The Golden Rule for All People: Jonah 3.1-4.1

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. Jonah 3.4-5

1. God's grace is universal. v. 2

Anyone can be saved.

Race, education, economics, family, nationality are immaterial.

2. Love your enemies. vv. 4-5

The love of God should flow from us to others.

We need to stop putting up obstacles to the gospel.

3. God restores sinners. v. 10

He restored you when you were a sinner.

4. You do not have the right to be angry. 4.1

God is in charge.

Your opinion does not matter.

Heart Check: Are you ready to receive the love of God, and share that unconditional love with others?

Take Away Point-

I sometimes think that I am better than others.

I sometimes think that I am better than I am.

Today I commit myself to love all people, all the time.

The Need for God: Jonah 1

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it;

for their wickedness has come up before Me.

Jonah 1.2

Lessons from Jonah:

1. God doesn't always pick nice people. vv. 1-3

   Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

2. You cannot get away from God. v. 4

   The LORD sent out a great wind on the sea.

3. Do not try to defy God. v. 12

   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.

4. God shows mercy. vv. 15, 17

   The LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah.

Take Away Prayer-

Lord, remind me that you are in charge, and that you can use me. Conform my desires to your will that I- and others- might receive your mercy. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Life is for Living: 1 Samuel 17.38-50

It is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the Lord’s,

and he will give all of you into our hands. 1 Samuel 17.47

Everyone faces Goliath--

• Financial giants

• Problems with jobs

• Relationship issues

• Addictions

• Temptation and sin

• Guilt

But in David we can learn how to overcome giants.

1. We must be courageous. v. 37

2. We must be cunning and crafty. v. 39

3. We must be careful. v. 40

4. We must be confident. v. 47

Take Away Prayer-

There are problems I must face, O Lord;

Give me the tools I need;

Go with me in confrontation;

Grant me victory.

Amen.

Matthew Parties: Matthew 9.9-13

Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”

Matthew 9.12

Matthew...

• His given name was Levi

• His family wanted him to be a priest

• He didn't make it in rabbinical school

• Jesus, the rabbi, called Matthew to follow him

We are comfortable with people like us- the healthy.

We are called to reach the sick.

At our parties we should invite...

1. Tax collectors.

2. Sinners.

   1. Prostitutes

   2. Criminals

   3. Addicts

   4. Immigrants (illegal and legal)

3. Victims

Take Away Point-

God loves all people, even those that are hard for me to love.

I will learn to love,

learn to accept,

learn to include all people at my parties.

How to Solve Problems: Numbers 11.4-17

How to... Solve Problems

Numbers 11.4-17

6 November 2011

Moses asked the LORD, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?”

Numbers 11.11

Our Problem-

The people complained about God.

Moses complains about the people.

He was caught in the middle.

The burden became too great.

God's Plan-

1. Listen to God and find his plan. v.16

2. Find some helpers. v. 16

3. Bring them to God with you, and the problem. v. 16

4. God will bless and fill you all. v. 17

5. All the leaders will take the load. v. 17

6. God will give a confirmation. v.25

Take Away Point-

I am not helpless or alone. God has a plan to take care of me. If I will listen to him, he will lead me to the help that I need.

How to Worship: John 4.4-26

How to Worship

John 4.4-26

30 October 2011

True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

John 4.23-24

Worship is being with God; offering our whole being, and our whole world to him.

• Worship is more than a ritual that we perform.

• Worship is more than the music that we sing.

• Worship is more than a lesson that we learn.

• Worship is more than a designated time of the week.

The 2 Components:

1. Terror

   God is “wholly-other”

   Fascination

2. Comfort and grace

   Awfulness

   Being overpowered- humility

   Energy

How to Pray: Ephesians 6.10-21

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions

with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Ephesians 6.18

Pray in the Spirit. (v. 18)

In the will of God

Being led by God

All kinds of prayers. (v. 18)

This is different than requests.

• Liturgical/ memorized prayers

• Prayer in groups

• Written prayers

• Silent prayer

• Meditation/ waiting prayer

Keep on praying. (v. 18)

Don't get discouraged.

For all God's people.

Pray for God's workers. (v. 19)

Pray for the work of God. (v. 20)

Take Away Prayer-

Lord God, make me a pray-er. Remind me every day, and every moment, to lift up every kind of prayer to you. In Jesus' name I ask this. Amen.