You Can Run From God, But Cannot Hide

Congregational hymns included "My God Is Real" led by Karen Gardner and Becky Johnson, who also joined in a duet singing "If That Isn't Love." We were also blessed with special music from Jerry Abercrombie who sang "Thanks To Calvary." Rick Lett and Tyrel Lett served as ushers and collected the offering.

Bro. Mark Hall brought us God's message as he continued the sermon series, "Places I Wouldn't Want To Be" with scripture from chapters 1 and 2 in the book of Jonah. The message focused on Jonah, who encountered two problems when he tried to run from God and God's presence. He was on a ship in a storm and he was swallowed by a fish and stayed in its belly for three days and nights.

Bro. Mark asked, "What did he do to get all of this? He tried to run from God. When the word of the Lord comes to you, you better listen. Any time you open your Bible, it speaks to you. Jonah took in the word of God but he ran from God's presence. There is only one place you can end up, and that is in hell. God gave Jonah a taste of what it is like to flee from God's presence. The lost boys on the ship began praying. Jonah wouldn't and missed his opportunity to witness. What makes anyone think they can run from God?"

Jonah 2:15 says "So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased its raging."

Bro. Mark told us, "God knows all about you as it tells us in Psalm 139:1-13. He knows your character, your conduct, your contemplation and thoughts. He knows your conversations and every idle word you say and He knows your ordinance -- where you are at. You can run, but you can't hide. In Genesis 3, it tells us how Adam and Eve tried to hide from God. God wants you to own up to where you are. Even if you try to hide from God, it is not a place you want to be -- like Jonah who ended up in the fish's belly instead of going to Nineveh to preach. If you run from God, are you running to a place you don't want to be? Spiritually, where are you at?"

In closing, Bro. Mark asked, "How do you get back from running and hiding from God's presence in your own personal hell? What have you vowed to God? Your heart and following Him all the way? Salvation is of the Lord. Jonah was a man who made a vow to God and then God gave him the command and he ran from God. The Lord and repentance is your only way out. Jonah wound up in Nineveh where God told him to go. The Bible tells us to turn from our wicked ways. That's the part we don't want to talk about. Have you been hiding or running from God? Is Nineveh what God wants from you?"

Our hymn of invitation was "Lord, I'm Coming Home," and Wayne gave the benediction.

We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 11. Sunday school begins at 10. Mill Creek Baptist Church is located 3.5 miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90. Everyone is welcome.

Religion on 10/13/2016