January 23, 2022 ~ "God's Costly Love"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Hosea 3:1-5

This text is tailored to teach us that God will redeem his unfaithful bride.

 
I. Why will God redeem his unfaithful bride?

    Because God will always love his unfaithful bride. (v. 1)

II. How will God redeem his unfaithful bride?

    God willingly pays the price to make her his once again. (v. 2-3)

III. What will be the result of God redeeming his unfaithful bride?

    God’s redemption will lead to restoration. (v. 4-5)

IV. Questions for Reflection

    1. How does God steadfast love encourage you to be faithful in your love to others?

    2. How does the price God was willing to pay for you encourage you to be faithful to him alone?

    3. Who at Northwood do you trust to help you follow Jesus even when it could cost them something in their relationship with you?

    4. How does the promise of restoration give you hope in the midst of your struggles?

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

Since we are live streaming on YouTube during this time of separation, you can also CLICK HERE to watch the entire service if you prefer!

January 9, 2022 ~ "A Merciful Marriage"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Hosea 1:1-2:1

This text is tailored to teach us that God mercifully initiates a relationship with unfaithful people although we didn’t and still don’t deserve it.

 
I. We didn’t deserve a relationship with God because while we were an unfaithful people God took the initiative to enter a marriage relationship with us. (1:2-3)

    a. Since our relationship with God is like a marriage, sin and idolatry is spiritual adultery.

II. We still don’t deserve a relationship with God because our continued spiritual unfaithfulness deserves destruction, exile, and divorce. (1:4-9)

III. Although we didn’t and still don’t deserve it, we mercifully receive a reversal of the consequences we deserve as God grows, gathers, and adopts unfaithful people. (1:10-2:1)

IV. Questions for Reflection

    1. In what ways have you minimized the seriousness of your sin?

    2. How does knowing that God initiated a relationship with you while you were unfaithful and continues to show you mercy when you are unfaithful encourage you?

    3. Who do you need to share your burdens with or encourage with the good news that whoever is in Christ is God’s people and has received his mercy?

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

Since we are live streaming on YouTube during this time of separation, you can also CLICK HERE to watch the entire service if you prefer!

January 16, 2022 ~ "God's Wooing Love"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Hosea 2:2-23

This text is tailored to teach us that God woos his unfaithful bride back even when she doesn’t want to return.

 
I. God’s Purpose When We’ve Been Unfaithful

    a. God denounces our unfaithfulness so that we would return to him. (v. 2-4)

    b. God denounces our unfaithfulness so that we would realize we’ve loved the wrong things. (v. 5, 8)

II. God’s Response When We Won’t Return

    a. God woos us to return by keeping us from our idols. (v. 6-7)

    b. God woos us to return by removing our blessings. (v. 9-13)

    c. God woos us to return by speaking tenderly to us. (v. 14-15)

III. God’s Blessings When He Has Won Us Back

    a. God will enable us to worship him truly and only. (v. 16-17)

    b. God will make right everything that has gone wrong. (v. 18, 21-23a)

    c. God will provide everything we need to be his forever. (v. 19-20, 23b)

IV. Questions for Reflection

    1. How are you tempted to love God’s gifts more than God himself?

    2. How is God wooing you to return to him?

    3. How might idolatry be presenting itself as spiritual faithfulness in your life?

    4. What can you thank Jesus for providing so that you can be God’s forever?

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

Since we are live streaming on YouTube during this time of separation, you can also CLICK HERE to watch the entire service if you prefer!