In Hosea chapter six, verse number one, please. Hosea chapter six, verse one, and verse number two. Open your Bible there. And the word is come. First word is the word come. Hosea says, Prophet Hosea says come. Let us return unto the Lord. And this is a call to repentance. And the message tonight is returning to God. Returning to God. Let us return to the Lord. I like that. Let us return to the Lord. It's a return to God. And it's a return to the God that we are serving. It is to settle a personal relationship with the Lord. Jeremiah 3 verse 22. First word there is return. Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding. Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God." He says, return, return, come and let us return. The book of Hosea says, Hosea, number one, shows the real picture of the spiritual condition of the people of God during this time. Shows us the real condition of the people of God. In chapter 6, look at verse number 4. Spiritually, they were unstable as water. They were weak as water. Chapter 4, verse 6. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? Both Israel and Judah. Oh, Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? Oh, Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as the morning cloud. Your faithfulness, your commitment is as good as morning cloud. And as early dew, it goeth away. It is likened in two. Your commitment in the work of God is like the morning cloud. And it usually stays for a while, and then it's gone. And so many people are like that. They feel revived today, and they want to be faithful in the Lord. And all of a sudden, they're gone. Off and on kind of commitment. It's like the morning cloud. Here, one minute, and gone the next. It's it's gone the next people make a lot of wishes and promises yet. They do not they do not perform and that is the condition of a backsliding heart and I want you to see tonight. God says you have a problem. We need to return to God You need to make the right kind of commitment in chapter 7 look at verse number 8 so spiritually, they were unstable and as water. And chapter 7, look at verse number 8. Hab, look at this verse 8. It says, Ibrahim, he had mixed himself among the people. That's the first problem. Compromise. And compromise. Ibrahim is a cake not baked. Have you tasted a cake that is half-cooked? And it may smell, for a while it may smell good, but the moment you taste it, I don't like it. And so Israel, he says, is a cake, not bake. And so what does it mean? A half-baked Christianity is a half-hearted commitment. God wants us to serve Him with a full commitment. And it simply means a full surrender Uh everything All is surrender in romans chapter 12. We're familiar with that romans 12 verse 1 and verse number 2 I want to read the passage is this verses I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of god that you present your bodies a living sacrifice Holy unto god, which is which is your reasonable service and be not conformed You see, God's principle is always properly outlined in the Bible, properly set in the Word of God. God's plan and purpose for His people is always to be separated. It's always to be. Whether you go into the Old Testament history of the people of God, God has always separated His people. And so He said, be not conformed to this world. but be it transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. So separation is always, look at Ephraim or Israel, had mixed himself among the people. 1 Corinthians, I just want to read this, a familiar passage in the word of God. In the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 6, 1 Corinthians 6, verse number, 2 Corinthians, I mean, 2 Corinthians chapter 6, look at verse 14 to 18. 2 Corinthians, being not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, what fellowship hath righteousness with? Righteousness and what communion had light with darkness and what Concord had Christ with Belial or the devil? What part that he had believed with an infidel? What agreement had the temple of God with idols and then verse number? 17 and God just wherefore come out from among them and be a separate Sayeth the Lord Be separate, the Lord says. Be separated, God says. And the separation has always been the problem that confronts the people of God. And it's always going to create problems if we, as God's people, put our desire our desire than our conviction. What we want than the conviction based on the Word of God. The people were spiritually, number one, unstable as water. They were half-baked, as far as their commitment is concerned. Chapter 7, look at verse number 11, they're like a silly dove. Spiritually, these people were, what does it mean? They were unstable people. Look at verse number 11. Epraim also is like a silly dove. Without heart, they call to Egypt. They go, they go to Assyria. And without heart, simply means they have no understanding. Epraim, instead of asking God for help, during the time of their trouble. Instead, she goes to the hidden nations, nations who were known to be idol worshippers. Instead of calling upon God, she then calls the idols of the