Didaskalos Ministries Studying Through Hosea

These Sermon outlines were written and submitted by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Biloxi, Mississippi 39532. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author. It may be freely copied and used provided the above credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite.

Teaching Through Hosea

Thirteen Sermon/Teaching Outlines
by Pastor Joseph M. Willmouth
Trinity Bible Church, Biloxi Mississippi, in the Book of Hosea

"Redemptive Love"
Hosea 3:1-5

I. Sacrificial Love (vv.1-3)

1. The Command to Love (v.1)
A. Hosea is command to "Go again, Love...as the Lord loves."
1) God wants Hosea to demonstrate and to understand His grace.
2) What greater love can someone give, than to love someone who has rejected us (this is God's love!).

Application: Verse one speaks of God's Grace. It is a grace that is based on an unconditional love, without logical reason or reasonable limits (as with human reasoning). God's love isn't some sentimental feeling, but a stubborn, relentless embrace. God's love outlived and out gave all reasonable human expectations (John 3:16). And this is what God expected from Hosea.

2. The Price of Love (v.2)
A. God demands complete loyalty, and Hosea was obedient.
1) Hosea was not obliged in any way to Gomer under the Law.
2) Gomer could have been stoned to death for her adultery.
B. Hosea bought Gomer out of her sin for the price of a slave (payment equivalent to 30 shekels; Ex.21:32).
1) This act made her Hosea's legal possession.
2) Hosea was not wealthy, he was merely a peasant farmer-preacher, so the cost to him was great.

Application: Hosea also sets an example for us in obedience to the Lord. Often we really don't believe that God knows what is best for us. The desire of our human nature would be to let someone like Gomer stay where she was because she deserved it. But these are the times we need to listen to God's desires and not our own, as tough as that may be.

3. The Proof of Love (v.3)
A. The sinful wife found mercy and was brought back to and had to pay a price.
1) Gomer was required to be quiet and stable during this period.
2) This restraint was to have great teaching value as she would have to sit alone and contemplate where her sin had taken her and the greatness Hosea's love for her.

Application: Sin may be enjoyable for a season, but there is always a price to pay. All sin leads to bondage, and all sin has a price. We like Gomer, need to spend time apart from the world and consider our sins, and the great price that was paid to free us, and how great God's love is for us too.

II. Israel's Application (vv.4-5)

1. Israel's Exile (v.4)
A. Israel was going to be stripped of all the things they thought were making them acceptable.
1) They are without a king or prince because they rejected Christ (Luke 19:14; John 19:15).
2) They are without sacrifice because they have no temple, altar or priesthood because they have rejected their High Priest (Matt.27:17-26, 39-44; Heb. 2:17; 10:21)
3) Their idolatry will be purged (pillar/image, ephod/divination devices, and household gods/teraphim).
B. Israel, like Gomer, is going to be given a time to reflect on her sin (exile).
2. Israel's Restoration (v.5)
A. She will seek the Lord rather then false gods (Deut 4:29)
B. She will recognize the authority of the Davidic monarchy which was rejected at the time of Jeroboam (1 Kings 12).
C. She will have reverence for God once again.
D. Her blessings will be fully restored (Isa.2:2; Micah 4:1; Deut.4:30)

Application: Israel at her worst could not overcome God's best. Israel, at her worst could not keep God from loving her, nor could she exhaust God's love for her. There is more than enough of God's grace for all of us. God's grace is truly sufficient.

On Your Own: Review this chapter at a later time and ask yourself the following questions to see if there are other applications for us to apply in our walk with the Lord. Is there an example for me to follow? Is there a sin for me to avoid? Is there a command for me to obey? Is there a promise for me to claim? Is there a difficulty here for me to explore (more research needed)? Is there something in this passage that I should pray about today? What does this passage teach me about God, Jesus, and/or the Holy Spirit?

"Indicted By God "
Hosea 4:1-19

I. God's Appeal to Israel (vv.1-3)

1. The charge (lit., rebuke) against the nation for the breach of their covenant (v.1a)
2. The nation Israel was devoid of the qualities that were to be characterized within God's covenant (vv.1b-2).
A. They failed to exhibit faithfulness and kindness.
B. They did not acknowledge God as their covenant Lord.
C. They blatantly violated five of the ten commandments (cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery: Ex.20:1-17).
3. The future result of their disobedience (v.3)
A. Severe drought (This was a curse for breaking the Law: Lev.26:19; Deut.28:23-24).
B. Death of both animals and humans.

Application: Their rebellion against God had left the northern kingdom totally brainwashed in idolatry. They had forsaken God's ways and God would judge them accordingly. We must also remember we serve the same God, and He holds us just as accountable for our actions and attitudes. Man's sins often are so severe that all of creation feels the pangs of suffering.

II. God's Case Against the Religious Leadership (vv.4-11)

1. God's indictment also fell upon the religious leaders because of their faithlessness.
A. Both priest and prophet will stumble (their coming downfall) along with the nation as a result of God's judgment upon them (vv.4-5).
B. Their Sin (vv.6-8)
1) They were responsible for the people's lack of knowledge of the Law and would be removed (v.6).
2) Though their number increased, they led Israel deeper into sin (v.7).
3) Their greed fed on the sins of the people (v.8)

2. The spiritual leaders were unfaithful and would not be spared from the coming judgment (vv.9-11).

Application: Worldly and ignorant spiritual leaders produce worldly and ignorant people, and this brings destruction to the land. As goes spiritual leadership, so goes the church; as goes the church, so goes morality; and as goes morality, so goes the nation. God's people are both salt and light in society (Matt.5:13-16); and when they are corrupt, society becomes corrupt ("Be Amazed," Warren Wiersbe, p.24).

III. God's Indictment of Israel's Religion (vv.12-14)

1. The idolatry of the people.
A. They sought guidance from wooden idols (v12).
B. They worshiped at mountain shrines, in the shade of trees (v.13a)
2. The men set the example, and their women followed (vv.13b-14a)
3. The nation would be thrust down (ruined) as the result of their participation in idol worship (v.14b).

Application: Israel had committed spiritual adultery by turning away from God to worship their idols on the mountain tops. And this sin would bring judgment to their families and to their land. There is always a price to pay for sin no matter what age you live in.

IV. God's Message for Judah (vv.15-19)

1. Hosea warned Judah not to avoid the sinful ways of Israel (vv.15-16).
2. Judah was warned not to meddle in the affairs of Israel because their doom is sure (vv.17-18).
3. Israel would soon be swept away by the winds of God's judgment and their idolatrous sacrifices would be only bring disappointment and shame to them (v.19).

Application: Like Judah had to guard against the evil influence of Israel, we must guard against it also. Evil is deadly, and through familiarity we can fall under its subtle powers. God's people must love sinners, but not their sin.