WEBVTT

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 I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.

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 I will be like the dew to Israel, he will blossom like a lily, like a cedar of Lebanon,

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 he will send down his roots. His young shoots will grow, his splendor will be like an olive tree,

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 his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

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 Men will dwell again in his shade, he will flourish like the corn,

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 he will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.

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 O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will ask him and care for him,

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 I am like a green pine tree, your fruitfulness comes from me.

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 Who is wise? He will realize these things.

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 Who is discerning? He will understand them.

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 The ways of the Lord are right, the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

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 Thanks very much, Louise.

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 Well, chapter 14 in some ways is like a summary, it's a conclusion, a wrap-up of the whole message of Hosea.

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 So as we come to God's Word, let's pray.

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 Let's ask that the Lord would help us, not only to understand with our minds,

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 but that we would feel within our hearts, and that God would change us through his Word today.

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 So let's pray for that.

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 Father, thank you for this message of Hosea.

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 A message that speaks to us today.

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 And Father, our prayer is that you would not only enable us to understand with our heads intellectually,

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 but that we would sense it, feel it, experience your work deep within our hearts,

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 so that we are changed,

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 we are transformed,

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 and that we become

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 the people that you call us to be.

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 Father, do your work amongst us today.

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 And for your glory we pray this,

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 and for our good, in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Together, they stood at the front of the church.

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 It wasn't their first time.

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 Almost five years ago to the day,

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 they had stood in exactly the same place,

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 promising to love each other until death us do part.

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 Friends and family had all gathered together to join in their special day,

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 no expense was spared,

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 the finest of food,

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 the luxurious surroundings,

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 but their marriage celebration was short-lived.

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 Within a few weeks,

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 she had had an affair with a colleague at work

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 and had walked out of the marriage.

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 But today was a new day,

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 a fresh start.

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 In love,

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 he had reached out to his unfaithful wife

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 and proposed to her again.

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 And there they stood in the front of the church,

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 ready to renew their vows.

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 But that's what we have in chapter 14.

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 Here God is reaching out to his unfaithful people,

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 calling them to himself.

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 Renew your marriage vows with me.

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 Look at verse 4.

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 God promises,

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 I will heal their waywardness

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 and love them freely,

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 for my anger has turned away from them.

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 You remember that Hosea has been a story

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 about God's marriage to his people.

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 God's people had been an adulterous wife.

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 They had chased after other lovers,

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 replacing God with other things and other people.

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 And God couldn't ignore their behaviour.

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 He was jealous for his people.

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 He loved them.

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 And he couldn't let them carry on the way they were.

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 So God had promised to bring his judgment upon them.

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 The threat of the Assyrian nation would come upon them.

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 But God was not about to give up on his people either.

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 He pursued them.

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 In love, God reached out to them

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 and gives them that opportunity

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 to come to him afresh

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 to renew those marriage vows.

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 And that is what God is offering to us today.

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 Because in a sense, we are no different.

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 We are the adulterous people.

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 We've rejected his unfaithful love.

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 We've resisted his kind and generous rule.

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 We've provoked God's anger.

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 And he has promised to come in terrible judgment.

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 But like a broken-hearted husband

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 who refuses to give up on his adulterous wife,

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 so God has passionately pursued us.

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 In love, God reaches out to us today

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 and gives us that opportunity

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 to renew our marriage vows.

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 So today, this moment,

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 imagine yourself standing

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 at the front of the church.

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 As it were, if you were renewing those vows,

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 a new beginning.

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 Maybe you've never experienced

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 a relationship with God.

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 You've never known that intimacy

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 with God as father

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 and a faithful, loyal husband.

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 Well, today, you can.

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 Or perhaps your relationship with God

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 has just grown cold.

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 You've lost that sense of intimacy.

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 It's a closed relationship

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 and you no longer experience his love.

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 Well, today, you can.

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 Because chapter 14 gives us that opportunity

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 to come and meet with God

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 and renew those marriage vows.

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 So what will this marriage blessing look like?

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 Well, let's look at it in two ways.

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 First, it's a call to return

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 to our true love.

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 Look at verse 1.

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 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God.

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 Verse 2.

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 Take words with you

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 and return to the Lord.

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 This calling of return

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 is a call to daily repentance.

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 I'm sure as you've been to weddings,

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 you'll hear these vows.

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 The husband is asked this question.

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 Will you love her?

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 Comfort her?

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 Honor and keep her

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 in sickness and in health?

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 And forsaking all others,

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 keep yourself only for her.

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 Forsake all others,

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 keep yourself only for her

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 as long as you both shall live.

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 Well, that's what God is seeking

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 as he's calling his people

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 to return to him.

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 Forsake all other loves

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 and keep yourself only for him.

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 Now, before we look at how we do that,

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 this returning,

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 this repenting,

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 we need to identify

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 what those other loves are

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 that we have.

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 And to help us to identify,

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 I'm going to ask us all

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 just two very simple questions.

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 So I want us to think through

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 what is your answer

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 to these questions.

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 Here's the first one.

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 What do I turn to

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 for my comfort and pleasure?

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 In life,

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 what do I turn to

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 for my comfort and pleasure?

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 Maybe it's work.

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 Maybe it's shopping.

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 Maybe it's porn.

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 Maybe it's some substance abuse.

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 What do you turn to

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 for your comfort and pleasure?

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 Here's the second question.

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 What do I look to

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 for my joy and happiness?

