GracePointe Church of Christ in Elizabethtown, PA

I believe that on this Easter Sunday we have an opportunity to live the life of the resurrected Christ in our communities and among our families!  

I want to live the story in which...

I’m tired of the story in which... 

I want to live in the story of the resurrection.

Part of putting on the life of Christ is changing our nature. We are no longer people who want to defeat the world; we want to save the world.  We no longer live, but Christ lives in us.  So our nature is to love, even those who are the hardest to love.  But we cannot bend our nature as God’s people to match the nature of those who are not.  We must be confident that if Jesus has taken the time to teach us a truth and show us a truth, then Jesus expects us to live that truth so that our lives can be purposeful like his was.

What a great thought, that so often we engage in relationships by pondering the impact on our schedules, evaluating the ongoing commitment this might be - and choosing to be self focused… but we are reminded that loving our neighbor is about the self-giving love that Christ teaches… 

What if we approached the people we meet, our neighbors, with the basic understanding that if I don’t make time for them, then what type of life am I releasing them towards?  Who will influence them?  Who will hurt them?  How will they know love, support, faith, hope?  

In the story of Jonah we see the powerful working of God among uncontrollable chaos, disobeying people, and absolute evil.  Ironically, the prophet Jonah is so close to God’s saving acts, but unable to fully appreciate them or participate in them.

Families are only healthy functioning families when they take time and make time to be together for the purpose of sharing life together…not just sharing in entertainment together.  So, let your love for your family be known.  

Wives, I want you to respect your husbands and encourage their role as provider and protector of your family.  Men need not only to feel love, but to feel respected and honored - especially by their wives.  If for some reason you feel that this is beyond your ability, then please don’t live in bitterness and anger toward God’s gift to you…whom you have chosen, by the way, to share life with you.  

Husbands, I want you to love your wives above all other things, including your jobs and your kids.  Jobs will change, kids grow up and leave, but a wife is yours for a lifetime.  Take her on a date, cook dinner (if you’re ok at it) but seek ways to serve her in a way that absolutely tells her that she is special to you and loved by you.  Women want to feel protected and they want a stable environment - that’s you!  Commit here first!  

Children, parents are not perfect but they do deserve your hugs, your drawings, your snuggles, and your patience… always allow your parents to see and experience who you really are, and don’t put on a show for your parents and be somebody else when your friends are around.  Be open to their instruction, to their discipline, and to their voice always… contribute to your family, yeah do chores, because you will learn how to contribute to the church, society, and your work through it.  

Parents, I want you to stop worrying about entertaining your children and start passing on your faith to your family.  You can take a vacation, but take a mission trip too.  Go to the movies, concerts, shows and whatever you want, but don’t forget to process those experiences through the lens of Jesus.  Understand that what they see in you is what they will live, so don’t put your faith on the shelf, or don’t be surprised when they shelf it… and most importantly — show up in the lives of your kids.  

Grandparents, I want you to continue to teach your families and love your families.  You must understand the influence and the way your families look to you for wisdom and guidance, and you are a powerful voice in helping them navigate life while keeping their trust in God strong.

When it comes to preaching, or proclaiming the word of God, Jonah is the briefest prophet to ever speak, and is also the most vague message ever preached.  His message is pretty simple, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”  But what he leaves out in comparison to other prophetic messages is, in a word, bewildering…  

    1. No Mention of God

    2. No Mention of Repentance

    3. No Mention of Hope

What wasn’t provided by Jonah is provided by the King’s edict:

    1. God is Mentioned -       

    2. How to Repent

    3. Offer of Hope

At times we will struggle with how we arrived here!

But asserting your goodness and looking at outsiders as a way to confirm your faithfulness

leads to nauseating consequences… 

We must always be people who assert the truth that, "Salvation comes from the LORD!"

The church can become proud, secure in our lifestyles and we presume on our relationship to God.  We put out a "Do Not Disturb" sign.  We want comfort and security. Pride gets in the way of our mission.