The Missionary’s Warning

OPEN TO JONAH 1

Some actual label instructions on consumer goods.

On a Sears hairdryer: "Do not use while sleeping."

On a bar of Dial soap: "Directions: Use like regular soap." On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom of box): "Do not turn upside down." On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: "Product will be hot after heating." On packaging for a Rowenta iron: "Do not iron clothes on body." On Boot's Children's Cough Medicine: "Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication." On Nytol Sleep Aid: "Warning: May cause drowsiness." On most brands of Christmas lights: "For indoor or outdoor use only." (As opposed to what other uses?)

On a Japanese food processor: "Not to be used for the other use." (I gotta admit, I'm curious - what other use???.)

On Sainsbury's peanuts: "Warning: contains nuts." On an American Airlines packet of nuts: "Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts." On a blanket from Taiwan - NOT TO BE USED AS PROTECTION FROM A TORNADO.

On a helmet mounted mirror used by US cyclists - REMEMBER, OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR ARE ACTUALLY BEHIND YOU.

4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”

Missions – are natural when we walk in christ. And when we aren’t then know you’re not. And if your not then watch out buddy for Gods warnings

Warnings are a part of life. They are all around us. Some are helpful like traffic signs, allergy alerts. Some are ridiculous like the ones I just read. Some come to us from wise individuals and some from fools.

The cool thing you see throughout the entire bible is God sends his people warnings all the time. I say cool because we are all going to mess up. We are all going to do the opposite of what God wants us to do, and instead of just punishing us he gives us a chance.

He sends warnings that the things we are doing needs to stop. We all get these warnings. I got one at 19 I remember very well. In our story Jonah got one here. If you remember from last week, or if you weren’t with us , Jonah hopped on a boat to not do what God wanted him to do. God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh. Wanted him to share with them a warning from God. Jonah didn’t want to. He hated them.

So now he’s on this boat. And this storm has risen. This is a warning from God for him to repent. I fully believe that if Jonah would have been wise he would have gone to the captain and said turn the ship towards Nineveh and this will calm down. I don’t think he had to hitch a ride in the belly of the big fish. But as we all know that’s not how this story goes.

Today as we look at this part of the story I want to focus on how people respond to God’s warnings.

There are a few ways I think we can see here that reflect how we respond.

We go to the Wrongs gods - 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god.

Genie god- rub the bottle and get our wishes

The Fate god – what will be will be – our God is more then that – David prayed till his child’s death

The Lottery god – maybe I can win my way out of this warning – casinos, lottery, hgtv dream house, wheel of fortune (in our mind for some of us)

The god of Self - And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them.

This is my favorite – I think I can do it, what ever IT is, all the time. I think I can handle it. Fixing me, the church, others. – remote control cars

We go to others gods - . 6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”

Well I currently on the prayer chain with the Baptist, Mormons, Catholics, and Buddhist. Can’t Hurt. If fact my wife tells me I’m built like a god. Buddha!

a. Can't Hurt

b. Lack of Faith

c. Can God handle it

Jonah on the other hand knew what was going on and he didn’t go to the wrong God. He didn’t trust in himself. He didn’t even ask which gods they prayed to. Nope he didn’t instead he does what many of us, including me, does when we don’t want to face God, Situations, Warnings, and /or Events that seem like to much.

We shut down! But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep

He KNEW what was happening. I am telling you these sailors where scared enough on his command they would have turned the boat around and went to Nineveh. Might have even waited for him till he was done and taken him back home. Ok I don’t know that for a fact, but I am a good guesser.

Point is though when he was disobedient, and doing the opposite of what God wanted do we just shut down!

In our Christian life this is a typical reaction to sin. We mess up and instead of running to God apologizing, like we should, we make excuses, stop praying as much, stop reading the word. Till all of a sudden we find our self in bad shape, int eh belly of a big fish. Usually still going through the motions of being a Christian but completely separated from God. Like we’re asleep.

3. We shut down

a. Starts with excuses

b. Less Prayer and Bible

c. In the Belly

How do you handle Warnings –

Started with Missions as a great warning for where we are

John piper says

Therefore, worship is the goal and the fuel of missions: Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Missions is our way of saying: the joy of knowing Christ is not a private, or tribal, or national or ethnic privilege. It is for all. And that’s why we go. Because we have tasted the joy of worshiping Jesus, and we want all the families of the earth included.

Wrongs gods

others gods

shut down