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 Or sorry,

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 who do I look to

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 for my joy and happiness?

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 Who are the people

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 that I treasure most

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 that I want

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 for my joy and happiness?

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 Well, whatever your answer

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 to those questions,

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 these can become

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 our substitute loves.

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 We replace God

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 with these other loves.

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 and our calling today

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 is to return

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 to our one true love.

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 Here's how we do that

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 in three steps.

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 Here's the first one.

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 Take responsibility

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 for my sin.

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 Look at verse one again.

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 Return, O Israel,

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 to the Lord your God.

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 your sins

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 have been

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 your downfall.

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 The reason that Israel

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 had run away from God

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 was not because God

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 had failed them.

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 It was because

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 they had eyes

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 for other lovers.

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 God had been faithful

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 and loyal

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 and generous

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 and trustworthy

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 and kind.

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 So the only reason

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 why they turned

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 from God,

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 well, it was because

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 of their own sinful hearts.

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 And that's what we do.

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 We look away

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 from the source

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 of our true love.

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 We have eyes

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 for other loves

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 and put our hope

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 in other things.

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 And that's not God's fault

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 or anybody else's fault.

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 We can't point the finger

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 at somebody else.

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 It's my fault.

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 It's not my upbringing.

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 It's not where I live

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 or what's happened.

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 If we turn away from God,

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 if we look to other things,

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 it's our own fault.

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 It's my responsibility.

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 And I must learn

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 to take ownership

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 of my sin.

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 Look what it says

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 at the end of verse one.

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 Your sins

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 have been

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 your downfall.

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 So the first step

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 in returning

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 to our true love

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 is to take responsibility

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 for my sin.

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 The second is this.

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 Seek forgiveness

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 for my sin.

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 Look at verse two.

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 Take words with you

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 and return to the Lord.

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 Say to him,

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 forgive all our sins

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 and receive us

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 and receive us graciously.

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 God isn't asking

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 his people

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 to do anything.

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 He's not asking them

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 to prove their love

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 or to pass a test.

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 No, it's a simple call

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 to come with words

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 from the heart

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 seeking forgiveness.

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 forgiveness.

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 This is how our relationship

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 with God starts

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 and it's how our relationship

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 with God continues.

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 It's so simple.

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 Forgive all our sins

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 and receive us graciously.

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 You see,

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 there is nothing

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 too bad

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 or so terrible

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 that God cannot forgive.

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 Maybe you're sitting there

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 and thinking

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 that if you only knew

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 what was going on

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 in my life

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 or the things I've done

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 or what's going on

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 in my life right now,

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 there's no way

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 God could forgive me.

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 Well, hear this invitation

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 from our true love

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 to experience forgiveness.

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 Say to him,

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 forgive all my sin

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 and receive me graciously.

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 In fact,

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 the words of repentance

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 are like our sacrifice.

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 It's like an offering.

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 Look at the end of verse 2.

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 Receive us graciously

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 that we may offer

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 the fruit of our lips.

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 The fruit of our lips,

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 the words that we speak to God.

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 This is our offering.

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 This is our sacrifice to God.

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 King David understood this

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 when he sought forgiveness

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 for his adultery.

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 Psalm 51 records for us

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 as he comes to God.

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 This is what he says.

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 You do not delight in sacrifice

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 or I would bring it.

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 You don't take pleasure

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 in burnt offerings.

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 The sacrifices of God

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 are a broken spirit,

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 a broken and contrite heart,

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 O God,

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 you will not despise.

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 So God is not looking

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 for your track record today.

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 He's not looking at the list

00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:27.139
 of all the things you've done

00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.539
 to prove your love.

00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:31.059
 He's simply looking

00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:33.519
 for a broken and contrite heart.

00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:36.899
 The invitation to us all today

00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:39.179
 is come with these words.

00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:43.120
 Forgive all my sin

00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:46.899
 and receive us graciously.

00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.000
 So,

00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:52.539
 as we return to the Lord,

00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:55.019
 take responsibility for my sin,

00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:58.000
 seek forgiveness for my sin,

00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.179
 and third,

00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:01.500
 renew trust

00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:03.539
 in my Saviour.

00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.799
 Look at verse 3.

00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:06.799
 Assyria

00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:08.440
 cannot save us.

00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:12.280
 We will not mount war horses.

00:15:12.900 --> 00:15:14.620
 We will never again say,

00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:15.660
 Our gods,

00:15:15.780 --> 00:15:18.140
 to what our own hands have made.

00:15:19.020 --> 00:15:19.420
 You see,

00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.140
 God's people

00:15:20.140 --> 00:15:22.060
 in their spiritual adultery,

00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:24.620
 as they look to other loves,

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:26.060
 they look to other nations,

00:15:26.180 --> 00:15:27.020
 like Assyria,

00:15:27.400 --> 00:15:29.540
 to their own military power.

00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:32.079
 this was going to be their Saviour.

00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.799
 They replaced God

00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:34.879
 with other nations

00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:36.360
 and with horses

00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:38.399
 and with their armies.

00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:40.299
 We don't need God.

00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.959
 We can live life without Him,

00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.519
 they said.

00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.980
 We can get our safety

00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:45.980
 and our security

00:15:45.980 --> 00:15:47.099
 from other things.

00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:50.079
 And we're no different.

