WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.200 Well, this past week I was reading the words of the prophet Hosea. 00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:05.520 Ancient words. 00:00:07.140 --> 00:00:09.939 And at times, heart-wrenching words. 00:00:11.620 --> 00:00:15.939 Reading Hosea takes us back to a time where the relationship between God 00:00:15.939 --> 00:00:20.160 and his people Israel was full of sorrow and grief. 00:00:21.100 --> 00:00:27.260 You can't help but grieve over the way the people of Israel treated Yahweh, their God. 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:34.439 And you can't help but mourn over the anguish in God's own heart because of Israel. 00:00:35.240 --> 00:00:37.560 They were faithless people in that day. 00:00:38.219 --> 00:00:40.200 No longer loyal to their God. 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:41.859 Wicked. 00:00:43.040 --> 00:00:43.460 Corrupt. 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:46.660 It really is a heart-wrenching book of the Bible. 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:56.859 And it is hard to listen as God promises to punish the sins of Israel again and again and again through Hosea. 00:00:58.259 --> 00:01:06.640 Reading of this reminded me of Alive and how we've been journeying with the kids through the first books of the Bible, 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:08.579 the beginnings of the story of Israel. 00:01:09.560 --> 00:01:12.140 And there, too, we saw some pretty heart-wrenching moments. 00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:18.400 We saw God's anger and wrath flare up against the people of Israel because of their sins. 00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:26.780 We heard God tell Moses on more than one occasion to stand aside so that he might destroy the people of Israel. 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:38.439 And it might be tempting as we hear and read things like these to come to the conclusion that God is mostly just angry with us. 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:44.140 Or to come to the conclusion that God is mainly just disappointed with us. 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:50.000 Or to come to the conclusion that God doesn't really love us. 00:01:50.439 --> 00:01:52.819 He just kind of puts up with us. 00:01:52.819 --> 00:02:03.399 Of course, naturally, we don't like to hear about God punishing sinful people like us. 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:14.659 And there's a lot of that in the Old Testament where God spoke these heart-wrenching words of judgment. 00:02:14.659 --> 00:02:23.819 And sometimes we might be tempted to try and separate the God of the Old Testament from the God of the New Testament. 00:02:24.019 --> 00:02:27.879 Some have commented here and there that they really like Jesus. 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:36.780 Gentle, loving, gracious, lowly, humble Jesus. 00:02:37.300 --> 00:02:38.900 The one who died for us. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:43.120 But they don't really much like the God of the Old Testament. 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:44.340 He's too angry. 00:02:44.920 --> 00:02:45.960 Too wrathful. 00:02:46.980 --> 00:02:51.140 Look at what he did to the people of Israel when they grumbled and complained, some will say. 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:55.780 He was angry and he struck many of them down with fire and plague and disaster. 00:02:58.219 --> 00:03:01.540 But this kind of thinking really falls short of reality. 00:03:02.140 --> 00:03:05.640 As we've been seeing in the Gospel of John over the past weeks and months, 00:03:05.900 --> 00:03:07.939 there's really no way around it. 00:03:08.180 --> 00:03:10.599 There is no such division in the Bible. 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:14.799 The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. 00:03:16.019 --> 00:03:19.579 Who is Jesus referring to when he speaks of his Father? 00:03:20.139 --> 00:03:21.879 The one who sent him into the world. 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:26.539 It's none other than Yahweh, the Lord, the God of the Old Testament. 00:03:27.979 --> 00:03:32.759 And Jesus does not in the least distance himself from the God of the Old Testament. 00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:34.939 In fact, it's the opposite. 00:03:37.079 --> 00:03:40.439 He says, I and the Father are one. 00:03:41.739 --> 00:03:43.959 As we'll see in a couple weeks here, he says, 00:03:44.280 --> 00:03:47.079 How can you say, show me the Father? 00:03:47.579 --> 00:03:51.259 If you've seen me, you've seen the Father. 00:03:51.259 --> 00:03:54.139 In other words, Jesus is saying, 00:03:54.359 --> 00:04:00.319 I am Yahweh, the God of the Old Testament, here in flesh, walking among you. 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:02.879 He is in me. 00:04:03.639 --> 00:04:04.719 I am in him. 00:04:04.979 --> 00:04:05.639 We are one. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:09.500 When you look at me, you see him, says Jesus. 00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:15.859 So there is no divide between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. 00:04:15.860 --> 00:04:21.080 Everything about who God is in the Old Testament is true about God in the New Testament. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:28.340 And everything about who Jesus is in the New Testament reflects who the God of the Old Testament really is. 00:04:29.620 --> 00:04:37.819 You might think, well, how come Jesus doesn't seem as angry and wrathful as God does in the Old Testament? 00:04:39.080 --> 00:04:43.180 Well, let me remind you that Jesus did on occasion get very angry. 00:04:43.180 --> 00:04:51.560 At the temple courts, he was angry with a righteous anger at how they had turned the house of God into a marketplace. 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:57.220 He showed the same sort of righteous anger against the Pharisees, 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:05.399 those corrupt and hypocritical leaders who were abusing and taking advantage of the people while putting on a religious facade. 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:14.899 And it is true that we never see Jesus punish or bring judgment like God did in the Old Testament. 00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:21.399 But that's because there are two stages to the work of Jesus here on earth. 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:25.560 As we heard earlier in John's Gospel, chapter 3, verse 17, 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:31.819 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:34.720 And we've talked about this. 00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:37.759 Jesus' first coming was a rescue mission. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:39.360 It's all about redemption. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:40.759 It's about saving us. 00:05:41.519 --> 00:05:47.600 But Jesus' second coming will include punishment and judgment for the wicked, 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:50.720 just like God did in the Old Testament. 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:57.100 Consider 2 Thessalonians 1, verse 6. