THE SCANDAL OF GRACE
Pastor Danny Lee
The Scandal of Grace: God’s Relentless Pursuit of the Unfaithful
At My City Church, we believe in the transformative power of God’s love and grace. No matter how far you’ve gone or how many mistakes you’ve made, God is always chasing after you.
In this week’s message, Pastor Danny unpacks the book of Hosea, a powerful love story filled with betrayal, redemption, and God’s radical grace. Just as Hosea loved and redeemed his unfaithful wife, God loves and redeems us, even in our brokenness.
Hosea 1:2-3 – A Love That Defies Logic
📖 “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.”
God calls Hosea to do something unthinkable—love someone who will break his heart.
1️⃣ The Mirror of Scripture – Hosea’s Story is Our Story
The Bible is not just a history book—it’s a mirror. When we read about Hosea and Gomer, we aren’t just learning about an ancient relationship. We are seeing a reflection of our own hearts.
💡 Key Takeaways:
✔️ Hosea = A picture of Jesus, who loves us unconditionally.
✔️ Gomer = A picture of us, who often chase after false loves.
✔️ God’s love is relentless, even when we turn away from Him.
📖 Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
🚨 The Hard Truth: We often run from God, chasing after things that can’t fulfill us—money, success, relationships, comfort. But God never stops pursuing us.
🙌 Truth: No matter how far you’ve gone, God is waiting with open arms.
2️⃣ The Cost of Sin – What We Chase Will Eventually Enslave Us
Sin isn’t just a mistake—it’s a counterfeit love. It promises satisfaction but leaves us empty and enslaved.
📖 Hosea 2:5 – “I will go after my lovers, who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my olive oil and my drink.”
💡 Modern-Day Idols We Chase:
✔️ Success & Status – Trusting in achievements instead of God.
✔️ Relationships – Looking to people for worth instead of Jesus.
✔️ Material Wealth – Believing money will bring security.
✔️ Self-Indulgence – Seeking pleasure over purpose.
🚨 Sin’s Trap:
Sin never satisfies, and like Gomer, we often end up enslaved by the very things we thought would bring us happiness.
🙌 Truth: Sin leads to slavery, but grace leads to freedom.
3️⃣ God’s Response to Our Rebellion – Relentless Grace
Even when we run from Him, God doesn’t give up on us.
📖 Hosea 11:8 – “How can I give you up, Ephraim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.”
💡 God’s Radical Love:
✔️ He doesn’t abandon us.
✔️ He doesn’t withhold grace.
✔️ He longs for our return.
🚨 Avoid This Mistake: Thinking you’re too far gone. God’s love reaches further than your worst mistakes.
🙌 Truth: Judgment is never God’s final word—redemption is.
4️⃣ Redemption – Bought Back at a Price
In Hosea 3, something shocking happens: Hosea buys Gomer back from slavery.
📖 Hosea 3:2 – “So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley.”
💡 A Picture of the Gospel:
✔️ We were enslaved by sin.
✔️ Jesus paid the price for our freedom.
✔️ We are not our own—we belong to Him.
🚨 Avoid This Mistake: Thinking grace is cheap. It cost Jesus everything.
🙌 Truth: Jesus didn’t just forgive us—He bought us back with His blood.
5️⃣ The Call to Forgive – Extending Grace to Others
God’s grace isn’t just for us—it’s meant to be extended to others.
📖 Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
💡 Who Do You Need to Forgive?
✔️ A friend who betrayed you?
✔️ A family member who hurt you?
✔️ Yourself?
🚨 Avoid This Mistake: Holding onto bitterness. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
🙌 Truth: Forgiveness is not about them—it’s about your freedom.
6️⃣ Coming Home – The Invitation to Grace
Maybe today, you’re in Gomer’s shoes—running from God.
📖 Isaiah 59:2 – “Your iniquities have separated you from your God.”
💡 But here’s the good news:
✔️ Jesus already paid for your freedom.
✔️ God is still calling you home.
✔️ No sin is too great for His grace.
🚨 Don’t Wait: If you feel far from God, now is the time to return to Him.
🙌 Truth: You don’t have to clean yourself up first—just come home.
Final Thoughts – Grace Changes Everything
The love story of Hosea and Gomer is our story. We have all wandered, but God has never stopped pursuing us.
🔥 Action Steps to Apply Today:
✅ Recognize the idols in your life.
✅ Embrace God’s forgiveness and love.
✅ Forgive those who have wronged you.
✅ If you’ve been running from God, come home today.
📢 Need prayer or want to start your faith journey? Visit My City Church this Sunday at 9 AM or 11 AM at Ralston High School in Omaha, Nebraska!
