Our interim pastor, Bill Johnston, spoke for the first time at Westheights Church. He described his life story (thus far) in five chapters, paralleling his challenges and growth to people in the Bible. How many of us can relate our current stage of life to the stories of Jonah, Gideon, or Abraham? And how do we see God working in our lives through these stages?
WHO I AM
Message by Bill Johnston – October 15, 2017
MY STORY IN FIVE CHAPTERS
Philippians 1:6 …being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
1. THE ADVENTURER (PRODIGAL SON) Luke 15:17-20
MOTIVATION: PRIDE-BASED
GOD IS FORGIVING
Luke 15:17-20 When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
2. THE RUNNER (JONAH) Jonah 1:1-3
MOTIVATION: FEAR-BASED
Psalm 139:7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
GOD IS PERSISTENT
Jonah 3:1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
3. THE LOSER (GIDEON) Judges 6:7-12
MOTIVATION: FEAR-BASED
GOD IS TRUSTWORTHY
Judges 6:12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
4. THE LISTENER (ABRAHAM) Genesis 12:1-9
MOTIVATION: FAITH-BASED
GOD IS FAITHFUL
Judges 6:10,12,16 “I am the Lord your God … the Lord is with you … I will be with you.”
5. THE ENCOURAGER (BARNABAS) Acts 4:36
MOTIVATION: GRACE-BASED
Acts 11:22-23 …When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
GOD IS ACCEPTING AND LOVING
Luke 15:17a, Luke 20a (NASB) But when he came to his senses… he got up and came to his father.
For Sermon discussion resources click here: Oct 15 Sermon Resources
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