Bailey Methodist Church
8/3/2025

      • Leviticus 19:2NIV2011

      • Psalm 86:11NIV2011

      • Hebrews 12:14NIV2011

      • 1 Peter 1:13–16NIV2011

      • 2 Peter 1:3–11NIV2011

  • You Are Good
  • Mighty To Save
  • I Need Thee Every Hour
  • Reckless Love
  • Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow!
  • Colossians 3:1–11 ESV
    1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
    Luke 12:13–21 ESV
    13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
    Hosea 11:1–11 ESV
    1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. 5 They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. 6 The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own counsels. 7 My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all. 8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. 9 I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. 10 They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; 11 they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.
    Introduction:
    When we think of love, we often imagine something sweet, tender, and easy. But Hosea 11 shatters those illusions with a portrait of divine love that is fierce, faithful, and unrelenting. In this moving chapter, God speaks as a loving Father, recounting how He raised Israel like a child—teaching them to walk, healing their wounds, and drawing them with cords of kindness. Yet despite His nurturing care, Israel turned away. What follows is not a cold pronouncement of judgment, but a heartbroken cry of compassion. The God who could righteously destroy His wayward people instead proclaims, “My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.” Today, as we reflect on Hosea 11:1–11, we will discover that God’s love is not deterred by rejection, not diminished by rebellion, and not dependent on our faithfulness. It is a relentless love—one that pursues, forgives, and ultimately restores.

    1. God loves as a father loves his children. (vs. 1–4)

    Exposition: Hosea 11:1–4 presents one of the most tender portrayals of God's love in the Old Testament, depicting Yahweh as a loving Father raising a child. The Lord declares, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” This father-son language echoes the Exodus story (Exod. 4:22) and reaffirms God's covenantal bond with His people. Israel was young, dependent, and vulnerable—yet God loved him and delivered him from bondage.
    As Israel grew, however, he rebelled. “The more I called them, the more they went from me.” Like a child who runs from a parent’s embrace, Israel turned towards idols, sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to false gods. Yet Yahweh’s love does not waver. He says, “It was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up in my arms, but they did not know that I healed them.” This imagery is striking: God, like a patient father, steadies a toddler’s first steps, lifting His child when he stumbles and caring for wounds they didn’t even know they had.
    In verse 4, the metaphor deepens: “I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love.” These “cords” are not chains but gentle bonds of love. Some translations continue the parent-child image with the tender picture of God lifting a child to His cheek and bending down to feed them. This is not the harsh yoke of a master but the gentle guidance of a parent. God's actions reflect both strength and tenderness—providing, protecting, teaching, and healing.
    Despite all this grace, Israel did not recognize or respond to God’s love. The heartbreak of a parent whose love is rejected is deeply felt here. Still, God does not abandon His child.
    Application: This passage addresses our spiritual amnesia. How often does God call us repeatedly only to see us turn toward other loves, other pursuits, and lesser gods? We frequently resemble Israel: quick to forget the One who taught us to walk in faith, lifted us in grace, and healed our brokenness.
    The good news is that God’s love is not dependent on our performance. It is not the fickle affection of humanity, but the enduring love of a Father who refuses to let us go. Psalm 107:1 reminds us, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Even when we fail to recognize His hand in our healing or His voice in our calling, He remains committed to us. His ties are not ropes of guilt, but bonds of kindness and grace.
    If you've wandered or forgotten the One who called you out of your Egypt, this passage invites you to return—not to a cold judge, but to a loving Father. Hear His call once again. Feel His arms lifting you. Remember who taught you to walk.
    God’s love is patient, personal, and persistent. He will never give up on you.

