Sermon # 25- Arise And Go Series

We read in Jonah 3:1-2, Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”(ESV)

These are the words of God to Jonah after the fish vomited him out onto the shore. We are not sure in what position Jonah found himself in that the Lord had to ask him to arise. The first time God spoke to Jonah he was disobedient, but the word of God came to him again the second time asking him to “Arise and go to Nineveh.”

The word ‘arise’ is the one that we are going to meditate on in this message. Many people have come to a place of despondency because of all the difficulties and turmoil that surrounds them, not wanting to do anything at all. It is to such that the word of the Lord says to ‘rise up’ above your circumstances.

There were others in the bible too who had to get this word from God, where God had to get them to get out of the situation that seemed to overwhelm them. The word of God to the church is also the same, wherein God wants us to rise up, and not remain in a place of complacency.

God’s word came in the wilderness

We read in Luke 3:2, “Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness.” (NLT)

Take note that Annas and Caiaphas were high priests in the temple at Jerusalem. The worship was going on in the temple, the sacrifices were being made regularly, but the most important aspect that made the temple significant, namely the word of God, did not come to them. Instead of the word of God being revealed in the temple, the message of God came to John the Baptist who was living, and preaching in the wilderness. When the leaders in the temple were not willing to listen and obey the word of God, the Lord decided to send it to the one who would be willing to give heed, and do as God’s word commanded. Multitudes flocked to hear the preaching of John the Baptist, and their lives were transformed.

This is something that we as a church of God need to take stock of today. The question we have to ask ourselves is, ‘Are we receiving the word of God as we truly should?’ Only the word of God can change us, and everything else that we observe will only be mere traditions.

Jeremiah rose to go to the potter’s house

We read in Jeremiah 18:1-2, The LORD spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said, "Go to the potter's house. There I will give you my message." (GW)

God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah, and asked him to get up and to the potter’s house, so that he could hear the word of God. When Jeremiah went to the potter’s house, he saw how the potter took the clay that was marred in his hands, and fashioned it into a vessel that seemed best to him. God could have spoken to Jeremiah right where he was, but God wanted Jeremiah to arise and go to the place that He had ordained, so he could receive that word from God.

Ever since the pandemic struck, you may have noticed that though the churches are open now, there are many who are apprehensive to go to church. They are satisfied to stay home, and watch the online services, especially because there are numerous options that are available these days. There are some restrictions for the elderly and young children, but if for no valid reason people are staying away because of some sort of discouragement that is not helpful to them. As children of God we must take effort to go, and fellowship with other believers whenever possible.

The church should be a place where those who feel hopeless and useless are encouraged, to become the beautiful vessels that God can take and use for His glory. God has made us part of a local church so we too can go regularly, and hear the word of God that is being preached. We somehow make it for other functions like weddings and funerals, but often make excuses to be at church. Also we are sometimes loaded with lots of pending work or other entertainment that we are keen to have done on a Sunday. This should not be so. As God’s word exhorts us we should render unto God that which is duly His. So, when we take time to be together with others in fellowship and hear the word of God, our lives will be transformed, we will receive the counsel of God, and become those effective vessels that God can take and use to bless others.