The Heart Check

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

March 1st Sermon, Day 4

Jonah finally obeyed God and preached to Nineveh, but his heart wasn't in it. His message was brief and blunt, and when the entire city repented and God showed mercy, Jonah became furious. He admitted something shocking: he knew God would be merciful to his enemies, and that's exactly what he didn't want. Jonah wanted grace for himself but justice for everyone else.

This reveals a dangerous tendency in all of us - we want God to use an eraser on our sins but permanent marker on everyone else's. We're quick to explain away our own mistakes while being harsh judges of others. When we mess up, it's an accident or a moment of weakness. When others mess up, we question their character.

Jonah's anger at God's mercy exposes the condition of his heart, and it challenges us to examine our own. Do we celebrate when God shows grace to people we don't like? Do we rejoice when our enemies receive second chances? The mercy we've received from God should soften our hearts toward others, not harden them. True understanding of God's grace transforms us from judges into grace-givers.

Bible Verse

'The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."' - Jonah 1:1-2

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life do you find yourself wanting grace for yourself but justice for others?

Quote

Jonah confesses that what he wanted was grace for himself, but justice for other people. Jonah wanted God to use an eraser on his sins, but underline in permanent marker the sins of everybody else.

Prayer

Lord, examine my heart and reveal where I've been selective with grace. Help me to extend the same mercy to others that You've shown to me.

Grace Without Lectures

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

March 1st Sermon, Day 3

After Jonah's dramatic rebellion - running away, causing a storm, and spending three days in a fish - we might expect God to deliver a stern lecture. We might anticipate punishment, replacement, or at least a lengthy explanation of why Jonah was wrong. Instead, God simply gave him another opportunity to obey. No lecture. No disqualification. Just grace and a second chance.

This reveals something profound about God's character: He's more interested in restoration than condemnation. When we mess up, our tendency is to expect the worst from God - anger, disappointment, or rejection. But God's response to our failures is often surprisingly gentle. He doesn't waste time on lengthy speeches about our shortcomings; He focuses on moving us forward.

This doesn't mean our actions don't have consequences, but it does mean that God's primary desire is to see us succeed, not to see us suffer. When you've failed God, when you've run from His calling, when you've made a mess of things, remember Jonah. God's grace is bigger than your rebellion, and His desire to use you is stronger than your past mistakes.

Bible Verse

'The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."' - Jonah 1:1-2

Reflection Question

How does knowing that God offers grace without lectures change the way you approach Him after you've made mistakes?

Quote

God doesn't give Jonah a lecture. That's, that's what we would expect. God doesn't replace Jonah. God doesn't disqualify Jonah from the job. God actually gives Jonah another opportunity to obey.

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for Your gentle grace that restores rather than condemns. Help me to receive Your second chances with humility and renewed obedience.

The Temptation to Run

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

March 1st Sermon, Day 2

When God calls us to do something difficult - especially something that involves people we don't particularly like - our natural instinct is often to run. Jonah didn't just ignore God's command; he actively fled in the opposite direction. His rebellion was bold and unmistakable.

Sometimes we think running from God's will is easier than obeying, particularly when that obedience requires us to extend love, forgiveness, or service to people who have hurt us or whom we simply don't understand. Maybe God is calling you to reconcile with a difficult family member, to serve in a community you've avoided, or to show kindness to someone who has wronged you. The temptation to run feels overwhelming because obedience often costs us our comfort, our pride, or our sense of control.

But here's what Jonah's story teaches us: running from God never leads to the peace we're seeking. It leads to storms, both literal and metaphorical. God's commands aren't meant to punish us but to position us for His purposes. When we run, we miss out on the incredible things God wants to do through us.

Bible Verse

'The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."' - Jonah 1:1-2

Reflection Question

What is God calling you to do that you've been avoiding because it feels too difficult or uncomfortable?

Quote

See, running from God, it often feels easier than obeying. Especially when obedience involves people we don't like very much.

Prayer

God, help me to stop running from Your will, even when it's difficult. Give me the courage to obey, especially when it involves people I struggle to love.

Your Story Isn’t Over

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

March 1st Sermon, Day 1

We all have moments we'd rather forget - times when we made poor choices, acted out of fear, or simply failed to be who we wanted to be. These moments can feel defining, like they've written the final chapter of our story. But here's the beautiful truth: God doesn't define us by our worst moments. Just as Jonah received a second chance after his dramatic rebellion, we too are recipients of divine grace that rewrites our narrative.

When Jonah ran from God's calling, boarding a ship to escape his responsibilities, it wasn't the end of his story - it was just a detour. God pursued him through the storm and the fish, not to punish, but to restore. Your past mistakes, your moments of running away, your times of disobedience - none of these get the final word in your life.

God specializes in second chances, third chances, and as many chances as it takes. He sees beyond your failures to your potential, beyond your rebellion to your restoration. Today, remember that your story is still being written, and the Author of your life is incredibly gracious.

Bible Verse

'The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."' - Jonah 1:1-2

Reflection Question

What past mistake or failure have you allowed to define you, and how might God want to rewrite that part of your story?

Quote

I think that most of us are—or we should be—grateful that our story, our life, isn't defined by our worst moment.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that my worst moments don't get the final word in my life. Help me to see myself through Your eyes of grace and to trust that You're still writing my story.

Reflecting the Heart of Jesus

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

February 22nd Sermon, Day 5

Paul made an incredible offer to Philemon: 'If he owes you anything, charge it to me.' In that moment, Paul became a picture of Jesus Christ, who stepped into our failure and put our debt on His account. This is the gospel in action - not just a theological concept, but a lived reality.

When we offer second chances, we reflect the love of Jesus. When we choose grace over grudges, we show the world what Christ has done for us. God is still in the business of changing hearts - nobody is beyond His reach. Not the person who hurt you, not the person who disappointed you, not even you.

People are not defined by their worst moments, and neither are we. The love of Christ calls us to do more than the natural thing, more than what first occurs to us. It calls us to something supernatural - to trust God to change hearts, to believe in second chances, and to live out the gospel we claim to believe. Grace is always risky, but it's always worth it.

Bible Verse

'Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was so that you might have him back forever. No longer as a slave, but better than a slave. As a dear brother.' - Philemon 1:15-16

Reflection Question

How can you reflect the heart of Jesus by offering grace to someone who doesn't deserve it, just as Christ did for you?

Quote

When we trust God that he changes hearts, when we trust him for second chances, we reflect to other people the very heart of Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for putting my debt on Your account. Help me extend that same grace to others, trusting You to change hearts including my own.