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New Life Church on the Rock
Sunday March 30, 2008
Jonah (Part 3)
INTRODUCTION: Go over Jonah Chapters 1 and 3.
1. God asks us to do things we don’t want to do.
2. There’s always a boat going in the opposite direction
3. God may send a storm to get our attention.
4. Jonah’s worst nightmare was just what he needed.
1. God is a God of second chances.
2. Go NOW!
3. To go you might have to let go.
Today we are going back to Jonah Chapter 2.
Jonah 2:1- “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to Lord his God.”
Jonah had stopped praying, like many people who claim to be Christians have done. During the storm while all the sailors were calling on their gods Jonah was asleep in the bottom of the boat.
But in Jonah 2 Jonah remembers the POWER OF PRAYER.
***Story of a small town church who prayed against a local nightclub. ****
From inside the fish Jonah PRAYED to the Lord his God. In other words, God got his attention! Some of you God has finally got your attention and your prayer life is about to come alive.
Jonah 2:2- “He said: In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.
Can we even begin to grasp that we have the opportunity to call on the creator of the universe? The One who hung the stars in the sky! The First and the Last, the Beginning and the Ending, the Almighty, all knowing, all powerful God. The supreme judge of all mankind!
WE CAN CALL ON HIM AND HE WILL ANSWER US!
After Jonah said forget you God, Jonah called on God and God in His mercy answered him! DON’T LET THE POWER OF THAT PASS YOU BY!
But how many people have said this? “Things are so bad, we’ve tried everything! All we can do now is pray!
How insulting that must be to the heart of God.
Hebrews 4:16- “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
YOU CAN CALL ON GOD AND HE WILL ANSWER YOU!
(Jonah 2:2) Jonah said, “In my distress…”
Distress- the travail of childbirth, the distress of labor.
In my agony I called on God and He answered me!
(Jonah 2:2) “From the depths of the grave I called for help..”
Grave- the realm of the dead, out of the belly of hell. From this place I called on God and he answered me.
From the place I was farther from God than ever I called on Him. From the place I was miserable, helpless, and desperate, I called on God and He answered.
When I had no place to turn, when I needed God the most but deserved it the least.
HERE’S WHAT VERSES ONE AND TWO ARE SAYING
I was as good as dead but God in His mercy caused me to be born again. I was as good as dead in my own power, I was helpless, I couldn’t contribute a thing.
Even though I didn’t deserve it, God in His mercy and love heard my cry and He caused me to rise from the dead so that I could be born again.
At any point in this story God could have changed things. He could of calmed the storm. He could have allowed the sailors to take Jonah to the shore. God could have sent a giant turtle so Jonah could have rode on its back to shore.
God could have sent a really good looking mermaid.
But God didn’t do any of those things but notice that God was actively working in Jonah’s life. Even though Jonah was in pain!
God was involved in Jonah’s life in every phase.
DON’T MISS GOD WORKING IN YOUR LIFE IN EVERY PHASE!
God is working in our lives even when we don’t recognize it. He’s preparing us for our future.
Don’t forget to embrace the phase your in now and celebrate what God is doing enroute to your ultimate destiny.
Jonah 2:3- “You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me..”
Technically the sailors threw Jonah in the sea but Jonah recognized the hand of God behind everything.
Jonah 2:6- “To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God.”
Jonah was saying, “I’m a dead man, there’s no hope for me, It’s over.”
Some of you your life is seems like that. Spiraling downward!
NEVER FORGET THE BUT GOD MOMENTS!
My life was out of control BUT GOD intervened!
My marriage was in trouble and I thought it was over BUT GOD changed my heart and healed our marriage!
The doctor says it’s over, BUT GOD!
DON’T FORGET THE BUT GOD MOMENTS!
Luke 1:37- “For nothing is impossible with God.”
When Jonah was at a point that every physical thing said you will never survive, BUT GOD!
Jonah 2:7- “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.”
When things are going well do we remember God or just put Him on a shelf until the next big crisis?
Jonah 2:8- “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”
Jonah shifts his tone and gives a warning and basically he’s saying, “Don’t do what I did.”
Whatever you do don’t run from God! Whatever you do don’t neglect God and disobey Him!
“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”
Grace- loving kindness, the pursuing love of God!
Those who cling to the stupid things of this world that don’t matter, they are unable to receive the pursuing love of God.
WHAT WERE JONAH’S IDOLS?
1. Prejudice
2. Self- I heard God but I don’t care what He said, I’m going to do what I want to do.
We need to surrender the idol of self. If there’s one thing we need to do is lay down the idol of self. I know what God’s Word says but I don’t care!
