“When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.” And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Jonah 2:7, 10

Problems of the Dying Church

Problem #1: Not fulfilling their mission

The word of the Lord came to Jonah… But Jonah ran away from the Lord. Jonah 1:1, 3

Problem #2: Lack of prayer

All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. Jonah 1:5

Problem #3: Stuck in a building

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

Moving from Death to Life…

First: Make prayer real again

Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire. Matthew 26:41 (The Message)

Second: Learn from discipline

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)

Third: (Re)commit yourself God

Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ Jonah 2:8-19