sermon notes from Luke 19

In Luke 9:51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

Since that verse a lot has happened on his way to his destination. These are the last moments in Jesus life before he gets to Jerusalem. Two major themes are covered here: Celebration and Evaluation.

Jesus effects strongly 2 people as he passes through Jericho. The blind man and Zacchaeus. Today we look at the later of the two.

Luke 19:1-3 NIV

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.

Inside the human race is an emptiness and a hunger for more, and for many it is that which drives them to Christ. There was rumor that this man came to seek and save the lost;the sinner. This compelled Zacchaeus to seek him.

Luke 19:4 NIV

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

He was short but that didn't stop him. He was fast and ran ahead to the direction that Jesus was going. How many of us would have done the same in his shoes? How many of us would have instead turned back saying, "oh well. I guess i don't get to see Jesus today."? When we run into challenges in our life what is far too often the first thing we give up on? Its our time with Jesus. Rough Sunday morning? Skip church and you're back on schedule. Stressfull day? Skip your prayer time or home Bible study so that you can relax to some prime time TV. Right? Isn't that the way the majority is? Press on Christian. Have a heart for Jesus; a genuine desire for God through thick and thin.

Luke 19:5-6 NIV

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

Rejoice! For if you are saved then this same thing has happened with you. You as a sinner have been graced to have the King of Kings come and take residence in your heart. He has looked beyond your sins and chosen to spend time with you. Reading on, you will see more keys to this relationship.

Luke 19:7-8 NIV

All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

This is a repentive heart; A result of the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Just by being near God, Zacchaeus is convicted of his sin and he repents. Repentance is a requirement of salvation, for the heart must be of right motivation to take hold of the free gift of salvation.

Luke 19:7, 9-10 NIV

All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Now, this is not to say that works save you but rather that if in your heart you are truly saved, then the result will be evidenced in works. Works don't cause salvation, but salvation will cause works. Salvation will result in convictions from the Holy Spirit that change us.

Jesus sought us out. Do you remember when you were unsaved and God put Christians in your life? Do you remember when he increased your curiosity and your desire for reading the word? This is the Holy Spirit working guidance into our lives to seek and save us. It was done on purpose when the holy Spirit convicted us and drew us in. It was on purpose when Jesus sought out Zacchaeus and went to his house. And it ought to be on purpose that we share the love of God today.

Luke 19:7, 11-13 NIV

All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner." While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.'

Have we all been given the same amount of money? Certainly not. So what is this parable about? We are to (like Jesus) be about the Father's work. We have all been given the Gospel equally and how we stewart that is what this parable is about. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 says, “On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.”

Luke 19:14-15 NIV

"But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

There is a time that we will be judged for our stewardship. We must have an eternal value of our current actions and thoughts. Everything we do has an eternal value; an eternal merrit. Do every thing you do as unto the Lord. Do everything in a way that reflects the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

2 Corinthians 5:10

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Luke 19:16-19 NIV

"The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' "'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' "The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' "His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.'

Everything you do has a value. Be faithful in what you do and do it for the Lord. Imagine hearing "well done my good servant" from the Almighty. How amazing a thought.

Luke 19:20-23 NIV

"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'

Too often Christians and the rest of the world consider evil as something you do. But here it is made very clear that evil can indeed be in what you don’t do as well. Sitting idle with this great gift of the gospel and the eternal allowances from accepting and living in it’s truth, is in fact sin. Make no mistake, it is evil to withhold a cure for a fatal disease when within your ability to deliver. We are entrusted with the cure. What do we do with it? Do we just sit on this knowledge? Or are we faithful to share it with others. Are we faithful with salvation and grace and mercy and wisdom?

Luke 19:24-27 NIV

"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' "'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' "He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.'"

