Easley Church of God

God’s Purpose in Hosea’s Ministry: 1.    God asks Hosea to marry a prostitute by the name of Gomer. a.    Hosea 1:2  2.    To illustrate the kind of people the Israelites have become.  3.    To illustrate the kind of God that God is Overview of Hosea: 1.    The need for the knowledge of God.  a.    Hosea 4:1  2.    The lack of the knowledge of God’s Word. a.    Hosea 4:6  3.    The Lord loves thos...

OUR FAITH AND GOD’S GIFT OF LOVE: 1. We have a promise that becomes reality. Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by FAITH, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5...

New Covenant The New Covenant is the promise that God will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him. Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, and His death on the cross is the basis of the promise (Luke 22:20).  The Old Covenant that God had established with His people required strict obedience to the Mosaic Law. Because the wages of sin is death (R...

CASE STUDY OF THE EXPRESSION OF LOVE AND WORSHIP: 1. The Pharisee invited Jesus into his home but reacted with cynicism. Luke 7:39-43 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” 40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you...

Davidic Covenant The Davidic Covenant refers to God’s promises to David through Nathan the prophet and is found in  2 Samuel 7  and later summarized in  1 Chronicles 17:11–14  and  2 Chronicles 6:16 . This is an unconditional covenant made between God and David through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah an...

Colossians 3:14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  1 John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  THE BIBLE INSTRUCTS US THAT LOVE IS A GREAT EXPRESSION! 1. Love, as described in the Bib...

Mosaic Covenant The Mosaic Covenant is a conditional covenant made between God and the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai ( Exodus 19-24 ). It is sometimes called the Sinai Covenant but is more often referred to as the Mosaic Covenant since Moses was God’s chosen leader of Israel at that time. The pattern of the covenant is very similar to other ancient covenants of that time because it is between a...

1 Kings 17:1 (Prophecy of no rain) And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”  1 Kings 18:1 (The promise of rain) And it came to pass after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and...

Abrahamic Covenant The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. The actual covenant is found in Genesis 12:1-3. The Ceremony recorded in Genesis 15 indicates the unconditional nature of the covenant. Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18) Melchizedek is a mysterious figure who is described as both the King of Salem and a priest of "God Most High." He brings to conquering Abram a royal feast of bread...

PARALLELS: GARDEN OF EDEN AND THE SEVEN CHURCHES: 1. Giving away our devotion. 2. Giving ear to someone who twists Scripture. 3. Giving room to controlling spirits. 4. Giving in to going through the motions. 5. Giving up on spiritual growth. THE APPLICATION FOR US: 1. Remember the commendation to two of the churches:  Endurance through tough times and persecution by exercising spiritual discernmen...

Covenant 1. A covenant in the ancient world was similar to what we in the modern world would call a contract, treaty, or will. Meaning of the Names of the Seth to Noah 1. Man appointed mortal sorrow (The fall of man). 2. The blessed God shall come down teaching (Torah given to Moses). 3. His death shall bring the despairing rest and comfort (death of Jesus and fulfillment of Matt 11:28-29) The Day...

OBSERVATIONS OF JESUS: 1. Jesus declares His reign and position. 2. Jesus’ appearance speaks to what He does. 3. Jesus declares He holds the keys of our life. Jesus is the conqueror, sustainer, and judge. 4. Jesus instructed John to write the revelation of what he has   seen, what he now sees, and what will be seen. The mystery is being revealed.

What is the Bible? 1. The Bible is a remarkable collection of ancient writings that Christians believe to be God's revelation to people. The Bible can be understood as a compilation of cohesive contractual agreements, commonly referred to as covenants, that illustrate the binding nature of God's love demonstrated throughout the events and history of the world. (AHV) The Covenant Thread 1. There is...

THREE PRINCIPLES OF GOD’S PROCESSES: 1.  Faith in God’s promises. Joshua 6:2 And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.  Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.  Faith is the foundation for spiritual growth.  Our choice: Trust in God’s Word or in human-reasoning. 2.  Obedienc...

LESSONS ABOUT THE GOD’S PROCESSES OF GROWTH: 1. Naaman learned the process of  spiritual transformation. 2 Kings 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”  There was initial resistance .  2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will...

THE UNWRAPPING OF THE GIFT OF JESUS: 1. The humility that wrapped the greatest Gift. Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. The prophecy of His simplicity. Isaiah 53:2 (foretold of Jesus) For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has...

The Gifts of the Magi: 1. Gold signified royalty and temple worship. 2. Frankincense and myrrh are used to make medicine and as incense. 3. Through the gift of Jesus, there is hope for the future, guidance for the present, and salvation from the past.

Truths we need: 1. The atmosphere for spiritual strength and using the armor of God. Praying always with all prayer = all kinds at all times. And supplication = intense and focused prayer. In the Spirit = relying on the Spirit for guidance and power. Being watchful to this end = against preoccupation by being alert. With all perseverance = with Steadfastness and endurance, not giving up. And suppl...

Lessons from the wise men and Herod: 1. We learn to seek God above all else. 2. We learn ambition can cloud judgement and lead to moral compromise. 3. We learn to follow God's guidance in faith.

The armor of God: 1. There is some emphasis words used in our text that are not part of the armor. a. Take up: Purpose of assisting, to occupy, to establish. b. Withstand: Not to be swept off our feet by something. c. Having Done All: The prerequisite in order to face the warfare. d. Taking: To use in particular situations, as demands. 2. Belt of Truth: Integrity and honesty. 3. Breastplate of Rig...

The message of peace: 1. The meaning of Jesus' birth: Peace. 2. The description of Jesus. Savior: The Rescuer, bringing salvation. Christ: The Anointed One, chosen to fulfill God's plan. Lord: God Himself, who comes to dwell with humanity.

To live in a lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving, we need a revival of faith. 1. Revival is about reversing spiritual decline. 2. Revival is driven by the Word. 3. Revival brings an overwhelming, consuming focus on unseen things. 4. Revival brings a strengthening of faith. 5. Revival in us will prompt us to step out in faith.

Standing strong in the Spirit: 1. The call given is to be strong spiritually. 2. The call given is to prepare for battle. 3. The call given is to realize the nature of who fights against us.

What do we bring to the Thanksgiving table? 1. We bring an examination of the heart. Is there a war within? Is there peace within? 2. We bring the cultivation that produces growth. The helps us keep thankfulness from fading. It happens with an active faith. 3. We bring the language of love that shapes our speech and actions. Thankfulness becomes prevalent. Praise and Thanksgiving enables intimate...

Living out mutual respect and obedience: 1. If our faith is real, it will prove itself at home in our relationships. 2. The role of servants and masters. 3. If our faith is real, how can we live in mutual respect and obedience in the marketplace?