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:05:58.880 It says there, 00:05:58.980 --> 00:05:59.880 God is just. 00:06:00.960 --> 00:06:03.920 He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 00:06:03.920 --> 00:06:08.200 and give relief to you who are troubled and to us as well. 00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:15.660 This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 00:06:15.660 --> 00:06:22.800 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:28.800 So yes, Jesus will punish and will bring judgment, just like God did in the Old Testament. 00:06:29.520 --> 00:06:33.760 These two realities of who God is cannot be separated. 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:36.360 God is love. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:39.440 And God is just. 00:06:41.020 --> 00:06:42.220 God is good. 00:06:43.200 --> 00:06:44.840 He loves what is good. 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:47.000 And therefore he hates what is evil. 00:06:47.159 --> 00:06:48.659 And he must punish evil. 00:06:48.799 --> 00:06:53.719 He must purge evil from his creation at some time. 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:59.620 And probably most of us deep in our hearts, we know this is true. 00:07:00.359 --> 00:07:02.199 We know that this is who God is. 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:09.299 And yet we still struggle to see the love that God has for us. 00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:11.939 As we read in places like Hosea. 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:15.800 About his anger and hatred towards sin. 00:07:16.980 --> 00:07:21.900 And so this morning I want to draw your attention to one of the places in the Old Testament. 00:07:22.620 --> 00:07:29.300 Where we see so clearly God's love for sinners like you and me. 00:07:29.840 --> 00:07:31.879 Hosea chapter 11. 00:07:32.840 --> 00:07:34.319 Verse 1. 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:40.659 This is God speaking through Hosea. 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:41.459 He says, 00:07:41.459 --> 00:07:44.519 When Israel was a child, I loved him. 00:07:45.239 --> 00:07:47.399 And out of Egypt I called my son. 00:07:48.719 --> 00:07:52.479 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:57.919 They sacrificed to the balls and they burned incense to images. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:03.819 When Israel was a child, I loved him. 00:08:04.840 --> 00:08:06.060 Hear those words. 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:09.439 We're reminded again here of the story of Jacob. 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:12.960 One of the stories that we covered in Alive this past year. 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:16.720 Jacob, he was later renamed Israel by God. 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:19.280 And he was special. 00:08:20.220 --> 00:08:22.620 He was deeply loved by God. 00:08:22.980 --> 00:08:25.220 Even from the time he was a little boy. 00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:29.820 He had his own relationship with Yahweh, the Lord. 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:30.760 And it kind of grew. 00:08:30.900 --> 00:08:32.600 We saw how it grew over time. 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:34.960 Towards the end of his life. 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:40.139 As God took him out of the land and then brought him back in. 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:44.180 And God reaffirmed his covenant and his promise to Jacob. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:48.960 And so not only Israel, the man, was precious to God. 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:50.019 But Israel, the people. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:53.600 Those descended from Israel were like a son to God. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:57.840 And dear children that he loved. 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:01.279 Verse 2. 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:06.259 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:11.379 They sacrificed to the balls and they burned incense to images. 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:15.679 Do you hear the anguish of a father's heart? 00:09:16.939 --> 00:09:19.779 God called them out of slavery and depression in Egypt. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:23.840 To be his own special free people. 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:27.439 And yet they continually gave God the cold shoulder. 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:31.039 And gave their worship and their love to idols. 00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:34.080 To the false gods of the other nations. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:37.840 Verse 3. 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:41.800 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:45.240 Ephraim was one of the sons of Joseph. 00:09:45.900 --> 00:09:47.740 And he was the grandson of Jacob. 00:09:48.900 --> 00:09:55.300 And Ephraim's name is often used by God here in Hosea to refer to the whole northern kingdom of Israel. 00:09:55.299 --> 00:09:56.299 Ephraim was one of the sons of Joseph. 00:09:56.299 --> 00:09:57.039 But listen to this. 00:09:57.099 --> 00:09:59.659 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk. 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:02.599 Taking them by the arms. 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:06.639 But they did not realize it was I who healed them. 00:10:07.099 --> 00:10:09.379 I led them with cords of human kindness. 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:11.339 With ties of love. 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:16.019 To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek. 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:19.699 And I bent down to feed them. 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.699 This is wonderful. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:28.159 Do you hear the heart of God towards Israel? 00:10:28.939 --> 00:10:29.759 The people. 00:10:31.799 --> 00:10:36.000 To help illustrate this I'm going to borrow my daughter for a second. 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:41.840 Hi. 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:45.799 Nobody's going to forget this by the way. 00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:50.980 We like to do little things with her. 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:55.799 Let's see if she's going to be able to. 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:00.980 Can you stand? 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:03.740 Yeah, look at that. 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:05.679 Can you take a step? 00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:07.240 Maybe. 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:17.019 When we do that, that's often the time she smiles the most. 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:32.319 Isn't it wonderful to see the tender love of a father, between a father and his child? 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:35.540 As he teaches his child to walk. 00:11:35.540 --> 00:11:37.940 Holding them by the arms so they don't fall over. 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:43.980 While they build strength, coordination, balance. 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:44.980 It takes gentleness. 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:46.700 It takes gentleness. 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:47.539 It takes patience. 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:48.659 It takes patience. 