Sermon series from Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church, Cokato it @ goodshepherdcokato.com

For all of us there are those times, experiences and words when we wish we could have a second chance. We could like to make good on things where we have failed. But, as is often said, "that's water under the bridge." However, the God we serve is a God of, not second chances, but a God of second opportunities. There is nothing we can do to change the past, but today is the first day of the rest of our lives - by His grace let us listen carefully to His voice and seek by His grace to walk in His way.

As we look at chapter 2 of Jonah we see Jonah coming to terms with what he is called by God to do. We, as humans, believe everything is negotiable. This is not true with the will and work of God - He is absolute. But His love for us is everlasting and will work with us to bring us back to His terms.

If we look at chapter 11 of Hebrews, the chapter before our text today, we see a long list of heros in the faith, and their testimony that is recorded in the Scriptures shouts to us, "Keep going! Don't give up!"

The Tarshish-bound ship reminds me of the organized church. A lot of activity, but a bit disheveled and threatened by stormy seas. The sailors were trying hard but were not able to put their finger on the reason for their facing such difficult times and not making any real headway. Jonah, being the God-fearing man he claimed to be, was asleep on company time. The time was God's and it is still God's time today. How are we carrying out God's command to "arise and go?"

Jonah tempted, Jonah sinned, Jonah suffered - sound familiar? Of course, anytime we seek to appease God and please ourselves we find ourselves in the same situation Jonah found himself. Well, not really in the belly of a fish, but we find ourselves wanting to escape. Over the next few Sundays we shall look at the experiences of Jonah and learn from them what it is that pleases God.

Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church's Assistant Pastor Jerry D. Nelson preaching on today's Gospel text found in Matthew 5.