God's Passion for Prodigal People

Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson, AZ

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God's Passion for Prodigal People

The Heart of the Father - Hosea 11:1-11

December 11, 2024 • Scott Richards • Hosea 11:1–11, Luke 15:11–32, Matthew 2:15, Proverbs 22:6

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Hosea illustrates God's treatment of Israel throughout her history like a parent lovingly teaching their child to walk or a gracious farmer treating his animals gently. In spite of only being good to them, they rebelled and went after false gods who offered them nothing. The moment they discovered that the hard way, God would be ready and waiting to receive them home again.

1. Every Parent's job is to model God's heart of love and grace.

2. God can't forgive the sinner who refuses forgiveness.

3. God's correction is temporary, but His restoration is eternal.

The Course of a Godly Life

December 4, 2024 • Scott Richards • Psalm 32:8–11, Hosea 10, James 1:21, Luke 10:25–37

Hosea’s prophecy gets down to the heart of where Israel’s problems are taking place. They’re looking at their kings and crops instead of God, and the result has been them turning a blind eye to evil in ways that would shock them if they were still capable of understanding shame. The only way God was going to get their attention wasn’t to keep telling them they need to choose His mercy. He had been doing that for centuries. All that was left was for them to see how strong their king was and see the Assyrians take away their kingdom forever. 1. If you want to know God, start and stick with His Word. 2. God will respect choices, but not prevent consequences. 3. God wants a relationship with you, but won’t force you to make the right decisions.

A Spiritual 180

November 20, 2024 • Scott Richards • Hosea 10:1–11, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Isaiah 5:1–7, Jeremiah 2:11–13

Hosea's call to Israel echoes the same word God has spoken to us from the beginning. Repent. Turn back to Him. The alternatives aren't pleasant. 1. Idolatry is when we treat something that isn't God as if it is. 2. Repentance is more about who you turn to than whatever you're turning from. 3. God's discipline is preferable to being left to manage our own lives apart from Him

The Slippery Slope of Spirituality

November 13, 2024 • Scott Richards • 1 Timothy 6:3–5, Ezekiel 33:1–9, 2 Timothy 4:3–5

Hosea's prophecy continues with a series of historical references to the disaster that false prophets have and are continuing to bring on their nation. Israel fell into the same trap many still do today. When this life is a higher priority than the next, we begin to make decisions that may benefit this life, but cost us everything where it matters most. 1. Our Emotions are good servants, but poor masters if they become an alternative to truth. 2. We set ourselves up for spiritual disaster if we make this life a higher priority than the next. 3. Idols are man made speculation about the gods. Revelation is when God actually tells us what He's like.