Hosea 4:6 – Knowing God

Introduction:

The rich are getting richer. Prosperity reigns. It’s the wealthiest time in our history. While pleasure and the high life is going on – moral decal is rampant. in religious matters…People are largely without knowledge. Spiritual illiteracy is rampant. Which day & time have I just described? 2004 America? Or, 8^th centuries before Jesus in Israel? Isn’t it interesting in how even though everything has changed, everything has stayed the same?

I. Getting to Know Hosea.

A. Hosea, a prophet, lived in northern kingdom of Israel in latter half of 8^th century BC.

B. Hosea was directed to marry a wife of harlotry. (1:2-9) Hosea’s wife: Gomer.

1. Gomer’s 3 children:

a) 1:3-4 – son – Jezreel. (God will scatter.)

b) 1:6-7 – daughter – Lo-Ruhamah. (No mercy.)

c) 1:8-9 – son – Lo-Ammi (Not My People.)

2. Hosea would have firmly grasped the feelings of God toward His people.

II. We must pursue a relationship with God.

A. Nothing more important than knowing God in a deep, personal way.

B. 4:1 – God began by exhorting his people to listen. To pay close attention.

1. 2 accusations in 4:1

a) 4:1c – a lack of integrity or obedience to the Father.

b) 4:1d – the lack of an intimate, personal relationship w/God.

C. Intimacy and integrity are important aspects of the relationship.

D. Israel lacked both & it showed. 4:2-5

III. There are consequences for not knowing God.

A. 4:6 – 2 accusations in this verse.

1. 4:6b – rejected knowledge.

2. 4:6c – forgot the law of God.

B. There are people today with whom God could make the same accusations.

1. There are people today who have forgotten the law of the Lord.

a) Over time drift away & now worship their own idols of pleasure & wickedness. Mt. 16:26

b) People today spiritually naked – and yet feel as if need nothing.

C. Consequences of rejecting God.

1. 4:5 – we end up being an embarrassment.

2. 4:5-6 – we will be destroyed. See also 2 Thess 1:7-8

3. 4:6c – God will ultimately let us go. I will also forget your children.

IV. Do we really know God?

A. Do we have a relationship w/the savior?

1. Jesus is the redeemer, the reconciler, and restorer of man to God.

B. Our knowledge of & relationship with God begins and never ends with Jesus. (John 14:6)

C. Look at the high priestly prayer (John 17)

D. Do we share Paul’s desire? Phil. 3:8, 10. See also 1 Cor. 2:2 and 2 Tim. 1:12

How can we really know God?

A. It’s about our hearts. Have you given Him your heart?

B. It’s about a life of prayer & living by the Scripture.

C. Knowing God is more important that personal power, position, or portfolio.

1. Yet often nothing seems to be lacking more in our lives.

2. Can you repeat Paul’s writing – Phil. 3:8-11?



Introduction: The rich are getting richer. Prosperity reigns. It’s the wealthiest time in our history. While pleasure and the high life is going on – moral decal is rampant. in religious matters…People are largely without knowledge. Spiritual illiteracy is rampant. Which day & time have I just described? 2004 America? Or, 8^th centuries before Jesus in Israel? Isn’t it interesting in how even though everything has changed, everything has stayed the same? I. Getting to Know Hosea. A. Hosea, a prophet, lived in northern kingdom of Israel in latter half of 8^th century BC. B. Hosea was directed to marry a wife of harlotry. (1:2-9) Hosea’s wife: Gomer. 1. Gomer’s 3 children: a) 1:3-4 – son – Jezreel. (God will scatter.) b) 1:6-7 – daughter – Lo-Ruhamah. (No mercy.) c) 1:8-9 – son – Lo-Ammi (Not My People.) 2. Hosea would have firmly grasped the feelings of God toward His people. II. We must pursue a relationship with God. A. Nothing more important than knowing God in a deep, personal way. B. 4:1 – God began by exhorting his people to listen. To pay close attention. 1. 2 accusations in 4:1 a) 4:1c – a lack of integrity or obedience to the Father. b) 4:1d – the lack of an intimate, personal relationship w/God. C. Intimacy and integrity are important aspects of the relationship. D. Israel lacked both & it showed. 4:2-5 III. There are consequences for not knowing God. A. 4:6 – 2 accusations in this verse. 1. 4:6b – rejected knowledge. 2. 4:6c – forgot the law of God. B. There are people today with whom God could make the same accusations. 1. There are people today who have forgotten the law of the Lord. a) Over time drift away & now worship their own idols of pleasure & wickedness. Mt. 16:26 b) People today spiritually naked – and yet feel as if need nothing. C. Consequences of rejecting God. 1. 4:5 – we end up being an embarrassment. 2. 4:5-6 – we will be destroyed. See also 2 Thess 1:7-8 3. 4:6c – God will ultimately let us go. I will also forget your children. IV. Do we really know God? A. Do we have a relationship w/the savior? 1. Jesus is the redeemer, the reconciler, and restorer of man to God. B. Our knowledge of & relationship with God begins and never ends with Jesus. (John 14:6) C. Look at the high priestly prayer (John 17) D. Do we share Paul’s desire? Phil. 3:8, 10. See also 1 Cor. 2:2 and 2 Tim. 1:12 How can we really know God? A. It’s about our hearts. Have you given Him your heart? B. It’s about a life of prayer & living by the Scripture. C. Knowing God is more important that personal power, position, or portfolio. 1. Yet often nothing seems to be lacking more in our lives. 2. Can you repeat Paul’s writing – Phil. 3:8-11?