Jonah 2:9- “But I, with a song of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.”
Some of you are going to make something good today. I don’t know what it is but you do. God has put it on your heart and today you need to make it good.
God has put it on your heart to give a radical generous offering. But this has been your prayer. “Satan, is that you again trying to get me to be like Jesus.”
“God’s called me to be a good steward, so I can’t give that generous offering to the church.” Like giving to God’s church makes you a bad steward.
CONCLUSION: Now look at the last phrase of verse 9.
“Salvation comes from the Lord.”
Remember Jonah couldn’t contribute anything from the belly of that fish. Salvation comes from God.
Ephesians 2:8- “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no-one can boast.”
WHAT DID IT COST GOD FOR YOUR SALVATION? HIS SON JESUS CHRIST!
The only reasonable response to the Salvation of God is this, “HERE’S MY LIFE.”
Jonah 2:10- “And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry ground.”
Whether you’re on the top of the world or in the depths of hell, when you call on the Lord He will answer you!
Let’s pray!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Jonah, Part 3 - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
Sunday, March 23, 2008
What Difference Does Easter Make - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR
Sunday March 23, 2008 (Easter)
“What Difference Does Easter Make”
Matthew 12:38-40(NIV)- Turn and Read
These religious leaders were not coming to Jesus with a heart of humility but instead with a heart of arrogance. Show us a sign!
Really what they were saying was, You claim to be the Son of God, show us your credentials Jesus. We want you to validate who you are.
Prove to us that you are who you say you are!
Jesus says, “The only proof I’m going to give to you looks like the absence of proof.”
I’m going to die! “I’m going to be three days in the heart of the earth.”
When there’s an absence of proof that God loves you, God is about to prove to you He loves you.
When there’s an absence of proof that God will deliver you, He’s about to deliver you.
When there’s an absence of proof that God is going to provide for you, God is about to provide for you.
WHEN IT APPEARS GOD IS UP TO NOTHING, HE’S UP TO SOMETHING!
Matthew 16:13-21 Turn and Read
Absence of proof- Jesus Died.
Matthew 27:62-66- Absence of proof He was the Son of God
If Jesus was a deceiver and was not who He claimed to be why would they need to seal the tomb?
Proof- The Resurrection- Just like Jesus Said!
84% of people who never go to church believe that Jesus died and rose again. It’s a historical fact.
There are at least 15 historical references to Jesus meeting people, touching people, and talking with people. One time He cooked breakfast for a group of people. One time He talked to 500 people after He had risen from the dead!
TRANSITION: What does that mean today for you and me?
I. JESUS IS WHO HE CLAIMED TO BE
Jesus made some outrageous claims.
John 11:25- “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live even though he dies.”
John 14:6- “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
II. JESUS HAS THE POWER HE CLAIMED TO HAVE
John 10:17-18- “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down My life, only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again….”
Matthew 28:18- “All power in heaven and earth is given to me…”
III. JESUS DOES WHAT HE PROMISES TO DO
Matthew 28:5,6- “The angel said to the women, DO not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus; who was crucified. HE is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where He lay.”
TRANSITION: From the absence of proof Jesus proved He was who He claimed to be because He had the power He claimed to have and He did what He promised He would do.
Why does all this matter to us?
I. MY PAST CAN BE FORGIVEN
Have you ever been halfway through a project and wished you could start over?
Have you ever felt like you were going to have to spend the rest of your life sitting in the penalty box?
Colossians 2:13,14- “When you were dead in your sins and in the Uncircumcision of you sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away nailing it to the cross.”
Many people can’t get on with the present and the future because they’re stuck in the past.
Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross so I can stop nailing myself to the cross!
Romans 8:1- “Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
JESUS DIDN’T COME TO RUB IT IN HE CAME TO RUB IT OUT!
II. MY PRESENT PROBLEMS CAN BE MANAGED
Maturity is when you figure out that you can’t have it all figured out! BUT GOD CAN!
Ephesians 1:18-20- “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparable great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead…”
Philippians 4:13- “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
III. MY FUTURE CAN BE SECURE
Everybody has a deep longing to know about the future. Not just the future of the is earth but the future of eternity.
People don’t like to talk about death but it’s inevitable.
John 17:3- “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
1Peter 1:3-5- Turn and Read
Hope means you don’t have anything to fear. You don’t fear death anymore. YOU’RE NOT READY TO LIVE UNTIL YOU’RE READY TO DIE!
