Kissing the Calves (Hosea 13:1-9)
I. How to be exalted in the eyes of God or fall into the snare of the devil vs. 1.
A. Reverence and respect for God and His Word (Psalms 138:2).
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word (Isaiah 66:2).
B. Offend God with the occupation of idols.
II. What are the idols of America?
A. Sex and mammon.
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication (Greek: porneia) (Acts 15:20).
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints (Ephesians 5:3).
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon (Matthew 6:24).
B. Pursuit of pleasure above the pursuit of God (2 Timothy 3:4 Amplified Bible).
They will be treacherous betrayers rash, & inflated with self-conceit. They will be lovers of sensual pleasures vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.
C. Self.
III. What course must we take from today until the trumpet sounds?
A. We must make prayer and the Word preeminent in our daily walk (Acts 6:4).
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
B. We must make every attempt to win our world to Christ (Proverbs 11:30).
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
C. We need to pursue holiness (Hebrews 12:14).
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
D. We need to get out of debt (Romans 13:8).
E. We need to develop a first century level of fellowship among the saints (Acts 2:41-47)
1. Powerful celebration of worship daily from house to house.
2. Awe of God came upon all of them with signs and wonders taking place.
3. Uncommon generosity among the fellowship. Needs were met.
4. They cultivated a unity and love among the church that was admired by the outside.
5. They were filled with joy and gladness.
I. How to be exalted in the eyes of God or fall into the snare of the devil vs. 1.
A. Reverence and respect for God and His Word (Psalms 138:2).
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word (Isaiah 66:2).
B. Offend God with the occupation of idols.
II. What are the idols of America?
A. Sex and mammon.
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication (Greek: porneia) (Acts 15:20).
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints (Ephesians 5:3).
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon (Matthew 6:24).
B. Pursuit of pleasure above the pursuit of God (2 Timothy 3:4 Amplified Bible).
They will be treacherous betrayers rash, & inflated with self-conceit. They will be lovers of sensual pleasures vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.
C. Self.
III. What course must we take from today until the trumpet sounds?
A. We must make prayer and the Word preeminent in our daily walk (Acts 6:4).
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
B. We must make every attempt to win our world to Christ (Proverbs 11:30).
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
C. We need to pursue holiness (Hebrews 12:14).
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
D. We need to get out of debt (Romans 13:8).
E. We need to develop a first century level of fellowship among the saints (Acts 2:41-47)
1. Powerful celebration of worship daily from house to house.
2. Awe of God came upon all of them with signs and wonders taking place.
3. Uncommon generosity among the fellowship. Needs were met.
4. They cultivated a unity and love among the church that was admired by the outside.
5. They were filled with joy and gladness.