God's Boundless Love

Sunday (1/8), we conclude the series in the book of Hosea (14:1-9). In the previous chapter, the prophet warned Israel about their idolatry. He denounced their hardness of heart. Yet, they refused to see that their worship of idols was a sin. And that sin is subtle, deceptive, and destructive. And, because it is so powerful, they must understand that only God can deliver them from its grasp.

In chapter fourteen, during the final days of the Assyrian siege and their lives as a nation, the prophet gave a climatic plea to Israel to repent of their sin, recognize that God was their only hope and that He would openly receive them no matter how they had continually turned their back on Him over and over again.

Through his dramatic brokenness, Hosea had come to the point where he understood the heart of God. Even as Israel had betrayed the lover of their soul, so the wife of his youth had betrayed him, and yet, Hosea continued to love her, cherish her and receive her back as though she had done nothing wrong. And through that horrible experience, he began to see God's boundless love for everyone, no matter how much they rebel, resist, or refuse to acknowledge Him.

So, Hosea concluded his more than fifty years of ministry by proclaiming the never-ending, unlimited, unconditional God of Heaven. And, no matter what may have been done, if that person acknowledges their guilt and turns from their sin toward God, they will experience the forgiveness of sins. And, by doing so, they will be released from the power, guilt, and penalty of sin once and for all.

I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.

There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook and YouTube:  Calvary Inverness)
In His Strong Love,
Pastor