Christian Sermons from Calvary Chapel Greenmeadow, North Kingstown, RI

The resurrection is important for two primary reasons: to prove who Jesus is, and to conquer sin and death. Now is a good time to examine yourself. Are you in the faith? If not, then now is a good time to turn to Him.

In contrast to Jonah, who looked over the city of Nineveh in anger that they had turned TO God, Jesus, as He rode into Jerusalem in triumph, wept because He knew that the people would turn AWAY from Him.

Although Jonah was shown mercy in being saved by the fish, he did not want to see mercy applied to Nineveh. Jonah had a heart problem. If such a great prophet of God can be afflicted, so can we. Let us rejoice in God's grace and mercy towards others.

When Jonah finally became obedient, it led to the greatest revival or awakening in history. Nineveh was a very large and important city and it took seriously God's warning to repent and put its faith in God. All true revival does the same.

God often gives us a second chance, but it is better to do it His way the first time. Although the devil wants us to think we're done after we fall, the victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings, starting with being born again.

Although we often pray for things that we want, sometimes God provides things we don't want, but that we need. Such was the case with Jonah. His disobedience brought about his trouble, his trouble led to his prayer, and his prayer led to salvation.

Does our running from God affect anyone else? Yes. We do not live in a vacuum and others are affected by our sin. What does God do? He uses people around us, even unbelievers, to challenge us. God can even use our rebellion to reach other people.

As we start our series in Jonah, it is important to accept that this is an historical book. It is a fact too, that we, like Jonah, sometimes run from God. But when we go God's way, He will see that we get there... and He'll pay the fare!

This week, we review the history of Calvary Chapel in Rhode Island, with Pastor Rich and Paula leaving California and following a circuitous path leading to Greenmeadow. Our present is Acts 2:42 and our future is Revelation 21 and 22.

We will face difficult battles and even spiritual oppression, but how do we fight them? It is only by the blood of the Lamb (what Jesus did, not what we do), the word of our testimony (the evidence of Jesus in our lives), and by steadfast faith.