Nehemiah Part 6 - Church Culture
This whole study of the book of Nehemiah has been about building culture
Today, we are going to look at building "Church-Culture"
Building church culture begins with US on Sunday morning:
How we approach church buildings the DNA of who our church is!
Hub City Church is going to be casual on the things that you and I are casual on
There is no "sowing" on culture and "reaping" another
Let’s look at how the people of a newly rebuilt Jerusalem approached spiritual disciplines:
Nehemiah 9:3 (ESV)
3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.
A commitment to scripture
I feel a stirring in my soul to double down on understanding what we believe.
We have to overcome the idea that Theology is for someone else
We will see a dramatic shift in theology in this lifetime
- If you don't know what we believe, you'll never know it happened
2 Timothy 4:1–4 (ESV)
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
This has always been happening - people want EASY Jesus
However, it is as important as it’s ever been
Hold fast to sound doctrine!
If we make a personal commitment to scripture, we are making a commitment that:
Scripture is important enough to incorporate into every day life (Not just church)
Daily devo life
Scripture reading
Praying the scripture
Applying scripture to real life
Scripture should be UNDERSTOOD and not just READ
Get a Bible you can read
Get a Bible that you can write in
Doctrine isn't limited to church-leaders
Theology/Doctrine is for disciples!
Historically, and Biblically, when there was a return to Biblical priority, God responded with blessing!
If we are going to live out the Scripture, then there are some more things that we will have to give attention to:
A commitment to repentance
In our series on Jonah - we talked about repentance being necessary in bringing me into alignment
Repentance brings me back into alignment with:
The Word of God
The Voice of God
The calling of God
The blessings of God
One of the struggles about repentance is our thinking that it is only for lost people as a one-time occurrence
Realize that in Jesus' model prayer, he taught that repentance was a part of daily conversation with God.
You should be repenting - constantly
Of sins you've committed
Of the tasks that you left undone
Of the things that you're not sure about!
Romans 2:4 (ESV)
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
A commitment to worship
Here in Nehemiah is a corporate commitment to worship:
Nehemiah 8:5–6 (ESV) 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
This looks so much like a church service!
As I think about this, I wonder:
What could worship look like at Hub City Church
What if worship was consistently an act of adoration that we could just get lost in?
In worship, do you feel like you are:
Just visiting
Merely spectating
Passively a part of
Absolutely engaged in
I get that some people aren't comfortable being expressive in worship publicly:
The question is: "Are you being expressive in your worship in private?"
In Nehemiah, Israel lifted their hands and bowed themselves to the ground
The reason we do these things is because it is the Biblical pattern for worship:
Psalms is full of instructions to worship God EXPRESSIVELY
Psalm 134:2 (ESV) 2 Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!
Psalm 47:1 (ESV) 1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
Psalm 150:3–6 (ESV) 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Nehemiah 8:10–12 (ESV)
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
The response is rejoicing because:
The Word of God had taken root in their lives!
They heard it
They understood it
They were strengthened by it
I want to remind you that we are establishing the culture of our church every single sunday.
Nehemiah; Part 5 - Finish Well
Ephesians 6:13–18 (ESV)
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Have you ever read the story of king Saul?
King Saul started out as this really humble guy who was chosen by God to lead Israel after they demanded to have a king like everybody else.
By the time we get to the end of his life, he is:
Bitter
Jealous
Hatred in his heart for David
Plagued by emotional and mental issues
Even though he had every opportunity to be a great king, he ends his life with very little legacy (Even killing himself in battle)
Compare that with someone like Peter:
Peter was CONSTANTLY proving that his character wasn't as big as his mouth
We have instances of Jesus rebuking Peter and his attitude
In the heat of the moment, he denies Christ
Even Paul mentions conflicts he had with Peter in Galatians 2:11
But by the end of his life, He is the most prominent leader in Jerusalem in the early church
He heals the paralyzed and sick
Angels come get him out of prison
History tells of his heroics as a martyr for Christ!
BECAUSE HOW YOU FINISH IS SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOW YOU START!
Or Judas & Peter!
They had the same beginning - but their endings are drastically different!!!!
That is good news for us as disciples of Christ, because wherever we are at:
TODAY, we have the opportunity to grow into our tomorrow!
Nehemiah 6:1–3 (ESV)
1 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”
Then let's fast-forward to the end of chapter 6:
Nehemiah 6:15–16 (ESV)
15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.
It is God's will that you finish what you've started!
1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (NLT)
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
Three questions concerning what it means to persevere in your life:
What kind of work are you doing?
Nehemiah 6:3 (ESV)
3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”
Part of the difficulty here is being honest about how we spend our time!
REAL REFLECTION
Look at where you money goes
Look at how your screen time is spent
Nehemiah had the ability to persevere because he knew that he was spending his time and effort in a way that made a difference.
"Are you doing things that matter?"
Are you investing in people?
Are you investing in the kingdom?
Are you pursuing holiness?
Are you investing in devotional time?
Are you equipping yourself to be excellent in your calling?
What has your attention?
One of the things that Nehemiah dealt with the most was distractions
Over and over the voice of the enemy was trying to get him to delay the work
Look at this constant interruption!
Nehemiah 6:4–5 (ESV)
4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
I would dare say that most Christians are far more DISTRACTED than TEMPTED
It's far easier for the enemy to distract disciples than to tempt them into a life of sin!
You know what's worse? The distractions weren't even real!
Nehemiah 6:8–9 (ESV) 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
Sometimes you just have to be bold and declare to the enemy the same thing that Nehemiah did!
"I'm doing a great work, and cannot come down!"
