon Him. It is a reminder that God is always there for His people, even when they turn their backs on Him. [12:45]
- When God calls us, He often asks us to do things that may seem unconventional or uncomfortable. It is important to trust in His plan, even when it doesn't align with our expectations or societal norms. [22:30]
- Love songs resonate with the highs and lows of our lives, taking us through the ups and downs of relationships. They can serve as a metaphor for our relationship with God, reminding us to maintain our initial mindset of love and devotion throughout the different phases of life. [32:15]
- The pastor's reference to specific love songs that capture the essence of different phases of a relationship serves as a reminder that our relationship with God can also go through different phases. It is important to stay committed and faithful to God, even during challenging times. [42:00]
- Life circumstances can sometimes lead to a shift in mindset, causing a breakup phase in our relationship with God. However, it is crucial to remember that God is always there for us, ready to welcome us back with open arms. [52:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hosea 1:2 - "When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, 'Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD.'"
2. Exodus 20:14 - "You shall not commit adultery." This verse is alluded to when discussing the Lord's stance against adultery and prostitution.
3. Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other." This verse is alluded to when discussing the people wanting God's blessings when it's convenient for them, but not being there for God when He needs them.
Observation Questions:
1. What was the unusual command God gave to Hosea in Hosea 1:2, and what was the reason behind it?
2. How does Exodus 20:14 relate to the actions of the people in Hosea's time?
3. What does Matthew 6:24 suggest about the people's relationship with God?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the command given to Hosea in Hosea 1:2 reflect the relationship between God and His people?
2. How does the prohibition against adultery in Exodus 20:14 apply to the spiritual unfaithfulness of the people?
3. How can Matthew 6:24 be interpreted in the context of the people's inconsistent devotion to God?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you felt God was asking you to do something unconventional or uncomfortable? How did you respond and what did you learn from that experience?
2. Reflecting on Matthew 6:24, can you identify any areas in your life where you are trying to serve two masters? What steps can you take to fully devote yourself to God?
3. Using the metaphor of love songs, can you identify a phase in your relationship with God? How can you maintain your initial mindset of love and devotion to God during this phase?
4. Have you ever experienced a 'breakup phase' in your relationship with God due to life circumstances? How did you navigate this phase and what helped you to reconnect with God?
5. What is one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate your faithfulness to God, even when it's not convenient or comfortable?
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding God's Heartache
God's command to Hosea to marry a woman of promiscuity was not a random act, but a profound illustration of the pain God feels when His people abandon Him. It serves as a reminder that God is always there for His people, even when they turn their backs on Him. [12:45]
Hosea 3:1 - "The Lord said to me, 'Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt abandoned or betrayed. How does this help you understand God's feelings when His people turn away from Him?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Unconventional Plan
When God calls us, He often asks us to do things that may seem unconventional or uncomfortable. It is important to trust in His plan, even when it doesn't align with our expectations or societal norms. [22:30]
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What is one thing God is asking you to do that feels uncomfortable or unconventional? How can you trust in His plan today?
Day 3: The Highs and Lows of Love
Love songs resonate with the highs and lows of our lives, taking us through the ups and downs of relationships. They can serve as a metaphor for our relationship with God, reminding us to maintain our initial mindset of love and devotion throughout the different phases of life. [32:15]
Song of Solomon 8:7 - "Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned."
Reflection: Reflect on a love song that resonates with you. How does it reflect your relationship with God?
Day 4: Staying Committed Through Different Phases
Our relationship with God can also go through different phases, just like a romantic relationship. It is important to stay committed and faithful to God, even during challenging times. [42:00]
James 1:12 - "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Reflection: What phase are you currently in your relationship with God? How can you stay committed and faithful during this phase?
Day 5: God's Unchanging Love
Life circumstances can sometimes lead to a shift in mindset, causing a breakup phase in our relationship with God. However, it is crucial to remember that God is always there for us, ready to welcome us back with open arms. [52:30]
Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: Have you experienced a 'breakup phase' in your relationship with God? How can you remind yourself of God's unchanging love today?
Quotes
"Sometimes based upon life circumstances there can be a shift in that mindset that you did not maintain that you had at the very beginning when everything was EES and Roes." [51:00]
"I believe that we all have that one song that as soon as you hear it playing it connects to you because you have a memory that is tied to that particular Love Song." [48:47]
"I want you to go marry a woman of promis and I want you to have children with her and this definitely was not the typical calling into the prophetic Ministry that most of us would imagine given the Lord stance toward a sexual immorality giving the Lord stance against adultery and prostitution." [55:43]
"God said I need to get the people to see things from my perspective because I am their protector I am their provider and yet still their minds are far from me it it it's almost as if they are cheating on God." [57:53]
"I bet hos at that point in time was like yeah God fix me up with a a 36 24 36 I bet if God had only left it right there Hosea would have been just fine he got in Brick but then God said something very unusual Jose he he he says that you're not only going to take a wife you're going to #!!54:53!!# take a wife of you're going to take a prostitute and I imagine that said no Lord what you talking about but when God called Hosea not only did he give him a message"
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