Ozark Highlands Church
Sunday PM, July 26 2026
- The Unclouded Day
- Amazing love - Hansche version
- All in All
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- What a Day That Will Be
- Redeeming What Betrayed YouGood morning, Church!Before we open God's Word this morning...Let's take just a moment to remember where God has already brought us in this journey.Our series is called..."Minor Prophets, Major Messages."Or, as we've been saying every week...Twelve Prophets... One God... One Message... Return to the Lord.That's the heartbeat of the Minor Prophets.Different voices.Different generations.Different circumstances.But one unchanging God...Calling His people to return to Him.When we began this series in Zephaniah chapter 3...We met The God Who Sings.We discovered that God doesn't merely tolerate His redeemed people...He delights in them.He rejoices over them with singing.Then we moved back into Zephaniah chapter 2...And we heard The Search That Changes Everything.Before judgment comes...God lovingly calls His people to seek Him while He may be found.Then last week...We opened Hosea chapter 11...And we met The God Who Won't Let Go.Like a loving Father...God pursued His wandering children again and again.Even when they rejected Him...His heart never stopped pursuing them.Church...Have you noticed the pattern?Every sermon has revealed another part of God's heart.A God who sings over His people.A God who calls people to seek Him.A God who refuses to let His children go.But today...We discover something even deeper.Today we're going to see what that love costs.Because it's one thing to say that God loves sinners.It's another thing entirely to see what He was willing to pay...To bring them home.That brings us to Hosea chapter 3.One of the biggest misconceptions of Emergency Medical Services made by family members of patients is that by calling 911, their family member is automatically going to go to the hospital.Picture an average day at the station.You've just pulled back in after finishing a call. You grab a drink, sit down at the computer, and begin working on your report when the station tones drop."608, respond to 123 Alphabet Street for an unknown medical problem."You set your drink down, head back to the ambulance, and within minutes you're pulling into the driveway.You walk inside and find a patient who is obviously sick.You begin your assessment.You check their vital signs.You ask questions.You gather their history.And after just a few minutes, you know exactly what needs to happen.This patient needs to go to the hospital.So you look them in the eye and ask the question we've asked thousands of times in EMS:"What hospital would you like to go to?"The patient looks right back at you and says,"I'm not going to the hospital. I didn't even want you to come."Now your job changes.You explain the situation as clearly and compassionately as you can.You explain what you're seeing.You explain the risks of refusing treatment.You answer every question they have because you want to make absolutely certain they understand the consequences of their decision.Then you ask them “are you sure we can't take you up to the hospital? they simply smile and say,“I don't want to go anywhere"Most people don't realize that's allowed.Family members often become frustrated.They'll say,"You have to make him go! He needs to be in the hospital!"That's usually when I try to lighten the mood just a little.I'll smile and say,"I'm sorry, but as long as he's alert, understands the risks, and can make his own medical decisions, I can't force him into the ambulance. Taking him against his will is called kidnapping... and as much as I'd like to make him go, I'm way too pretty for prison."Everybody laughs......but then reality settles back in.If the patient is truly competent to make their own decisions, there's one last thing we have to do.We hand them a form.It's called a Refusal of Care.That signature says,"You've explained the risks to me. I understand the possible consequences, up to and including death... but I'm choosing to walk away anyway."As a paramedic, that's one of the hardest moments you'll ever experience.Sometimes you drive away knowing they just made a decision that could cost them everything.And that never gets easier.As you're driving away, you can't help but wonder..."Will we be back?""Will someone else call 911 in an hour?""Will they change their mind before it's too late?"The truth is...We can't make people accept help.Because… Love can warn.Love can plead.Love can explain.But love cannot force.Now, if that breaks my heart after spending twenty or thirty minutes with someone I've never met...Imagine the heart of God.Imagine watching the people you created...The people you love...The people you've pursued...Walk away from you...Again...And again.That...is the story of Hosea.It's not simply the story of a prophet whose wife was unfaithful.It's the story of a holy God whose people continually rejected Him.If chapter 11 taught us anything… it is that our God is the God who won't let go...Chapter 3 answers the next question.How far was He willing to go?Let's read God's answer.If you are able, will you please stand with me in honor and reverence for the reading of God’s Word...
