lovingkindness

June 8, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Hosea Part 1

Hosea 1:1–3:4

Hosea writes his prophecy to the northern kingdom of Israel/Ephraim, pronouncing judgment against her for her covenant unfaithfulness but also promising her restoration based on the LORD’s faithfulness, with the desire to see Israel repent of her idolatry and turn to the LORD.

Hosea’s marriage is a shocking illustration of Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness. Like a wayward wife, Israel has broken her covenant with the LORD, committing spiritual adultery with her idolatry. Not only does she not know the LORD, but she also refuses to know Him.

Yet the LORD is faithful to His covenant promises, both to Abraham and to David. So, although He will bring judgment on them for their rebellion against Him, He will also restore them. Because He is the LORD. “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and faithfulness; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

This should serve as both a warning and a comfort to us. The LORD takes sin seriously. And so should we. Sin always carries consequences. Yet the LORD’s lovingkindnesses never cease. He will discipline His children, but He does so as a loving Father who is conforming us to the image of His Son. A painful process, but one that’s for our good. Of course, that’s if you know the LORD. If you don’t, your sin carries very different consequences. Eternal consequences.

The good news is you can come to know the LORD today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, we can be saved—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Book of the Twelve series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

May 11, 2026

The Lovingkindness of the LORD

Ruth 1–4

In the time of the judges, as the nation of Israel moves farther from covenant faithfulness with each successive cycle of rebellion and everyone does what is right in their own eyes, the story of Ruth is a reminder that the LORD has not forgotten His promise. He will be faithful to provide a Redeemer for His people, and He will preserve a remnant within the nation who will be faithful to Him.

Both Ruth and Boaz show חֶ֔סֶד (lovingkindness) and covenant faithfulness in a time when “everyone does right in their own eyes.” And because of their חֶ֔סֶד (lovingkindness) and covenant faithfulness, they will be included in David’s genealogy. The son born to Boaz and Ruth will be the great-grandfather of David, who in turn will be a forebear of Jesus.

And even though the story seems to be about a young woman named Ruth, the main character is an older woman named Naomi, who experienced an unbelievable loss that left her bitter but, in the end, found the LORD’s provision and great joy.

Following the LORD when everyone else is doing their own thing isn’t always easy. In fact, it seldom is. But it is the right thing to do. And when we do, it reveals a character that is right in line with His. Men and women of excellence who show חֶ֔סֶד (lovingkindness) to each other and a world that so desperately needs it.

That, of course, assumes you’ve trusted in the LORD. You can do that today. It starts with recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, you can be saved—not because of anything that you have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent. 

pro rege

This post is based on our Mother’s Day sermon. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.