SUNDAY MORNINGS, 10:45 A.M.

JONAH

It's More than a Fish Story, it's the Story of Us!  

Jonah’s ministry took place in the 8th century BC – sometime between 780 and 755 BC. We see him mentioned in 2 Kings 14:23-25 as predicting the expansion of Israel’s territory during the reign of Jeroboam II. Remember that this was a time when the Israelites had divided their nation into to separate kingdoms – the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. They continued to worship the same God, but they were two separate kingdoms. We see here that Jonah is from the town of Gath Hepher, which was in the territory of the tribe of Zebulun – not far from Nazareth. He was clearly a prophet of respect and stature. And so it makes sense when God sends him on a mission. The language is the usual prophetic formula – “the word of the Lord came to Jonah.”
 
The story of Jonah is one of the most well-known Bible stories of all. The reluctant prophet, Jonah, is commanded to go and preach to the Ninevites, Israel's sworn enemies, so that destruction might not fall upon them. Jonah would love nothing more than to see Nineveh destroyed, but he knows that God is compassionate and will forgive them if they repent, therefore he boards a ship heading the other direction away from Nineveh. God's wrath follows the ship, until Jonah is thrown overboard by the other sailors and swallowed by a giant fish.  While in the belly of the fish, he repents of his own disobedience and is delivered back onto shore, at which point he preaches against Nineveh's sin and commands them to repent. They do, in wholehearted fashion, and God relents from destroying them. 
 
The book ends with Jonah waiting in vain for Nineveh to be destroyed, bitter that God would show such kindness to a people who are at war with His own.  The purpose of the book of Jonah is to show God's people that His plan is exceedingly compassionate  (God is gracious) and exceedingly certain (God is sovereign).  
 
Now that you have a little background to the life of Jonah…don’t miss this opportunity discover that the Story of Jonah is more than just a “fish story”…it’s actually a story of our lives! Pastor Doug
SUNDAY EVENINGS, 6 P.M.

PAUL’S LETTER
TO THE ROMANS

A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BOOK OF ROMANS 

If someone were to ask you “what’s the most important letter you have ever read?”…what would your response be?  Without a doubt, one of the most important books in the Bible is the Book of Romans.  It was written by the Apostle Paul.  Beginning January 21st we want to invite you to join us for a journey through Paul’s letter to the Romans.  During this special sermon series we will examine, verse by verse, this very vital book for the Christian Faith.  Martin Luther started the Reformation because of the book of Romans.  Augustine became a Christian because of the book of Romans.  All throughout history, God has used the book of Romans to influence people lives in ways you could never imagine… I imagine He wants to do the same in your life too!