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CARS MINISTRY
Saturday, March 12 from 9:00a-12:00p
The CARS Ministry will be offering FREE car-servicing for single moms, widows and families in need. We’ll provide a free oil change and a 9 point safety check. To sign up for service, go to https://thebridgereno.com/cars

FOSTER THE CITY INTEREST MEETING
Sunday, February 27, after the second service
The Bridge has partnered with Foster the City, a coalition of churches providing support and loving homes for children in foster care. Since 2015, Foster the City has grown to more than 200 churches and mobilized more than a thousand households – as Foster Parents, Support Friends, and Advocates. This meeting is to answer your questions and help you see how you can support this ministry. Go to https://fosterthecity.org/getinvolved and get involved.

BLOOD DRIVE @ THE BRIDGE
March 20 from 9:00a-12:00p
Our community is currently experiencing a critical shortage of blood. This means we have less than a two days supply of key blood types. The best thing you can do as a donor is to book your appointment early to help with plans to build a steady supply in the weeks ahead. In keeping with updated CDC guidance, masks will be required for all donors, staff, and guests, at all Vitalant blood drives and facilities regardless of vaccination status. Thank you for your understanding. COVID-19 vaccinated? Great! You are ABSOLUTELY allowed to give blood or platelets if you meet all general blood donation eligibility criteria. All donors, regardless of vaccination status, are needed for blood, platelet, and plasma donations. Reserve your donation time now at https://thebridgereno.com/donateblood and help our community rebuild our blood supply.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
You can support our mission using the Give Button in our App or online at https://thebridgereno.com/giving

Message Notes

Jonah - Who Are You

Pastor Bill West
February 27, 2022

Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.) The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the LORD, “Please, LORD, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, LORD, have done as you pleased.” Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him. Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:4–17

What Our Actions Reveal
Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish."
Jonah 1:4–6

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:35

Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.)
Jonah 1:7–10

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the LORD Jesus Christ,
Philippians 3:20

What God is Up To
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
Jonah 1:11–12

Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the LORD, “Please, LORD, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, LORD, have done as you pleased.” Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
Jonah 1:13–16
Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:17

Bottom Line: Even When You Refuse, It’s Your Rebellion God Will Use.

Previous Messages Can Be Found Here

Small Groups Talk About It

Watch the latest Message Summary:

  1. When someone asks you “who you are” how do you respond? How do you express the way you see yourself?

  2. Read Jonah 1:4-6:  How do the sailors respond to the storm they are facing? What does tell you about the sailors?  What was Jonah’s response to the storm?  What does this reveal about Jonah? How could he sleep at this time? What is the difference in the ways the sailors and Jonah respond?

  3. Bill talked about seeking “common good”. The sailors were working together to help each other, Jonah was not.  What can we learn from this? How should the church seek the “common good” in our world today?

  4. Read Jonah 1:6: What is so ironic about the captain’s rebuke to Jonah?   Read and discuss John 13:35:  What are the implications of what Jesus is saying?  How do you feel about those outside of the church judging the actions of the church?

  5. Read Jonah 1:7-10: What is going on here? What is the significance of the questions asked?  What does Jonah’s response reveal about the way he views himself? What does he say first?

  6. Read Jonah 1:11-16: What stands out to you in these verses about the sailors? Why do you think Jonah responded as he did?  What was the final outcome for the sailors and for Jonah? What did both Jonah and the sailors think would happen to Jonah?

  7. Read Jonah 1:17: What do you see as the main point of this verse?

  8. What are some things you learn about God in these verses? How has God used your rebellion or disobedience in your life to accomplish his will?

  9. Pray together.
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here