Bible Readings:
Isaiah 63:15-64:12
Hosea 14:1-9
Sermon Outline:
Hosea 14:1–2 (NKJV)
1 O Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
2 Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.
Hosea 14:9 (NKJV)
9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.
I How are we to return to the Lord?
Hosea 14:3 (NKJV)
3 Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’ For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”
II How the Lord restores his people
Hosea 14:4–8 (NKJV)
4 “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
6 His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’ I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.”
If you find yourself loving any pleasure more than
Thomas Guthrie
your prayers,
any book better than the Bible,
any house better than the house of the Lord,
any table better than the Lord’s table,
any persons better than Christ,
or any indulgence better than the hope of heaven —
be alarmed.
Backsliders begin with dusty Bibles
C. H. Spurgeon
and end with filthy garments.
It is dangerous to backslide in any degree,
C. H. Spurgeon
for we know not to what may lead.
It may be hard going forward,
C. H. Spurgeon
but it is worse going back.