As mentioned before the senior pastor did a sermon to celebrate the church's anniversary.
He was a warm, friendly man from one of the Southern states of the USA and I can see why my own pastor gets motivated by him!
What a needed sermon on here after junk posts showing God's love in the context of believers but twisting it to mean everyone with no Gospel.
Before starting I emphasise the pastor made the comparison of Jonah and Jesus achknowledging Jonah was a sinner while Christ was God the Son and sinless.
. The storming sea in Jonah was represantitive of God's wrath and anger.
. When we were outside of Christ, alll of us were in the boat surrounded by God's wrath but Christ saved us and took God's wrath. (Think Jonah plunging into the sea).
. Those who trust in their works are like those sailors veinly trying to row harder in the violent sea of Jonah.
. Amazingly even after God used him, Jonah remained disobedient, but are we not the same?
. All the testimonies, etc. We hear of all these amazing brothers and sisters in Christ but we must remember even on their best days these people still sin, fix your eyes on Christ!
. God doesn't give us serving suggestions- he gives direct instructions! (Really reminded me of Christian posts going on about comfort, self love, etc).
. Ultimately, if our hope were in ourselves, circumstances, etc we would fail!
