Don't Do That

Notes: Don't Do That

Pastor Steve Wilburn - Core Church in Los Angeles - Pastor Greg introduced him as the "Force of Nature"

August 10, 2014

Pastor Steve said there is no better motivator to spread the word of God then a prayer.

Speaking of the Harvest Crusade, he said over 5 million people have attended over the last 25 years and over 400,000 had stood up to make a commitment to Christ.

He said that God uses us to make that happen. Our purpose and time is now!

He is going to use the example of Jonah to emphasis his message today of "don't do that". Other figures in the bible May be less relatable to us because unlike Moses, we never parted the Red Sea.

We are reviewing four points today.

1. Don't be rebellious

Jonah 1:1-3 NKJV

[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." [3] But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 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.

God told Jonah to go one way and Jonah went the opposite way, like many of us do.

There will always be consequences for resisting the call of God.

1. There is a cost to resist God

2. Jonah paid the fare

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

[9] But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Luke 19:10 NKJV

[10] for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

We are here to be the representative of God.

Today we are not suffering from a lack of knowledge, we are suffering from a passion filled heart.

Jonah did not want the Ninevites to be saved, he wanted them to burn. Is there anyone in your life that you feel that way about?

Ezekiel 18:32 NKJV

[32] For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"

Ecclesiastes 12:14 NKJV

[14] For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

When you are in front of God everything will be exposed.

Where is your course today? Are you serving God.

How many people are in your sphere of life that need to be saved? People that you think "look good"

2. Don't be asleep

Jonah 1:5-6 NKJV

[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. [6] So 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."

Don't think for a second that the people around you aren't worried about what is going on around them. Don't be asleep like Jonah.

56% of people in a study said they would consider going to church if someone invited them.

Steve said that after reading that, he invited someone to church and the guy was there at church on Sunday. If he didn't invite he wouldn't of come.

Steve said he asked the guy originally "When is the last time someone told you that there is a God in Heaven that loves you?"

Take advantage of the opportunities to invite people! The Crusade is an even bigger opportunity.

What is the cost to ask people? It cost nothing to you, but can mean everything to a person that is saved!

Reach out to those in your sphere of life.

Jonah 1:15 NKJV

[15] So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.

3. Don't be Stubborn

It can always get worse!

Jonah 1:17 NKJV

[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.

Jesus referenced Jonah:

Matthew 12:39-41 NKJV

[39] But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. [40] For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [41] The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

Jonah 2:5-7 NKJV

[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.

Jonah 2:10 NKJV

[10] So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah's attitude was extremely bad and got worse.

Jonah 3:1-6 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.

Jonah's message was precise, nothing but wrath. It changed the people to repent, even though Jonah was bitter.

Romans 2:4 NKJV

[4] Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

We need to deliver God's message with a smile and happiness!

God has forgiven you and will forgive everyone.

4. Don't be upset.

Jonah 4:1-3 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 loving kindness, One who relents from doing harm. [3] Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!"

Don't do what Jonah did when your family and friends are saved.

The book of Jonah is a message to people with a hardened heart.

Jonah 4:4-8 NKJV

[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."

Jonah was hoping that God would change his mind and destroy the people.

The plant and worm was a lesson to Jonah. There was so many people being saved and Jonah was still upset, even more concerned about a plant and worm then the saving grace that God gave 120,000 people.

The bible never says if Jonah ever repented for his hardened heart towards the people of Nineveh. We do know 120,000 Ninevites were saved.

We don't know what will happen tomorrow. We all need The Lord today.

Are you going to help others find Jesus?