On this episode of A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie talks about how we often hesitate to connect with others, similar to the story of Jonah. God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh, a city he didn’t like. Jonah’s dislike for the people of Nineveh is something many of us can relate to.
We all have our own Nineveh, places we don’t want to visit and people we’re not eager to meet. This reluctance can come from personal biases or feeling uncomfortable around others whose beliefs or lifestyles are very different from ours.
Greg explains that as we follow Jonah’s journey, he eventually follows God’s command. In Jonah Chapter 3, he goes to Nineveh and warns the people that their city will be destroyed. Surprisingly, the people of Nineveh, from the richest to the poorest, listen to Jonah.
They show their regret by fasting and wearing sackcloth. Even the king of Nineveh humbles himself and leads the city in turning away from their bad ways. Because of their true repentance, God decides not to destroy the city, demonstrating that no one is too far gone for God’s mercy.
God Calls us to connect with difficult people
Greg points out that if God could change such a wicked place as Nineveh through Jonah, who was not a perfect messenger, then He can also change us. Everyone, no matter what they’ve done, can experience God’s love. This includes those in our lives who we might think are lost causes.
Greg reminds us that we live in a time where technology lets us reach more people than ever. With many more mobile devices than people, we have a great chance to spread God’s message of hope. He challenges everyone to step out of their comfort zones and talk to those they usually avoid, noting that sharing our faith often requires us to connect with people we find difficult.
Greg shares his own personal stories, including experiences with his mother’s ex-husbands, that show his struggles but also the joy that comes from sharing the Gospel. God calls us to connect with difficult people. ‘I think because it’s so simple,’ says Greg, ‘people think, it can’t be that easy. But Jesus did all the heavy lifting. He carried the cross for you. He died on that cross that He carried.’
‘This isn’t about what you do. It’s about what He’s done.’
Listen to Greg Laurie’s full message below:
