James Meyers, III preaches a sermon on Hosea 6:1-3, largely seen in light of our resurrection in Christ. James finds this valid, but only in light of what Hosea originally meant. While the vocabulary is correct, and perhaps the intensity with which it was proffered, what is lacking makes it an ungenuine, and thus illegitimate, repentance. There is a tendency to see repentance and how God works as methodical and mechanical, where repentance must be contrite just as God is true and faithful. We can see this through another of the “Minor Prophets,” the famous story of Jonah to which James alludes before encouraging Christians that while we must truly and honestly pursue God, our great comfort is that He pursues us.

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James Meyers, III begins a new series considering early heresies against which the nascent Church had to combat. However, sadly these heresies live on with different names. James proclaims his desire for the church to return to her fidelity for doctrine to assuage us from such heresies. The lack of doctrine in the contemporary church has given way to these heresies which have permeated the Church. The purpose of this series is to learn about the essences of these heresies that we might know the Truth and remain steadfastly freed by Him, and to defend the hope that lies within us.

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As we have taken a brief overview as to some areas of the New Testament Canon, James Meyers, III considers how we might know what is and what is not Canon. Has God given us a means by which we might distinguish between authentic or inspired books and inauthentic or uninspired books. James gives three main corresponding qualities or attributes which, taken as a whole, give us the means for our own confidence in our New Testament Canon. However, as James clarifies, the work of the Holy Spirit is essential toward this end. Without Him, we cannot see, let alone enter, the kingdom of God, and therefore we are blind and deaf to His Word.

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In this message, James Meyers, III speaks on the fifth chapter of Hosea about the knowledge of God: both our knowledge (or lack thereof) of God and God’s knowledge of ourselves. How known do we desire to be? In our fallen condition, since we are not what we ought to be, we hide from ourselves, from others, and from God fearing complete exposure. However, God knows us and we cannot hide from Him. Rather, we should seek to know Him, and in knowing Him, we know ourselves, and by His grace we no longer hide from others, but expose Christ in us, which is the hope of glory.

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James Meyers, III considers whether the New Testament authors knew they were writing divinely inspired texts, or whether they were unaware and the church later decided they were inspired and, therefore, should be collected into a Canon. This is another secularist position which reflects the Marcionite mood of disregarding the heritage of Old Testament Scriptures. James considers this and discloses some New Testament texts which demonstrate the authors knew they were transmitting an inspired written form for the people of God, just as they would have expected due to the Old Testament dispensation.

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James Meyers, III preaches on the fourth chapter of the Book of Hosea, which is a litigious text, which is essentially an arraignment in which God charges the people for their sins. The three main charges are the loss of truth (or faithfulness), mercy (or love/devotion), and knowledge of God. James considers these as relational, marital, and covenant terms, reflecting the image henceforth of Hosea and his wife, Gomer. James compares this chapter to Romans 1:18-32, where what Hosea says to Israel, Paul attributes to Gentiles as well. He concludes with Proverbs 1:7 to consider the fear of God as the beginning of knowledge.

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Today, James Meyers, III preaches on the wonderful third chapter of Hosea. To him, this short chapter is filled with the Five Solas of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura (in Scripture Alone), Sola Fide (by Faith Alone), Sola Gratia (through Grace Alone), Solus Christus (in Christ Alone), Soli Deo Gloria (to the Glory of God Alone), and is one of the finest chapters in the Old Testament containing the Gospel of Christ. In these five verses, we have the unwavering Sovereign Grace of God redeeming us to himself while we were yet sinners for His own glory which is our glory.

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In our last session, James Meyers, III discussed the Historical Definition of Canon, and how the early Christian would have expected a new written dispensation as a conclusion to the Old Testament, the terms of the New Covenant, and the Apostolic ministry. In this session, James considers the Community Definition, or the functional definition, which dates the canon late in the second century. James considers why and whether we can historically see the canon functioning in the church earlier and how early.

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