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From our earliest memories in Sunday School, we were told that the book of Jonah was all about a man being swallowed by a big fish. But in reality, the whole story of Jonah, right up to the very last verse, is about the compassionate heart of God towards those who don’t deserve His grace and forgiveness. God rescues a rebellious prophet in order to redeem a rebellious city. Join us for this exciting story, not about a great fish, but about a great God!
Over the course of His ministry, there were thousands and thousands of people who were quick to follow Jesus when He was doing miracles. But those same crowds turned back once they learned how much it would cost them to truly follow Jesus. He said a person must be willing to give up everything he has in order to be His disciple. Even today we see people who used to follow Christ, who have now turned back because the price was too high. Will you still be following Christ a year from now?
When is the last time you took a step of faith that terrified you? How long has it been? Are you going through life with only “memories” of times long ago when you stepped out on faith? If God seems to be cutting away the safety harnesses in your life and stripping you of the things you’ve been depending on, it may be that He is inviting you into a fresh opportunity to walk with Him at a place where your faith will grow to a whole new level. Will you step out and risk something for Him this year instead of being content to live on yesterday’s faith?
2009 and 2010 have been years of dramatic economic decline, collapsing financial institutions, staggering job loss and shrinking retirement accounts. People’s hearts are filled with fear and anxiety, wondering what the future holds. As we step into 2011, is it possible — even thinkable — that we could face this shaky new year with an unshakeable faith?
History tells us that a lot of people who made commitments to become pioneers actually ended up becoming settlers before they ever reached their destination. When the journey got rough, many chose to stop and find a place of comfort instead of pressing on towards their goal. The same will be true of us as followers of Christ unless we are willing to surrender everything that is holding us back. Is there anything in your life keeping you from following God wherever He is calling you to go?
As we celebrate our freedom as Americans, we remember those who have paid the price to keep us free. But how often do we celebrate the freedom we have been given through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross when He gave His life for us? He paid the ultimate price to set us free, and we owe Him a lifetime of gratitude and faithful service!
There are people throughout history who have risked everything to follow Jesus. Nicodemus was one such man. Although he was a member of the Pharisees who hated Jesus, he was willing to risk his reputation to have an encounter with the Savior, and after Jesus was crucified, Nicodemus was one of the men who helped bury Jesus. History tells us that he lost everything because of this, yet he was not willing to let anything hold him back from following the truth. Is there anything holding you back from following Jesus completely?
Everything in life is just talk until we make a personal commitment to actually DO it. So often, the difference between people God uses greatly and people He doesn’t use comes down to which person is fully committed to Him. Is there an area of your life that you have been hesitant to commit the Lord? Why not give it to Him today?
While a “dislocated heart” and a “broken spirit” may be private matters, a “radical faith” is public. It means stepping out to obey God’s will and putting it all on the line, regardless of the cost. Faith is the thing God longs to see in us most of all. Has God put a specific burden on your heart that may soon require a step of faith? If so, what is it? What would it look like for you to take a radical step of faith towards such a need? How will you respond?
It’s easy to show up at a church service on Sunday morning and worship… but how many people are merely going through the motions? God does not accept worship if our hearts are far from Him and if our lives are not fully committed to Him. Do you know what God is looking for in your life before your worship will be pleasing to Him?
Churches everywhere are filled with people who have made a commitment to Jesus… but many of those people have never made a commitment to the “mission” of Jesus. They took a step towards the cross to be saved, but they have never taken the next step to go beyond the cross and live out their lives for the cause of Christ. Today’s messages challenges us to not just make a commitment to Jesus, but to make a commitment to the mission of Jesus as well.
The only way to follow God into the life’s purpose that He has for each of us is to let go of things that are holding us back. We must completely surrender to God and be willing to let Him mess up our plans. But none of us are good at surrendering. We all want to have things our own way. Yet the Bible makes it unmistakably clear that as followers of Christ, we must be willing to yield our plans to His plans and follow wherever He leads.
