1. Hosea 11.1-4 Reading from God’s Word

2. 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. Hosea 11.1-2

3. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. Hosea 11.3-4

4. God’s Vision for Us

5. What God Did for Israel God’s Vision For Us

6. God took an out of control, undisciplined people to work with. God’s Vision For Us

7. God wanted to lead them to a genuine relationship. God’s Vision For Us

8. A Practical Example God’s Vision For Us

9. This is what God wanted with Israel. God’s Vision For Us

10. 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. Hosea 11.1-2

11. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. Hosea 11.3-4

12. God wanted relationship – not control. God’s Vision For Us

13. 1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. 2 Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips. Hosea 14.1-2

14. 3 Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.” 4 I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. Hosea 14.3-4

15. God wants a relationship with us! God’s Vision For Us

16. We were enemies of the cross. God’s Vision For Us

17. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5.6-8

18. 8 now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5.8-10

19. 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3.1-2

20. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12.2

21. God longs for us to be transformed. God’s Vision For Us

22. God is patient. God’s Vision For Us

23. God’s Vision for Us