In this passage, Hosea's children become living warnings of the devastating cost of Israel's sin—judgment, discipline, and rejection. Yet even in judgment, God's mercy and grace are displayed, reminding us that while sin has consequences, God's grace is greater than our sin. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

This sermon explores the divine attribute of God's jealousy, distinguishing it from sinful human envy by framing it as a holy zeal for His exclusive glory and covenant loyalty. By contrasting the perfect order of creation with the disorder introduced by the fall, the message illustrates how humanity's desire for autonomy constitutes idolatry that severs the life-giving relationship with the Creator. The preacher uses the institution of marriage as a primary metaphor to reveal the depth of God's covenantal love, showing how His jealousy protects the exclusive union He desires with His people. The narrative culminates in the gospel promise found in Hosea, where God betroths His people to Himself forever through the imputed righteousness of Christ, satisfying both His justice and His mercy. Finally, the sermon addresses God's avenging jealousy, asserting that His wrath against sin and His love for His people are perfectly united on the cross, offering both a warning to the unrepentant and comfort to believers who trust in His perfect justice.

This sermon examines the believer's relationship to the unregenerate world by analyzing Paul's exhortation in Titus to remember their former state of spiritual darkness, sensual enslavement, and relational discord. The message argues that recalling this past condition serves two primary purposes: it establishes the necessity for biblical separation from worldly sin and it cultivates a posture of humility toward unbelievers. Rather than adopting a militant or arrogant stance, believers are called to recognize that their transformation is solely the work of God's intervening mercy and the Holy Spirit. This awareness of grace should motivate Christians to act as humble ministers of the Gospel, shining as light in the darkness without boasting or contempt. The sermon concludes by urging the congregation to let this memory of their past and God's present grace shape their daily conduct and interactions with society.

This sermon explores the believer's direct access to God through the lens of Psalm 5, contrasting the frustration of worldly bureaucracy with the ease of approaching the divine throne. The central message emphasizes that this free access is enabled by God's mercy, which motivates believers to engage in various forms of prayer, from articulate words to silent groaning. The text further highlights that this access is invigorated by God's sustaining grace, which provides protection, righteousness, and spiritual joy to those who take refuge in Him. By contrasting the fate of the wicked with the blessings of the righteous, the sermon encourages a posture of expectant waiting and confident communion with God. The tone is pastoral and encouraging, inviting the audience to rely on God's inexhaustible supply of favor rather than their own efforts.

The sermon challenges the notion of passive salvation, urging believers to actively strive and press into the Kingdom of God with earnest effort. Drawing from the teachings of Jonathan Edwards and key scriptures such as Matthew 11:12 and Luke 13:24, the message emphasizes that while salvation is solely by the grace of Christ, the seeker must demonstrate faith through persistent seeking, sacrifice, and perseverance. The speaker warns against the danger of giving up or becoming complacent, highlighting the eternal consequences of failing to persevere to the end. Listeners are called to count the cost of seeking the Lord, recognize the present opportunity for mercy, and resolve to pursue salvation with all their might until they receive the blessing.

Beloved in the Lord Jesus: All men from the fall of Adam have been inherently sinful and under God's just condemnation, but God elected some of those under condemnation to save them through his Son, through the preaching of the Gospel. God did this out of pure grace, giving man faith to receive that grace. (That grace is Jesus obeying and suffering for man and satisfying God's anger against man.) You also saw God did not only elect you because of his love (Deuteronomy 7), but also for his pleasure. (Article 10) Now Article 11 teaches election to salvation is unchangeable! Why is this important? If election were unchangeable, it means your salvation is eternal! So this is a doctrine of comfort, not one of fear. Hear this doctrine today. Our headings are: 1. God cannot Change 2. So Your Election Cannot be Changed Our goals are: That you will receive comfort from your election, that you will praise God daily with your mouth for your election, and that you will have renewed zeal to spread the Gospel so the elect can be brought in.

This sermon establishes the biblical mandate for the church to engage in prayer, fasting, and humility for the nation and its leaders, grounded in the command found in 1 Timothy. It argues that Christians hold a unique position as intercessors for a society that is increasingly distant from God, citing historical and contemporary examples of spiritual decline. The message emphasizes that effective intercession requires first examining one's own heart, confessing personal and corporate sin, and rejecting a Pharisaical attitude of self-righteousness. Rather than viewing fasting as a means to compel God's hand, the preacher presents it as a response to God's merciful character and a reminder of human dependence on divine grace. The ultimate hope rests not in political reform or human effort, but in the transformative work of the Holy Spirit to change hearts and bring about true revival.

The sermon explores the transition from the doctrinal foundations of Romans 1-11 to the practical imperatives of Christian living in Romans 12. It emphasizes that the primary motivation for obedience is not self-discipline or legalism, but a deep contemplation of God's sovereign mercy and grace. Believers are called to present their entire bodies as living, holy, and acceptable sacrifices, recognizing that this total surrender is the most rational and logical response to the gospel. The message contrasts being conformed to the spirit of the age with being transformed by the renewal of the mind through Scripture. Ultimately, this transformation enables believers to discern and delight in God's will, which is described as good, acceptable, and perfect.

This sermon explores the central theme of God's holiness as the foundation of His reign and the standard by which all creation is measured. Drawing primarily from Psalm 99 and Isaiah 6, the message illustrates how the presence of a holy God exposes human sin, leading to a conviction of unworthiness that can only be resolved through the atoning work of Christ. The preacher emphasizes that God's holiness is not merely a distant attribute but the source of all other divine characteristics, including justice and mercy, which are reconciled in the cross. Believers are called to respond to this revelation with reverent worship and a desire for personal holiness, recognizing that their access to God is made possible solely by the righteousness of Christ. The tone is both convicting and comforting, urging the congregation to approach the throne of grace with boldness while maintaining a deep reverence for the Holy One.