00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:52.740
 We substitute God

00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:53.620
 with our work,

00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.280
 our money,

00:15:54.420 --> 00:15:55.600
 our material possessions

00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.120
 and think,

00:15:56.520 --> 00:15:58.160
 Well, if I can have that,

00:15:59.300 --> 00:16:00.580
 then I will be okay.

00:16:01.420 --> 00:16:02.759
 We replace God

00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:04.240
 with our children,

00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:05.139
 our spouse,

00:16:05.300 --> 00:16:06.080
 our loved ones

00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.500
 and we think,

00:16:06.780 --> 00:16:08.080
 If I can have this

00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:10.300
 or if I can have that

00:16:10.300 --> 00:16:11.500
 in my life,

00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:13.320
 then I will be secure.

00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:15.200
 Then I will be satisfied.

00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.860
 Everything will be alright.

00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:21.060
 But the gods of our making

00:16:21.060 --> 00:16:22.580
 can never save you.

00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:25.200
 Israel would discover that.

00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:27.080
 Assyria wouldn't save them,

00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:28.519
 they would destroy them.

00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.480
 And that's what will happen to us.

00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:33.039
 The gods that we make,

00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:35.200
 the middle of verse 3,

00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.220
 that we have made

00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:37.600
 with our own hands,

00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.779
 our own thinking,

00:16:39.680 --> 00:16:41.800
 they will just demand more of you,

00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:43.039
 they will break you.

00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:46.939
 But our saving God,

00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.620
 He is the God

00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:50.799
 who comes to give to you.

00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:52.480
 Look at the end of verse 3.

00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:55.120
 For in you,

00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:56.579
 in God,

00:16:57.639 --> 00:17:01.219
 the fatherless find compassion.

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:05.119
 To run from God

00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:07.639
 is to become fatherless.

00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:09.240
 To run away,

00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:10.740
 to turn away from God

00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.980
 is to be without hope,

00:17:12.300 --> 00:17:13.320
 without a saviour.

00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:15.560
 But to return to God,

00:17:15.800 --> 00:17:17.840
 to renew our trust in Him,

00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:20.040
 we find our true saviour.

00:17:20.300 --> 00:17:21.480
 We find a God

00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:23.780
 who gives His life for us.

00:17:24.060 --> 00:17:26.080
 A God who will die for you.

00:17:27.100 --> 00:17:29.420
 A saviour who will never fail you

00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:30.320
 or trick you

00:17:30.320 --> 00:17:31.800
 or disown you.

00:17:32.800 --> 00:17:34.380
 This is what it means

00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:37.460
 to return to the Lord your God.

00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:40.380
 It's this daily discipline

00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:42.020
 of repentance.

00:17:43.300 --> 00:17:45.020
 Of taking responsibility

00:17:45.020 --> 00:17:47.100
 for my sin.

00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:49.120
 Seeking forgiveness

00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:50.920
 for my sin.

00:17:52.040 --> 00:17:53.520
 And renewing trust

00:17:53.520 --> 00:17:56.060
 in my saviour.

00:17:57.540 --> 00:17:59.940
 As we come to our God

00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:01.700
 to renew those vows,

00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:04.320
 it starts with our returning

00:18:04.320 --> 00:18:05.960
 to Him.

00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:09.799
 The second thing

00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.759
 that we need to see

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.519
 as we come to renew

00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.519
 our vows

00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:16.240
 is that we can have

00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.539
 our relationship

00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:18.860
 with Him restored,

00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:21.340
 restored with our true love.

00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:23.420
 And as we return

00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.539
 to our true love,

00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:26.680
 God promises us

00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:28.039
 three things.

00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.519
 I want us to grasp

00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:31.360
 these three promises

00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:32.579
 that God brings

00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.379
 to our life

00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:35.179
 as we return

00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:36.039
 to Him.

00:18:36.699 --> 00:18:37.959
 Here's the first one.

00:18:39.479 --> 00:18:40.019
 Healing

00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:42.119
 from our past.

00:18:42.979 --> 00:18:44.099
 Look at verse 4.

00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:46.179
 Here's God

00:18:46.179 --> 00:18:46.659
 speaking

00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:48.139
 to His people

00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:49.199
 as we return

00:18:49.199 --> 00:18:49.899
 to Him.

00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.179
 First He says,

00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:52.539
 I will heal

00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:54.299
 their waywardness

00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:56.480
 and love them freely

00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:58.900
 for my anger

00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.259
 has turned away

00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.480
 from them.

00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:02.980
 You know,

00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.720
 one of the reasons

00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:05.160
 why we don't turn

00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:05.960
 back to God

00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:07.920
 is because of fear.

00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:09.700
 We fear that

00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.759
 if we come back

00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.160
 to God,

00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.259
 He's going to punish me

00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.160
 for my past.

00:19:13.560 --> 00:19:14.120
 He's going to have

00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:15.320
 a list of all the things

00:19:15.320 --> 00:19:16.039
 I've done wrong

00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.900
 and He's going to punish me.

00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:21.200
 But look what it says.

00:19:21.340 --> 00:19:21.940
 Look at the end

00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.660
 of verse 4.

00:19:23.780 --> 00:19:24.280
 He says,

00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:25.560
 My anger

00:19:25.560 --> 00:19:27.720
 has turned away

00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:29.380
 from them.

00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.759
 Of course,

00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:32.980
 Hosea was speaking

00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.700
 of something

00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.960
 much greater

00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.920
 that was to come.