land, other countries. Look at chapter 7, chapter 7 verse 16. It says there, 7 verse 16, they return but to the most high, they are like deceitful bow. Deceitful bow. And you know what happened? A person you cannot depend on, God says. And as far as commitment is concerned, and as far as the work of God is concerned, you just cannot depend on these people, he says. And you put an arrow in it, and you try to aim at something, you try to shoot at something, and all of a sudden, you know what happens? The string breaks. And you are totally upset about it. You put someone, and then they commit of something, and they seem to be revived today, and then they pass away, what can I do? You give them the work, and then next week, next day, they're gone. And so, there is a problem. The problem needs to be solved by revival. The only way that it can be solved is through revival, and just return, God says. Hosea says the answer, the solution, is a genuine revival. There are three areas of their lives upon which they needed to return to the Lord. Three areas, and maybe the Lord is speaking to us tonight. They needed to return to the Lord in their worship. That's number one. Worship. Look at chapter four. Look at verse number one, please. Hosea chapter four. Look at verse one. Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel. But the Lord had controversy. The Lord himself finds controversy with the inhabitants of the land because God says there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge, nor knowledge of God in the land. God was concerned about it. And the children were beginning to like the gods of the land, and the lifestyle of the people, and the conviction of the people. And they needed to return the Lord. The Lord has controversy. What does it mean? The Lord has charge of his people. And he has charge with the people of God. There is no truth, no mercy, no knowledge in the land. The most important aspect we must seek when we worship God is the truth. When you worship God, what matters is the truth, amen? The Word of God that comes through the Word of God. The truth that is preached. A church that is not built on preaching is not a church at all. There must be preaching of the Word of God. And remember this, the most important thing, and as far as worship is concerned, is the truth that comes from the Word of God. In 1 Timothy 3, look at verse 15 please. That should be the kind of the church we need to maintain. That it should be the kind of the church we need to see. The truth must always be preached in this pulpit. In chapter 3, 1 Timothy 3, look at verse 15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God. And look at this, the pillar and ground of the truth. And so our worship must be based on truth, not on emotional thing, not on emotional experience. Well, I really feel good today. I was, you know, there are so many jokes and there are so many like this and that. No, the truth is what is important. Amen. The truth that is, that is preached the word of God. And then Ecclesiastes next to Proverbs, you have the book of Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastes chapter five. Look at verse number 1. Chapter 5, verse 1. Ecclesiastes. Chapter 5, verse 1. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to what? Be more ready to hear than to give sacrifice of the fools. But they consider not that they do even. And so how can we be ready for the service? We should pray before the service begins. Pray that God will bless the service. God will bless and empower the preaching of the Word of God. Before the service, you must first of all commit yourself. Lord, I commit myself so that whenever the preaching is done and the worship is going on, my heart is open to you. I want the Holy Spirit to have pre-course in my life, in my heart, in my mind. Lord, I am totally committed to you before the service actually begins. Do not wait until or in the middle of the service. No, you do it ahead of time. Be ready. And we say amen to that. Be ready. In other words, you do it before the service. Commit your life to God before the service begins. God will take away anything in your life that could hinder the blessing of God to pour in your life, to be poured in your life. Always come expecting to receive some blessings from the service. Always come. blessings from the songs, blessings from the presence of other people, and the commitment of other people, and most especially from the preaching of the Word of God. And before we come to church, we say, oh Lord, I want my heart to be open. And we see people doing commitment and making commitment to the Lord, doing something for God, it blesses your heart. Amen. And you see people who are responding to the word of God, it blesses your heart. The songs can bless our hearts. The services itself can bless our heart. And like Samuel of old, we need to always say, Lord, speak for thy servant here. Speak, Lord. I am ready. And I am ready. Good questions to ask yourself after the service. What have I learned from the message? What have I learned from the message? And what are the, number two, what are the things