Turned Down
01 / TURN: THE ART OF REPENTANCE SERIES
by Eric Gray
February 25, 2024
In the story of Jonah, we see ourselves. And we learn about the art of repentance because it is not something that comes naturally nor is it easy. Two questions for each of us to honestly ask ourselves: (1) What call of obedience am I running from? (2) Does an outwardly religious but inwardly rebellious spirit live in me?
Turned Out
02 / TURN: THE ART OF REPENTANCE SERIES
by Eric Gray
March 3, 2024
A study in 2017 showed that our brains are hardwired to take the path of least resistance. But the path of least resistance isn’t always the right path to choose. That’s the path that Jonah took in Jonah chapter one. Instead of going to Nineveh to preach, he boarded a ship headed for Tarshish. As a result, he found himself in a physical and spiritual storm. Just like Jonah, when we turn our hearts away from God… 1. We turn inward. 2. We turn indifferent. But God doesn’t give up on us. Instead, he will try to wake us up.
Turned Around
03 / TURN: THE ART OF REPENTANCE SERIES
by Eric Gray
March 10, 2024
“How can a man be swallowed by a fish?” This is the part of Jonah’s story that gives people trouble to accept. But the big fish is only a problem for those who have a small God. Because it is in the belly of the fish that Jonah realized what was clear in the dark: 1. God still listens. 2. God still reigns. 3. God still delivers. As Jonah so powerfully prayed – “Salvation belongs to the Lord.”
Turn Towards
04 / TURN: THE ART OF REPENTANCE SERIES
by Eric Gray
March 17, 2024
Have you ever had one of those moments that you wish you could get a second chance to do things differently? There is no doubt we all have moments like that. Jonah 3:1 might be one of the most encouraging verses in all of the Bible because it reminds us that God is the God of second chances. “The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time…” Jonah was given a second chance.
Turn Back
05 / TURN: THE ART OF REPENTANCE SERIES
by Eric Gray
March 24, 2024
The story of Jonah is a story meant to mess with the one reading it. The story of Jonah is inverted, including chapter four. In the last scene of Jonah, we are challenged with two takeaways and a question: 1. Your enemies are still God's children. 2. Your concerns can be misplaced. Here's the question we are left with: How will you finish the story? Will you learn to love those who are against you? Will you learn to love and forgive those who have hurt you?