00:19:36.300 --> 00:19:37.120
 An experience

00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:38.300
 that we can have

00:19:38.300 --> 00:19:38.980
 for ourselves

00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.320
 as we trust

00:19:40.320 --> 00:19:41.140
 in the death

00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:42.380
 of Jesus Christ

00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:43.720
 on the cross.

00:19:44.560 --> 00:19:45.100
 You see,

00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:45.820
 the punishment

00:19:45.820 --> 00:19:46.980
 that we deserve

00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:48.599
 for turning away

00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.440
 from God

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:51.640
 is now turned

00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:54.160
 away from us

00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.740
 and turned

00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.360
 onto

00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:58.819
 the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:00.920
 God's wrath

00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:02.299
 for my sin

00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:04.500
 has turned away

00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.339
 from me

00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.920
 and has now

00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:08.140
 fallen upon

00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.039
 the Lord Jesus.

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:11.460
 So when we come

00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:11.980
 to Him

00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.420
 with our past,

00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.420
 when we come

00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:14.819
 to Him

00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.700
 with our lives,

00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:17.140
 we no longer

00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:18.120
 have to fear

00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:18.980
 coming to Him

00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:20.240
 because He

00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:20.960
 has dealt

00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.819
 with our sin.

00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.000
 He has dealt

00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.460
 with it

00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.380
 in Jesus.

00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.860
 In fact,

00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.799
 He says to us

00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:29.080
 beginning of verse 4,

00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.460
 I will heal

00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.539
 their waywardness.

00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.660
 I will heal

00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.279
 all their

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.340
 turning away

00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:36.500
 and I will

00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.400
 love them

00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:38.299
 freely.

00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.819
 So hear

00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.860
 this promise

00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:42.900
 to us today.

00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:44.240
 in Jesus,

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:44.380
 in Jesus,

00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.580
 your past

00:20:45.580 --> 00:20:46.480
 has been

00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.160
 dealt with.

00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.320
 The barrier

00:20:48.320 --> 00:20:48.840
 of sin

00:20:48.840 --> 00:20:49.620
 is completely

00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.220
 removed.

00:20:50.560 --> 00:20:51.300
 There is now

00:20:51.300 --> 00:20:52.759
 no condemnation.

00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.060
 You can come

00:20:54.060 --> 00:20:55.360
 freely to God

00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:56.480
 and enjoy

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.500
 the love

00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.080
 of God

00:20:58.080 --> 00:20:59.440
 because

00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:01.440
 He has healed

00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:03.040
 your past.

00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:06.079
 but it

00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.680
 gets even

00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.019
 better

00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.659
 than that.

00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.000
 Here is the

00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.839
 second promise.

00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:12.059
 A flourishing

00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:13.279
 relationship.

00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.859
 Look at verse 5.

00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.779
 God says,

00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.519
 I will be like

00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.259
 the dew

00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.399
 to Israel.

00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:20.559
 He will

00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.200
 blossom

00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:22.180
 like a lily.

00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:23.819
 Verse 7,

00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.779
 men will

00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.599
 dwell again

00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.379
 in His shade.

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:26.819
 He will

00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:27.619
 flourish

00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.619
 like the corn.

00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.440
 He will

00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.059
 blossom

00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:31.079
 like a vine.

00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:33.079
 The picture

00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:33.839
 is clear

00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.099
 here.

00:21:34.179 --> 00:21:34.720
 It is a picture

00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:36.299
 of a parched

00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.299
 dry land.

00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.319
 It is barren.

00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:39.639
 Nothing grows.

00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:41.919
 But then

00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:42.740
 verse 5,

00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.759
 the morning

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.159
 dew

00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:45.839
 comes

00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.779
 that

00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.500
 drenches

00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.559
 and soaks

00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.240
 that dry

00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.699
 land

00:21:49.699 --> 00:21:50.500
 and gives

00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:52.099
 the plants

00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.500
 its vital

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.199
 moisture

00:21:54.199 --> 00:21:55.079
 and everything

00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:55.559
 that is

00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.299
 necessary

00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:56.919
 for it

00:21:56.919 --> 00:21:57.539
 to begin

00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.419
 to blossom

00:21:58.419 --> 00:21:59.839
 and flourish.

00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.819
 And so

00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.500
 as the dew

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.019
 falls,

00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:02.899
 the lilies,

00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.000
 the corn,

00:22:04.459 --> 00:22:05.179
 the vines,

00:22:05.439 --> 00:22:06.079
 it all

00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.799
 begins to

00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.139
 blossom.

00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:07.699
 It begins

00:22:07.699 --> 00:22:08.359
 to fulfil

00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:09.639
 its purpose.

00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:11.839
 And that's

00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.319
 the picture

00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:12.899
 for us.

00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:13.899
 As we

00:22:13.899 --> 00:22:14.959
 return to

00:22:14.959 --> 00:22:15.539
 the Lord,

00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:16.319
 as we

00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.139
 trust in

00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:17.819
 our true

00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.419
 Saviour,

00:22:18.659 --> 00:22:19.079
 as we

00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.819
 turn away

00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.339
 from our

00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.279
 false loves

00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.039
 on a daily

00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.579
 basis,

00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.740
 so we

00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.299
 begin to

00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.059
 experience

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.959
 His grace.

00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:28.179
 His grace

00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:29.139
 falls upon

00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.720
 us like

00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.320
 the morning

00:22:30.320 --> 00:22:30.800
 dew.