that I can apply in my life? Number three, what are the things that I can share with others? I can share, like these people in Hosea's time, and they had no time for God. Either, you know, other things had gotten, you know, into their devotion. Worship had become formalistic for them. Coming to church is only part of their lives. Sunday is worship day, so we come to church, we bring a Bible, but never bother to read it and study it. And the only time they hold into their Bible is, awesome Bible. Asan Bible ba? Ang Bible? That simply means one week wagat na open ang Bible. Naman siguro sa sakin ng tanaw daw. Sa korto tanawa ha? Where's your Bible? Last week pang Bible. Meaning to say you have never read the Bible. And so dawg it's getting late. 8.50 na. And so we need to rush ourselves to church. Asan Bible? You should always have Bible ready. You should have a Bible in your office, workplace. You should have a Bible in your car, Bible in your living room. You should have Bible. Always read the word of God. always study the word of God, find interest in reading. So they, people sing because they know the song somehow, they know it. And so they sing while, well, said, you know, we used to sing these songs during, you know, when we were kids. Worship is no longer a, you know, listen to this. Worship is no longer the heart, you know, the, a life changing, a life changing experience. If a service is not a life-changing experience, something will be wrong. You just wait until when he's supposed to end preaching. 5 minutes, we're out of church. And so, what time does the church start services, you know, the services start? About 8.30. How about preaching? We're out five minutes from now. Now, you see, listen to this. Now, worship is no longer a life-changing experience. And is it, is it, is it happening now? You come to church, pakaoman, after that, no more. No more. And you always expect, you come to church, Lord, you can speak to me, to the service. I'm sure you have some message for me today. And faith is no longer the heartbeat of worship. There is no faith. Whatsoever is not of faith. Then Hosea says, there is a need of revival. It's a need. Usseya says, let us return to the Lord where we have departed from the Lord in our worship. They need to return in the matter of worship. And then they need also to return to the Lord in their works. Look at this in chapter 4, verse 17, verse 13, 12, 13, verse 19, chapter 10, verse 11, verse 1 and 2 up to verse number 3. They had idolatry. In chapter 4, verse 11 and verse 18, they were guilty of drunkenness. And then chapter 6, verse 4 to verse number 6, they were guilty of insincere kind of sacrifice. They were offering something that no longer touches the heart. It was a matter of obligation. God forbid that we come to that point of our Christian life. We come to church, it's always our obligation. We give because it is our obligation. Remember this, you must feel sad when the service is no longer a life-changing experience. God was giving them a chance to repent, to restore it before his judgment would fall. And he said, I want you to awake. I want you to realize that judgment is going to fall. And before that, he said, I'm warning you, repent. In chapter 9, verse 16, 17. And then God was warning them. And then in chapter 10, verse 5 to 9, God said, I will destroy your idols. And then in chapter nine, verse three, verse 11, chapter 11, verse five to six, they will be carried. And you know, this most tragic thing, God says, Israel, listen to me. If you will not repent, he says, I will allow you to be carried into captivity by the Assyrian, not the Babylonian. The nation of Judah was taken into Babylon, but the Israel, the 10 tribes of Israel, was warned by God, if you will not repent, he says, with this kind of insincere service, there is always a price to pay. In trying to, you know, in not being sincere enough in serving the Lord, there is going to be a price to pay. And sometimes we wish, nga, ang ginaw na tulog, and it will not be bothered by our action. No, you have some price to pay. Backsliding will cost us. And do not make play with God. It is serious matter with God. You are the people of God. We are His people. And so, in order for them to know, there are three things they must do to return to the Lord. Three things. Number one, confess and forsake your sins to God. Look at chapter 14. Going back to our text, please. In chapter 14, look at verse 1. Moseiah chapter 14, verse number 1, and there can be no revival if there is no repentance. Repentance is a change of mind and it is something that God commands also for his people. Repent, he says, repent, repent, change your mind, change your course, he says. And it said here, chapter 9, look at chapter 14, verse 1, O Israel, return. Return unto the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words when you come to God. Don't just drop down there. Come and settle things with the Lord. Bring words. What does it mean, Lord? I'm sorry. Lord, I promise, Lord. I'm backslidden as far as my Bible reading is concerned. as far as serving you is concerned. And you know