What are you seeing to completion?
Sometimes we get things to the 95% mark and never finish the last 5%
Starting something is no problem!
You may have:
Started a prayer journal
Started a Bible reading plan
Started a ministry plan
Started serving
Started putting your callings and dreams into motion
BUT are you seeing it through?
As we look into this story, Nehemiah and his army construction crew finish this project in 52 days!
Everyone around knew it was God!
God gets glory when we allow Him to complete a good work through us!
Micro-Church - Week 26
This week at Hub City Church, we affirmed the thought that God has called us to difficult tasks.
We believe that God is at work in us and around us to accomplish things that are supernatural.
We have been discussing over the last few weeks that we are called to encourage one another. Let's take a moment to dig deeper into that:
Take a few moments to discuss as a Micro-Church:
What are some things that have encouraged you this week?
What have been some challenges that you've faced this week?
Take a moment and pray with any needs you feel led to pray for.
The church exists for more than just motivation. We do not simply exist to be excited about Jesus, but to make the goodness of Jesus unavoidable in our every day lives.
Read the following passages, one from a formal, word-for-word style translation (English Standard Version) and one from a more dynamic, thought-for-thought translation (New Living Translation). It is clear that the Holy Spirit is working to empower us for God-sized tasks!
1 Corinthians 12:1–12 (ESV)
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:1–12 (NLT): Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. 2 You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. 3 So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.
Are there other versions at MC that bring out different wording that sticks out to you as you read this passage?
Context
What do you notice about God in this passage?
What do you notice about people in this passage?
List out the gifts that Paul specifically says that the Holy Spirit empowers people with:
The context of this chapter is that God is methodically putting the members (or parts) of the body together for the benefit of the body as a whole. That means that each person in your Micro-Church has a pivotal role to play in your Micro-Church and the Church as a whole.
Read this. Internalize this. Make it personal. Say (aloud or silently):
I am a pivotal part of the kingdom
Knowing this fact is, in fact, quite motivating. However, we exist for more than just motivation. When the Holy Spirit begins bringing about supernatural change in your life, this motivation comes to life in real-life power!
The challenge
I want to challenge the participants of our Micro-Churches to put this into action.
Would you commit to pray this week for the Holy Spirit to pour into your life the giftings that He chooses?
Take a few moments and share anything that you sense God might be trying to do in your life or giftings that you see at work in the people around you. Pay attention - the inclinations of your heart and spirit may be those giftings at work!
Nehemiah; Part 4 - More than motivated
We exist to do hard things!
So today, the whole message is this: You need more than motivation to do hard things!
"If Christians are called to do hard things, then the church is called to do more than just motivate!"
3 reasons from Nehemiah 4 that you need the church to do more than just motivate:
ONE - You need more than motivation, because the enemy is loud!
Because the enemy is loud!
Nehemiah 4:1–3 (ESV)
1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!”
If you are attempting a work for God, expect the enemy of your soul to try his best to talk you out of it!
When we gather as the church - we will be more than just motivators who give you a golf clap and try to convince you that you can do it!
We are going to proclaim truth louder than enemy proclaims lies!
Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
When you are here or at MC and we discuss the truths of scripture, its not just for motivational hashtag purposes
There is power in truth!
If you are fighting the enemy - you need your church family!
For more than just cheerleader
When we get together, the Bible declares in
Matthew 18:20 (ESV)
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
If you are going to accomplish a God-sized task, you need God to get in the middle of it!
So they decided that they would not let the voice of the enemy keep them from the task they had before them.
Nehemiah 4:10 (ESV)
10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.”
Accomplishing a God-sized task is it's own problem!
TWO - You need more than motivation, because the task is difficult
WHILE THEY WERE WORKING - they started getting discouraged
At the point where they began to feel hopeless and discouraged - Nehemiah began expanding the team and reminding them what they were building for!
Nehemiah 4:14 (ESV)
14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
The reason that we do what we do isn't just because we are excited about Jesus.
There will be days when "we don't feel like it"
The task is difficult - but we have been called and commissioned to make the goodness of Jesus unavoidable in this city!
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
We are empowered to reach this planet! Even though it is a difficult task!
But I don't need the church to motivate me Sunday after Sunday -
I need the truth of the word,
to be reminded of the call
to be empowered by the Spirit to accomplish the task at hand!
We need each other because this task is difficult!
Just before Jesus sent out workers ahead of him:
Luke 9:62–10:1 (ESV)
62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
THREE - You need more than motivation, because the job takes more than two hands!
In Nehemiah 4, they realized that they weren't just builders, but they were also fighters:
Nehemiah 4:15–18 (ESV)
15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.
Building with unity:
Some fought
Some worked with bricks & mortar
some watched with trumpets
But they were all on the same team
That sounds a lot like 1 corinthians 12:
1 Corinthians 12:26–27 (ESV)
26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Nehemiah:
While one person worked, someone else had their back
Some build the wall, others swung a sword, some served to warn for danger - together they build a city
What we are saying is that Hub City Church is far more than just a Sunday service to be a motivator to get you pumped up for the week!
In context of the story of Nehemiah:
The church is a voice that is louder than (and has authority over) the enemy
The church is a place where I am spiritually strengthened
The church is a place where you find friends who will guard me while I'm working
Psalm 133:1–3 (ESV)
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
In the unity of believers (thats the church) God has commanded a blessing!
Micro-Church: Week 25
Flashback to Sunday morning:
Habits of Kingdom Builders
1-Kingdom Builders study
2-Kingdom Builders share vision
3-Kingdom Builders strengthen people
and ultimately: Kingdom builders succeed!
