This morning, as David was confirmed and commissioned to be the permanent Lead Pastor of Whipple Creek, he wanted to share with you all the reasons why it’s only because of God that he has the opportunity to serve the church in this capacity.

In “My Jonah Story,” David shares the journey he traveled in his life that brought him to the place where He was when God started opening doors and leading David and his family to our church.

Listen in and hear a story of how God can make beautiful things out of a life that was more interested in pursuing his own dreams than pursuing God.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Never underestimate the power of influence.

• Not that those in my life did anything wrong by affirming my gifts.

• Unless they didn’t tell me the other things they saw in me as well.

  • I remember several hints from some who seemed to be trying to suggest that I be a pastor.

Never underestimate the power of complaining, negativity and cynicism.

• Phil 2:14-16: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world 16 by holding on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.”

God was concerned with Nineveh, Jonah was concerned with his comfort and culture.

• Jonah would rather run from God than go to Nineveh.

• Even though Jonah had just watched hundreds of thousands of people repent because of his 10 word sermon:  “At the end of forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown!” He was still waiting for God to destroy the city, and then threw a tantrum when he didn’t

Never underestimate the power of comfort.

• Because I was comfortable, I was less inclined to do what God really wanted me to do.

• Because of Jonah’s comfort, he was inclined to sit and wait for God to destroy Nineveh.

• When we’re comfortable, we’re focused on ourselves. God wants us focused on Him.

• The book of Jonah isn’t about Jonah, a storm, a fish, a town or a plant. The book of Jonah is about a gracious God. God is the hero of the story, not Jonah.

• God provided the storm to get Jonah out of the boat, and the fish to get Jonah to shore. God provided Nineveh with a message and God provided Jonah with a vine for shade.

• The point is that God is a compassionate God. And His compassion leads Him to gracious acts of deliverance if we’re willing to go where He wants us to go.