YOU CAN’T REALLY LIVE UNLESS YOU’RE NOT AFRAID TO DIE.
YOUR FUTURE CAN BE SECURE!
CONCLUSION: I think this is what God wants to say to you today. “You matter to me, I understand everything about your life. I know you. I made you, remember! You matter to me. I want to have a relationship with you. I sent my Son to die for you. I want you to get to know me.
1. Jesus is who He claimed to be.
2. Jesus has the power He claimed to have.
3. Jesus does what He promised to do.
1. Your past can be forgiven.
2. Your present problems can be managed.
3. Your future can be secure.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Jonah, Part 2 - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR
Sunday March 2, 2008
JONAH
Part 2
INTRODUCTION: Last week we looked at Jonah Chapter 1 and learned four things.
When God speaks to us it might be something we don’t want to do.
1. When God speaks to us there is always a boat going in the opposite direction.
2. If God has to He’ll send a storm to get our attention.
3. Our worst nightmare may be just what we need.
In Jonah chapter 2 Jonah is in the belly of the fish and we read about Jonah’s prayer of repentance. We’ll come back to that.
Today we’re going to look at Jonah 3.
Jonah 3:1- “Then the Word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.”
Many people in life will not give you a second chance at something. They draw the line and say “I’m going to write you off.” You blew it with me.
I. GOD IS A GOD OF SECOND CHANCES
God came to Jonah a second time.
Some of you have blown it with God before, but God is a God of second chances.
Some of you have blown it with church, but God is a God of second chances.
Some of you have blown it with ministry, but God is a God of second chances.
Some of you have blown in marriage but God is a God of second chances.
GOD CAME TO JONAH A SECOND TIME!
Some of you God has come to you in the past and you have yet to surrender your life to God. Well God is coming to you again today!
Some of you today are coming back to God after disobeying Him.
SOME OF YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THE GRACE OF GOD TODAY!
GRACE- God giving you what you don’t deserve!
SOME OF YOU ARE GOING TO EXPERIENCE THE GRACE OF GOD TODAY!
Ephesians 2:4-9- Turn and Read
(ILLUSTRATION)
This is what God wants to do in your life. Young or old!
2Corinthians 5:17- “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
TRANSITION: There are those of you like me, who don’t deserve the grace of God. But the Word of the Lord will come to you a second time.
Just like it did Jonah! What was the Word of the Lord for Jonah?
II. GO NOW
Jonah 3:2- “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
GO- Go now, go immediately, go now, go suddenly!
Whenever God comes to you and gives you a second chance the time is always NOW!
The time to go is NOW!
When God says it’s time to GO you need to do it immediately because if you don’t you’ll talk yourself out of it.
God may be saying He wants you to go and forgive someone. God and apologize. God and give something away. DO IT NOW!
GO and repent of some sin, make it right NOW!
Jonah 3:3- “Jonah obeyed the Word of the Lord and went to Nineveh…”
Jonah got it right and obeyed the Word of the Lord.
“God I’ll go where you want me to go but don’t go there.”
THREE TYPES OF CHRISTIANS
1. I want what I want period!
2. I want what God wants but!
3. I want what God wants period!
TRANSITION: Jonah got a second chance to go and he did.
III. TO GO YOU MIGHT HAVE TO LET GO
Jonah 3:4- “On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.”
STARTED- to untie or loosen so you can go.
To go the direction Jonah needed to go he had to let go of the things he was holding on to.
Jonah 2:8- “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”
Jonah had to let go so he could do what God was calling Him to do!
YOU MUST UNTIE YOURSELF TO YOU CAN DO WHAT GOD CALLED YOU TO DO!
I don’t know what that could be for you?
1. Your self-will, I’m going to do whatever I want period!
2. Could it be your holding on to a sense of financial security or control? I can’t take that job because this ones just to secure.
3. Could it be you’re holding on to your reputation? What other people think about you. If I do what God calls me to do others will think I’ve lost it?
4. Could it be some sin in your life?
5. Maybe it’s a relationship.
WHAT IS IT YOU’RE HOLDING ON TO THAT GOD NEEDS YOU TO LET GO OF?
UNTIL YOU LET GO YOU CAN NEVER DO WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO!
CONCLUSION: What are you holding on to today that you need to let go of?
God is speaking and for some of you it’s a second chance. GO NOW! Let Go and do what God needs you to do.
Jonah 3:4-10- Turn and Read
God had compassion on the Ninevites.
God is a God of Grace. GOD IS A GOD OF SECOND CHANCES!