This week in MC, we want to drill down into the life application of what it means to "Study". Specifically, let's talk about developing our devotional time. When we talk about devotional time, we are talking about the daily discipline of scripture reading and prayer. These are the primary ways that we interact with God and it would stand to reason, that if we are neglecting these fundamental disciplines, we are living far below the abundance that God has for us.
Today's MC will look a little different in that we will spend a little less time deep-diving a particular passage of scripture and a little more time in discussion about how we currently spend our devotional time, some ideas on ways to up the quality of that time, and how we can improve the overall consistency.
We referenced this passage Sunday morning - it provides a good foundation for our discussion this week:
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This week, we have a short survey to walk through as a group. Each person should submit their own answers. These answers are anonymous when submitted, but take time to discuss each one of these questions with your micro-church. I think you will find that hearing about the devotional time of the people around us will challenge us, as well as encourage us to dig deeper into our prayer and study time.
A note:
Bible translations - if you aren't sure about the difference of certain translations, here is a good resource that explains where various popular translations fall in regards to translation style and the manuscripts that they were taken from.
https://evangelicalbible.com/translations/bible-translation-guide/
To sum it all up:
What is a SMART step that you can take to improve your devotional time?
SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relavent
Time-bound
Nehemiah; Part 3 - Kingdom Builders
Nehemiah 2:9–20 (ESV)
9 Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. 11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”
Habits of kingdom-builders
Kingdom Builders study
Nehemiah doesn't show up to Jerusalem ready to build a wall.
He is there for three days and spent time studying the task that was in front of Him.
He's up in the middle of the night taking inventory of the damages that they will have to repair.
"I inspected the wall" - Verses 13, 15
Up unto this point, Nehemiah had not told anyone what he had been planning.
He was carefully and meticulously studying the details of the task that God had called him to.
What does that mean for us?
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
(KJV) STUDY to shew thyself approved
Jesus taught the idea that we should not blindly walk into the workload that God has placed in front of us.
Luke 14:27–30 (ESV)
27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’
The context is that if we are going to follow Jesus, we need to know exactly what we are getting ourselves into.
We walk by faith, but it does not necessarily mean blind faith!
Ultimately, we are building by faith, but that does not mean that we are to neglect the hard work of planning and preparation of being excellent in our callings!
If you are a disciple: GROW!
Kingdom Builders share vision
Once Nehemiah has taken a good look at the task before him, he begins to share vision!
Nehemiah 2:17-18 (ESV)
17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me.
God-sized tasks are bigger than you can accomplish alone.
Nehemiah's task was bigger than Nehemiah could accomplish by himself.
The piece of the puzzle that was standing between him and the work in front of him? Having a team!
How did Nehemiah build a team? HE SHARED THE VISION
Here's what that looked like for Nehemiah:
He shared the need
He shared the call
He shared the story of provision
SHARING VISION AND SHARING THE GOSPEL ARE SYNONYMOUS
This is what Paul did every time he came to a new city:
He would show up and tell his story from Acts 9
Kingdom builders TALK about the kingdom - they share!
Kingdom Builders strengthen those around them
Nehemiah 2:18 (ESV)
18b And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
Hub City Church wants a reputation of strengthening believers for good work!
This is our heart, if we can help build up your strength and help remove the obstacles that are standing in your way from accomplishing ministry, thats what we want to do!
We shared this at Micro-Church this week:
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NLT)
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
We have the opportunity to speak life and pour value into the people around us!
Kingdom builders strengthen the things around them!
They strengthen:
The vision
The strategy
The team
Be someone who leaves people better than they found them!
I want to leave this city better than we found it!
You should leave your MC better than you found it!
I look around, and I see so many significant things that are happening at Hub City Church.
God is putting together a team of Kingdom-builders
We are such a parallel to the story of Nehemiah
God has called
You have answered
A city is being impacted
The Spirit is moving
Continue the work - build the kingdom!
.
Micro-Church Week 24
This Sunday, we discussed Nehemiah's burden, call to action, and conversation with King Artaxerses. The message Sunday was conveying the idea that there are 4 foundational elements we see to Nehemiah's moving toward the call of God in his life. These are as follows:
Burden
Calling
Authority
Provision
Today, we will dive a little deeper into what it means to have a burden. To begin, however, we will provide some clarification. We should consider the context of what we are talking about and differentiate from other associations of burden.
What we're not necessarily talking about:
A sense of a difficult or troublesome task; i.e. load, hinderance, affliction
What we are talking about:
A sense of unease and discontentment for the current condition of something; i.e. concern, sense of duty, responsibility
A major theme of the book of John was Jesus showing that the work that He did was actually Him joining the work that His Father was already doing. The interdependence shown by Jesus was often referenced as abiding in (and with) the Father.
John 5:19
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
Just like Jesus, we must understand that when we see God working around us, it is our invitation to join Him!
John 16:7-15
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Observation
What actions does the Holy Spirit perform, according to this passage?
Is there anything that you notice about people according to this passage?
Application
Today we are specifically saying that God will reveal His work to us through the Holy Spirit. God will reveal the needs around you, and that revelation will be your invitation to join him. God will give you a heart to see these needs ministered to.
Has God revealed Himself around you by giving you a particular burden or desire to see change? Where or how?
Take time today to pray for each other as we share what God has impressed upon our hearts. We rejoice in the fact that there is diversity in the burdens and calling that God is working into the body of Hub City Church.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NLT)
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Nehemiah; Part 2 - The making of a movement
Nehemiah 2:1–8 (ESV)
1 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2 And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3 I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” 6 And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. 7 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.