00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.380
 It

00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.160
 drenches

00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:32.900
 our lives,

00:22:33.020 --> 00:22:33.800
 it soaks

00:22:33.800 --> 00:22:34.520
 our lives

00:22:34.520 --> 00:22:35.240
 so that

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.900
 we begin

00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:36.920
 to flourish.

00:22:38.280 --> 00:22:39.020
 We become

00:22:39.020 --> 00:22:39.800
 the people

00:22:39.800 --> 00:22:40.680
 that God

00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.380
 calls us

00:22:41.380 --> 00:22:41.820
 to be.

00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:43.780
 In fact,

00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:44.180
 we will

00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:45.259
 grow strong

00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.400
 and mature.

00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.100
 Look at

00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.440
 the rest

00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:47.820
 of verse

00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:48.259
 5.

00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:49.680
 We will

00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.360
 become like

00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:51.080
 a cedar

00:22:51.080 --> 00:22:51.820
 of Lebanon.

00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:52.820
 He will

00:22:52.820 --> 00:22:53.720
 send down

00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.600
 His roots,

00:22:55.080 --> 00:22:55.759
 His young

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.540
 shoots will

00:22:56.540 --> 00:22:56.980
 grow,

00:22:57.320 --> 00:22:58.340
 His splendour

00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:58.699
 will be

00:22:58.699 --> 00:22:59.199
 like an

00:22:59.199 --> 00:22:59.839
 olive tree,

00:23:00.159 --> 00:23:01.139
 His fragrance

00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:02.000
 like a

00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.619
 cedar of

00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.019
 Lebanon.

00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:05.759
 The cedars

00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.359
 of Lebanon

00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:06.939
 are known

00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:07.399
 for their

00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:08.339
 strength

00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:09.639
 and durability,

00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.619
 their strong

00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.559
 roots enabling

00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.679
 them to stand

00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.480
 strong and

00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.039
 to grow.

00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:16.959
 Well,

00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.579
 here's this

00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.799
 amazing promise.

00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:19.599
 As we

00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.519
 return to

00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.139
 our true

00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:21.579
 love,

00:23:21.959 --> 00:23:22.399
 as we

00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:23.159
 put down

00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:23.819
 our deep

00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.199
 roots,

00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.599
 as we

00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.599
 invest time

00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.319
 with God

00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.019
 in our

00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.639
 relationship

00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.179
 with Him,

00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.439
 listening to

00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:30.059
 His words,

00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.099
 speaking to

00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.539
 Him in

00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:31.819
 prayer,

00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:32.779
 joining

00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.579
 together with

00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:34.119
 one another

00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.500
 as we're

00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.200
 doing now,

00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.679
 so we

00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:37.939
 become strong

00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:38.859
 and healthy

00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:40.099
 in our

00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.779
 marriage with

00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.179
 God.

00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.099
 We will

00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.819
 have roots

00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.259
 that will

00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.879
 hold us

00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:46.399
 fast,

00:23:46.679 --> 00:23:47.319
 so that

00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:47.899
 when the

00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:49.019
 trials test

00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.319
 us,

00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.200
 when the

00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.000
 temptations

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.639
 begin to

00:23:51.639 --> 00:23:52.339
 lure us

00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:52.720
 away,

00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.579
 when the

00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.399
 troubles come

00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:54.680
 and they

00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.400
 bring doubt

00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:55.820
 to our

00:23:55.820 --> 00:23:56.160
 lives,

00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.940
 we will

00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.840
 not move

00:23:57.840 --> 00:23:59.480
 and we

00:23:59.480 --> 00:23:59.860
 will be

00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.860
 strong and

00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:01.460
 mature.

00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.280
 Our

00:24:02.280 --> 00:24:03.120
 relationship

00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:03.920
 with God

00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:05.259
 will flourish

00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.759
 and blossom.

00:24:09.040 --> 00:24:09.820
 So not

00:24:09.820 --> 00:24:10.759
 only do we

00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.420
 have healing

00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:11.940
 from our

00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.340
 past,

00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.440
 not only is

00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.100
 our life

00:24:14.100 --> 00:24:14.660
 going to

00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:15.340
 flourish,

00:24:16.800 --> 00:24:17.680
 but look

00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.000
 at this

00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.980
 third promise,

00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.340
 there will

00:24:20.340 --> 00:24:21.500
 be fruitfulness

00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.740
 in our

00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.140
 life.

00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:24.839
 Look at

00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.480
 verse 8.

00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.839
 O Ephraim,

00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.000
 which was

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.640
 another name

00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.319
 for God's

00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:30.680
 people,

00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.500
 what more

00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.180
 have I to

00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.920
 do with

00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.680
 idols,

00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:35.759
 or what

00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.319
 more has

00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:37.039
 Ephraim

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.519
 got to

00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:37.960
 do with

00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.380
 idols?

00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.240
 Our

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.660
 idols,

00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.299
 the gods

00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:42.740
 that we

00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.039
 make,

00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.720
 are false,

00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.660
 they're made

00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:44.960
 up,

00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.480
 they give

00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:45.980
 us nothing,

00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.420
 they leave

00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.079
 us empty,

00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:47.880
 they leave

00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:48.640
 us dry,

00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.640
 they don't

00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.359
 satisfy.

00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.980
 But God

00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.400
 says,

00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:53.960
 verse 8,

00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.640
 I will

00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.599
 answer him

00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.880
 and care

00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:57.440
 for him.

