The prophet Jonah was commissioned to preach repentance to the Assyrian city of Nineveh. The key word we want to focus on is commission, because the call is what is really essential here. The word declares many are called and few are chosen. Instead of answering the call he decided to run and this put a mark on his integrity and reliability. Maybe some of you have been commissioned by the lord and you decided to run instead of answering your call. The saying goes you can run but you can't hide.(and every time you run from place to place it puts a mark on your integrity and reliability ). There
are many of you running to and from trying to avoid the call in your life, and where ever you go and whatever you do you will never be complete until you stop running and answer the call. Jonah experienced this as he boarded a ship headed in opposite directions of where he was called to go. Many of you are headed in opposite directions on where God has called you to go because you don't want to accept responsibility for doing the work of the lord. That's why you can't explain the storms going on in your life, financial problems, marital home life problems, personal health problems all these things steam from the commission God is calling you to. How many more nights are you willing to spend in the belly of the whale before you answer the call. We find it easy to blame others on why we run, in fact we look for reason to continue to run. The just of this book is Jonah repented, he preached to Nineveh and they repented and turned to God, just think about it if you don't answer the call who will hear and repent. The word say's Romans 10:14-15 'how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent, to do the work of the lord you must be serious, accountable, dedicated, and committed STOP running ........ STOP making excuses ...... STOP blaming others and answer the call.
God Bless Pastor
10 WAYS TO KILL A CHURCH
1. DON'T COME
2. IF YOU DO COME, ALWAYS ARRIVE LATE.
3. AFTER EVERY SERVICE LET IT BE KNOWN LOUD AND CLEAR THAT YOU DIDN'T GET ANYTHING OUT OF THE SERVICE.
4.NEVER ACCEPT A JOB OR LEADERSHIP POSITION IN THE CHURCH. IT'S MUCH BETTER TO STAND ON THE SIDE LINES AND CRITICIZE.
5.VISIT OTHER CHURCH'S ABOUT HALF THE TIME JUST TO SHOW YOUR PASTOR AND FELLOW CHURCH MEMBERS YOU AREN'T TIED
TO THEM.
6. MAKE THE PAID LEADERS OF THE CHURCH EARN THEIR SALARIES. MAKE THEM DO ALL THE WORK AND BLAME THEM IF IT ISN'T DONE RIGHT.
7. SIT TOWARD THE BACK OF THE CHURCH AND NEVER SING OR PARTICIPATE IN THE SERVICE.
8. NEVER PAY IN ADVANCE, WAIT TO SEE IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET YOUR MONIES WORTH.
9. NEVER ENCOURAGE THE PASTOR.
10. BE SURE TO POINT OUT ANY FAULT OF YOUR CHURCH TO ANY GUEST WHO MIGHT BE PRESENT FOR THE SERVICE . THEY MIGHT NEVER NOTICE THESE FAULTS WITHOUT YOUR HELP.
ALTHOUGH WE GO THROUGH MANY STORMS IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE STORM IS BUT HOW WE HANDLE WHAT COMES OUR WAY YOUR ATTITUDE DETERMINES YOUR ALTITUDE YOUR ALTITUDE DETERMINES YOU FORTITUDE AND THIS GUARANTEE'S YOUR VICTORY THIS MEANS YOU WIN
PASTOR ERIC B. SMITH
