The Jonah story

I missed 2 weeks of church. 2 weeks ago I was as sick as I've ever been. Last week we traveled to Toronto. I'm just getting over this flu

Yesterday and Friday we spent 16 hours in lectures at Southland mega church in Steinbach with their SetFree course.

Dave Ens www.EasTview.org
How do I hear God?
See ourselves as people God wants to communicate with.

God and Jonah had an interesting relationship. God was willing to work with him even though Jonah didn't appreciate it.

Jonah 3.10 and 4. Jonah was angry. God was too nice as far Jonah was concerned. He'd rather die than see God be merciful to Nineveh. It was such a sinful place.

Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?"

"Yes," Jonah retorted, "even angry enough to die!" (Jonah 4:9)

Then the LORD said, "You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. (Jonah 4:10)

God allowed compassion to override justice.

God asked Jonah: But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, people who don't know their right hand from their left. not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city?" (Jonah 4:11)

Communion.
Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. (1 John 4:11)

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:10)

Listen Hear

Since the beginning of time humans have tried to communicate with the metaphysical.
Dave Ens www.EasTview.org
We naturally sense that there is something greater out there. God is not far. Christmas highlights that. God talks to Mary Joseph wise men shepherds

We all want to hear from God. But then we don't know if we really want to.
Over the next month we want to explore talking & listening.

Jonah is an example to explore. How does his relationship with God work?

It's a story where no one does what they are supposed to do except God and the fish.

Jonah 1 (dove son of truth)
Tried to get away from God. The Word of the Lord came. .. a message from God

God told me... is so misused. In the old Testament prophets were in clear communication with God mostly about things in the near future. Joel 2 the people will prophesy. It is all of our jobs to speak to other people to build the church.

How do I hear from God? He is still talking. Are we listening? We are hearing from God more than we think we are!

Samuel head God speaking but didn't recognize him.

Jonah got the message. 
"Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are." (Jonah 1:2)

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the LORD by sailing to Tarshish. (Jonah 1:3)

Jonah Runs from the LORD

Hatred was the operative word between the Israelites and Ninevites. Jonah could not stomach the idea of going to Nineveh.

Why do we want to hear from God?

God wants to give us a new lens. Transformation takes time.

Do you want chicken or Chinese food?