Introduction- BOTH PAUL AND HOSEA WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PEOPLE'S LACK OF KNOWLEDGE IN DAY OF GREAT ACADEMICS

1. Paul worried about the brethren's ignorance of Spiritual gifts- Tonight we study this
2. But Hosea heard God declare that His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (4:6) Death
3. Even the good people of the land were caught up in the destruction, because they allowed their fellow citizens to be ignorant of God, and of the penalty of sin

I. THE IGNORANCE THAT CAUSED PROBLEMS

As a contemporary of Isaiah, Amos, and Micah, Hosea saw terrible times- was living parable

A.- GOD DECLARED HIS CONTROVERSY "BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUTH, MERCY, OR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IN LAND v.1

1. The Reign of Jeroboam II -peace, plenty, luxury, ease, extravagance, indulgence, glory wasted
2. Social conditions -corrupt rulers, evil judges, grasping priests, families breaking down,
3. The knowledge of God was not found-"God is Dead", no Moral Truth, all things relevant,-Permissive

B.- THESE HIDDEN GERMS BREAK OUT AS SWEARING, LYING, KILLING, STEALING, ADULTRY, AND BLOOD v.2

1. When people have no Moral standards, no respect for God- soon human dignity corrupts
2. As their Worship was corrupted for pleasure, entertainment took place of discipleship-
3. With an anarchy in conscience, people could sin as they desired, with social immunity & honor

C.- BUT GOD DECLARED "THEREFORE THE LAND SHALL MOURN AND EVERYONE THERE SHALL LANGUISH" v. 3

1. Strange, but Immorality is the greatest polluter and ecological disaster that can happen.
2. The animals, fowls, fish all feel it when Men forget God- If they pollute themselves-nature too
3. v. 4a with all this, don't bother blaming each other- If you win argument-still wrong-

The nation was in turmoil blaming each other for the judgements of their sin-no repentance

II.- GOD MUST CONDEMN THAT IGNORANCE !

Don't blame God for pointing it out- He is trying to save these people from their own pollution

A- GOD WARNED "MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE " v.6 DELIBERATE LACK

1. How ironic that such smart people actually REJECT knowledge! "Ever learning-never knowledge"
2. Israel at Her peak of learning rejected the Old Paths- Smart Alec- many facts, but no truth
3. Their youth had great wisdom-Science, Biology, Philosophy, Sexperts,-but no knowledge of God!

B. THE TREND OF THE NATION WAS NOT FOR FREEDOM, BUT LICENSE IN SIN: AND THEY INCREASED IN SIN v.7

1. The Population Centers grew-& their cities deepened in sin- but their glory turned to shame
2. The people devoured sin- set their hearts on iniquity v.8, Priests followed people-v.9
3. Subtilty of punishment- v.10- eat and not be full, sex and no satisfaction or birth increase

C.-HOSEA QUOTED THE LORD "WINE, WOMEN, AND SONG HAS TAKEN AWAY YOUR HEART" v. 11

1. Their new Morality, Playboy philosophy, violation of Marriage Vows, Free Love, became way of life
2. God's word was replaced by surveys) Psycho excuses, Churches understood, Classroom Seduction
3. And without a true priest to give them KNOWLEDGE, the people perished with no chance for salvation

So the few places where God's Word was heard cut back their schools- gave place to Satan

III.- THAT IGNORANCE LED TO DEATH - PEOPLE OR NATION!

There is no way to miss God's Determination- note the "I Will"s of Hos 2, and 4

A.- GOD DECLARES "I WILL FORGET FORGET THY CHILDREN" &"REJECT THEE" v.6

1. THE PEOPLE WANTED NO KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, so their children were not taught in Sunday School or Church
2. Because they forgot God's law- He gave them over Rom 1:26- and let them have their own way
3. The brazen still want to be left alone by God- do you? If not- then Know Him- & Teach Him

B. -GOD DECLARES -"I WILL PUNISH THEM FOR THEIR WAYS AND REWARD THEM THEIR DOINGS" v.9

1. God is not mocked- Hos 8:7 "If you sow the wind- you will reap the whirlwind- ask Tempe
2. God's eternal Punishment is HELL, and his temporal punishment is a little Hell on earth-NOW
3. v.5 talks about murder- day or night! no safety-, & the mother land destroyed! See newspaper

C.- GOD DECLARES I WILL NOT PUNISH YOUR DAUGHTERS WHEN THEY COMMIT WHOREDOM." v.14 how strange!

1. But the worst thing God can do to us is to turn us loose-give us up to our desires-Rom 1:24
2. If God does not punish adultery NOW- It is passed on to children- & all reserved for Hell!
3. If God lets a nation go- soon a foreign nation takes it over- do we face national destruction?

Each person is either contributing to the national destruction, or its salvation- which are you contributing to?

Conclusion- DO YOU JOIN THE DROP OUTS & THINK IT IS HOPELESS? OR WILL YOU DO SOMETHING TO SAVE AMERICA

1. If you do not Know Jesus Christ as your own Saviour- Come to Know God NOW, by faith-
2. If you do know the Lord Jesus Christ- then share Him with others- forcefully witness-glory
3. If you know the LAW OF GOD, then walk in that Law- bravely, strongly, with JOY!

This involves Church Membership- Baptism, Service,- Teaching- BT, S.S.- Wed Evenings

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