Eternal judgement is very real. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Once we took hold of that, our mission changed. We are no longer judged on being lost once we have been found. But we will be judged on our faithfulness to the new mission. Are we sitting on that free gift or helping to seek and save the lost by sharing the gift openly with others? The word of God is not ours... it is Gods and we are to be good stewards of it. What is more important than this? Seriously... What do you place as a priority over the Gospel? Write down a list of the things you have been trusted to steward in your life. Anything on the list that is placed above the Gospel needs to be reprioritized. Your choices day to day may require re-alignment to proper stewardship of the mission at hand.

week of 5/24/11 4th recorded HighQuest Philippians 2:19-30

The passage I read was Philippians 2:19-30

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A19-30&version=NIV

My attempt to summarize:

Paul shares his desire to return to Philippi as well as to hear good news from them in the mean time. He has sent a servant of the Lord to bring them this pre-visitation letter telling them that he will soon send Timothy and eventually Paul himself will visit, given the opportunity.

As I reflect:

In this particular passage, it seems the focus is on what one goes through for the Gospel and how brothers are to support each other through these happenings. This passage has reminded me of why birds fly in a “V” formation. From Wikipedia:

“The V formation greatly boosts the efficiency and range of flying birds, particularly over long migratory routes. All the birds except the first fly in the upwash from thewingtip vortices of the bird ahead. The upwash assists each bird in supporting its own weight in flight, in the same way a glider can climb or maintain height indefinitely in rising air. In a V formation of 25 members, each bird can achieve a reduction of induced drag by up to 65% and as a result increase their range by 71%.^[1] The birds flying at the tips and at the front are rotated in a timely cyclical fashion to spread flight fatigue equally among the flock members. The formation also makes communication easier and allows the birds to maintain visual contact with each other.”

Paul is currently imprisoned and Timothy is there ministering to him, thus Epaphroditus is sent in their place. But not only is he sent in their place because of their current tribulations for the Lord’s name sake, but also Epaphroditus himself is recently recovered from his own trials for the Lord’s name sake and is cared for greatly by his friends in Philippi who have heard of his sufferings. Paul says of Timothy, “ I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” This is so true. As Followers of God we ought also be concerned with what concerns God. It is not our comfort that we are concerned with, but the salvation of the lost. Jesus was about His Father’s work and He came to seek and save that which was lost. This should be our prayer and the focus of all of our efforts and we ought to be concerned with each other on this mission and have compassion and understanding for each other as well. It seems that Paul has lost no joy in all of their sufferings but only longs the more to reach the intended recipients with the truth of the Gospel. Such should be true of us also as we share the Gospel with our intended recipients and are greatly persecuted in doing so. May we lose no joy, but press forward continually to reach the lost and support one another along the way. In this way may we go further just as the flock flying in V Formation.

My response to the Lord:

You have provided for us so well my God, and I thank thee. I wonder if I have failed in supporting those around me at times. I wonder if there are Christians or non-believers that I have failed to properly and genuinely love and support. I pray that you would reveal it to me if this is the case. I also thank you for the support you have shown me and my family through others that genuinely care for us. May they be greatly blessed. In Jesus’ name.

week of 5/24/11 3rd recorded HighQuest Matthew 24:42-51

The passage I read was Matthew 24:42-51

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024:42-51&version=NIV

My attempt to summarize:

Jesus will be coming back when we least expect Him and it would be great if we were doing what He told us to do when He gets back. Alternatively, it will be horrible for those that are living like the unsaved when He returns. We should keep watch for His return and do His will while we wait.

As I reflect:

This reminds me of a story I often use in witnessing. Satan calls his demons to himself and asks them what the greatest lie he can tell the world is. The demons respond with things like, “Tell them, there is no God”, and “Tell them there is no hell or heaven.”, or, “tell the world there is no such thing as Satan or sin.”. The list goes on as each demon shouts out commonly told lies. But Satan responds to each saying that the people of Earth will not believe them. He says, “we can’t tell them there is no God, for they look around them at creation and they see the proof of God’s existence in His intelligent creative design. And if there is a God, than they know that there is a Devil. And if there is a God and a devil than surely the humans know that each have a home such as Heaven and as Hell. So these lies we cannot tell the humans because they will not believe us.” Satan then pauses and ponders about the greatest lie he can tell… Then he lifts his head in excitement and commands the demons go into all the world and tell the following, “There’s always tomorrow!”

