Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Get Reeled In- Week #3
We wrapped up our "Get Reeled In" series last week with a "fishy" story about Jonah. The first 2 weeks we learned from the New Testament, but for week 3, we took a look in the Old Testament. Here's how the story goes...
The city of Nineveh was crazy, it was wicked. They had totally just turned their backs on God and wanted nothing to do with Him. God decided that He was pretty much done giving this whole city their chances. They had had enough chances. He was pretty much going to annihilate them, wipe them out. He wanted Jonah to go and tell them this, knowing that some people maybe would have a change of heart. But He wanted Jonah to go in there and kind of be a prophet saying, “God’s ticked off. He’s done with you guys. Get ready because it’s going to get bad for you real quick. God’s going to wipe you out basically.”
For Jonah, probably like you and me, that wasn’t his idea of a good time. He thought they deserved to get wiped out even if they didn’t get any warning. He thought they were wicked and terrible. He didn’t want to be the guy going in there. He knew he’d get laughed at, he’d get beaten up, abused. It just wasn’t going to be a good thing so he decided, “I’m going to go the exact opposite.” He gets on this boat to go the opposite direction. This crazy storm comes up. The people on the boat are afraid they’re going to die. Jonah says, “It’s me. If you just throw me overboard I’m sure God will protect you.” So, they throw Jonah overboard. And sure enough the sea gets calm. But Jonah is in the ocean and this giant whale swallows him whole. The Bible says that Jonah was alive for three days in this fish and the fish spit him out on shore and then Jonah decided, “God, You got my attention. I’m in. I’ll go to Nineveh. You’re going to wipe them out anyway.” So he goes to Nineveh, tells them what’s going to happen. The leadership in Nineveh basically has this “Ah ha!” The light bulb goes off, their eyes are opened up. They realize, “God’s right. We’ve been wrong.” And they have this repentant heart and a change of attitude and a change of ways. God decides to spare the city of Nineveh.
Talk about a crazy fish story!!! But, there are some things we can learn from this story.... let's look at 3 of them:
#1 GOD HAS A PLAN
God had a plan for the people of Nineveh and a plan for Jonah, and he has a plan for you! Nineveh wasn't alot different from the world we live in today. There is plenty of craziness and wickedness going on.... but, just like Nineveh, His plan is for the hearts of people to be turned toward Him.
#2 WE HAVE A ROLE IN THAT PLAN!
God wanted to use Jonah, and He wants to use you and me! He has a special calling just for you and me. There are people that you can reach that no one else can and God wants to use you for His glory
#3 WE HAVE A CHOICE
Jonah had a choice if he was going to obey God. We always have a choice too.... the problem is, when we choose NOT to obey God's call, we miss out on the big plan God has for us. God's way and God's plan is always bigger and better than our way. So choose to obey God and fulfill the call He has on your life everyday.
The city of Nineveh was crazy, it was wicked. They had totally just turned their backs on God and wanted nothing to do with Him. God decided that He was pretty much done giving this whole city their chances. They had had enough chances. He was pretty much going to annihilate them, wipe them out. He wanted Jonah to go and tell them this, knowing that some people maybe would have a change of heart. But He wanted Jonah to go in there and kind of be a prophet saying, “God’s ticked off. He’s done with you guys. Get ready because it’s going to get bad for you real quick. God’s going to wipe you out basically.”
For Jonah, probably like you and me, that wasn’t his idea of a good time. He thought they deserved to get wiped out even if they didn’t get any warning. He thought they were wicked and terrible. He didn’t want to be the guy going in there. He knew he’d get laughed at, he’d get beaten up, abused. It just wasn’t going to be a good thing so he decided, “I’m going to go the exact opposite.” He gets on this boat to go the opposite direction. This crazy storm comes up. The people on the boat are afraid they’re going to die. Jonah says, “It’s me. If you just throw me overboard I’m sure God will protect you.” So, they throw Jonah overboard. And sure enough the sea gets calm. But Jonah is in the ocean and this giant whale swallows him whole. The Bible says that Jonah was alive for three days in this fish and the fish spit him out on shore and then Jonah decided, “God, You got my attention. I’m in. I’ll go to Nineveh. You’re going to wipe them out anyway.” So he goes to Nineveh, tells them what’s going to happen. The leadership in Nineveh basically has this “Ah ha!” The light bulb goes off, their eyes are opened up. They realize, “God’s right. We’ve been wrong.” And they have this repentant heart and a change of attitude and a change of ways. God decides to spare the city of Nineveh.
Talk about a crazy fish story!!! But, there are some things we can learn from this story.... let's look at 3 of them:
#1 GOD HAS A PLAN
God had a plan for the people of Nineveh and a plan for Jonah, and he has a plan for you! Nineveh wasn't alot different from the world we live in today. There is plenty of craziness and wickedness going on.... but, just like Nineveh, His plan is for the hearts of people to be turned toward Him.
#2 WE HAVE A ROLE IN THAT PLAN!
God wanted to use Jonah, and He wants to use you and me! He has a special calling just for you and me. There are people that you can reach that no one else can and God wants to use you for His glory
#3 WE HAVE A CHOICE
Jonah had a choice if he was going to obey God. We always have a choice too.... the problem is, when we choose NOT to obey God's call, we miss out on the big plan God has for us. God's way and God's plan is always bigger and better than our way. So choose to obey God and fulfill the call He has on your life everyday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