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:50.000 Tenderness. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:55.320 And it brings great joy. 00:11:55.320 --> 00:12:01.980 Not only do I enjoy that, but I just enjoy holding this little one. 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:03.540 Giving her snuggles. 00:12:04.060 --> 00:12:09.560 Oftentimes I find myself just grabbing her and hugging her and kissing her. 00:12:09.559 --> 00:12:16.959 I delight in her. 00:12:16.959 --> 00:12:18.579 I treasure her so much. 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:22.479 That's what really got me thinking as I read these words. 00:12:24.719 --> 00:12:26.319 God is speaking to Israel. 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:28.940 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk. 00:12:30.160 --> 00:12:31.720 Taking them by the arms. 00:12:32.680 --> 00:12:34.980 I led them with cords of human kindness. 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:36.280 With ties of love. 00:12:37.420 --> 00:12:40.760 To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek. 00:12:42.780 --> 00:12:44.480 I bent down to feed them. 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:54.120 This is God reflecting on his relationship with Israel from those first days where he led them out of Egypt. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:55.900 Through the wilderness. 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:58.500 Into the promised land. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.980 I'll give her back to you. 00:13:11.900 --> 00:13:18.580 So yes, there were those moments when God's anger flared up because of their sin and their wickedness. 00:13:19.140 --> 00:13:21.140 Their behaviors and attitudes. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:24.880 Yes, there were those moments in which he punished them for their sins. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:31.799 But through all that, in the middle of all that, there was this too. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:35.439 This heart of God towards his people. 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:36.259 He saw them. 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.000 He loved them. 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:38.159 He cherished them. 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:40.480 Like a father loves his own child. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:44.059 He was patient with them. 00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:46.059 Teaching them to walk. 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:47.059 He was tender. 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:48.059 He was tender. 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:50.179 He was tender. 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:54.179 He was tender. 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:56.119 He was near to them. 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:59.799 Like a father who lifts his little child to his cheek. 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:04.980 He humbly stooped down to their level. 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:06.980 To feed them. 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.240 To care for them. 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.300 To care for them. 00:14:08.300 --> 00:14:09.600 To provide for their needs. 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:18.200 This is the same tender, compassionate, kind, humble love. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:20.879 From the God of the Old Testament. 00:14:22.040 --> 00:14:25.080 As we see from Jesus in the New Testament. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.520 Then we come to verse 7. 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:34.540 My people are determined to turn from me. 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:38.200 Even though they call me God Most High. 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:42.340 I will by no means exalt them. 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:47.800 How can I give you up, Ephraim? 00:14:48.680 --> 00:14:50.640 How can I hand you over, Israel? 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:52.940 How can I treat you like Adma? 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:55.140 How can I make you like Zeboiim? 00:14:56.180 --> 00:14:58.240 My heart is changed within me. 00:14:59.160 --> 00:15:01.240 All my compassion is aroused. 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:05.640 I will not carry out my fierce anger. 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:08.519 Nor will I devastate Ephraim again. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:10.960 For I am God and not a man. 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:13.519 The Holy One among you. 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:16.919 I will not come against their cities. 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:20.279 These are wonderful words. 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:24.899 In verse 7, God makes clear the fault of the people of Israel. 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:27.399 They are determined to turn from me, he says. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:31.159 Not just that they happen to wander away sometimes. 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:32.799 But they are determined. 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:37.139 There is a continual deliberateness to it. 00:15:40.459 --> 00:15:42.079 And how does God feel about it? 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:44.000 How does he respond to it? 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:45.939 What will he do? 00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:48.199 What they deserve is punishment. 00:15:48.479 --> 00:15:52.219 What they deserve, as we've heard throughout the Old Testament, 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:54.339 is to be wiped off the face of the earth. 00:15:54.459 --> 00:15:55.979 But listen to the heart of God here. 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:57.959 He says, how can I give you up, Ephraim? 00:15:57.960 --> 00:16:00.660 How can I hand you over, Israel? 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:04.800 Do you hear the reluctance in the heart of God 00:16:04.800 --> 00:16:10.120 to bring punishment on his dear children of Israel? 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:15.000 It's like he's saying, I don't want to give you up. 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:17.580 I don't want to hand you over to your enemies. 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:22.139 How can I treat you like Adma? 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.900 How can I make you like Zeboiim? 00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:28.520 Adma and Zeboiim were two of the cities that God laid waste 00:16:28.520 --> 00:16:33.639 and utterly destroyed back in the days when he wiped out Sodom and Gomorrah 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:36.840 because of their sin and wickedness. 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:43.320 It's like God is saying, I don't want to do that to you, dear Israel. 00:16:46.040 --> 00:16:48.180 But the problem here is that they deserve it. 00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:52.820 These people of Israel, here and now, 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:55.280 are as deserving of punishment and judgment 00:16:55.280 --> 00:16:59.420 as Adma and Zeboiim were in the days when God punished them. 