Hosea 3:1–5 CSB Then the Lord said to me, “Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and nine bushels of barley. I said to her, “You are to live with me many days. You must not be promiscuous or belong to any man, and I will act the same way toward you.” For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without ephod or household idols. Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come with awe to the Lord and to his goodness in the last days.Lets PrayYou may be seated.If I had been writing this story...It probably would have ended differently.Verse one would have read,"Then the Lord said to Hosea, 'You've done enough. You've loved her. You've forgiven her. You've given her chance after chance. It's time to move on.'"If we're honest...That's probably what many of us would have expected God to say.But God doesn't.Instead...He gives Hosea two simple words."Go again."Church...Aren't you thankful God is a God of "Go again"?Because if He had only pursued me once...I wouldn't be standing here today.If He had only called you once...Many of us wouldn't be sitting in this room.Over and over again...He calls.He convicts.He pursues.Then Hosea records four words that change everything."So I bought her."Church, those four words reveal the very heart of the gospel: "Go again, love her." Before Jesus ever walked the roads of Galilee, God was already preaching the gospel through the life of Hosea.Everything in Hosea chapter 3 builds off of those four words.Because redemption...Always costs someone.That brings us to the first truth God wants us to see this morning.Point 1: Redemption Requires A PriceHosea 3:1–2 CSB Then the Lord said to me, “Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and nine bushels of barley.Look at verse two again."So I bought her..."Notice what Hosea doesn't say.He doesn't say,"So I forgave her."He doesn't say,"So I welcomed her home."He doesn't even say,"So I gave her another chance."He says,"So I bought her."Those four words ought to stop us in our tracks.Because Hosea wasn't buying a stranger.He wasn't rescuing a neighbor.He wasn't helping someone he'd never met.He was buying back...His own wife.Can you imagine that scene?The woman who once stood beside him...The woman who had made covenant vows with him...The woman who already belonged in his home...Now stands on the auction block.Brothers and sisters...Here's what makes this scene so shocking.It isn't that Hosea paid.It's who he paid for.He paid...For the one who betrayed him.He paid...For the one who broke his heart.He paid...For the one who walked away.Why?Because that's what redemption does.Redemption always costs someone.Church...Don’t miss the picture God is painting.This isn't just Gomer's story.It's our story.Because that's exactly where sin always takes us.Sin promises freedom...But it always delivers slavery.It promises satisfaction...But it leaves us empty.It promises life...But it brings death.Jesus Himself said in John 8:34John 8:34 CSB Jesus responded, “Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin."Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin."Church, sin has never made anyone freer.It enslaves.It chains.It controls.It always takes us farther than we wanted to go...Keeps us longer than we wanted to stay...And costs us more than we ever intended to pay.That's where Gomer finds herself.Not free.Not fulfilled.Not living her best life.She is in bondage.Now picture Hosea walking into that marketplace.People begin whispering."Isn't that Hosea?""What's the prophet doing here?"Then the bidding begins.Can you imagine how humiliating that must have been?The prophet of God...Standing in the middle of a slave market...Bidding on his own wife.Every coin he lays down is another reminder of what sin has done.Then verse two tells us the price."So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and five bushels of barley."Why silver...And barley?Many scholars believe Hosea didn't have enough money.He emptied his pockets...Then he emptied his pantry.He gathered everything he had...Just to bring her home.Whether that's exactly how it happened or not, the point is crystal clear.Redemption always costs someone.It may be free to the one receiving it...But it is never free to the one providing it.Somebody always pays.Church...Redemption has never been cheap.That's true throughout Scripture.The sacrifices in the Old Testament cost something.The Passover lamb cost something.The Day of Atonement cost something.Every sacrifice pointed to one greater sacrifice that was still to come.Because Hosea wasn't simply living his own story.He was acting out God's story.Hundreds of years later...Another Bridegroom would come.He wouldn't carry silver.He