Wow, what a lie huh? There’s always tomorrow. You don’t have to repent today because there is always tomorrow, so have fun tonight. You don’t have to decide which religion to believe in today, because there is always tomorrow. You don’t have to have compassion on your neighbor today, because there is always tomorrow. . .

How great a lie this truly is. We know that people pass away at all given times of the day and night and that we all have a day in which our bodies will die. None of us know when that day will be. So get right with God today. Repent for the signs of the times say that His return is indeed coming soon. We don’t know when but we do know we want to know Him and be doing His will when He comes to take us home. Woe to you on that day, if you have chosen to believe that “there’s always tomorrow to confess Jesus as your Lord and trust in Him with your life.” Do it today and be born with a new heart and adopted as a child of the Most High. He wants to know you. Don’t put it off.

My response to the Lord:

My God, if there is any procrastination in me to do your will, may your Holy Spirit move me to quit putting it off. If there is someone I have been weary of witnessing to; If there is someone that I have not yet told of your great love; If there is any unforgiveness in me for someone from my past; If my heart is not right with you, Then Holy Father create in me a clean spirit that is right with you and does your will, for I know that there is not always tomorrow. Hasten your return while we terry. In Jesus name.

week of 5/24/11 2nd recorded HighQuest Luke 16:10-15

The passage I read was Luke 16:10-15

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+16%3A10-15&version=NIV

My attempt to summarize:

Jesus shares 3 basic concepts here:

1 – If you can’t be trusted with a little, you can’t be trusted with a lot. (and the opposite is true)

2 – You cannot serve God and money. (torn between two masters – chose one)

3 – You cannot justify serving money before the Lord. “What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” (part of vs. 15)

As I reflect:

1 Kings 18:21 (New International Version)

²¹ Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing.

Self evaluation time:

Can I be trusted with other people’s property, money, confidence; with the money God allows me?

Am I devoted to God or Money?

Do I attempt to justify a love of money before God? Do I highly value Money?

In self reflection I can confirm easily at the surface as well as at the heart, that I do not serve money nor hold it in a value above what I should, and I am trustworthy at even a spiritual level. I am not mastered by money, nor by selfish ambition, but rather I am thankful for and prayerfully consider who the money I am blessed with ought to be responsibly used.

This passage seems to also suggest that in first being faithful in the small things (money, possessions, etc.), the opportunity to be faithful in greater things (someone seeking council from you, being in the right place at the right time to prayerfully lead someone to Christ, being in a position to example a life with Christ) will follow. However, if one can’t even handle spending their money in a Godly manner, how on earth could they be expected to be a proper witness of the greater things (love, compassion, forgiveness, discernment)? “That’s like going to a loser to ask advice about basing your plans on another man’s way of living life” – DCTalk.

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I thank you for discernment. I thank you for any wisdom that is in me and I pray that you will continue to use me in other’s lives and help me to do right by you in my dealings with others. May I set a proper example and may I witness in a way that is useful to your Holy Spirit’s work in others.

week of 5/17/11 5th recorded HighQuest Philippians 3:12-17

The passage I read was Philippians 3:12-17

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians%203:12-17&version=NIV

Verse that most stood out to me:

¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

As I reflect:

“Just as a little child is a perfect human being, but still is far from perfect in all his development as man, so the true child of God is also perfect in all parts, although not yet perfect in all the stages of his development in faith.” (Muller)

There is soo very much to reflect on in this short passage of the Bible. The fact that Paul was humble even as a great man of God who had achieved far more than most Christians will in their entire lives. That stands out to me. It’s a reminder of where glory is due. That all glory is due to God who works through men, and not men who by God work.

Another big one that stands out to me is that Paul is quick in his teaching to separate himself from having already obtained the goals of perfection in Christ. He instructs believers and then specifies that his instructions apply to him as well. He also notes the perception of our lives in Christ in that we are not looking on ourselves with the idea that we have failed daily in reaching perfection, but rather that we are to press onward towards the goal. There is no option “b”; no getting out of the walk or giving up; no excuse that can be maintained to keep one from pressing forward toward the prize.