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:04.380 But God says here, it would break my heart 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:09.000 to bring justice upon you like that, my son, 00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:13.020 my children, Israel. 00:17:14.620 --> 00:17:18.460 My heart is changed within me, says the Lord. 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:21.620 All my compassion is aroused. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:25.040 And in God's compassion, 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.940 he resolves, 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:32.800 he decides at the time of this prophecy 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:35.339 not to punish Israel, 00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:37.899 not to allow 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:41.639 the cities of Ephraim to be destroyed again. 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:48.940 As I was reflecting on these words, 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:52.319 I couldn't help but notice, 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:54.759 they really give us a window into the heart of God. 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.299 I mean, look at this, 00:17:58.379 --> 00:18:00.879 both in verse 8 and in verse 9. 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.700 And in verse 9, 00:18:01.780 --> 00:18:04.300 I will not carry out my fierce anger. 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:05.860 Why? 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:10.840 Because all my compassion is aroused. 00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:13.960 Here we see two different emotions 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:15.280 in the heart of God. 00:18:15.520 --> 00:18:16.680 At the same time, 00:18:17.320 --> 00:18:18.760 we see a fierce anger, 00:18:19.560 --> 00:18:22.140 a strong desire to punish the wicked, 00:18:22.280 --> 00:18:23.460 to bring justice. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:26.220 And at the very same time, 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:28.500 we see an even fiercer compassion 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:30.380 rising up in the heart of God, 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:32.019 a love, 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:34.100 a care for the people, 00:18:35.100 --> 00:18:38.000 a compassion that triumphs 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:40.620 over the fierce anger. 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:43.319 It's as though God is saying, 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:45.140 I love you, Israel. 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:47.420 Even though you are wicked, 00:18:47.520 --> 00:18:48.220 I love you. 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:51.060 Even though you've turned away from me, 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:53.480 I cannot bear to give you 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:55.100 the punishment that you deserve. 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:57.420 How can I treat you like Adma? 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:59.360 How can I make you like Zeboiim? 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:03.600 For I am God 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:05.880 and not a man. 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:11.400 These words are worth meditating on. 00:19:12.300 --> 00:19:13.660 What does God mean here? 00:19:15.100 --> 00:19:16.320 He seems to be saying 00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:17.360 that there's a big difference 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:19.160 between me and you. 00:19:21.020 --> 00:19:23.080 What goes on in the heart of God 00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:25.520 is not the same as what goes on 00:19:25.520 --> 00:19:26.460 in the heart of a man. 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:29.140 Think about this. 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.580 Though we are sinful 00:19:30.580 --> 00:19:32.240 and deserving of God's punishment, 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:35.860 and though we desire God's forgiveness, 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:37.040 and mercy, 00:19:37.800 --> 00:19:41.060 we are still far less patient, 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.440 compassionate, 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.580 and forgiving than God is. 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:47.040 Were we, 00:19:47.340 --> 00:19:48.560 as sinful human beings, 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:50.400 the ones in charge, 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.760 in God's position here, 00:19:53.280 --> 00:19:55.860 being treated the way that God 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:57.500 is being treated by His people, 00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:59.080 anger and wrath 00:19:59.080 --> 00:20:00.300 would almost certainly 00:20:00.300 --> 00:20:01.720 triumph over mercy. 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:05.460 But isn't it wonderful 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:07.779 that God is different than we are? 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:11.400 He's untainted by sin. 00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:13.200 He is holy. 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:16.299 He is good to His very core. 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:18.759 And so compassion 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:21.220 will triumph over anger, 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:23.160 over judgment. 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:27.360 And though there are more 00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:28.880 heart-wrenching words of judgment 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.600 from Hosea 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:30.840 in the chapters that follow, 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:32.000 the words of Hosea 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:34.140 end with wonderful promises 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:34.860 of mercy 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:36.259 and compassion. 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.420 I'll read just a few of them 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.560 from chapter 14. 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.980 Return, Israel, 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.680 to the Lord your God. 00:20:43.340 --> 00:20:45.220 Your sins have been your downfall. 00:20:46.060 --> 00:20:47.259 Take words with you 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.440 and return to the Lord. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.500 Say to Him, 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:51.500 forgive all our sins 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.940 and receive us graciously 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:54.579 that we may offer 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.839 the fruit of our lips. 