The City
This Week at Redeemer
Dear Saints at Redeemer, The times were chaotic and perplexing at best. The entire nation was beset with troubles. Enemy nations threatened from every side and the structure of the society was coming apart at the seams. Injustice ruled the government and court systems. Violence dominated the streets. Then to top it off the spiritual state of the people was utter confusion. The true identity of the Lord had become distorted. Although there was plenty of religious devotion most of it was blended with worship to false gods. Even the religious leaders had succumbed a diluted view that failed to represent the one, true God. It was a tragic and tumultuous time. Sadly, this is the description of the northern kingdom of Israel during the ministry of Hosea. The nation of Israel was God’s precious and chosen people. God chose the nation of Israel because he loved them. Not because of anything they had done. Not because of their righteousness. God’s people were to obey all of his laws, namely they were to love God and worship Him alone. But tragically, Israel had forsaken their first love and had given themselves to shameful idols. They had wasted His blessings and become “like a worthless thing.” And because Israel had abandoned God they will now have to face the righteous judgment that God will pour out. But there is hope. Hosea pleads with the people to repent and to return to the Lord. He calls them to remove the adulterous look from its face and to break up their unplowed ground. Hosea knows that God’s threat of judgment was very real, yet he graciously urges them to repent and to see the magnificent love of God that no one deserves. A love so incredible that he powerfully demonstrates it through Hosea taking back his unfaithful wife. Travis Cardwell will starting a new series on Hosea this Sunday entitled Love Defined. In this first sermon, we will be considering A Divine Love Story from Hosea 1:1 – 2:1. Friends, our day is not too different from Hosea’s. Violence and injustice abound. Spiritual confusion and blended worship proliferate our society. We can respond in one of two ways. We can either look at the unfaithfulness all around us and feel pity that so many are pursuing lifestyles contrary to God. Or we can allow God’s word to shine on us and examine our own hearts. Hosea’s plea was for the people to consider themselves and their own sin. All of us can play games and look the part. We can show up to enough church events and serve in the church from time to time. We can even participate in leadership all the while rebelling against God at our very core. As we begin our time in Hosea, pray for Travis as he prepares, and pray for yourself – that there would be careful examination of the desires of our hearts. On this side of eternity we will never fully grasp of the depth of God’s love, but we can all agree that it’s the greatest thing and it’s something none of us deserve. Join us this Sunday as we seek to delight ourselves in the Almighty Lord. Resting in the grace of God, Billy Newhouse Associate Pastor
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Travis
Baptist Church of the Redeemer
We exist to make disciples of Jesus by the power of His Spirit, for the glory of God. To this end we seek to be gospel-driven in all that we do. Some people who come around ask “Where are all the programs?” We actually believe that the Church is God’s program for evangelism, discipleship and missions. We believe the church is a display of God’s glory and therefore should be taken very seriously.
Baptist Church of the Redeemer