wouldn't carry barley.He would carry a cross.Peter looked back at the cross in 1 Peter 1:18–19 and wrote..1 Peter 1:18–19 CSB For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.Church...Hosea paid with silver.Jesus paid with blood.The silver bought Gomer out of slavery.The blood of Jesus bought us out of sin.That's why in 1 Corinthians 6:20 Paul could write,for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19- 201 Corinthians 6:19–20 CSB Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.Have you ever wondered,"How much am I worth to God?"Don't look at your past.Don't look at your failures.Don't look at your accomplishments.Look at the cross.The cross doesn't tell you what you're worth on an open market.It tells you how much God loves sinners.There you'll discover both the seriousness of your sin...And the greatness of God's love.Church...Redemption always costs someone.And our redemption...Cost Jesus everything.But Hosea didn't redeem Gomer simply to leave her standing in the marketplace.He bought her so he could bring her home.And that's where the story takes us next.Point 2: Redemption Has a Purpose.Church...If the story ended with Hosea paying the price...It would still be an incredible story.But that's not where it ends.Hosea didn't buy Gomer...Shake her hand...Wish her the best...And send her on her way.No.He brought her home.I think that's one of the most overlooked verses in the entire book.Verse 3 isn't about the price of redemption.It's about the purpose of redemption.In fact, I don't think Hosea chapter 3 reaches its fullest meaning until you read it alongside Ephesians chapter 5.Listen to what Paul says: Ephesians 5:25-27"Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless."Ephesians 5:25–27 CSB Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.Do you hear the similarities?Hosea loved his bride.Christ loved His Bride.Hosea paid a price.Christ paid the ultimate price.Hosea brought Gomer home.Christ is bringing His Bride home.Church...Paul isn't changing the story.He's showing us where Hosea's story has always been leading.Hosea's marriage wasn't simply about Hosea and Gomer.It was a living picture of a greater Bridegroom...Who would one day redeem His Bride.Now notice what Hosea says."You are to live with me..."Don't miss those three words."Live with me."Hosea didn't redeem Gomer simply to change her location.He redeemed her to restore their relationship.He didn't buy her just to get her out of slavery.He bought her so he could bring her home.Then listen to how Peter describes Christ's work on the cross."For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God." (1 Peter 3:18)1 Peter 3:18 CSB For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.Church...Don't miss this.Jesus didn't simply die to keep you out of hell.He died to bring you back to God.He didn't simply redeem you from something.He redeemed you for Someone.He redeemed you for Himself.That has always been God's heart.In the Garden...God walked with Adam and Eve.In the wilderness...God dwelled among Israel.In the Gospels..."The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."And one day Revelation tells us,"Look, God's dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them."The whole story of Scripture...Is the story of a holy God making a way to dwell with His redeemed people forever.Now notice something else.Hosea doesn't say,"Come home... and keep living however you want."He says,"You are to live with me many days. You must not be promiscuous or belong to any man, and I will act the same way toward you."Why?Because redemption changes relationships.The old life is over.A new life has begun.The covenant has been restored.Christian...This is where so many people misunderstand the gospel.Religion says,"Obey God, and maybe He'll love you."But the gospel tells us something completely different.We don't obey so that God will love us.We obey because He first loved us.As the Apostle John writes,"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)1 John 4:19 CSB We love because he first loved us.That's the difference between religion and the gospel.Religion works for acceptance.The gospel works from acceptance.Our obedience is never an attempt to earn God's grace.It's a joyful response to the grace we've already received.Jesus said,"If you love Me, you will keep My commands."Notice the order.Love...Then obedience.Not obedience...Then love.Let me ask you something.If Hosea had paid everything he had...Only for Gomer to run back into the same life...Would that have honored his sacrifice?Of course not.Brothers and sisters...How much more should our lives reflect the sacrifice Christ made for us?Peter writes, 1 Peter 1:14-151 Peter 1:14–15 