The making of a movement!
When Nehemiah walks into the presence of the king - there is an immediate response:
Something had shifted and God was building something!
4 pieces to the making of a movement
Burden
A burden is the soil that the supernatural grows from!
Burdens are born out of love
A burden cannot develop from a dry prayer life and selfishness!
"Love finds a need and meets it"
Burdens are born when love sees room to get involved
Nehemiah was so burdened, that the people around him noticed!
Calling
Here's the question - how do you know your burden has become a calling?
In Nehemiah's life, I think it was probably a calling the whole time
BUT
Something changes when you begin taking steps to resolve it!
For Nehemiah, I think this point came when He said to the king in verse 5: "send me to Judah, that I may rebuild it."
What if the thing that separates your burden from your calling is your response?
Nehemiah takes a willful step in resolving the burden and God starts moving
When you take OWNERSHIP of the burden... God moves you into a supernatural calling!
Authority
Nehemiah was given sealed letters of authority to pass through the land unharmed
As it is in the physical in this passage, there is a spiritual truth!
We must understand spiritual authority
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Walking in spiritual authority
We are thermostats not thermometers
Matthew 16:18–19 (ESV) 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
I must learn to walk in the authority that God has given us:
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
1 Corinthians 4:20 (ESV)
20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
Provision
The resources for the mission come after the response
You cannot wait to have everything you need to finish before you begin.
PROVISION IS AN EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY
We see that Nehemiah is provided with the timber and construction materials that he needs to complete the task.
Philippians 4:19 (ESV) 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
As we see Paul talking about provision, the context is concerning people who were engaged in the mission of evangelism
Part of the equation of RECEIVING provision is BEING generous
It all starts with a burden
Micro-Church - Week 23
We talked at the end of the service about the fact that it was Pentecost Sunday. We made reference to the fact that the disciples were radically changed as a result of having been filled with the Holy Spirit. I would like to take an opportunity to re-affirm that at Hub City Church, I wholeheartedly believe in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit in the life of the believer. Having experienced being filled with the Holy Spirit, I can definitely bear witness of Acts 1:8 coming alive in my life in an instant. - Pastor Justin
As we referenced the disciples after their experience in upper room, they immediately began walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let's take a look at a few examples that we mentioned Sunday morning. Read these two excerpts from the early chapters of the books of Acts.
Acts 3:1–10 (ESV)
1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts 5:12–16 (ESV)
12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Observe
What do you notice about the work of the Holy Spirit and the disciples in these passages?
What do you notice about the interaction between the people of the city and the disciples?
Application
What takeaways can we draw from the church/community relationship depicted in Acts? Do you think that same relationship is possible and applicable in the days we are living?
Are you noticing the work of the Spirit in your heart and life as you go through day-to-day activities? How?
The Bible teaches us that we are dependent on the Holy Spirit to see spiritual results in our life. It would make sense that if I want to see more of the activity of the Spirit in my life, I must become more dependent on the Holy Spirit. In keeping with the idea of Sunday's message that impactful prayers require some degree of faith and risk:
What are some ways that we can increase our dependency on the Spirit to see a greater level of God working around us and through us?
Culture Days - Pray Like Nehemiah!
Praying impactful prayers: 3 thoughts on praying prayers that move the needle and build the city.
1.Impactful Prayers Take Time
Nehemiah 1:5–6 (ESV) 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.
Before we begin talking about the things that Nehemiah DID, we must understand the way that Nehemiah prayed!
Sometimes, we feel obligated to get the perks of the early church, and we're not putting the work in of the early church!
Before we ever do what God has called us to do, we must be who God has called us to be!
There are prayers that you simply say, and prayers that become part of who you are
Faith isn't praying things that you are sure of, a prayer of faith pushes your beliefs to the limits
James 5:15–16 (NKJV)
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
2.Impactful prayers embrace authority by embracing responsibility
The context (and Jewish history) agree that Nehemiah was faithful to God
Some context:
Israel had went into Babylonian captivity around 605 B.C.
The Jews spend 70 years in Babylonian exile
The Persians conquer the Babylonians and a decree from King Cyrus permits the return of Jews to their homeland
In 538 B.C. Zerubbabel leads the 1st return of the Jews to the homeland
In 457 B.C. Ezra leads a second return of Jews to the homeland
Chapter one of Nehemiah picks up at 445 B.C. (So, over a 150 years after Babylonian captivity began)
2 generations!
[Nehemiah's reality was based on someone else's disobedience]
Nehemiah prayed like this:
Nehemiah 1:6–7 (ESV) 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.
Nehemiah becomes a national leader, but while he was still a butler to a foreign king, he was calling out that nation in prayer.
Spiritual authority requires spiritual responsibility:
Own it!
He wasn't trying to disassociate himself with the people that God had called him to
I know we have not created the culture of this world - but we must at some point meet them and at least acknowledge that we let it get this way!
We either have to make the goodness of Jesus unavoidable or lock ourselves inside a gated community and allow our world to descend into Godlessness.
We cannot evade and evangelize - we must interact with people!
3.Impactful prayers take on intense risks
Nehemiah 1:11 (ESV)
11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.
Sometimes, its hard to get a day off from work!
Nehemiah was praying about leveraging his relationship with the King to impact those God was calling him to.
Here's a question to roll over in your spirit:
Is there anything that you're praying about that involves some risk?
That's a tough question because here is what I know:
If the things I'm praying don't have a sense of risk, then they probably don't involve faith.
Faith requires risk
We will take on some faith projects - We are a faith project!
Nehemiah knew that the prayer that he was praying would be one that required him to take uncomfortable steps in his life!
