Your Faithfulness is like a Morning Cloud

Introduction:

When taking objective look at our Christian lives – how many could describe their spiritual life as a flurry of activity, intense, then….nothing. How many experience extreme highs and lows with spirituality?  How can we get our spiritual lives to where we make continued progress, moving away from extreme peaks & valleys? During Hosea’s time – the Israelites turned away from God. Their entire history was characterized by hot/cold service. Their hearts were not pure. See Psa. 78:34-37 and Hosea 6:1-4.

I.  God wants our undivided loyalty!

A.     Consider 6:1-3. Sounds good! Words are exactly right.

B.     What did God desire? Renunciation of past sin.

1.      Faithful, covenant love demonstrated in actions – not just words.

C.    6:4 – their repentance based on fickle emotion.

1.      6:3 – Contrast their faithfulness to God’s.

2.      When Israel’s feelings of remorse wore off – the commitment to change was forgotten.

D.    What about us today? Do we serve God w/a deep sense of loyalty?

1.      See Mt. 22:36-37 and Gal. 2:20. Are you caught in a spiritual rut?

3.      Appreciate what you have in Christ! Move closer to God – not farther from Him! Js. 4:7-10

II. God expects more than minimal service.

A.     We may be more shallow, superficial than we care to admit.

B.     It’s nobody’s fault but your own if you’re not getting anything out of your spirituality!

C.     Serving God with minimal service suggests:

1.      A poor relationship with God.

2.      a low appreciation of salvation from sin

3.      a lessened amount of love for Jesus

4.      A weak desire to go to heaven.

D.     Romans 6:17 – we must obey from the heart!

1.      God will not force us to serve Him – 2 Tim. 2:11-13.

III. The Scriptures Demand More than 5 Step Salvation!

A.     We must move to get away from the foundation of our belief!

1.      2 Pet. 3:18 – we’ve been commanded to grow!

2.      Heb. 6:1-2 – must press on to maturity!

B.     Heb. 12:14 – holiness/sanctification (ASV) Actions must be transformed! 

C.    Phil. 3:15 – ASV – perfected – NKJV – mature.

IV. God is calling you to Discipleship.

A.     2 Thess. 2:14 – calling you to be a disciple through the gospel.

B.     Col. 3:1-3 – have you set your mind?

Conclusion:

A.     God has always desired a close, meaningful relationship with mankind.

B.     Look at what He desired for Israel:  Hosea 11:1-4

C.    Look at what He desires for us:  2 Corinthians 5:15-21

D.    The sin of disloyalty and neglect must be repented of to be cured!  To ignore it brings defeat.  Eph. 2:1-6