Hosea 6:6 – I Delight in Loyalty Rather Than Sacrifice

Introduction:

Israel was a land full of ungodliness & people who turned their heart away from God. (4:1b-2a) They are corrupt, filled w/idolatry, all while still maintaining outward appearance of worship. The appearance of loyalty did not fool God. (5:1-3) In 6:1-3, Israel tried to tell God of their sorrow. On surface, it sounded good. But it was empty – as God speaks in 6:4-5. Now read 6:6. What is there in 6:6 that is important for us? God desires man respond to Him from the heart with steadfast love & warmth of heart.

I. Our understanding of God can be _____________________.

A. 6:1-3 – Israel treated God as a __________________

1. God was looking for a change of heart & got “_____-__________.”

B. Do we treat God the same way?

1. We expect salvation while not fully surrendering ___________.

C. God expects a ______________ with us not just ritualistic involvement.

1. Our ___________ is to be the evidence! Rom. 12:1-2

II. Religion must not be viewed as an obligation to be fulfilled, but as a ______________________ with the living God.

A. Come to worship; meet basic requirements, then..get back to life.

1. Are we guilty of just coming together to meet a listing of commandments?

B. Do we just halfway listen/consider what is being said in _____________?

1. Do we focus on the ___________ we sing? (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)

2. Do we ___________ the Lord’s body as we partake of the Lord’s Supper? (1 Cor. 11:28)

3. Do we _______ ______ as to what we’re going to give? (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

4. Do we complain if preacher cuts into “my time” by preaching too long?

C. Do you approach _____________ as automatically entitling you to heaven?

III. God desires an ______________________ connection with our religion.

A. We often find ourselves afraid to express any emotion in our religion.

1. We don’t want to appear _______________________.

2. We don’t want to appear to have let emotions go out of control.

3. We are _____________________ beings!

B. John 4:23-24

1. Worship in _________. Involves commandments; following the pattern.

2. But…in _____________. Our ________________ needs to be in it!

IV. There should be an emotional attachment with our _________________.

A. Been in a situation where you’ve been caught red handed?

1. Plead for mercy & hope your accuser has it in His heart to forgive you.

B. __________________ knew about this from experience. (Hosea 3)

1. God is always loving & merciful even if it causes Him _____________.

C. Where were you headed w/o God? Rom. 6:23-24

1. We can’t help but be emotionally attached to God!

D. Rom. 12:1 – ___________ sacrifices. We must serve Him w/o a 2^nd thought.

E. Be __________ about your Christianity! God has given us a new lease on life!

Conclusion:

A. Give yourself to Him! Hosea 2:19-20 Do you have an intimate relationship with God?



Introduction: Israel was a land full of ungodliness & people who turned their heart away from God. (4:1b-2a) They are corrupt, filled w/idolatry, all while still maintaining outward appearance of worship. The appearance of loyalty did not fool God. (5:1-3) In 6:1-3, Israel tried to tell God of their sorrow. On surface, it sounded good. But it was empty – as God speaks in 6:4-5. Now read 6:6. What is there in 6:6 that is important for us? God desires man respond to Him from the heart with steadfast love & warmth of heart. I. Our understanding of God can be _____________________. A. 6:1-3 – Israel treated God as a __________________ 1. God was looking for a change of heart & got “_____-__________.” B. Do we treat God the same way? 1. We expect salvation while not fully surrendering ___________. C. God expects a ______________ with us not just ritualistic involvement. 1. Our ___________ is to be the evidence! Rom. 12:1-2 II. Religion must not be viewed as an obligation to be fulfilled, but as a ______________________ with the living God. A. Come to worship; meet basic requirements, then..get back to life. 1. Are we guilty of just coming together to meet a listing of commandments? B. Do we just halfway listen/consider what is being said in _____________? 1. Do we focus on the ___________ we sing? (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) 2. Do we ___________ the Lord’s body as we partake of the Lord’s Supper? (1 Cor. 11:28) 3. Do we _______ ______ as to what we’re going to give? (1 Cor. 16:1-2) 4. Do we complain if preacher cuts into “my time” by preaching too long? C. Do you approach _____________ as automatically entitling you to heaven? III. God desires an ______________________ connection with our religion. A. We often find ourselves afraid to express any emotion in our religion. 1. We don’t want to appear _______________________. 2. We don’t want to appear to have let emotions go out of control. 3. We are _____________________ beings! B. John 4:23-24 1. Worship in _________. Involves commandments; following the pattern. 2. But…in _____________. Our ________________ needs to be in it! IV. There should be an emotional attachment with our _________________. A. Been in a situation where you’ve been caught red handed? 1. Plead for mercy & hope your accuser has it in His heart to forgive you. B. __________________ knew about this from experience. (Hosea 3) 1. God is always loving & merciful even if it causes Him _____________. C. Where were you headed w/o God? Rom. 6:23-24 1. We can’t help but be emotionally attached to God! D. Rom. 12:1 – ___________ sacrifices. We must serve Him w/o a 2^nd thought. E. Be __________ about your Christianity! God has given us a new lease on life! Conclusion: A. Give yourself to Him! Hosea 2:19-20 Do you have an intimate relationship with God?