Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, October 15, 2023

The Scandal of The Cross (Lord’s Supper Service)

Today, Pastor Michael tells the story of Hosea, a prophet who married a prostitute.  This is, needless to say, an untenable situation for Hosea, yet he loved her and never gave up on his wife’s infidelity.  He loves and cares about her, always bringing her back home.  We’re used to the idea that love is conditional; one has to meet a certain standard to continue to be loved.  You have to have certain things, according to this world, that you have to have something to offer.  Normal love requires love in return.

However, the most impressive story of unconditional love is not Hosea and Gomer.  It is Christ dying for us. The cross is the most significant scandal, meaning Jesus took our sins upon Himself.  The sinless took on the sin of the sinful.  While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  He was mocked, spit upon, and hanged on the cross, not for people who are loveable, not for people who are basically good.  He was broken for broken people.

His love for us is not based on our character but His. His unconditional, scandalous love for us.

Verses can be found in Romans 5: 8 and the book of Hosea.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.