Trusting God's Way

Hosea

In the 1840s, a Hungarian physician named Ignaz Semmelweis uncovered a tragic cause behind the deaths of countless mothers during childbirth. Doctors were moving directly from performing autopsies to delivering babies. In doing so, they were unknowingly carrying a deadly infection on their hands. When Semmelweis required them to wash with a disinfecting solution, the death rate dropped dramatically. Yet many of his fellow physicians rejected his findings and were unwilling to be washed. Why? Because accepting his conclusion meant admitting that they themselves were the source of the problem. The very people entrusted with bringing life were unknowingly spreading death.

This Sunday, we'll see that Hosea confronts us with a similar truth. We often assume our greatest spiritual problems come from outside ourselves. But God exposes the truth: the infection is within each of us. We cannot find God because our own sin blinds us, nor can we heal ourselves because the disease has reached every part of our being. And what we will see in our passage is that hope is not found in trying harder, but rather in the sovereign mercy of the God who comes to us in Christ, bringing life where there was once only death.

To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Hosea 5:1-6:3, Jeremiah 6:13-14, John 12:24, Romans 3:9-18, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:1-10, and this article on the doctrine of Total Depravity.

As we gather to worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “The God of Abraham Praise,” the Acclamation of Praise, “Jesus!  What a Friend for Sinners!,” and the Hymn of Response “My Worth Is Not in What I Own.” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!

Sermon Information

Text: Hosea 5:1-6:3

Title: Trusting God’s Way

Outline:

1. Stop Seeking God Your Way (vv. 5:1-7)
2. Stop Trying to Heal Your Way (vv. 5:8-15)
3. Start Trusting God’s Way to Health and Wholeness (vv. 6:1-3)

Bulletin

Bulletin Insert