But if our prayers are more risky than our actions, are we actually operating in faith?
James 2:26 (ESV)
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Every time I pray it's an opportunity to take hold of heaven, and every time I say amen, it's an opportunity to take hold of earth.
So the question this morning is:
What could happen if we prayed like Nehemiah?
What could happen if we prayed prayers that take some time?
What could happen if we prayed prayers that take responsibility?
What could happen if we prayed prayers that were risky? That required faith?
Culture Days! - Make the goodness of Jesus unavoidable!
Welcome to culture days!
What does that even mean? It means that we are about to spend some time reaffirming our culture and preparing ourselves for the assignment that God has given us here in Hattiesburg.
First Peter reads out like the document that we drafted our values and mission from!
Obviously, our values and mission statements were based in Bible which upholds itself, but I am in awe of the cohesion of this letter from the apostle Peter to the early church, and our assignment here in Hattiesburg.
Over the course of the next weeks, you're going to hear us refer to culture statements a lot.
Here's why: If this is who we are, then we cannot stop repeating it.
We have three core pursuits, and everything we do is to build into one (or more) of these:
We are pursuing:
Real Devotional Life
Real Community
Real Response (Sometimes we call it responsibility)
As I look at the book of First Peter, we can see exactly how he views these same pursuits!
Here's how Peter views a real devotional life:
1 Peter 5:6–8 (ESV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Peter says that a real devotional life is:
humble
submissive & transparent
alert
clear-headed
Here's how Peter views real community:
1 Peter 3:8–12 (NKJV)
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, becourteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For “He who would love life And see good days, Let himrefrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
This checks all of the boxes for real community:
Unity
compassion & love
sympathy
courteous
I love what Peter says here:
"You were called to [Blessing] so that we may inherit a blessing!
Understand that BEING a blessing, comes before RECEIVING a blessing!
When we bless the people around us, it aligns us for the blessings of God!
Here is how Peter states our responsibility:
1 Peter 4:7–11 (NKJV)
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The end is at hand!
Eternity is a huge responsibility
When he reflects on the urgency of the hour - his solution is LOVE!
Hospitable without grumbling
"As we receive, minister" - God is positioning me to move compassion and love THROUGH me!
Because "Love covers a multitude of sin"
We've got a responsibility to be the earthly representations of Jesus to the people of this world.
Hub City Church does not exist to be a Sunday-centric organization so people can come have a religious experience - we are a family that is gathering together, because we share
Real devotional life
Real community
Real responsibility
When you look at the book of first Peter, we see that he shares the same heart to make the goodness of Jesus known to those around him:
We are here to make the goodness of Jesus unavoidable
The term "good" shows up 15 times in the book of 1 Peter
He says things like:
1 Peter 2:12 (NKJV)
12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:19–20 (NKJV)
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
1 Peter 3:11 (NKJV)
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.
Here's a good one:
1 Peter 3:13 (NKJV)
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
1 Peter 3:16 (NKJV)
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
1 Peter 3:17 (NKJV)
17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 4:9–10 (NKJV)
9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:19 (NKJV)
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
We know that He is good!
We know that his plan for us is good!
His plan for this city is good!
Going back to:
1 Peter 3:8-9
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, becourteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
We have been called to bless! Let's then be a blessing to our city!
Micro-Church - Week 21
Sunday's message was all about joy. One of the great things about Sunday together is the opportunity to pray together and worship together with those who have been through challenges lately, and needed the joy of the Lord to be poured out in their lives.
Take a moment during your time together, and reflect on the past week:
What have been the wins? What are you thankful for?
What have been the challenges? What has brought stress?
Who needs our help? How can our Micro-Church help them?
As believers, it is a challenge to walk in the joy of the Lord during difficult times. Being followers of Jesus does not make us numb to challenges of life, nor does it give us an exemption to tough times.
Consider what Jesus said:
Matthew 5:45 (NKJV)
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
To recap: Life happens to us all.
Discovery Bible Study
Let's take a look at what Peter said about the challenges of life:
1 Peter 1:3–9 (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
What do you notice about God in this passage?
What do you notice about people in this passage?
What do you feel like it means for faith to be "tested"? What is the final product of faith like gold that is tested by fire?
Have you had moments when you faced trials, your faith was tested, discuss the outcome?
We have to be intentional in identifying the relationship between joy and faith.
Simply put, as our faith increases, so will our joy.
This week , we want to apply the same prayer the disciples did in Luke 17:5
Luke 17:5 (NKJV)
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
As you are praying for God to increase your faith this week, name one person that you will share the joy of the Lord with this week. As a micro-church, pray together over this list and watch for God to open doors in their lives.
Joy | Full
Joy-Full
1 John 1:1–4 (NKJV)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
To better understand this, let's get some context:
one of the most prevalent false-doctrines facing the church at that time was gnosticism
this idea was things of the spirit were entirely good while things of the flesh were entirely bad, and there was no connection between them.
In christianity (Bible) you see the idea of "works of the flesh" and "works of the Spirit" and you can see where this gets confusing, right?
This produced two extremes in beliefs:
the belief that there was nothing good that could come from the "body" and so would apply this self-punishment and suffering mentality
the more suffering, the better
The other side of this belief system was that since the flesh and the spirit were completely separate, what happened in one sense didn't effect the other
they would go all-in to sin (since it didn't matter)
You can see how both sides of this belief system would rob the believer of the true joy that comes from serving Christ!