I (like many) absolutely love everything about this passage. It is so motivating and is a wonderful example to us all that we should daily take such a view of our walks as well. Paul in his instructions here even points out that in moving forward, he forgets what is behind. I believe his point here is that the past (not what we have learned from it) can only hinder us from the future if we give it the powers to do so. Instead, lift your head and face forward in your walk. We all make mistakes. Learn from them and move on. A few Bibles studies ago, a brother of mine pointed out Luke 9:62 which says,

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

And he said of this passage that he pictured a man attempting to direct his boat straight ahead with his hand on the rudder, but that every time the man looked behind him he unintentionally would slightly turn the rudder thus taking his boat off course. That brother of mine spoke with great wisdom as this is indeed the fact of our own walks with Christ. If we keep looking back and letting that decide our futures, we may find ourselves quite off course. I am encouraged by these things to keep my eyes on God and press onward with perseverance always.

My response to the Lord:

My Father in Heaven, your name is above all names, and I am thankful that you even hear me through your Son (in Whose name I pray) and what He’s done. May you receive the thanks I lift up to you for the past you have forgiven and the future you have written. I certainly haven’t obtained that end goal that you have written for me, but I trust you to complete the work begun in me and I ask that your Holy Spirit here with me help me along the journey and encourage me when I become tired. Lift me up on wings and let not weariness hinder my pressing forward. Father, for your will I press on, that what you have planned to do with and through me may be done. Help me to stay humble in setting an example for those who may see you in me, and may I set also an example encouraging them also to move forward for that same goal and prize you have laid before us all who follow you and abide in your word. May my life give you glory eternally Lord. In Jesus Name.

week of 5/17/11 3rd recorded HighQuest 2 Timothy 3:10-15

The passage I read was 2 Timothy 3:10-15

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A10-15&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me in this passage was:

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

As I reflect:

Before my reflection even began, I was tempted to simply summarize this passage as, “though you will be persecuted, you must remain faithful to the Lord and the Holy Scriptures we have learned.” It seemed simple enough, but it didn’t leave much for reflection. So I took a look at the complete chapter to see it in context and that’s when I was reminded of the very first 2 verses that Ames College asked me to memorize, “16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” In reading that, I realized that even the above passage in 2 Timothy was inspired by God and was to be useful to me in some manner or another.

Verse 12 stood out to me. I am in fact currently being persecuted by several believers and non-believers alike and have found a certain measure of joy in it knowing that it means I am doing precisely what I am supposed to be doing. Upon several occurrences of recent persecution, I am reminded by a friend of verses just like verse 12 and the many others that tell me to rejoice in the fact that the cross does indeed separate me from the rest of the world in the way of persecution for faith. The cross is not offensive in idea, but in practice and in daily application the world finds the cross far more offensive than it admits. Even in a conversation with a professed Christian one can often easily find that they are offended by the cross when examining their conscious. This is one of the reasons perhaps that in witnessing, examining one’s own conscious is such an effective tool. As for my conscious, there are times…. Scratch that. On a pretty much regular basis, I question the fruit of my walk with Christ.

As a matter of assurance of salvation, I regularly look for the evidences of the importance and power of the Word at work in my life. In the passage read today, I can examine myself by comparison to the recipient Timothy. Timothy has been allotted the opportunity to receive and examine the teachings of God through Paul and how Paul has reacted to the resulting persecution in His life due to his faithfulness. I likewise have been given the opportunity to receive and examine the teachings of God through the entire Bible and I can compare myself to those many disciples that have come before me. In this event, I see Paul discipling another and being bold in pointing out the facts of the matter. “you WILL be persecuted”, “evildoers WILL go from bad to worse”, “continue in what you have learned”, “are to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Today I am reminded to keep to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus and trust him fully in my persecuted state. I want to live a godly life. I want to make wise decisions by the Holy Scriptures being given life in my day to day. And I understand that this means I will be persecuted. As I began today’s reflection I tried to avoid the simple summary of, “though you will be persecuted, you must remain faithful to the Lord and the Holy Scriptures we have learned.” What I found is that there was nothing simple about that summary when I look at how it affects me directly. I may not have had a deep revelation today, but I have been reminded of the facts.