CSB As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct;Grace never excuses sin.Grace transforms sinners.Redemption doesn't simply change where you're going when you die.It changes how you live while you're alive.Not because you're trying to earn God's favor...But because you've already received it.Paul says it this way in Titus 2:14Titus 2:14 CSB He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.Did you catch that?He redeemed us... for Himself.Church...That's the purpose of redemption.Not merely rescue...But relationship.Not merely forgiveness...But transformation.Not merely freedom from our past...But faithfulness in our future.Christ didn't simply save us from judgment.He restored us into fellowship with God.He didn't merely forgive our sins.He adopted us into His family.He didn't simply cancel our debt.He made us His Bride.And one day...The Bridegroom who purchased His Bride with His own blood...Will present her to Himself...Without spot...Without wrinkle...Holy...Blameless...And forever His.Church...Hosea brought Gomer home.Jesus is bringing His people home.But Hosea's story doesn't end there.Beginning in verse 4...God pulls back the curtain and shows us that Hosea was never the destination.He was always pointing us to Someone greater.That brings us to our final truth this morning...Point 3: Jesus Is the Greater RedeemerHosea 3:4–5 CSB For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without ephod or household idols. Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come with awe to the Lord and to his goodness in the last days.Church...Up to this point...We've been talking about Hosea.His obedience.His love.His sacrifice.His redemption.But here's what I don't want you to miss.Hosea was never the destination.He was always pointing us to Someone greater.Isn't it interesting...The story doesn't end with Hosea and Gomer.If I were writing this story... Hosea buys Gomer... Brings her home... Their marriage is restored... Fade to black.But God doesn't fade to black. Because Hosea's redemption was never the destination. It was always pointing us to Someone greater.Instead...He lifts our eyes beyond Hosea.Beyond Gomer.Beyond one restored marriage.And He points us toward Someone much greater.Beginning in verse 4...The story suddenly becomes much bigger than one broken marriage.God begins talking about Israel.Then He talks about a future day.Then He says,Hosea 3:5 CSB Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king.Now wait just a minute.David had been dead for nearly three hundred years.So who's God talking about?Not David...David's greater Son.The promised Messiah.Jesus Christ.Church...This is the beauty of the Old Testament.Every story belongs to a greater Story.Every promise points to a greater Promise.Every shadow prepares us for the Substance.Every prophet points us to Jesus.Hosea wasn't the finish line.He was a signpost.And signposts aren't meant to be admired.They're meant to be followed.Church...Once you begin seeing Jesus throughout the Old Testament...You'll never read it the same way again.Every sacrifice...Every altar...Every Passover lamb...Every king...Every prophet...Every drop of sacrificial blood...Every act of redemption...Was pointing beyond itself...And To Jesus Christ.Church… The gospel has always been about Jesus.And The gospel will always be about Jesus.Don't ever let someone preach a gospel that's more about your comfort than your Christ.Don't ever let someone preach a gospel that's more about your success than your Savior.Don't ever let someone preach a gospel that makes you the hero of your own story.And… Don't ever let someone preach a gospel that's about anything other than Jesus.Because Jesus isn't simply part of the gospel.Jesus is the gospel.If your gospel can be preached without Jesus at the center...It isn't the biblical gospel.Paul understood that when he wrote,1 Corinthians 2:2"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."The gospel is not,"Try harder."The gospel is not,"Become a better person."The gospel is not,"Unlock your potential."The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.Now, Christian...Look at Hosea.Then look at Jesus.Hosea searched for an unfaithful bride.Jesus came searching for sinners.Hosea paid with silver and barley.Jesus paid with His own blood.Hosea redeemed one unfaithful wife.Jesus is redeeming a people from every tribe, every tongue, every people, and every nation.Hosea brought Gomer home.Jesus is bringing His Bride home.Hosea restored one broken marriage.Jesus restores broken people to a holy God.Church...Every part of Hosea's story is preparing us to see Jesus more clearly.But here's where the comparison ends.As remarkable as Hosea