Jonah has been swallowed by the great fish.  He will spend three days and three nights in this odd situation and will spend this time reflecting and praying. Jonah recognizes that he has sinned against God by running away, and that he was deserving of death.  God heard and spoke to the fish and so Jonah was vomited out onto dry land.  What can we learn from this?   Sin brings us to the bottom; however, God sees and hears us even in these situations and lifts us up.  He also uses those who have been to the bottom. 

The second week of our sermon series continues.  A storm is raging, the seamen are afraid.  Jonah confesses his origins and his fear of the Lord.  He persuades the men to throw him overboard in order to save themselves.  Reluctantly, they do this and the sea calms.  They are transformed as a result and Jonah is also saved.  He is swallowed by the great fish.  From the second half of Jonah Chapter 1, we learn how God used a rebellious broken man to reveal His greatness. 

Today marks the beginning of a new five-week series based on the Book of Jonah.  From Jonah's story, we are reminded of God's mercy and forgiveness, His heart for all people and that, in spite of our flaws, we cannot run from God's plan for us.  Today, our focus is on the messages to be learned from Chapter 1, verses 1-6, which describes Jonah's rebellion against God's word.  Applying, this situation to ourselves, we are reminded that despite our own rebellion, God is Faithful, that Jesus came for us and that God still uses us.   

This sermon series closes today with a reminder that a purpose of the church is to serve together as a body using our individual gifts.  From Romans 12:3-8 we are reminded that we are to think and act with humility, recognize and respect our diversity, and use our gifts to serve.  Serving, on the other hand, requires sacrifice and commitment.  The reward is joy.  

This Thanksgiving weekend our Church 101 series continues with giving as a purpose of the church.  Why is giving important?  It allows us to draw closer to God. We believe that the God of the Bible is a giving God. And so knowing that and believing that, we seek to follow His model and the reality that He gave His Son as a ransom so that we could be forgiven of our sin. From 2 Corinthians 9:10-15, we are reminded that generous giving is a gift from God, it leads to thanksgiving to Him and brings glory to Him.  What should we give?  Our time, our talent, our treasure.  

"The more you give, the more comes back to you, because God is the greatest giver in the universe, and He won't let you outgive Him. Go ahead and try. See what happens." (Randy Alcorn)

In week 5 of our Church 101 series, we explore missions through the lens of Psalm 67:1-7.  Our passion for missions is fueled by our passion for God.  Prayer is the seed; the source of missions is God's power; the result of missions, praise of the nations; and the harvest, a profit of abundance.  

"How Do We Participate in the Harvest?"  We Pray. We Give. We Go. 

Our Church 101 series continues.  The message today is intended to compel us to share Jesus with those around us.  From 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, we are reminded that we are made new in Jesus, we are reconciled to God through Jesus, we are entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation, we are ambassadors for Christ and we become the righteousness of God in Jesus. We are to share Jesus out of obedience to God, our love for Him and our love for others.  

Today our "Church 101" series continues with the meaning and importance of discipleship.  We learn from Hebrews 10:19-25 that as disciples, we are called to follow Jesus' leading and invitation, to faithfully draw near, to hold fast, to provoke other disciples and to meet frequently with and encourage other disciples. 

Today our "Church 101" series continues with an examination of what it means to bow in contant prayer. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, we are reminded to pray remembering who God is; knowing who we are; without ceasing and individually and corporately.  

Today marks the beginning of a seven-week sermon series, "Church 101", aimed at helping us understand what it means to be a church. As the title suggests, this week is an examination of what it means to stand on the authority of God's Word.  In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we are told that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."  These verses, along with 2 Timothy 4:1-4, remind us that the Word of God is inspired; authoritative and sufficient.  We are called on to faithfully preach, read, discuss and apply His Word.