We still see this struggle today:
mean christians
christians that don't act like christians
The reality is, we hardly ever meet someone who is truly “full” of joy
Our culture has joy and happiness confused
When we don't understand the difference, we will go through life riding an emotional roller coaster
where we are substituting temporary feelings for eternal truths
Happiness is an emotion - joy is a state of being
one is situationally dependent on external things, the other is intrinsic
Here's what the Bible says about joy:
Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
It is our strength!
Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
It's a fruit of the Spirit (which means it isn't a work of will or ability)
These things I write that your joy might be "full"
He then begins to unpack 5 chapters of biblical living that are meant to move us into the place where we live lives of joy
I want to give you a few takeaways from this letter from 1 John:
Joyfulness comes as you move toward righteousness
The misconception of happiness being joy leads us to pursue pleasure
The problem is that many times we are way more in tune with our wants than our needs
Here's what John goes immediately into after verse 4:
1 John 1:5–7 (NKJV)
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Righteousness is a journey, not a destination
“Lord, make me holy!”
This means we are intentionally and methodically moving away from sin in our lives:
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
JOY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE ALWAYS LINKED!
But- understand - We aren’t moving toward righteousness alone:
1 John 1:8–2:2 (NKJV)
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Joyfulness comes as you move toward revelation
1 John 3:1–3 (NKJV)
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
"It has not yet been revealed what we shall be"
When you look at my life, it may not seem like much - but it isn't yet revealed what I will be!
I'm glad I'm not what I was, but what I am cannot compare to what he's making me!
We experience joy as we move toward the person that God is making us!
This is why it is important to walk with the Spirit!
Every time he reveals himself to me, I become more like Him - that process brings JOY!
Joyfulness comes as you move toward demonstration
1 John 4:20–5:4 (NKJV)
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
He tells us that a joyful lifestyle:
Loves people
Loves God
Gladly serves both!
If you are struggling with a lack of joy - try intentionally serving someone with a cheerful heart
When you begin to demonstrate the same love that Christ has shown us, it flushes our heart with freshness!
Micro-Church: Week 20
As we wrap up the book of Jonah, we see that Jonah ultimately obeyed God, but he was disappointed with the outcome. While there could be countless things that went into his disappointment, we highlighted three possibilities that could have played into his emotions:
A cultural prejudice that viewed Ninevites as less deserving of God's grace.
He was still a little salty about his time spent in the Mediterranean sea. You're welcome
for that pun.
God's extension of warning and grace to the Ninevites was an inconvenience to Jonah's
life.
Ministry to people is often difficult. Those difficulties can arise from our differences, our own issues, or a myriad of other things. As we become mature disciples, it is important that we learn to keep our emotions in check. If our frustrations run unchecked, we could find ourselves in the same situation as Jonah; used by God, and mad about it.
It is easy to see how Jonah would be frustrated with the whole process. Jonah's original response to God when he was fleeing to Tarshish wasn't lawful sin, but rather sin through negligence and disobedience. The people of Nineveh had descended into being a full-fledged "sin-city". Jonah had just experienced the most traumatic events of his life as judgement, while Nineveh was forgiven, and actually experienced no repercussions at all for their sins. It can be frustrating to see people who are not pursuing their relationship with Christ "enjoy" the things of life while we may feel that we are living lives of self-sacrifice for the kingdom. This week, let's talk about the tension that exists between ministering to others and not allowing the difficulties of ministry to distract us from our relationship with God.
Galatians 6:1–10 (ESV)
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load. 6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Observe
What do you notice from this passage about our relationship with God while we minister to people?
What do you notice from this passage about our ministry to people while we have a relationship with God?
Context
This passage gives direct instruction to people who are making disciples. Name and discuss the tasks that a faithful discipler must do.
Application
Have you ever been "grown wearing in doing good"? What keeps you motivated?
Is there someone in your life who needs restoration? What tangible step will you take this week to help (gently) move them in that direction?
Jonah - Deep Truths: Part 4
Jonah 4:1–11 (NKJV)
1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” 4 Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” 10 But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?
Week one - we talked about hearing AND obeying God
Week two - we talked about re-aligning ourselves to God
Week three - we talking receiving AND giving a specific Word
Today we are going to wrestle with doing the right thing with the wrong heart
How many of us have done the right thing, with the wrong attitude?
This week?
We open open the chapter after this verse:
Jonah 3:10 (NKJV)
10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.
God's response made Jonah angry!
WHY!?
3 reasons I see that Jonah was angry!
Jonah had prejudice in his heart.
He was the first prophet sent outside of Israel
He was sure that Nineveh didn't "deserve" the grace of the Lord
This was from his culture!
Jonah felt like God wasn't treating him fairly.
Jonah had been put through the ringer for "light" disobedience
Nineveh were getting off the hook, even though they were deep in sin.
God's agenda for Nineveh was inconvenient to Jonah.
Your feelings can be real and still be wrong
Jeremiah 17:9–10 (NKJV)
9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, Itest the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Sometimes we allow jealousy over someone else’s blessings to negate ours
Today, we don't want to be a bunch of Jonah's
Here are some truths that I speak over our feelings this morning:
1.Regardless of how I might feel, I know that all people should receive God's goodness
People... All people:
We will put no type in italics -- People need the Gospel!
Not: _____________ need the Gospel.
"certain" people
People like us... need the Gospel... People different than us.... Need the Gospel.
I believe that my city deserves to hear the Gospel as much as I needed to hear the Gospel!
There is no situation that gives me permission to decide who deserves the mercy of Jesus!
James 2:1 (NKJV)
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
---
James 2:8–9 (NKJV)
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
The problem was that:
Jonah would have rather been right about
their judgement than to see their salvation
We can yell at problems until we pass out, but only an experience with a loving savior will pull someone out of their sin!