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.819 Assyria cannot save us. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:01.160 We will not mount war horses. 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.940 We will never again say 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.319 our gods 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:07.019 to what our own hands have made. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.740 For in you, 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.119 the fatherless, 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.440 find compassion. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:15.380 I will heal 00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:16.700 their waywardness 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:18.840 and love them freely. 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.880 For my anger 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.840 has turned 00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:23.420 away from them. 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.539 Says the Lord. 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.500 This is the God 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.360 of the Old Testament. 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:30.759 And this is the God 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.600 of the New Testament. 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.500 He is fearsome 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.460 in His goodness, 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:35.900 purity, 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.240 and righteousness. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:39.799 But He is 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:41.319 and He always has been 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:43.359 fiercely compassionate, 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:46.160 abundantly gracious, 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:47.900 tender, 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.779 kind, 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:51.779 gentle, 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:53.940 patient, 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.620 willing to stoop down 00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:58.339 to care for us. 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.900 That sweet love 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.480 of a father 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:03.599 towards his little child 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:05.599 is the way 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:07.199 God is 00:22:07.199 --> 00:22:07.980 with His people. 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.740 We are just as dear, 00:22:11.679 --> 00:22:12.639 just as precious, 00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:14.500 just as loved. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.859 And the place 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.339 that we see 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:18.319 that most powerfully 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:18.939 demonstrated 00:22:18.939 --> 00:22:20.659 is at the cross. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.059 We may be wondering 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:23.659 as we read 00:22:23.659 --> 00:22:24.779 these words of Hosea, 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.719 if the people 00:22:26.719 --> 00:22:27.839 really were that wicked, 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:30.000 then they deserve 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.959 to be wiped out 00:22:30.959 --> 00:22:32.559 like Adma 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.299 and Zeboiim, 00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:33.899 like Sodom 00:22:33.899 --> 00:22:34.439 and Gomorrah. 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:36.460 How can God 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:38.279 just have a change 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:38.680 of heart 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.960 and be compassionate 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.519 towards them 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.100 and not give them 00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:41.779 what they deserve? 00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:43.420 How can He just 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:43.960 forgive them 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.019 of all their sins? 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:47.200 How can His righteous 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:48.160 anger turn away 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:48.600 from them, 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.460 turn away from us 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.059 forever? 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.180 And that's what 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.860 Jesus' death 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:54.480 on the cross 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.279 is all about. 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.660 Out of God's 00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:58.720 fierce compassion, 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:01.200 He made a remedy 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.440 for our sin 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.820 and our guilt. 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.779 He established 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.320 a cure 00:23:06.320 --> 00:23:08.100 to our waywardness. 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.160 He planned a way 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.559 to see justice done 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:13.460 and sinners 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.799 like you and me 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.440 pardoned, 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.039 forgiven, 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.700 completely, 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:18.759 forever. 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:21.160 The divine 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:21.920 Son of God, 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.440 Jesus, 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.080 came down 00:23:23.080 --> 00:23:23.820 into our world. 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:25.120 He took on 00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:25.820 human flesh 00:23:25.820 --> 00:23:27.000 and became one of us 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.920 and then suffered 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.420 and died. 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.500 The punishment 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.380 we deserved 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:34.400 in our place 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.940 was upon Him 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:38.380 so that we could 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:38.920 be saved. 