Things We Do Which Keeps the Gospel from Spreading
Jonah was a prophet of Israel. He was doubly responsible to represent God to all nations.
Jonah's Missed Opportunities to Represent God:
1. He was sleeping while others worked. Like Jonah, we are often so caught up in our own needs, we don't see the needs of others.
2. He said nothing when asked to call on his God. It's easy to talk about the things we are excited about. It's difficult to talk about God when we are at odds with Him.
3. He didn't come clean when they started casting lots. Many Christians have a very difficult time admitting when they are wrong.
4. He didn't represent God when he boarded the ship (vs10). By painting himself as "self-sufficient" and by not demonstrating a fear of God, he made God appear very small and weak to the sailors.
FOUR THINGS THAT KEEP THE GOSPEL FROM SPREADING:
1. Inwardly focused Christians.
Jesus was the most outwardly focused person who ever lived. The endless navel gazing many Christians engage in keeps them from being evangelists like Christ was.
2. Christians who aren't centered on God.
Hypocrites can be spotted a mile away. Sunday only Christians will never convince anyone to give their life to Jesus.
3. Christians who pretend to be perfect.
Unbelievers know we mess up. So when we act like we don't, they know we're "full of it."
4. Christians who downplay the power of God.
When we don't live our lives in a way that reflects how BIG God is, we don't do him justice in the eyes of the world. We are poor witnesses.
Jonah's Missed Opportunities to Represent God:
1. He was sleeping while others worked. Like Jonah, we are often so caught up in our own needs, we don't see the needs of others.
2. He said nothing when asked to call on his God. It's easy to talk about the things we are excited about. It's difficult to talk about God when we are at odds with Him.
3. He didn't come clean when they started casting lots. Many Christians have a very difficult time admitting when they are wrong.
4. He didn't represent God when he boarded the ship (vs10). By painting himself as "self-sufficient" and by not demonstrating a fear of God, he made God appear very small and weak to the sailors.
FOUR THINGS THAT KEEP THE GOSPEL FROM SPREADING:
1. Inwardly focused Christians.
Jesus was the most outwardly focused person who ever lived. The endless navel gazing many Christians engage in keeps them from being evangelists like Christ was.
2. Christians who aren't centered on God.
Hypocrites can be spotted a mile away. Sunday only Christians will never convince anyone to give their life to Jesus.
3. Christians who pretend to be perfect.
Unbelievers know we mess up. So when we act like we don't, they know we're "full of it."
4. Christians who downplay the power of God.
When we don't live our lives in a way that reflects how BIG God is, we don't do him justice in the eyes of the world. We are poor witnesses.