2.Regardless of how I might feel, I know that God's ways are right
Isaiah 55:8–9 (NKJV)
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Jonah was missing the point because he was trying to COMPARE his relationship with God to Nineveh's relationship with God!
Here's why you can't compare your relationship with God to anyone else's:
They aren't you!
Romans 9:14–17 (NKJV)
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”
Luke 12:48 (NKJV)
48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
As you grow in your walk with the Lord, He's going to give you access to DEEPER truths which are only understood through DEEPER sacrifices!
When you know that God has asked you to make a costly adjustment, know that it will come with an even greater revelation of Him!
3.Regardless of how I might feel, I know that the glory of eternity is worth my inconvenience!
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (NKJV)
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The moments in your life that require costly obedience are worth it!
When we walk with a supernatural God - the Bible says:
Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
For me to see the potential of the kingdom at work around me, I have to be acquainted with the power of the kingdom at work within me!
You can't accomplish the purpose of God without the heart of God and the power of God!
Micro-Church - Week 19
The main themes over the last two weeks has been repentance and re-aligning our hearts with God. We see how quick God is to restore relationship both with Jonah and with Nineveh when they submitted their lives to Him. God delights in giving us His best. The Holy Spirit is constantly at work drawing us closer to Jesus, and transforming our lives to look more like his. Our last Micro-Church together we discussed Jesus as the good shepherd who would speak to us as he leads us. This week, we will continue in that thought process, discussing how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers to guide us in day to day life.
John 16:6–15 (NKJV)
6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
Discovery Bible Study
What do you notice about the relationship between the Father, the Son (Jesus is speaking in this passage), and the Holy Spirit?
What do you notice about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers?
Consider these verses:
1 Corinthians 2:9–12 (NKJV)
9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
What do you notice about a person who spends time gaining wisdom from the Holy Spirit?
What are some practical ways that we can adjust our lives to become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit teaching us?
A current trend is the "75 Hard" or "75 Medium". Basically it is 75 days of a disciplined routine.
What would happen if your Micro-Church implemented a period of time where you committed to practice a Spiritual discipline?
(These don't have to be difficult to achieve, but simply consistent practices. Discuss possibilities.)
Personally, is there an adjustment you would be willing to implement to better align your life to hear from the Holy Spirit consistently? Discuss.
Jonah - Deep Truths: Part 3
Jonah 3:1–10 (NKJV)
1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. 4 And 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!” 5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? 10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.
When we talk about the Word, there is a New testament distinction in how the Bible uses the word Word
Logos - it is the "general" idea of the word
Rhema - it is a specific Word, for a specific purpose, at a specific time
So, to summarize
Logos is a word given generally while Rhema is a word given specifically.
Logos:
John 1:1–2 (NKJV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
Rhema:
Romans 10:17 (NKJV) 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(So faith is increased when you receive a Word)
What I'm talking about this morning is not just a word that is general and broad, I'm talking about the type "Word" that is specific and applicable
Here are a few things that I know about receiving a Word from the Lord:
1.God will get you ready to receive a Word
The Word came to Jonah the second time -
In Chapter 1, Jonah received the same Word, but he apparently wasn't ready for it
After his experience on the boat, and in the fish - he re-aligns his life with the will of God
As we come back into alignment God will speak again!
What we learn here is that God will get you ready to receive a Word
You may be living with circumstances that you don't understand - God is getting you ready for a Word
How, then, do you know that you're about ready to receive a word?
You've checked your alignment (And you’re good!)
You feel hungry in your Spirit
"there's got to be more"
You start getting desperate for God's presence
Psalm 42:1–2 (NKJV) 1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
Psalm 42:7 (NKJV) 7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
He will get you ready for a word!
So, Jonah receives the Word in submission and obedience:
2.If God can get a Word to you He will get a Word through you!
(And if He can get a Word through you, He will get one to you!)
The reality is, that God spoke to Jonah, because He wanted to speak to Nineveh
The chief responsibility of Hub City Church is to bring a word to this city.
When we talk about making the goodness of Jesus unavoidable, we are also talking about making His Word unavoidable
One of the greatest benefits of a Micro-Church is the opportunity to practice the gifts of the Spirit in a comfortable environment
1 Corinthians 12:7–11 (NKJV) 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Mirco-Church is a great place to PRACTICE the gifts - GIVE A WORD!
3.One Word can change your life!
Verse 5: So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.
When you live a Biblical lifestyle - there is no pressure. It's not your word. It's God's Word.
When you receive a Word, you are in control of the response, but God is in control of the results
God's Word Works!
When you receive it like Nineveh did, it changes everything
The judgement is stopped
The punishments are broken
The ruin of the city is changed to revival in the city!
They received it - They repented!
Why? Because one Word from the Lord can change everything
One Word from the Lord can change anything
Jonah - Deep Truths: Part 2
This week: The relationship between repentance and revival
Jonah 2:1–10 (NKJV)
1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. 2 And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice. 3 For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. 4Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ 5 The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. 6 I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God. 7 “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple. 8 “Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy. 9 But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” 10 So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Jonah's experience teaches us that you cannot go far enough or deep enough to get away from the presence of God.
But
As far as his relationship with God, things are not going great:
Living in disobedience
Being corrected by the Spirit
Have you ever been in a position where you knew that you weren't right in the center of where God wants you?
Hard to pray
You don't really want to worship
It's a mix of shame, hurt, guilt
You FEEL a thousand miles away from God...... But:
Acts 17:27 (ESV)
27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
What if our relationship with God was not based DISTANCE from God, but alignment with God?