00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:58.859
 I am

00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.460
 like a

00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.579
 green pine

00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:00.940
 tree,

00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:01.859
 your

00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.799
 fruitfulness

00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:04.079
 comes

00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.599
 from

00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.500
 me.

00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:07.420
 Instead

00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.059
 of looking

00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.559
 to our

00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.599
 false gods,

00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.400
 our idols,

00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.559
 we are to

00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.180
 look to the

00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.099
 true source

00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:13.440
 of our

00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:13.700
 love,

00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.099
 who is

00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.579
 God.

00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.039
 And God

00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.920
 promises us

00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.660
 a fruitful

00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.140
 life,

00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.319
 just as the

00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:20.119
 pine tree

00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:21.399
 is the

00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:22.000
 source of

00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.579
 its fruit,

00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:23.179
 it brings

00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:23.759
 about the

00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.539
 cones on

00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:24.959
 the tree,

00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.099
 so God

00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.519
 is the

00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.139
 source for

00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:27.739
 a fruitful

00:25:27.739 --> 00:25:28.399
 life for

00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:28.919
 us.

00:25:30.419 --> 00:25:31.119
 Look back

00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:32.019
 at verse 5,

00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.099
 the end

00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.779
 of verse 5,

00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.259
 it says,

00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:35.879
 like the

00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:36.519
 cedar of

00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:36.919
 Lebanon,

00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.059
 he will

00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.099
 send down

00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:39.959
 his roots

00:25:39.959 --> 00:25:41.219
 and his

00:25:41.219 --> 00:25:42.279
 young shoots

00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.759
 will grow.

00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:46.279
 if we

00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.119
 send down

00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:47.980
 those roots

00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.759
 deep into

00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.440
 the source

00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:49.839
 who is

00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.299
 God,

00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.220
 so we

00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:52.819
 will become

00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.619
 fruitful.

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.539
 The

00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:55.920
 imagery

00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:57.579
 is not

00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.279
 unlike what

00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.059
 Jesus spoke

00:25:59.059 --> 00:25:59.559
 to his

00:25:59.559 --> 00:25:59.799
 own

00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.359
 disciples

00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:02.259
 in John

00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:03.180
 chapter 15.

00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.819
 Keep your

00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.960
 finger in

00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.879
 Hosea and

00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.660
 jump to

00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.460
 John

00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.559
 chapter 15.

00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:22.839
 John

00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.819
 chapter 15

00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.960
 and verse 5.

00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.200
 So we're

00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.960
 thinking here

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.639
 of roots,

00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.139
 we're

00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:34.700
 thinking of

00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:36.299
 being tied

00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.859
 in to

00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.480
 the Lord,

00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:40.200
 and from

00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:41.039
 that comes

00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:42.279
 a flourishing

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.980
 relationship

00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:43.559
 and a

00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.059
 fruitful

00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:45.139
 life.

00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.319
 So,

00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.220
 as Jesus

00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:47.740
 speaks,

00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:48.639
 chapter 15

00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:49.279
 verse 5,

00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:50.799
 he says,

00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.359
 I am the

00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:51.740
 vine,

00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.679
 you are

00:26:53.679 --> 00:26:54.379
 the branches.

00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.440
 If a

00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:56.859
 man or

00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:58.000
 woman remains

00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.759
 in me

00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.919
 and I

00:26:59.919 --> 00:27:00.659
 in him,

00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:02.039
 you will

00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.919
 bear much

00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.379
 fruit.

00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.039
 Apart

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.700
 from me,

00:27:06.639 --> 00:27:07.179
 you can

00:27:07.179 --> 00:27:07.519
 do

00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.240
 nothing.

00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:10.059
 If anyone

00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.679
 does not

00:27:10.679 --> 00:27:11.339
 remain in

00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:11.579
 me,

00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:12.759
 they are

00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.139
 like a

00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.759
 branch that

00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.339
 is thrown

00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:14.919
 away and

00:27:14.919 --> 00:27:15.419
 withers.

00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:16.440
 Such branches

00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:16.980
 are picked

00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.480
 up and

00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.200
 thrown into

00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.799
 the fire

00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.339
 and burned.

00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:22.059
 If you

00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.139
 remain in

00:27:23.139 --> 00:27:23.480
 me,

00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.200
 and my

00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:26.240
 words remain

00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:27.099
 in you,

00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.039
 ask whatever

00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.139
 you wish,

00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:31.899
 and it will

00:27:31.899 --> 00:27:32.359
 be given

00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.679
 you.

00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.920
 God,

00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:38.960
 give me a

00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.620
 new car

00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.799
 or provide

00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:42.080
 for me a

00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:42.799
 new house

00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.640
 or give

00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:44.220
 me better

00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.740
 health.

00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:46.759
 That's not

00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.500
 the kind of

00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.320
 fruit that is

00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:49.080
 being promised

00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:49.720
 or talked

00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.360
 about here.

00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.220
 It's the

00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.860
 fruit that

00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:53.440
 comes from

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.700
 a relationship

00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.360
 with God

00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.460
 that's nurtured

00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:57.380
 and nourished.

00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.480
 look at the

00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:58.900
 beginning of

00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.380
 verse 7.

00:27:59.480 --> 00:27:59.740
 It says,

00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.020
 if you

00:28:00.020 --> 00:28:00.740
 remain in

00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.840
 me and

00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:02.860
 my words

00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:03.540
 remain in

00:28:03.540 --> 00:28:03.800
 you,

00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.300
 so this

00:28:04.300 --> 00:28:05.100
 is about

00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:06.140
 remaining in

00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:06.940
 and abiding

00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.600
 in his

00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.180
 word.