I am persecuted because of my faith. My decisions are made through the filter that is the Holy Scriptures. And my salvation is through faith in Christ Jesus. I must continue in all that I have learned from the Lord.

week of 5/17/11 2nd recorded HighQuest John 1:35-46

The passage I read was John 1:35-46

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A35-46&version=NIV

My attempt to summarize the passage:

Several new disciples join the ranks of Jesus, seeing and declaring that He is the Messiah.

As I reflect:

For me the greatest thing that really stood out was how John didn’t mind that his disciples left him in choosing to disciple after Jesus. I think it’s important that we all have this same mindset/heartset. When we are given the responsibility and gift of mentoring another, may we not forget that it is not us whom they are following but rather Jesus whom we also follow. Let there not be pride in mentoring another believer, but rather humility that they may be directed to Our Savior and not in any way replace our Savior with our selves. A good and short study for me that serves as a reminder not to let pride creep up and take away glory that belongs to God.

My response to the Lord:

God, you be glorified in all that you have done through me and made me. God you be glorified. For everything you do to draw others near you, be glorified Father. May I be a useful tool in bringing your glory and in bringing others nearer to you. In Jesus name.

sermon notes on Jonah

Jonah 1:1-2 NKJV

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.”

This is not what Jonah wanted to hear. Nineveh was 550 miles from Samaria where Jonah was. That means if he hiked 20 miles a day it would still take about a month to get there. These people would skin people alive and then display them to show their enemies what would be done to them if they messed with em. This is like God coming to you today and saying he wants you to take a message to Al Quida about Gods coming judgement.

So many of us followers of Christ pray for God’s will until His will is something we don't want. It’s rather sad and selfish. We pray for protection from and try to hide from the enemies instead of boldly sharing the Lord’s word with them. Christians are too often automatically more judgmental of a Muslim or Islamic follower. We should understand more the enemy we wish to reach. Not every Christian goes out and kills abortion doctors or burns the Koran in the name of God. Likewise not all Muslims are jihadist. Jihad is actually a very small percentage of Muslims. Muslims however take up 25% of the worlds population and so if we take them out of the great commission, we might as well call it the great omition. It is our duty as Christians to have compassion on all including our enemies and to outreach to all especially our enemies. Jonah is struggling with these concepts at this moment.

Jonah 1:3 NKJV

But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

Do u remember any moments in your life when God said, "do this", and you chose to run the other way? Never turns out well that way does it?

Jonah 1:4 NKJV

But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.

This is grace. It is grace that God didn't leave him in his disobedient ways but rather corrected him. So it is with us that when we face opposition upon turning our face from God, it his way of loving us far to much to let us run away.

Jonah 1:5 NKJV

Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.

Now you know it’s gotta be bad if the mariners are scared. I mean what group of sailors is going to admit fear unless it’s pretty severe? We see Jonah here fleeing from responsibility. He is simply blocking everyone out, isolating himself... checking out. Have you ever been there?

Jonah 1:6-9 NKJV

So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.” And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land. ”

So now God turns up the heat a bit on Jonah. They question him and Jonah hasn't forgoyen who he is or who his God is. He knows that Gods hand is behind all of this. Even though he remembers, he isn't walking in obedience to that. This is far too often true of lukewarm Christians as well. GOD says what your ought to do and how you ought to live but you are rebellious and chosing not to live in his will. And we can see here that when one chooses sin and rebellion it doesn't just effect them... it effects those around them as well.

Jonah 1:10-12 NKJV

Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?”—for the sea was growing more tempestuous. And he said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.”