    2. We rebel despite God’s care. (vs. 5–7)

    Exposition: In Hosea 11:5–7, we encounter a sobering truth: Israel's refusal to return to Yahweh leads to the reversal of the blessings obtained during the exodus, making judgment unavoidable. Verse 5 presents a translation tension. Some versions read, “They shall not return to the land of Egypt” (ESV), while others offer a rhetorical interpretation: “Will they not return?” (NIV). Regardless, the meaning remains clear—Israel is on a path back to captivity, not necessarily in Egypt but rather in Assyria. The imagery is striking: just as Israel once fled slavery in Egypt through God's deliverance, they are now heading back into bondage due to their rebellion.
    This situation is not merely a political failure; it is fundamentally a spiritual one. The root cause is Israel's unwillingness to repent. Instead of returning to Yahweh in trust, they turn to Egypt and Assyria for help, placing their hope in worldly power instead of divine grace. Consequently, verse 6 warns of impending destruction: devastation will come upon their cities, consuming leaders, plans, and defenses alike. Whether it is corrupt religious leaders, foolish political schemes, or misplaced national pride, all will be engulfed by judgment.
    Verse 7 delivers a harsh indictment: “My people are bent on turning away from me.” The Hebrew suggests they are “hung up” or firmly attached to their apostasy, to the extent that their future “hangs in the balance.” Even when they call upon the Most High, their words are empty. Their prayers rise, but God does not respond, as their hearts remain far from Him.
    Application: This passage highlights an essential spiritual principle: if we refuse to return to God, we will inevitably fall back into bondage. Like the people of Israel, we may have experienced God’s past deliverance—freedom from sin, blessings in our lives, and provision during difficult times. However, if our hearts drift away and we cling to rebellion instead of embracing repentance, we forfeit that freedom. When we place our trust in human strength, wealth, politics, or the idols we create, we begin to unravel the grace we once received.
    This message is not just about ancient Israel; it applies to us today. Where do we turn when we feel threatened? Are we trusting in God, or are we running back to Egypt? Are we praying sincerely, or merely reciting religious phrases? In Colossians 3, Paul identifies several sins that we may be tempted to cling to, urging us to “put to death” these behaviors. We are called to reject the way we used to live. I appreciate how the New Living Translation begins Colossians 3:5: “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.” It can be particularly challenging to do this when life isn’t going as we hoped. In such moments, we may feel tempted to revert to sinful patterns.
    God’s call is clear: return to Me. This return should be complete—not partial, and not merely lip service—but with your whole heart. The further we run away, the more certain judgment becomes. Yet, the moment we turn back, He is ready to restore us.
    Today is a day for repentance, not procrastination. God does not seek perfection; He desires our return. Don’t invest your future in your own plans. Come back to the One who delivers, restores, and can save you completely.

    3. God never gives up on us. He is merciful. (vs. 8–11)

    Exposition: In Hosea 11:8-11, we gain a deep insight into the heart of God, revealing a profound tension between His mercy and unfailing love. Although Israel's sin warrants judgment, Yahweh asks, "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?" These rhetorical questions, presented in poetic parallelism, highlight that while Israel deserves the fate of Admah and Zeboyim—cities destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah—God's heart “recoils” or “turns” within Him. This turmoil is not indecisiveness but a significant internal struggle as God weighs justice against mercy.
    What holds back His wrath? It is His very nature: “I am God, and not a man—the Holy One among you.” God’s holiness does not exclude compassion; instead, it enhances it. While humans often respond with impulsive anger, God's wrath is always restrained, purposeful, and redemptive. He does not act on impulse but remains faithful to His covenant love. Rather than total destruction, He promises restoration. The people who have turned away (v.2) will eventually return. The imagery of God roaring like a lion (v.10) evokes both majesty and mercy, as He calls His scattered children home from exile. What once inspired fear now draws them closer in trembling reverence, and He will “settle them,” restoring their place and relationship with Him.
    Application:  This passage serves as a reminder that although sin has serious consequences, God's love never forsakes His people. His holiness means He cannot overlook sin, but it also means He will not destroy those He has chosen. Like Israel, we may stray, yet God's compassion is stronger than His anger. His heart truly aches for us.
    Are you currently in a season where you expect judgment from God? Are you burdened by failure or haunted by shame? Remember this: God's holiness does not push Him away from you; instead, it draws Him closer with redeeming love. His discipline is real, but so is His desire to restore.
    Let this truth lead us to repentance—not out of fear, but in response to God's compassion. Paul reminds the Colossians that we must shed our old self and put on the new self. Our calling is to be sanctified through the power of the Holy Spirit. God does not give up on us. Notice that Paul states we are “being renewed.” It is a process, but we must be willing to heed that call. We cannot remain in the past; we must seek entire sanctification.
    Paul elaborates on this idea in Romans 6, explaining how Christians can overcome sin in their lives. He uses similar language as in Colossians 3, specifically in Romans 6:6: “We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Let us respond to the voice of the Lion—not with dread, but with awe, knowing that the Holy One is still among us—not to destroy, but to redeem.
    Conclusion:
    In the end, Hosea 11:1–11 presents a compelling image of the relentless love of God—a love that calls us out of bondage, mourns over our rebellion, and refuses to let go even when judgment is deserved. Although Israel turned away from God repeatedly, His heart was filled with compassion instead of condemnation. Unlike us, He does not respond with human anger but holds back His wrath to allow room for mercy. This same relentless love extends to us today. No matter how far we’ve strayed or how many times we’ve failed, God's arms remain open. His voice still calls us home—not with fear, but with grace. Let us not hesitate but return to the God who bends down to nurture us, who leads us with cords of kindness, and who will never stop loving His people.
    Let us pray:
    Gracious Father, thank You for Your relentless love—a love that disciplines but never abandons, a love that reaches out when we run away. Help us to return to You with humble hearts. And thank You for Jesus, Your true Son, who brings us home. In His name, amen.

      • Hosea 11:1–11NIV2011

      • Psalm 107:1NIV2011

      • Colossians 3:5NIV2011

      • Colossians 3:9–10NIV2011

  • Great Is Thy Faithfulness
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