Jonah - Deep Truths: Part 1
Jonah 1:1-2:
1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.”
We believe that God speaks to his people:
God is speaking to you through Micro-Church experiences
We want to learn from each other
Sometimes it is hard to believe that God would speak to people
God does, in fact, speak to his people
When God speaks, He speaks for a purpose!
God speaks in multiple ways
Through the Word
By the Spirit (in prayer)
Also - be careful with these - These should confirm what Good is speaking through the Word and through prayer
Through his people (church)
Through circumstances
God speaks to Jonah - but it's not about Jonah!
God's word may not be about you!
When God speaks to Jonah, He does so out of concern for the city of Ninevah
Here’s a central theme of this book:
God is concerned about the city
Jonah has the distinction of being the first OT prophet sent outside his own country
God doesn't give us (Hub City Church) direction because:
He is concerned with our attendance numbers
He is trying to build out bank account
He is trying to create a popular church
God is directing us because He is concerned with the city!
This is why we are Hub City Church!
This is why I have to listen when I am out and about
God will speak to you ABOUT those around you!
And here's how Jonah responds:
Jonah 1:3
3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
One of the most difficult things in being a disciple is being stagnant
God is going to continually challenge you
Why?
He is increasing our faith by giving us opportunities to experience Him in ways that we've never experienced Him
The reason being stagnant is so difficult is because you will either rise to the challenge or find a way to avoid the challenge
Jonah chooses the latter - He is running away from the presence of the Lord
As we pursue discipleship - I need you to be honest with yourself and each other!
If you are uncomfortable with an area that God is challenging you - Let's TALK!
Many times, the apprehensions we have are only lies from the enemy!
Jonah runs away in rebellion!
Verse 3 cont'd
He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
"He paid the fare" - Getting away from God will cost you!
Proverbs 13:15 (MEV) 15 Good understanding gives favor, but the way of transgressors is hard.
Here's why running from God is hard:
1. You reap the consequences of your decisions
2. God will throw roadblocks in your way
You have to work against the Spirit to live in disobedience
Disobedience costs more than failed attempts at submission
I'd rather fail
trying to follow Jesus than
succeed in getting away from Him
Jonah is trying his best to get away!
Jonah 1:4 -
4 But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.
God loves you enough to break up the boat that is carrying you out of His will!
Jonah 1:5 - 6 -
5 Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. 6So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”
The people around you are depending on your relationship with God.
Jonah 1:7-17 -
7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. 11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?”—for the sea was growing more tempestuous. 12 And he said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.” 13Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them. 14 Therefore they cried out to the Lord and said, “We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows. 17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah finds out:
No matter what you do
No matter where you go
You cannot outrun God
He's so wide that - You can't get around him
He stretches from everlasting to everlasting - You can't outrun him
This is a marvelous thing - there were times when I tried to get away but the Spirit of God tracked me down
God finds Jonah in the midst of his running and begins the process of bringing him back into submissive obedience!
As Jonah is on the boat that is about to sink -
God is sending a life-raft his way
For 3 days and 3 nights he is inside a fish