the attitude that I possess right now. Lord, I'm sorry. Lord, please forgive me of my sins. And so bring words, take words with you and turn to the Lord and say, take away all iniquity. And verse eight and verse nine, Ephraim, shall say, what have I to do anymore with idols? What have I to do anymore with idols? I said, I'm quitting, Lord. I have heard him and observed him. I am like a green fire tree, which from me is thy fruit found. Who is wise? And he shall understand these things, prove them, and he shall know them, for the ways of the Lord are right." I said, Lord, I'm coming home. I'm coming home. I realize that I've done these things that are wrong, that are sins in your sight. And then go to the Lord. Look at verse number three. When you go to the Lord, be humble. Do not be proud. Realize that you are helpless. You realize that you are helpless totally. I will heal. Look at verse three. It says, as or shall not save us. We will not ride upon horses, neither will we say any more to the work of our hands. Ye are our gods, for in thee the fatherless find that mercy." Lord, I quit believing those idols. I quit believing in myself. Our number one idol is ourselves. We believe in ourselves so much. And so you give up. And then chapter 12, look at verse number 6. Chapter 12, if you want revival, turn, therefore turn thou to thy God. That is what we call genuine revival. Keep mercy and judgment and wait thou, wait on thy God continually. Return to God. And then we go back to our text tonight. In chapter 6, verse number 1 and 2, come and let us return. That's the challenge tonight. You know, you can look into your heart and your mind and look at the kind of service you are giving to God. Maybe you are giving Him all the time. You have been giving Him leftovers. You're not giving Him the best of your time. You're not giving Him the best of your heart, best of your service. And said, here, let us return unto the Lord, for he hath torn, and he will heal us. He hath smitten, and he will bind us up. He will take us. He, if my people, which are called by my name, God says, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, and turn from their wicked ways. Then will I hear from heaven, and will heal, their land. Take note of this. The Lord has promised us his mercy if we return to him. Deuteronomy 30, verses 1 to 3. God has promised victory if we return to the Lord. 1 Samuel 7, verses 3 to 10. 2 Chronicles 6, 38 to 40. God will not hear our prayers until we return to the Lord. And we're familiar with the story of Luke chapter 15, verses 17 to 20. The prodigal son had realized that the best thing to do was to return. The best thing to do, return back to his father, return back to the house of the father. That is what revival actually means. Return. There's only one. Word you need to hear tonight, return, return. Shall we all stand up please? Dear God, Heavenly Father, we thank you for the Word of God tonight. We thank you for reminding us during the time of Prophet Hosea, when the people of God, Israel, have turned their backs on thee. And yet, Lord, we pray tonight, if you find the same thing in our hearts, you find a cold and indifferent spirit, You kind a second-class kind of service. And Lord, help us to give our best. Help us to return today. Help us, Lord, to confess our sins to you tonight and send the fire of revival in our lives, in our hearts tonight. Lord, cover the message, the message of the word of God with our precious blood tonight and allow the Holy Spirit to make it powerful message and make it, Lord, a life-changing experience for Thy people tonight. Bless this, we pray, in Jesus' name, amen and amen. We're going to sing an invitation song tonight. Remember those words. He says, return unto me, return unto me. Remember the first word, come and return. Come, just come, let us return. Let us return to God. Tonight the Lord has spoken to your heart. Harden not your hearts, God says, as in the day of provocation. Do not provoke God, but humbly come to the Lord, realizing your utter helplessness and seek and you will find mercy. Seek and you will find the gracious hand of God. the gracious hand of God. God's tender mercy is forever and forever. It lasts forever and forever. You come tonight. Let God have his way in your life. It's a pastoring night. I need revival. Just tell God, take words with you. Lord, I will return. I will return. Let us sing one song. Let's sing Psalm number 293, is your all on the altar. 293, is your all on the altar. Lord, I return tonight. I return tonight. Lord, I return tonight. We sing verse one, how about us tonight? See the hand of God sending the fire of revival into your own heart and mind and life tonight. As we sing verse one, would you please come on. Return, God says. Return, God says. God's call says return. Return, return. Let God have his way. Come on. Dedicate your life tonight to God. Will you come this evening? Will you say yes now? The Lord has spoken to your heart about you. Will you say yes to God? Return. God says return. Say yes now. You can only be blessed and have peace and sweetness above the edge, O.