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#742. THE MESSAGE THAT GOD GIVES (2/2/23)

Writer's picture: Matt BeaneyMatt Beaney


‘Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”’ (Jonah 3:1-2)

Summary: Let’s learn to be proficient at sharing God’s word and the gospel.


You can watch this devotional at:


Jonah is called a second time to go to Nineveh. God tells him to “proclaim to it the message I give you.” All of us are to speak what God wants us to speak. God has given us His word - the Bible- and the gospel message that He wants us to be familiar with and be willing and ready to share.


i. SHARE GOD’S WORD TO THE CHURCH

Firstly, we are to be prepared to share God’s word within our local churches according to the roles and gifting that He has given to us. We may not all be preaching elders, but we are all called to encourage one another with the Bible and the gospel:

‘Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.’ (Colossians 3:16)

ii. SHARE THE WORD WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Secondly, like Jonah, we are to share the ‘message God gives to us’ with our communities outside of the church. At CCP, we find it helpful to talk about SIV - Serve, Invest and Invite. Of course, there may be times when some are called to stand up and preach to people in the manner we see in Jonah; however, for most of us, everyday evangelism happens as we:

i. Serve - Serve real needs and display the love of God.

ii. Invest - Invest in relationships that God opens up to us.

iii. Invite - Having served and invested, we invite people into church community, church events such as The Alpha Course, and invite them to come to God through the gospel.


RESPONSE - LEARN FROM OTHERS

Let's learn to be proficient in sharing God's word and the gospel. While there's much that could be said about this, being devoted to a church community that teaches God's word and set an example of how to handle it is the most important way to learn to share God's word and share the gospel. This requires an investment of time, but it's an investment that will enable you to hear God's word and share it effectively.

 

COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY


1. NOTICES

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

  • Please try to use the COME TO JESUS DAILY DEVOTIONALS (blog). This will help us to get deep into this book together. There is also a video option if that helps (Ensure that everyone knows how to access this)

  • Please get signed up for Funky Monkeys and invite your friends: https://www.communitychurchputney.com/funkymonkeys


2. ICEBREAKER

What have been your 'highs' and 'lows' from the past few weeks?

3. RECAP OF SUNDAY’S MESSAGE - PLEASE SHARE IN YOUR GROUP


JONAH OBEYED AND WENT


Please read Jonah 2:1-3


MAIN IDEA: WE ALWAYS HAVE A FRESH OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK TO GOD AND TO SERVE HIM.


1. THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME A SECOND TIME

God speaks to Jonah again and recommissions him to go to preach to Nineveh.


2. GO TO THE CITY

God repeats his commission to Jonah. The Holy Spirit, if we give Him space, want to continually remind us of the Great Commission that is spoken over us (See Matthew 28:18-20).


3. GIVE THE MESSAGE THAT GOD GIVES

God sends Jonah to proclaim His message. Likewise, the gospel - Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sin and salvation - is the message that God has given and that we are to give.


4. RESPONSE: JONAH OBEYED AND WENT. WHAT WILL OUR RESPONSE BE?

Jonah, this time, responds by going on God’s mission to Nineveh. As with Jonah, we always have a fresh opportunity to come back to God and to serve Him in His mission.


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  • How would you counsel someone who said that they felt that God had given up on them and that they could never be forgiven and restored?

  • Jonah obeyed God's call to preach in Nineveh. This shows us the importance of obedience to God's mission in our lives. What does it mean for you to follow God's mission in your life?

  • How have you Served, Invested and Invited in your communities this week? (Let’s share about this again next week)

  • How have you got on with making a list and praying for your non-believing friends each day? (Let’s share about this again next week)

  • Let’s now pray for specific people that God has put on your heart and in your life.

  • Let’s pray for each other that the Spirit would fill us with His resurrection power so as to be compassionate and courageous this week.


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