Good morning,
The Lord blessed us with a beautiful weekend of worship, work, and witness. It is a thrill to serve the Lord with His people. It was a great blessing to prepare and serve the meal at First UMC, Endicott Saturday noon and to gather for worship in the evening. It was a great blessing to be In His House for worship yesterday.
Sunita is in Armenia with her work. She has called a few times to share with us that the Lord is blessing her as she meets new people and visits new places. Praise the Lord for His Kingdom works around the corner and around the globe.
The Old Testament reading for yesterday was taken from Jonah 3. One of the things that is clear in the book of Jonah and really throughout the Bible, is that God is a God of 2nd chances. In fact it might be more accurate to suggest He is a God of almost unlimited chances. Jonah received a 2nd chance and so did the people of Nineveh. Think about how many times in our lives we have messed up. . . and pleaded with God to forgive us and we come to the amazing understanding . . . that God has forgiven us.
John Ortberg wrote, "Redeeming is what God is into. He is the finder of directionally-challenged sheep, the searcher of missing coins, the embracer of foolish prodigal children. His favorite department is ‘Lost and Found.’ If there is one way that human beings consistently underestimate God’s love, it is perhaps in His loving longing to forgive."
When Jonah finally arrived at Nineveh, he found a city of about 200,000 people going about their business. Amazingly, God loved these wicked Assyrians even though they worshiped other gods. Jonah walked into all of this, under the command of God, and proclaimed, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” It was a one sentence sermon, 8 words in English and only 5 words in Hebrew. Yet, despite the lack of eloquence, in verse 5 it says that the people of Nineveh responded to the God of the universe. The people of Nineveh believed in God. They called a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. When word reached the king, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe, and covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. He issued a proclamation saying, "In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let man call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked ways."
John Ortberg wrote, "Redeeming is what God is into. He is the finder of directionally-challenged sheep, the searcher of missing coins, the embracer of foolish prodigal children. His favorite department is ‘Lost and Found.’ If there is one way that human beings consistently underestimate God’s love, it is perhaps in His loving longing to forgive."
When Jonah finally arrived at Nineveh, he found a city of about 200,000 people going about their business. Amazingly, God loved these wicked Assyrians even though they worshiped other gods. Jonah walked into all of this, under the command of God, and proclaimed, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” It was a one sentence sermon, 8 words in English and only 5 words in Hebrew. Yet, despite the lack of eloquence, in verse 5 it says that the people of Nineveh responded to the God of the universe. The people of Nineveh believed in God. They called a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. When word reached the king, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe, and covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. He issued a proclamation saying, "In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let man call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked ways."
God loves everyone. God is not willing that any should perish but that all people would come to repentance so that they would know Him. God is a God of mystery and majesty. We have seen it in our own lives. People we never thought would come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are now part of His Family.
Notice that the people immediately began to repent. Everyone in Nineveh accepted this message from Jonah. Even the king took off his robe and put on sackcloth, showing he was serious about repenting. He told the people not only to repent and put on sackcloth, but that they should GIVE UP THEIR EVIL WAYS AND TURN FROM VIOLENCE.
During the Welsh Revivals of the 19th century, the Holy Spirit convicted many people of their sin and the need to make restitution. However, it created an unexpected problem for the shipyards along the coast of Wales. Over the years workers had stolen items ranging from wheelbarrows to hammers. As people sought to be right with God, they started to return what they had taken, with the result that soon the shipyards of Wales were overwhelmed with returned property. There were such huge piles of returned tools that several of the yards put up signs that read, "If you have been led by God to return what you have stolen, please know that the management forgives you and wishes you to keep what you have taken."
Jonah was a reluctant, bitter prophet. He wanted to keep God to himself. Many of us also think that we have the right to determine who is worthy to be called to Jesus. Yet, the call of God and the purpose of our lives is to preach and teach Jesus, so that others, even our so- called enemies, turn their lives around and embrace the love, joy, peace, grace, and forgiveness God offers. We are ALL called to be Jonahs, to go into our sphere of influence, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.
During the Welsh Revivals of the 19th century, the Holy Spirit convicted many people of their sin and the need to make restitution. However, it created an unexpected problem for the shipyards along the coast of Wales. Over the years workers had stolen items ranging from wheelbarrows to hammers. As people sought to be right with God, they started to return what they had taken, with the result that soon the shipyards of Wales were overwhelmed with returned property. There were such huge piles of returned tools that several of the yards put up signs that read, "If you have been led by God to return what you have stolen, please know that the management forgives you and wishes you to keep what you have taken."
Jonah was a reluctant, bitter prophet. He wanted to keep God to himself. Many of us also think that we have the right to determine who is worthy to be called to Jesus. Yet, the call of God and the purpose of our lives is to preach and teach Jesus, so that others, even our so- called enemies, turn their lives around and embrace the love, joy, peace, grace, and forgiveness God offers. We are ALL called to be Jonahs, to go into our sphere of influence, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Brown
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Praise and Worship Service
First United Methodist Church, Endicott
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6 PM Gathering - Coffee - Fellowship
6:30 PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Brown Naik
On FEBRUARY 11, 2012 Saturday, at First United Methodist Church, 53 McKinley Ave., Endicott, at 5:30 PM - There will be a Special Banquet prepared by Joe Walker, including a variety of international Cuisine... It will be a great celebration. At 6:30 PM there will be a Hymn Sing with Aric Phinney at the Grand Piano and Yancey Moore at the Organ. Dave Berry will lead the the Hymn Sing.
On FEBRUARY 4 & 5, the Movie, “Courageous” is to be shown. On Saturday, at First United Methodist Church, 53 McKinley Ave, Endicott the Doors will open at 5:30. On Sunday the movie will be shown at Union Center UMC, doors opening at 2:00. As vividly illustrated in COURAGEOUS, the impact of fathers in the lives of their children is immense. This powerful film has been the starting point for a movement of fathers creating a legacy of Godly families. A free will offering will benefit the youth retreat in April.
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