June 16 & 17, 2012
“Away and Toward”
Weekly Sermon Notes
Away and Toward
[CDs of this and past messages are available at the media desk in the atrium and on iTunes.]
Jonah 1:17 |
17Now
the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Everyone is Either Moving Away from God or Toward God
1. Crisis and Chaos Can Turn Me Toward God
Jonah 2:1-7, 9 | 1From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered
me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the
seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will
look again toward your holy temple.’ 5The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my
head. 6To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from
the pit. 7“When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.... 9But I, with shouts of
grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”
•
Pray for clarity and peace
Matthew 8:23-26 | 23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake,
so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us!
We’re going to drown!” 26He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the
waves, and it was completely calm.
2. God is Always Inviting Us to Change
Jonah 2:10 |
•
10And
the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Respond to God’s calling
Job 36:5, 7-11 | 5“God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.... 7He does not take his eyes off
the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. 8But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of
affliction, 9he tells them what they have done— that they have sinned arrogantly. 10He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. 11If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their
years in contentment.
All Bible passages are quoted from the New International Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.
LIFEGroup & Family Discussion Questions
1. Read Jonah 1:17-2:10. How would you explain Jonah’s change of heart?
2. The main statement of this message is, “Everyone is either moving away from God or toward God.” Would you agree or disagree with
this statement? Why?
3. Do you agree that crisis and chaos can turn people toward God? How have you seen this to be true in your own life?
4. How can you respond to God’s calling this week?
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