How sad that Jonah would rather die then repent. How defiant. Have u been there? If u are living in direct disobedience to the Lord then one could say you are there right now. You would rather die in willful disobedience to God allowing your heart to harden, than to repent and turn back to the Lord.

Jonah 1: 13-14 NKJV

Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them. Therefore they cried out to the Lord and said, “We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You.”

They didn't want to kill Jonah. They didn't want the blood of an innocent man on their hands but at last they do give in.

Jonah 1:15-16 NKJV

So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows.

By every indication, these sailors come to a radical relationship With God through Jonah’s disobedience. Don't be confussed by this. Because God uses you doesn’t mean he approves of your rebellious life... That’s not what it means. It means (glory to God) he will use you wether you are obedient or not. He still very much desires for you to be obedient.

God knew how stubborn Jonah was. God knows Jonah somehow thought he'd get away with not being obedient by throwing in the towel and just dying in the ocean. God had a different plan for this rebellious man.

Jonah 1:17 NKJV

Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

In Matt 12:40 Jesus quotes this event. So when your friends hear the story and say they don't believe it because it’s just impossible for a fish to swallow a man and that man to remain alive and for 3 days, you can in awe advise them they must be smarter than Jesus. If we can fit all that God has done into our puney brains than that’s not a God big enough to serve. The fact is he performs miracles and does big things. Thays our God. Our God is a “swallow the disobedient with a huge fish” God. Accept it. Yes our God is a “rain until the whole world floods” type of God. He is BIG.

Jonah 2:1-10 NKJV

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. And he said:

“I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction,

And He answered me.

“Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,

And You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep,

Into the heart of the seas,

And the floods surrounded me;

All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight;

Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ The waters surrounded me, even to my soul;

The deep closed around me;

Weeds were wrapped around my head. I went down to the moorings of the mountains;

The earth with its bars closed behind me forever;

Yet You have brought up my life from the pit,

O Lord, my God. “When my soul fainted within me,

I remembered the Lord;

And my prayer went up to You,

Into Your holy temple. “Those who regard worthless idols

Forsake their own Mercy. But I will sacrifice to You

With the voice of thanksgiving;

I will pay what I have vowed.

Salvation is of the Lord.” So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

When we are in disobedience to the Lord, how long do we let it last before we bow down in prayer and repent?

Psalm 119:67 NKJV

Before I was afflicted I went astray,

But now I keep Your word.

Why wait for our afflictions to draw us back to God? Let’s start there and stay there in obedience and the second we realize we are being disobedient, let it cease and seek forgiveness. Don't wait for God to correct you. Do what he ask of you and trust him.

Jonah 3:1-2 NKJV

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you"

Notice how God used Jonah anyway? It just took two very uncomfortable chapters longer in his life before he got back to where he was supposed to be. Now within a short walking distance to Nineveh, God didn’t just swallow him by a sea serpent but actually spent those 3 days getting him closer to his destination.

Proverbs 26:11 NKJV

As a dog returns to his own vomit,

So a fool repeats his folly.

Notice Jonah didn't run twice. He didn't want to return to that storm or the belly of a whale. He was brought to within walking distance of his calling and he gave in and did as God willed this time. Smart move.

Jonah 3:3-5 NKJV

So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

I wonder what Jonah looked like after three days in a whale. We don't looks so great after a bout of disobedience with God. Perhaps people are more likely to listen to us at that point because we look horrible and they don't want what happened to us to happen to them. Lol.

Jonah 3:6-10 NKJV

Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying,

Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

So God used a man that had not a heart for the people he brought the message to and they took themessage seriously and God forgave them. And now Jonah gets upset because he doesnt want to see this evil country get mercy and grace. He’s gone through a lot just to tell them they are going to pay for their sins and then instead see them repent. .

Jonah 4:1-3 NKJV

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”

Now God will confront him. One of the things we notice about Jonah is that he is really honest with God. God says " go here" Jonah says "i really don't wanna". And here God communicates, "I'm going to forgive them" and Jonah says " no!! That sucks man! Like didn’t i tell you that at the start and you were all like naw they need wrath?" "I'm going to end myself!"

