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 ___________________!

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

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

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

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

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 with a deep sense of __________?

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

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

II. God expects more than _________________ 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 ____________________ with God.

2.      a low appreciation of __________________ from sin

3.      a lessened amount of __________ for Jesus

4.      A _____________ 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 ___-________ Salvation!

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

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

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 ________________________.

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 _____________:  Hosea 11:1-4

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

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