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:42.039 So that instead 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.480 of death 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.019 and judgment, 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:44.720 instead, 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.799 we who repent 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.700 and believe 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.339 in His name 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.200 can have life 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.200 and blessing 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.660 forever 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:51.019 with God 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:53.119 as His dear 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:53.819 children. 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.819 God, 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:56.139 this is the good 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:57.299 news of Jesus 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:58.359 and that's what 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.159 we are here 00:23:59.159 --> 00:23:59.720 to celebrate 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.359 this morning 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:00.819 as we come 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.419 to the Lord's 00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:01.740 table, 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:03.079 as we partake 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.919 of bread and cup. 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.339 If you believe 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.980 this with all 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.519 your heart, 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.220 then I want to 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:07.759 invite you 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.500 to partake 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.000 with us 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.559 this morning. 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.759 If you believe 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.619 that Jesus died 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.139 to atone 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:14.019 for your sins, 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.779 to bring you 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.599 back into 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:16.000 a loving 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.639 relationship 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.220 with God 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.579 like we see 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.859 between God 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:20.299 and Israel 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:20.919 here in this 00:24:20.919 --> 00:24:21.319 passage, 00:24:21.439 --> 00:24:22.179 I invite you, 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.179 join with us, 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.120 partake with us, 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.000 eat and drink 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.560 with us. 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:26.779 The bread 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.680 stands for 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.840 Jesus' body 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.460 which was 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.820 broken for us 00:24:30.820 --> 00:24:33.380 and the cup 00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:34.080 stands for 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:34.779 Jesus' blood 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.299 which was 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.940 poured out, 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:36.920 shed for us 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:38.460 for our 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:38.840 forgiveness. 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.620 We'll take a few 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:41.940 minutes to pray 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.860 quietly now 00:24:42.860 --> 00:24:44.320 and then 00:24:44.320 --> 00:24:45.940 we'll have 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.940 Charles and 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:48.140 Dave come 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:48.560 and serve 00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.080 the elements 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:49.680 and we'll wait 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.380 until everybody 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:51.600 has received 00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:52.779 both who wishes 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.440 to partake 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:54.460 and then 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:54.799 we'll eat 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.160 and drink 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:55.799 together in 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.220 unison 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.799 after we 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.379 give thanks. 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.119 So let's 00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.579 go now 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:00.019 to prayer. 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:04.639 dinner. 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.640 Amen. 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:36.640 Amen. 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:06.640 Amen. 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:36.640 Amen. 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:05.640 Amen. 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:11.880 Father in heaven, thank you that you have loved us with such a deep and tender and awesome 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:15.560 love as you have. 00:27:15.560 --> 00:27:19.360 Like a father, his dear child. 00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:22.759 Thank you that you sent Jesus into our world. 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:31.520 For Jesus, thank you that you came willingly and that you endured all that you did and 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:35.480 laid down your life for us. 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:40.319 Thank you that we are forgiven by your blood. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:46.359 That we have life forever with you because of what you did for us at the cross. 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:48.639 We love you. 00:27:48.639 --> 00:27:49.639 And we give you glory. 00:27:49.639 --> 00:27:52.639 We give you praise. 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.639 Amen.