More than One Sunday Long

The Minor Prophets Speak to Today

More than One Sunday Long

Hosea 1:1b

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We want God's messages to be given and completed within one day! Actually, most people expect them to be over in twenty minutes. Still others, both lay and clergy, regularly and verbally espouse that ten minutes is long enough for any message. TRY TELLING GOD THAT. His message through Hosea took more than thirty two  years. And we live in a time when the church lives much like God's children in Hosea's day.

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THE SHAPE OF THE MESSAGE:

God's message through Hosea was a series of commands leading to a life which illustrated God's message and a series of statements about God's people, during a time of apostasy, regarding how He works with His own children. 

THE CONDITION OF THE CHURCH:

Murder, idolatry, and immorality were rampant in the land -- sound like some place you know? And though not all the rulers were evil, many were -- most were. But it was the people who claimed Him as their god that God was addressing. Murder, idolatry, and immorality were rampant even among them.

THE MESSAGE:

You are acting like a prostitute.

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Do you believe God's single message could take your pastor thirty two years to give?

How many congregations do you know that have allowed their pastor thirty two years to speak?

Could Hosea have given his message in 10-20 minutes? and remained faithful to God?

Are you willing to let God dictate the length of your pastor's message? Is he?

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Photo Credits: 
"I have kept the faith" by elycefeliz some rights reserved @flickr.com
Pulpit by Frank Kehren some rights reserved @flickr.com