was...He wasn't Jesus.Hosea could redeem one woman.Jesus redeems all who come to Him by faith.Hosea restored one marriage.Jesus restores humanity's relationship with God.Hosea eventually died.Jesus laid down His life...Rose again...And He lives forever.Hosea's redemption had limits.Jesus' redemption has none.Brothers and sisters...We don't leave Hosea admiring Hosea.We leave Hosea worshiping Jesus.The prophet is wonderful.The Savior is infinitely greater.Brothers and sisters ...Don't miss the picture.Hosea walked into a slave market to purchase one woman out of bondage.Jesus entered this broken world and purchased for Himself a people from every tribe, every tongue, every nation, and every generation.The amazing thing isn't that Gomer couldn't afford her freedom.It's that she never asked to be redeemed.Hosea pursued her anyway.Isn't that exactly what God has done for us?Paul writes,Romans 5:8 CSB But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."He didn't wait until we cleaned ourselves up.He didn't wait until we started pursuing Him.He came while we were still running.He came while we were still rebels.He came while we were still sinners.And He paid the price we never could.That's why redemption always costs someone.We go free...Because He paid the price.No wonder heaven sings.Listen to the song of heaven.Revelation 5:9 CSB You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation."You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation."Did you hear that word?Purchased.There's our word.The purchase Hosea made...Was preparing us for the purchase Jesus would make.The silver pointed forward...To the blood.The slave market pointed forward...To Calvary.The broken marriage pointed forward...To a redeemed Bride.Brothers and sisters...Don't stop at Hosea.Keep reading until you see Jesus.Abraham rejoiced to see His day.Moses wrote about Him.David sang of Him.Isaiah saw His glory.Jeremiah proclaimed the coming Righteous Branch.Ezekiel envisioned His glory.Daniel foresaw His everlasting kingdom.And Hosea illustrated His redeeming love.The prophets were never the destination.They were signposts.Every road in the Old Testament eventually leads to Jesus Christ.Because from Genesis to Revelation...He has always been the Hero of the story.PAUSE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN BEGIN THIS NEXT PART QUIETLY AND BUILD INTENSITYAnd one day...The Greater Hosea will come again.The Bridegroom will return for His Bride.Faith will become sight.Every promise will be fulfilled.Every tear will be wiped away.And the Redeemer who purchased His people with His own blood...Will stand before a redeemed people from every tribe...Every tongue...Every nation...And every generation.Then every knee will bow.Every tongue will confess...That Jesus Christ is Lord...To the glory of God the Father.As we prepare to close today...I want to take you back to where we started.As a paramedic...There were days I had to drive away from someone who refused my help.I couldn't force them into the ambulance.I couldn't make them receive care.I had to leave them with a decision.Church...In many ways...Every sermon ends the same way.Today you've heard about a God who says,"Go again."You've heard about a Redeemer who paid the price.You've heard about a Savior who didn't merely purchase your forgiveness...He purchased you for Himself.Now the question isn't,"What did Jesus do?"The cross has already answered that question.The real question is,What will you do with Jesus?Because redemption has already been purchased.The price has already been paid.The invitation is being extended even now.The only thing left...Is your response.Friend...Maybe you've never trusted Christ.Today...Come home.Maybe you've wandered away.Today...Come home.Maybe you've spent your whole life trying to earn what Jesus has already purchased.Stop striving...And come home.Because there is a Redeemer...Who still receives prodigals.Who still welcomes sinners.Who still saves.Who still restores.Who still says,"Go again."Let's pray.Church...Until next time...Keep returning to the Lord.Because even in the Minor Prophets...We keep discovering one major message:Return to the Lord...Because His mercy is greater than your rebellion...We keep discovering:Twelve prophets...One God...One message...Return to the Lord...Because His mercy is greater than your rebellion.And His grace is always calling you home. Hosea 3:1–5CSB
Hosea 3:1–2CSB
John 8:34CSB
1 Peter 1:18–19CSB
1 Corinthians 6:19–20CSB
Ephesians 5:25–27CSB
1 Peter 3:18CSB
1 John 4:19CSB
1 Peter 1:14–15CSB
Titus 2:14CSB
Hosea 3:4–5CSB
Hosea 3:5CSB
Romans 5:8CSB
Revelation 5:9CSB
Ozark Highlands Church
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