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Intro.

1.  Hosea 7: Israel’s sin has doomed her to destruction (Hos. 8:7).

2.  A stunning example of departure from God, He attempt to restore them (via the prophets: Isaiah, Micah, Hosea, Amos) and their ultimate collapse as they refused God in their lives. (1 Cor. 10:11)

3.  The kingdom of Christ - the church - is in equal peril of collapse whenever it refuses God! (cf. Rom. 11:20-21)

4.  Learn from Israel - Be faithful and strong in faith!

I.  MORAL COLLAPSE: THE ABSENCE OF CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD & MAN - Hosea 7:1-7.

• Sin became rampant - Hos. 1:2; 7:1, 4-7; 4:1-3 (Isa. 1:4).
• Israel’s heart was hardened against her sin - Hos. 7:2-3; Amos 5:12-13. (Judgment was certain - cf. Hos. 9:7; 10:4)
• Israel lost her conscience toward God & man - 7:2.

Christians are losing their conscience toward God & man! -cf. Acts 24:16; 1 Tim. 1:5; 4:2; Titus 1:15

• -When the works of the flesh become our regular source of recreation & entertainment? (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Jno. 2:15)
• -When we dress immodestly & think nothing of it? (1 Tim. 2:9)
• -When adulterous remarriages are defended & defenders of truth are ridiculed, rejected & refused? (Matt. 19:9; 1 Cor. 7:10-11)
• -When we only consider ourselves (not our fellow man) in our decisions.
• -When we are filled with pride, selfishness, anger, hatred, factiousness,.....? (Jas. 3:14-16)

II. RELIGIOUS COLLAPSE: THE PRESENCE OF COMPROMISE - Hosea 7:8-12.

• Israel was to be a separate nation - Exo. 19:5-6.
• Israel was to conquer & destroy...No covenants & marriage w/ the people of Canaan (Deut. 7:1-6)! -But....
  • -Idolatry - Hos. 4:11-13, 17. (Corrupt worship)
  • -Alliances with w/ worldly powers & human wisdom was hopeless - Hos. 7:11 (5:13, 11); cf. 13:9-11.
  • -False prophets - Hos. 9:7-9.

Compromise is present among Christians! - 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1

• -Unity in doctrinal & moral diversity (mdr, fellowship, Rom. 14).
• -False teachers are afforded honor - Truth teachers are scorned as "watchdogs", fanatics, radicals, etc.
• -1 Jno. 4:1; Rev. 2:2; Jude 3; 2 Jno. 10-11; Gal. 2:4-5 - No compromises!

III.  SPIRITUAL COLLAPSE: THE PRESENCE OF COMPLACENCY - Hosea 7:13-16.

• Israel was complacent about her past redemption - Hos. 7:13; Micah 6:3-5.
• Israel was complacent about God’s present help - Hos. 7:14.
• Israel was complacent about her blessings from God - Amos 6:1, 3-7.

Complacency is still a plague which consumes god’s people - Rom. 12:11.

• -When we must beg Christians to join in the work of the gospel. (Acts 2:42)
• -When we must beg Christians to be at worship services. (Heb. 10:25)
• -When we must beg Christians to read their Bibles. (Rom. 10:14)
• -When we must beg Christians to teach the lost. (Acts 8:4)
• -When we must beg Christians to live righteous lives. (Tit. 2:11-12)

Conclusion

1.  Israel’s only hope was to turn to the Lord! - Hosea 6:1-3

  a.  6:1 - Repent of sins - Acts 2:38; 8:22.

  b.  6:2 - You will be forgiven - Jas. 5:15.

  c.  6:3 - Learn of & know God - Matt. 11:28-30.

2.  Which path will we follow?