Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 18:5-11
The Collapse of a Nation
Intro.
1. What is today’s greatest problem? Covid-19? Crime? Inflation? Border crisis? Human rights violations? Racism? Marxism? Foreign threats? Cyber-attacks? Abortion? …
2. But of course, sin is our greatest problem, Rom. 3:23 (9-18); 6:23.
a. Souls are lost, dead in sin, Eph. 2:1-3.
b. Jesus is the only remedy, Luke 19:10; Acts 4:12.
3. Nations rise and fall as they turn to or away from God, Jer. 18:7-11.
4. Hosea 7: Collapse of Israel (northern kingdom) is an example our nation (and Christians) either takes to heart or follows into ruin, 1 Cor. 10:11.
I. MORAL COLLAPSE: THE ABSENCE OF FAITH AND CONSCIENCE, Hosea 7:1-7.
A. Hearts Defiled by Wickedness, 7:1-3.
1. Seared consciences, injustice, and oppression, 1 Tim. 4:2.
2. Israel’s idolatry the foundation of her faithlessness, 1 Kings 12:25-30; 16:31-33.
3. The chickens come home to roost, Hosea 7:2-3; Num. 32:23.
B. The Nation Was Prepared for Destruction, 7:4-7.
1. Like the baker’s oven, their sinful indulgences flamed hot, ready for bread, 7:4-6.
2. Their leaders led the way and paid the price, 7:7 (4 of last 6 kings of Israel were murdered, 2 Kings 15).
3. Moral collapse of America, cf. Rom. 1:22-32.
Christians must not lose reverence for God and respect for fellow human beings, Acts 24:16; 1 Tim. 1:5; 4:2; Titus 1:15.
II. RELIGIOUS COLLAPSE: THE PRESENCE OF COMPROMISE, Hosea 7:8-12.
A. Israel Was to be a Separate Nation, Exod. 19:5-6.
1. Israel was to conquer and destroy; Have no covenants and marriages with the people of Canaan (Deut. 7:1-6). But--
a. Idolatry, Hosea 4:11-13, 17 (Corrupt worship); Rom. 1:21-23.
b. Form of godliness without its power, Hosea 6:4-6 (9).
c. Alliances with worldly powers and human wisdom was hopeless, Hosea 7:11 (5:13, 11); cf. 13:9-11.
d. False prophets – false hope, Hosea 9:7-9.
Christians must live pure and undefiled religion without compromise, James 1:26-27; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1.
III. SPIRITUAL COLLAPSE: THE PRESENCE OF COMPLACENCY, Hosea 7:13-16.
A. Israel was Complacent about Her Past Redemption, Hosea 7:13; Micah 6:3-5.
B. Israel was Complacent about God’s Present Help, Hosea 7:14.
C. Israel was Complacent about God’s Blessings, Amos 6:1, 3-7.
Christians must resist the urge to become complacent in serving God and man, Rom. 12:11 (Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25; Titus 2:11-12).
Conclusion
1. America is not the Christian’s homeland, Heb. 11:13-16.
2. Whenever God chooses it is time for its decline and collapse, it will be a righteous judgment against evil.
3. Fear God, keep His commands, accept persecution for the sake of righteousness, look to Jesus, Eccl. 12:13; Matt. 5:10-12; Heb. 12:1-2.
4. The fight is now, the race is set before us, the faith assures victory, 2 Tim. 4:7-8.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted February 7, 2022