October 8, 2023
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Jonah 2:5-7
The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.

I. Pray God’s Word

Psalm 18:4-6
The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears

Psalm 119:11
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

II. Pray For Salvation

God’s capacity to save is greater than our capacity to sin.

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time
• I commit to memorize one verse a week for the next month.
• I choose to tell others my story of experiencing God’s mercy.

Deep Dive

1. Share how God used your failure to grow your faith.
2. Is it possible for our sin to extend past God’s capacity to forgive?
3. Read 1 John 1:9 and discuss God’s forgiveness.

Springboard

1. What are your hobbies and interests? Why are they important to you?
2. How can good things become an idol in our life? Has this happened to you?
3. Read Habakkuk 2:18 and discuss what it says about idols.