00:28:09.080 --> 00:28:09.960
 That is the

00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.940
 nourishment and

00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.880
 the source for

00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:12.640
 fruitfulness.

00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:16.220
 And the

00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:16.759
 kind of

00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.220
 fruit that

00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.620
 we can

00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:18.280
 expect,

00:28:19.800 --> 00:28:20.080
 well,

00:28:20.300 --> 00:28:21.220
 freedom from

00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.280
 guilt and

00:28:22.280 --> 00:28:22.860
 shame,

00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:26.000
 grace when

00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.620
 we feel

00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.340
 weak and

00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:27.720
 low,

00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.960
 joy in

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:30.600
 times of

00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:31.440
 struggle and

00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.040
 suffering,

00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.940
 assurance when

00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.860
 we are afraid

00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:35.300
 and in

00:28:35.300 --> 00:28:35.660
 doubt,

00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:37.900
 peace in

00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.640
 times of

00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:39.380
 trouble and

00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:39.920
 trials,

00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.920
 comfort when

00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.620
 we lose a

00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:43.199
 loved one,

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:45.119
 hope when

00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:46.159
 facing death,

00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.819
 eternal life

00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.599
 when Christ

00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.459
 comes again.

00:28:50.219 --> 00:28:50.739
 Verse 8,

00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.739
 this is to

00:28:51.739 --> 00:28:52.679
 my Father's

00:28:52.679 --> 00:28:53.659
 glory that

00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:54.399
 you bear

00:28:54.399 --> 00:28:55.839
 much fruit,

00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.539
 showing

00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.539
 yourselves to

00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.659
 be my

00:28:59.659 --> 00:29:00.399
 disciples.

00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:03.159
 This is

00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:03.899
 the fruit

00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.619
 that is

00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:05.399
 promised when

00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:06.459
 we return to

00:29:06.459 --> 00:29:07.299
 the source of

00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:08.559
 all life as

00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.399
 we put down

00:29:09.399 --> 00:29:10.039
 our roots

00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:11.299
 deep down

00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:13.419
 into God's

00:29:13.419 --> 00:29:13.940
 word and

00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:15.059
 soak up that

00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.639
 nourishment.

00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.220
 So we

00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:19.019
 produce a

00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.339
 fruitful life,

00:29:21.159 --> 00:29:21.960
 freedom and

00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.839
 grace and

00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.659
 joy and

00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:24.759
 assurance and

00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.740
 peace and

00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.639
 comfort and

00:29:26.639 --> 00:29:27.180
 hope.

00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.980
 That is the

00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.819
 promise that

00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.759
 God gives to

00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:33.079
 you today.

00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:36.039
 we'll turn

00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:36.579
 back to

00:29:36.579 --> 00:29:37.059
 Hosea.

00:29:42.659 --> 00:29:43.559
 As we've

00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.439
 seen throughout

00:29:44.439 --> 00:29:45.720
 the book of

00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.439
 Hosea, we

00:29:46.439 --> 00:29:46.939
 have all

00:29:46.939 --> 00:29:48.639
 broken our

00:29:48.639 --> 00:29:49.559
 marriage vows

00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.259
 with God.

00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:51.960
 And the

00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.779
 problem is

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:55.179
 we all do

00:29:55.179 --> 00:29:55.659
 it on a

00:29:55.659 --> 00:29:56.599
 daily basis.

00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:59.240
 well today,

00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:01.919
 this moment,

00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.259
 as we sit

00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.980
 and hear

00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.500
 God's

00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:05.879
 word,

00:30:06.959 --> 00:30:07.819
 it provides

00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:09.139
 us with a

00:30:09.139 --> 00:30:09.939
 fresh start,

00:30:10.159 --> 00:30:10.639
 a new

00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.079
 beginning,

00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:13.279
 right now.

00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:15.139
 Look at

00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:15.779
 verse 9.

00:30:17.719 --> 00:30:18.240
 Who is

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:18.699
 wise?

00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:21.679
 He will

00:30:21.679 --> 00:30:22.659
 realise these

00:30:22.659 --> 00:30:23.219
 things.

00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:25.059
 Who is

00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.659
 discerning?

00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:28.360
 they will

00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:29.259
 understand them.

00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.580
 The wise

00:30:31.580 --> 00:30:32.320
 and discerning

00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:33.100
 person not

00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:33.940
 only hears

00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.740
 God's offer

00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.180
 and these

00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:35.680
 promises,

00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.540
 but they

00:30:37.540 --> 00:30:38.320
 put God's

00:30:38.320 --> 00:30:39.060
 word into

00:30:39.060 --> 00:30:39.640
 practice.

00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.180
 James reminds

00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.700
 us in the

00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:43.240
 New Testament,

00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.100
 do not merely

00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:45.460
 listen to

00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:45.980
 the word,

00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.340
 and so

00:30:47.340 --> 00:30:47.880
 deceive

00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.580
 yourselves.

00:30:49.320 --> 00:30:50.380
 Do what

00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.340
 it says.

