Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Deliver Hope – Nah, I’m Good

August 24, 2022/ in Week 3, Bible Study

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God is extremely creative in getting one’s attention, and our current series, Nah, I’m Good, is a strong reminder. Choosing not to embrace an assignment given by God, Jonah initially went in the opposite direction. But God had other plans. He arranged for Jonah to be thrown overboard by shipmates and swallowed by a great fish, where he remained for three days and three nights. Now that’s a lot of creativity!

Eventually, Jonah had a change of heart, the fish regurgitated him, and he delivered God’s message to the people of Nineveh.

Jonah 3:4

On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”

Just as God called Jonah to share a message with unbelievers, he also calls us to share the Good News of Jesus with others. How we do that often varies, depending on how we are wired.

Some people use a Confrontational approach. like the apostle Paul or Peter. These individuals can stand up and boldly share their faith on the spot with anyone. This is what people commonly think of when they hear the word “evangelism”, but it’s not the only style.

For others it starts with an Invitational “come and see” approach (John 1:39). Starting relational connections with trust is an intentional focus at CedarCreek. Every weekend service, by design, is created and delivered with an unchurched person in mind. Lead Pastor Ben Snyder referred to this as “invitational evangelism”. Come and see. Visit an event at CedarCreek.

Another type of evangelism is Testimonial—one’s own personal story of God’s grace. Writing this week for LIO gave me pause to recall my own personal messenger from God some forty years ago. It has been a long time since this event has surfaced in my mind. Although I do not recall his exact words, God’s messenger that day delivered a simple notification to me: “You think you are here for a chronic medical problem, but the physical problem you are plagued with is truly a spiritual one.”

Hmmm… The messenger departed as quickly as he had appeared. There was no shame, no blame, no judgment, and no questions. He clearly was on a mission, and I was his target audience! It is clear now—God sent him at what could have been a pivotal time for me.

As followers of Christ, make it a goal to draw others to Christ through dismantling all harsh words and self-righteous judgment.

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Likewise, if you receive an unexpected message, consider it and pray to God for clarification. Had I seriously considered the validity of the message delivered that afternoon, the spiritual landing awaiting me would have shaved off many, many months of spiritual wandering!

Like Jonah, sometimes we are called to receive God’s message, and other times share it. In either case, every turnaround starts with trust.

Questions:

What messages/warnings have you received from someone brought into your life by God?

Have you ever been called to share a message with someone else?

Next Steps:

Take some time to reflect and journal on the messages/warnings you have received that drew you closer to or repelled you away from God. Consider the circumstances in your life and what would have been helpful at those turning points.

If you’re called to deliver a message, consider the healthiest, most loving way to deliver it before speaking into their life. Pray for God’s guidance in speaking specific concerns to those closest to you. Make it a habit to deliver messages in the same loving way you would hope to receive them.

21 Days of Prayer

Day 17 Focus – To be like Christ in Relationships (Philippians 2:3-4)

Dear Lord, please help me be like you in all my relationships with others. Help me humble myself and think of the needs of others before my own. Teach me to see how I can serve those around me. Please show me the places in my life where I can make others feel like they matter and let them know that they are not alone. Amen.

Today’s Parent Prayer