When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.”
Hosea 1:2 (NLT)
Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though shecommits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.” So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silverand five bushels of barley and a measure of wine. Then I said to her, “You must live in my house for many days and stop your prostitution.”
Hosea 3:1-3a (NLT)
How can I awaken to God’s mercy?
I can realize God _________________________.
I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.
Hosea 2:19-20 (NLT)
I can show God’s _________________________.
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
In the back of the Old Testament are twelve short books written by Hebrew writers. These twelve books are called “the Minor Prophets” not because they are less important than the “Major Prophets” but because their writings are much shorter in length. Prophets serve as those who quicken and awaken the people of God to the concerns of God. Though written hundreds of years ago, the awakening message of these prophets is as needed today in our world as it was in theirs. We are going to look at the message of four of these Minor Prophets and apply it to our contemporary lives.
Wes Olds is a 1993 graduate of The University of Kentucky and received his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2002. Prior to coming to Grace Church in 2006, Wes began a multi-cultural, urban church called The Rock-La Roca United Methodist Church in Lexington, KY (2002-2006). While there, he co-founded Lexington’s “Room in the Inn”, a ministry of hospitality and shelter for homeless men. From 1997-2002, Wes was a Pastor with Youth and Evangelism at Centenary United Methodist Church in Lexington. From 1994-1997, Wes was Pastor with Youth at Christ United Methodist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and from 1991-1994 was the Director of Youth Ministries at Versailles United Methodist Church in central Kentucky.
Wes has served as an adjunct instructor at Asbury University, a ministry mentor with Asbury Theological Seminary and has been a contributing writer for several projects with Group Publishing and United Methodist Communications. He has been a guest speaker and worship leader for retreats at local churches and conferences for youth and adults.
Wes is a leadership coach for Spiritual Leaders, Incorporated (SLI) training pastors on creating generative leadership environments. Through SLI, Wes has facilitated yearlong incubators for over 75 pastors in Florida, Kentucky, and Kansas.
Wes is married to Becky and they have one teenage son named Caleb. Wes loves music and plays guitar, enjoys fishing, sports, history and hanging out with his friends and family.
When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.”
Hosea 1:2 (NLT)
Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though shecommits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.” So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silverand five bushels of barley and a measure of wine. Then I said to her, “You must live in my house for many days and stop your prostitution.”
Hosea 3:1-3a (NLT)
How can I awaken to God’s mercy?
I can realize God _________________________.
I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.
Hosea 2:19-20 (NLT)
I can show God’s _________________________.
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
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