What Happens When You Run from God – Pastor Morgan Lekgetho Mogagabe

Sunday Sermon

Date: 27 March 2022

Today’s Message: What Happens When You Run from God

Speaker: Morgan Lekgetho Mogagabe

Time: 9am till 11am

Scripture reference

Jonah immediately tried to run away from the LORD by going to Tarshish – Jonah 1:3 (GW) 

“Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings: Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything

The Bible says, “The LORD spoke his word to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it, because I see the evil things they do’” (Jonah 1:1-2 NCV).

Joshua 1:8 (NCV) says, “Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings. Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything” (NCV).

Sermon Notes:

God gives every one of us a unique mission and he gives us a choice as to whether or not we fulfil that mission.

God gave Jonah a mission: to warn the people of Nineveh that judgment was coming. But “Jonah immediately tried to run away from the Lord by going to Tarshish” (Jonah 1:3 GW).

Jonah faced consequences for his decision, the same kind of consequences you may encounter if you run away from God’s mission for your life.

The Bible says that when Jonah boarded a ship to get away from his mission, God sent a powerful wind to push the boat back (Jonah 1:4).

Why did God do that? Because he loved Jonah and wanted him to make a good decision that would give him a life of purpose and fulfillment. God sends opposition our way to encourage us to make better decisions.

Jonah’s disobedience also threatened the lives of everyone on the boat to Tarshish. When you run away from God, innocent people, including those you care about, can get hurt.

Maybe it’s your spouse, your kids, your grandkids, or your friends. Sometimes it’s people you don’t even know. People can get hurt because of your disobedience.

Jonah shows that when you run from God, your life starts a downward trajectory. Your disobedience will cost you financially, physically, and relationally.

Nineveh was more than 550 miles away, but Jonah tried running to Tarshish, which was 2,500 miles away in the opposite direction.

The truth is that you can’t run away from God for the rest of your life. He’s everywhere and he knows everything but he gives you choices because he wants you to love him and follow him voluntarily.

Where to Find Your Life Mission

“Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings. Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything.” – Joshua 1:8 (NCV)

Everyone wants something to live for but many of us look for it in the wrong places.

You can’t find your mission in a magazine, on social media, or by watching TV with friends. You can’t just guess what it is either. You can only find God’s mission for your life in one place: God’s Word.

Studies show that each of us has 600 to 700 talents, but we never use most of them. When you embrace God’s mission for your life, though, you’ll find that he can use all the gifts and talents he’s given you.

Jonah, one of God’s prophets in the Bible, received his life mission from God. The Bible says, “The LORD spoke his word to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it, because I see the evil things they do’” (Jonah 1:1-2 NCV).

God gave Jonah his mission. He will give you one too as you read his Word. The more you dig into the Bible, the more you will understand your mission for life.

God uses many different ways to get his Word into your life. Sometimes you sit down to read it.

Other times, you may hear someone preach it. And on other days you’ll read sermon notes like this one.

If the only time you open your Bible is when you are in church, you likely will never discover God’s mission for your life. Instead, make the Bible a regular part of your life.

Spend time with God every day, even if it’s just a few minutes. Put it in your schedule, write it on your calendar, or set a daily alert on your phone.

Joshua 1:8 says, “Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings. Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything” (NCV).

If you want to be successful in God’s mission for your life, stop looking for a vision and start looking for a verse. God won’t write your mission in the sky. He has already written it in his Word.

Ask yourselves these questions

• Why would God want us to have the choice to love and follow him?
• Are you running away from something God has told you to do? Why do you think you’re resisting?
• What kind of consequences have you experienced when you’ve put yourself in opposition to God?
• How might knowing God is for you and not against you change your willingness to obey God?
• What are some ways you have tried and failed to find your life purpose?
• What can you do to become more consistent in your Bible reading?
• What are the most effective ways for you to engage with God’s Word? Reading it from a physical Bible? Reading it online? Listening to an audio version? Listening to a sermon? Reading a devotional? Why do you believe these are most effective for you?’

©️2022 Morgan Lekgetho Mogagabe

Many Thanks, I love you and I’m praying for you!

CREDITS

Sermon Script Writer: Morgan Lekgetho Mogagabe

Church Editor: Ms Bawinile Mahlangu

Ministry: IHPMI

Address: Chiawelo Ext3, Soweto

© 2022 Morgan Lekgetho Mogagabe