“A Wicked Batch of Weeds”Hosea 9-10

Is TaB a healthy, growing church?

How should we evaluate spiritual

health?

Internal vs. External

• Some church growth indicators:– People– Facilities– Finances

EXTERNALS

Internal vs. External

• Israel’s growth indicators:– Altars– Pillars– Sacrifices– Festivals

EXTERNALS

“The one thing missing was the

very heart of true religion, the loyal

love that alone could make God’s

covenant-partner a true wife to Him.”

Kidner, p. 84

• The way we develop, implement, and practice the EXTERNALS may be good indicators of our true INTERNAL worship life

• The connection between internal and external is in the “Abundance of the Heart” principle

Internal vs. External

Flourishing weeds are tell-tale signs of a neglected or

abandoned fellowship with

God.

Nettles and thorns (9:6)

• WEEDS that STEAL YOUR BLESSINGS– A warning against apathy and

complacency– A warning against arrogance

Poisonous Weeds (10:4)

• WEEDS that POISON YOUR HARVEST– A warning against impiety, hypocrisy,

paganism– A warning against having a heart of

bad soil– A warning against indifference or

being indiscriminate

Thorns and Thistles (10:8)

• WEEDS that SPREAD UNCHECKED – A warning against surrender or

quitting– A warning against abandoning truth

Action Plan

• Sow with a view to RIGHTEOUSNESS• Reap STEADFAST love• Break up your FALLOW ground• Seek the LORD that He may come to

rain RIGHTEOUSNESS on you

Are you a healthy, growing disciple?

How would you rate your spiritual

health?

Are you WEEDY?

Flourishing weeds are tell-tale signs of a neglected or

abandoned fellowship with

God.