November 29, 2021
This week we are looking at our response to Pastor Ronnie’s message titled, “Impossible Without God” (Nahum 3). Take time to examine this message more closely, alone, with family or a friend. This message will also be discussed on Sunday in many LifeGroups at Abba’s House.
Impossible Without God!
1. Pastor Ronnie closed out his series through the book of Nahum with this final message. In this journey with the prophet and his warnings to the people of Nineveh, we see the ultimate judgement that comes to a people who are unrepentant and who are unwilling to surrender to the great Lion. There will always be opportunities for sinful living, rebellion, and there is a price to pay for an unrepentant heart and life.
2. Most countries place their trust in the adequacy of their nation’s leaders and military might. The president cannot be powerful enough and the military cannot be vast enough to withstand the judgement of God. If judgement doesn’t come through wars, it will still come. We may suffer persecution, imprisonment, pandemics or natural disaster, but the Lord will not turn a blind eye to sin forever. Where is your security placed? Do you believe that America is beyond the judgement of God? Do you believe that how you live your life has any effect on the judgement and justice of God that will touch all people?
3. Read Chapter 3. Can history repeat itself? What can we learn from Nineveh? What can we take away from the warnings that they received? Security and order are the aim of every civilized society, but the origin of that safety is found in the faith of the people. History shows us that God will judge sin. But forgiveness has been purchased and it begins with each of us through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
GOING DEEPER:
Pastor Ronnie concluded the detailed account of the attack against Nineveh, the result of God’s judgment and the restoration of God’s people (Judah). In chapter 1 we see imagery of a yoke and shackles representing bondage and that the Kings of Assyria will no longer be worshipped as gods. Pastor Ronnie described the imagery of bloody shields, torn robes, and hearts melted with FEAR. Assyrian Kings thought of themselves as lions, but God showed them in chapter 2 that the true Lion comes from the tribe of Judah. In 3:1-7, Pastor Ronnie showed us a bloody city with mounds of corpses and the witchcraft of prostitution and sorcery (Nahum 3:8-13).
Also known as the ancient city of Thebes, Nineveh is the great capital of Upper Egypt. It was named after the chief god of the Egyptians—Amon. God’s judgment of this false ‘god’ is spoken of in Jeremiah 46:25; and His judgment of the city is foretold in Ezekiel 30:14-16.
Yes, history can repeat itself and no empire is above the judgment of God, including our nation. God spoke to proud, militarily strong Nineveh and asked, “Are you better than No Amon that was situated by the River, that had the waters around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the sea?” (v 8).
Main Text: Nahum 3:14-19
Three lessons we can learn from Nineveh.
I. Resistance is Improbable Without God
Read:
2 Corinthians 5:9-11
Revelation 20:11-15
Resistance is improbable without God but nothing is impossible with God. You have an assignment here on earth to fulfill your kingdom purpose. Don’t get to the end of your life and realize you have missed your moment. Know who you are in Christ and find out what He has called you to do and get on with it. The blood cleanses and makes you worthy! His spirit keeps moving us forward.
II. Restoration is Impossible Without God
Restoration happens through Jesus. Let all of the things that have happened in your past go. When Jesus comes into your heart and life, you get a new Father and a new family. You are guaranteed a new future through Jesus Christ. However, your old habits and mindsets will limit you. The promise comes through total surrender to Jesus and direction comes through an intimate walk with Him. At the Christmas season we look to the hope that arrived when Jesus came to earth. Your hope is found in Jesus. Jesus doesn’t just give us hope, He is Hope. He also gives us joy for today and He will be our joy in the future. Pastor Ronnie reminded us that even though things look grim for the church, we can confidently place our trust in God who judges the wicked and will defend His church. Jesus will stand for us when the struggles come.
Read:
Galatians 6:1
John 3:17
Romans 6:23
If you need to be restored at this Christmas season, don’t wait any longer. You need to receive the gift. Religion won’t fix you. People won’t fix you. Jesus is the only thing that will fix you.
III. Rejoicing is Inevitable With God!
Joy is not about happiness. It is inward contentment despite outward circumstances, a confident understanding that everything will be alright.
Read:
Romans 5:4 ESV
Isaiah 61:10
We will not gloat over the misfortunes of others, but we can rejoice when God gives us the victory. You can rejoice with a glad heart because of all of the goodness that the Lord has brought into your heart and life through Jesus.
Rejoicing will not only make you feel joy, but it will enable you to give joy! It is time to get your joy back if you have lost it. Receive it and embrace it. Let God use you to bring bring joy into the lives of other people.
This is a time to advance, share our faith, shine our light, and let the world know who our Savior is and what He has done in our lives.
Let’s bring someone to church. Let’s get people into the atmosphere. If people don’t get Jesus they are on the way to hell. The blood of Jesus makes us worthy to share our faith and care enough to serve, feed, and show the way out. We are the church of the Lord Jesus. He is calling us to a higher purpose this Christmas season.
How do we do that?
Proverbs 29.
We must turn our focus and rejoicing back to God.
We must move from mourning into dancing.
Let the dead bury the dead. You had to stay with the father till he died in order to get their portion of the inheritance. It wasn’t about the dead burying the dead. It was about his unwillingness to give up his inheritance in order to follow Jesus. He was willing to stay in that safe place and lose the Kingdom. Dead means indifference. Risking it all for the Kingdom of God. Risking it all. Not living in the past. Letting the past go. Following Jesus with everything that you have.
We must celebrate our Savior like never before.
We must show up.
Embrace the gifts that God has given you. Life is a gift. Today is a gift. Rejoice and be glad in it. Embrace the life that God has given you and the love He has put upon you once and for all. Be thankful to God for this indescribable gift.
WHAT'S NEXT:
Human security and military might cannot defend anyone from the just judgment of God. That’s not where trust should be placed. True security is found in fearing the One who is above all human power. As the psalmist writes, “No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine” (Psalm 33:16-19). This week share the love of Jesus with someone. Invite them to church. Share your faith. Spread some joy. Be the light when it looks darkest.
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