If it's based on distance:
I live a life where:
I think that I have to work to make my way back to him
I think that sin can be quantified
I think that my good actions make me 'better'
This is the root of works based religion!
BUT WHAT IF.....
If my relationship is based on alignment instead of distance then things are much different!
So Jonah is as "far" as he can be from God (He's even talking about that)
but the moment he repents, the whole situation changes
The fish vomits him up
God asks him again to go to Ninevah
INSTANTLY
That's not what we see here:
One moment, Jonah's relationship with God is vibrant - He's in alignment -God calls him to Ninevah
Next, Jonah disobeys - He's out of alignment - storms, seas, fish guts
He repents - back into alignment - God puts him on dry land, calls him again to Ninevah
So this Sunday is about checking our alignment!
As I bring disobedience and sin into my life, it doesn't push me FARTHER from God, but takes me out of the alignment with the work of Christ.
The lesson we learn from Jonah here in chapter 2 is a lesson of how to repent!
He called out to God
He admitted his disobedience
He asked for God's mercy
He is acknowledging that he needs the salvation that only comes from the Lord
When Jonah repents - he is brought back into alignment with the will of God
When I bring my heart to repentance, it brings me into alignment and brings the opportunity for:
A new start
A renewed mind
A renewed calling
“It's not the task of God to align himself with us, it's our job to align ourselves with him.”
John 15:7–8 (NKJV)
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Abiding in Jesus means spending MORE TIME in ALIGNMENT with his will
MicroChurch - Week 17
MicroChurch Week 17
Context:
This week one of the main themes of the message was hearing and obeying God. Jonah had a relationship with God that was personal enough that he clearly heard from God. Hearing, though, is only half of the equation. Learning to hear the Lord is pivotal, but our response is just as important. Consider the parable of Jesus:
Matthew 21:28–31 (NKJV)
28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.
There is a definite correlation between hearing and following, here’s how Jesus explained it in John 10:
DISCOVER
John 10:1–11 (NKJV): 10 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
If Jesus is the shepherd, what do we learn about the character and actions of Jesus from this passage?
If we are the sheep, what do we learn about being a follower of Jesus from this passage?
CONTEXT
We discussed that there are various ways that God speaks to His people: By His Word, Through His Spirit in prayer, (and also confirms) through the church, and through circumstances.
Discuss the ways that God seems to speak to you personally.
Do you find it hard to clearly hear God or to quickly and faithfully respond to God?
RESPOND
What are some practical steps that you can take to respond to what you have discussed today?
Jonah - Deep Truths: Part 1
Jonah 1:1-2:
1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.”
We believe that God speaks to his people:
God is speaking to you through Micro-Church experiences
We want to learn from each other
Sometimes it is hard to believe that God would speak to people
God does, in fact, speak to his people
When God speaks, He speaks for a purpose!
God speaks in multiple ways
Through the Word
By the Spirit (in prayer)
Also - be careful with these - These should confirm what Good is speaking through the Word and through prayer
Through his people (church)
Through circumstances
God speaks to Jonah - but it's not about Jonah!
God's word may not be about you!
When God speaks to Jonah, He does so out of concern for the city of Ninevah
Here’s a central theme of this book:
God is concerned about the city
Jonah has the distinction of being the first OT prophet sent outside his own country
God doesn't give us (Hub City Church) direction because:
He is concerned with our attendance numbers
He is trying to build out bank account
He is trying to create a popular church
God is directing us because He is concerned with the city!
This is why we are Hub City Church!
This is why I have to listen when I am out and about
God will speak to you ABOUT those around you!
And here's how Jonah responds:
Jonah 1:3
3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
One of the most difficult things in being a disciple is being stagnant
God is going to continually challenge you
Why?
He is increasing our faith by giving us opportunities to experience Him in ways that we've never experienced Him
The reason being stagnant is so difficult is because you will either rise to the challenge or find a way to avoid the challenge
Jonah chooses the latter - He is running away from the presence of the Lord
As we pursue discipleship - I need you to be honest with yourself and each other!
If you are uncomfortable with an area that God is challenging you - Let's TALK!
Many times, the apprehensions we have are only lies from the enemy!
Jonah runs away in rebellion!
Verse 3 cont'd
He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
"He paid the fare" - Getting away from God will cost you!
Proverbs 13:15 (MEV) 15 Good understanding gives favor, but the way of transgressors is hard.
Here's why running from God is hard:
1. You reap the consequences of your decisions
2. God will throw roadblocks in your way
You have to work against the Spirit to live in disobedience
Disobedience costs more than failed attempts at submission
I'd rather fail
trying to follow Jesus than
succeed in getting away from Him
Jonah is trying his best to get away!
Jonah 1:4 -
4 But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.
God loves you enough to break up the boat that is carrying you out of His will!
Jonah 1:5 - 6 -
5 Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. 6So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”
The people around you are depending on your relationship with God.
Jonah 1:7-17 -
7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. 11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?”—for the sea was growing more tempestuous. 12 And he said to them, “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.” 13Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them. 14 Therefore they cried out to the Lord and said, “We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows. 17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah finds out:
No matter what you do
No matter where you go
You cannot outrun God
He's so wide that - You can't get around him
He stretches from everlasting to everlasting - You can't outrun him
This is a marvelous thing - there were times when I tried to get away but the Spirit of God tracked me down
God finds Jonah in the midst of his running and begins the process of bringing him back into submissive obedience!
As Jonah is on the boat that is about to sink -
God is sending a life-raft his way
For 3 days and 3 nights he is inside a fish