00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:53.500
 If we are

00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.519
 to experience

00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.580
 a fresh start

00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.199
 with God,

00:30:56.439 --> 00:30:57.259
 if we are

00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.720
 going to

00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.559
 enjoy the

00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.679
 intimacy with

00:30:59.679 --> 00:31:00.379
 him afresh,

00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.139
 if we are

00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:01.559
 going to

00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.039
 know these

00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:03.079
 promises in

00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.659
 our life,

00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:04.859
 then we

00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.799
 must apply

00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.899
 chapter 14

00:31:06.899 --> 00:31:07.500
 to our

00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:07.919
 life.

00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:08.960
 We have

00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.359
 got to

00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:09.720
 put it

00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.019
 into

00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:10.679
 practice.

00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.159
 Look at

00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:12.500
 the rest

00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.199
 of verse 9.

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.299
 The ways

00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:14.819
 of the

00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.460
 Lord are

00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.019
 right.

00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:18.359
 The righteous

00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.919
 walk in

00:31:19.919 --> 00:31:20.220
 them,

00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:22.419
 but the

00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:23.279
 rebellious

00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:25.079
 stumble in

00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.319
 them.

00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:27.539
 Here's the

00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.139
 call to

00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:28.779
 walk in

00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.279
 the ways

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.599
 of the

00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:29.879
 Lord.

00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.500
 What's

00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:31.919
 that going

00:31:31.919 --> 00:31:32.279
 to look

00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:32.740
 like for

00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:34.199
 you and

00:31:34.199 --> 00:31:34.699
 for me?

00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:35.579
 Tomorrow

00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:36.119
 morning,

00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:36.839
 tonight,

00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:37.839
 during the

00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.079
 week,

00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:38.960
 what's it

00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.359
 going to

00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:39.819
 look like

00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.439
 to walk

00:31:40.439 --> 00:31:40.720
 in the

00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.139
 ways of

00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:41.500
 the Lord?

00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.500
 Well,

00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:43.859
 it's to

00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.559
 simply do

00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:45.159
 what chapter

00:31:45.159 --> 00:31:46.000
 14 is

00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.539
 telling us

00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:46.960
 to do.

00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:49.019
 When we

00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.740
 fail and

00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.159
 fall,

00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.759
 rather than

00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.439
 run from

00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:52.820
 the Lord

00:31:52.820 --> 00:31:53.380
 in fear,

00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:54.500
 we are

00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.220
 to return

00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:55.940
 to the

00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.240
 Lord.

00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:58.259
 Return to

00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.720
 him with

00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.340
 words,

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.440
 verse 2,

00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:02.480
 forgive all

00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.160
 my sin

00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:05.519
 and receive

00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.480
 us graciously.

00:32:07.820 --> 00:32:08.720
 Come with

00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.559
 that absolute

00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.640
 confidence and

00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:11.840
 assurance that

00:32:11.840 --> 00:32:12.779
 Jesus took

00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.440
 upon himself

00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.240
 all our

00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:14.940
 acts of

00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.600
 spiritual

00:32:15.600 --> 00:32:16.720
 adultery and

00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.660
 paid for the

00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.380
 penalty on

00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:19.460
 the cross and

00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:19.840
 has now

00:32:19.840 --> 00:32:20.799
 covered us in

00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:23.339
 his purity so

00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:23.940
 that we can

00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.639
 be welcomed

00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:25.599
 in forever.

00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.779
 He heals

00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:30.019
 our waywardness,

00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.759
 loves us

00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.299
 freely,

00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:33.919
 for my

00:32:33.919 --> 00:32:34.859
 anger has

00:32:34.859 --> 00:32:35.779
 turned away

00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:37.119
 from you.

00:32:38.899 --> 00:32:39.579
 Renew

00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:40.539
 your trust

00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.480
 in the

00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.299
 one true

00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:42.899
 Saviour,

00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.859
 Jesus Christ.

00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:45.180
 Receive

00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:45.980
 these rich

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.599
 promises.

00:32:47.639 --> 00:32:48.079
 Live in

00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.680
 the knowledge

00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.099
 that your

00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:49.879
 past has

00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.480
 been healed.

00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:52.200
 Enjoy a

00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:53.019
 flourishing

00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.740
 relationship

00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.480
 with God.

00:32:55.879 --> 00:32:56.700
 Experience

00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:57.919
 fruitfulness

00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:59.419
 in your

00:32:59.419 --> 00:32:59.839
 life.

00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:03.180
 Let's

00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:04.899
 pray for

00:33:04.899 --> 00:33:05.379
 God to

00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:05.779
 do that

00:33:05.779 --> 00:33:06.259
 work in

00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:06.819
 our life

00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.919
 today,

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.700
 right now.

00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:10.559
 Let's

00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:10.819
 pray.

00:33:10.819 --> 00:33:10.899
 Amen.

00:33:10.899 --> 00:33:10.919
 Amen.

00:33:10.919 --> 00:33:10.960
 Amen.

00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:10.980
 Amen.

00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.019
 Amen.

00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:13.019
 Amen.

00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:14.980
 Amen.

00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.019
 Amen.

00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.899
 Amen.

00:33:15.899 --> 00:33:16.899
 Amen.

00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:16.919
 Amen.

00:33:16.919 --> 00:33:16.940
 Amen.

00:33:16.940 --> 00:33:16.980
 Amen.

00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:17.019
 Amen.

00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:17.059
 Amen.

00:33:17.059 --> 00:33:17.099
 Amen.

00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:17.119
 Amen.

00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:19.019
 Amen.

00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.059
 Amen.

00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:20.779
 Amen.

00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:24.839
 Heaven.

00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:30.240
 He is wise,