Jonah 4:4-9 NKJV

Then the Lord said, “ Is it right for you to be angry?” So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “ It is better for me to die than to live.” Then God said to Jonah, “ Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

And he said, “ It is right for me to be angry, even to death!”

Honest yes- but incredible stubborn and childlike is this man.

Jonah 4:10-11 NKJV

But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?

The idea here is that "I was the enemy of God when he forgave me... Gods grace is good for me.. but not for my enemies." God is saying if you have the right to be concerned about the plant that i grew up for you, then don't i have the right to be concerned with a people that they should not perish? U know? Jonah had a long walk home.. 550 miles to think about what God has said to him and taught him. I hope his heart changed more on that journey home.

If you are living in disobedience or if you are living in a stubborn mind-set against God's will, if you are living against God's grace .... then i hope your heart is changed on your journey.

What does your road to Nineveh look like? easy route or the hard way?

04-30-11 sermon notes on Luke 17

Luke 17:11-13 NIV

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

Maybe leprosy is likened to our sin. It causes us to feel like outcast and it numbs the nerves as decay grows and we feel like we don't deserve contact from others anymore. Then Jesus comes into the picture and removes the disease and all that came with it by his mercy on us.

A lot of times in our lives we think that we can overcome something ourselves by having behavior modification while God is waiting for you to realize you can't do this on your own and you need to call out to Him to have mercy on you. He lifts up the meek and humbles the proud and strong.

If you want to study this more and the appropriate additude that follows then study Leviticus 14 tonight.

Luke 17:14 NIV

¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”And as they went, they were cleansed.

This was a difficult thing for them to do. As it is difficult for us to confess our sins to each other. But note how they didn't stand there and just question the Lord or in disobedience go somewhere else because they knew that they would not be accepted or allowed to enter near the priests. In faith, they trusted and obeyed the command of Jesus and as they did, God healed. Just like us, if they had never taken those steps of faith then they would have failed to have received the wonderful gift the Lord had planned for them. We can't just sit back saying, “once the Lord works, then I will obey”... No, first obey then see Him work. This idea is very similar to the story of Joshua leading Israelites over the Jordan that was over flowing over the banks at the time. God said to cross and they had to first step I to the water and begin crossing before the water was stopped up by God.

Luke 17:15 NIV

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.

So in a loud voice they cried out for mercy and in a loud voice thanks was given.

Luke 17:16 NIV

He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

This is a right attitude of thanks before the Lord. Do not hold back or care what others think but rather fall before him and shout out thanks for what He has and is doing in your life.

Have you ever been next to the person during worship that seems to not know they are tone deaf and just continues singing louder and louder and doesn't at all care what others around him/her think? Be like them. You have been touched by God's love. Don't hold back. Respond to that freely. Share the joy of your heart in genuine response to his love.

Luke 17:17-18 NIV

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?"

these three questions that Christ asks show us that Christ notices both those who are genuinely thankful before Him and those who are unthankful. And He responds to our faith.

5 things about thanksgiving:

1-the nature of thankfulness is a response.

It will start with salvation from our sins. He saves us and we respond. God shows His mercy and grace and we response.

2-the importance of thanksgiving... is this really the will of God?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:17 NIV

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

3-the consequences of unthankfulness. This is mainly found in two places. NUMBERS 11 and numbers 21. Numbers 21 is actually a parallel to Christ rising up on the cross and those who look to him being saved and those who don't dying.

4- the source of thankfulness.

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

"Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you."

Our source of thankfulnes is in God.

Psalm 103:2-5 NIV

Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

5-the eternal occupation of thankfulness.

Revelation 5:13 NIV

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!"

Revelation 4:11 NIV

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being."

U have an opportunity to receive and show your thankfulness. Don't miss out on that opportunity. Take each opportunity in praise and worship our God. Ask yourself, “Do I realize my need for God as my savior? Am I willing to obey Christ? In what category am I? Am I in the 9 unthankful that didn't show up or am I the one who is there and thankful?”