"Awake in the Storm: Responding to God's Call"

Jonah 1:4-7 (NKJV)

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.

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.

6 So 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.”

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.

Prayer

Introduction:

Church, today we're diving into the second part of our sermon series “Running With Jonah.” A familiar story, but one that never loses its relevance. The story of Jonah is universal as it, can be taught in Children’s church and preached in the sanctuary. As we look at Jonah’s attempt to run from God, we’ll see how Jonah’s disobedience sets off a chain of events that we can all learn from. This morning, we will teach and preach on the subject, "Awake in the Storm: Responding to God's Call.” We’ll focus on three key points: the consequences of running from God, don’t get caught sleeping, and the importance of taking responsibility and being able to say, “I did it.”

I. The Consequences of Running from God

Verse 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.”

When God calls us, He expects obedience, and when we choose to run from His will, we invite chaos into our lives. Jonah thought he could escape God by hopping on a ship bound for Tarshish, but God’s plans cannot be thwarted.

- **Illustration**: Think about a parent calling out to their child who is running toward danger. The child may not understand why the parent is so insistent, but the parent sees the danger ahead. In the same way, God sees the dangers in our lives and sends warnings. For Jonah, it was a storm.

God sent a great wind, a tempest so powerful that the ship was about to break apart. This wasn’t just a little turbulence; this was life-threatening. When we choose to step out of God’s will, we can find ourselves in storms we were never meant to endure. But even in the storm, God’s hand is at work, calling us back to Him.

**Application**: Are you running from something God has called you to do? Maybe it's a ministry, a relationship that needs mending, or a sin that needs confessing. The storm you're facing might be God's way of getting your attention. Stop running and start listening, because God’s plans for you are better than anything you could plan for yourself.

II. Don’t Get Caught Sleeping

*Verse 6: “So 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.’”*

Here’s Jonah, fast asleep in the belly of the ship while everyone else is panicking. The storm is raging, the sailors are crying out to their gods, and Jonah is out cold. The captain, who doesn’t even know Jonah’s God, has to wake him up and tell him to pray!

- **Illustration**: Have you ever been so exhausted that you could sleep through anything? Jonah was spiritually exhausted, running from God, and it caused him to fall into a deep, dangerous sleep. Not just physical sleep, but a spiritual slumber that made him indifferent to the chaos around him.

The world is in turmoil—storms of injustice, violence, and despair rage all around us. Yet, how often does the church find itself asleep? We’re comfortable in our routines, ignoring the cries for help outside our doors. Like Jonah, we sometimes need a wake-up call from those who see the storm clearer than we do.

**Application**: Church, it’s time to wake up! We cannot afford to sleep while the world is crying out. We need to be vigilant, alert, and ready to call on our God—not just for ourselves, but for those who are perishing without Him. The world is asking, “Where is your God?” Let’s be the ones who rise up and say, “Here He is—mighty to save!”

III. I Did It!

*Verse 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.”*

When the sailors cast lots, the lot fell on Jonah. They discovered that he was the reason for the storm. Jonah was the one running from God, and his disobedience was putting everyone’s life in danger.

- **Illustration**: Imagine someone throwing trash out the window, and a passerby sees it. They point out the mess, but the person who threw it denies responsibility. We can do the same spiritually—make a mess with our choices and then refuse to take responsibility. But just as the trash doesn’t disappear, neither do the consequences of our actions.

Jonah had to face the fact that his actions were affecting others. It wasn’t just about him anymore. His disobedience was bringing destruction not just to his life, but to the lives of innocent people around him. When we fail to take responsibility, we leave a wake of destruction behind us.

**Application**: Is there something in your life that you need to own up to? Maybe it’s a decision you’ve made that’s causing a storm, not just in your life, but in the lives of those around you. God is calling us to take responsibility, to confess, and to turn back to Him. The sooner we do, the sooner He can calm the storm and set us on the right path.

Conclusion:

Church, Jonah’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when we run from God, when we fall into spiritual slumber, and when we refuse to take responsibility for our actions. But it’s also a story of God’s relentless love and grace. Even in the storm, God is calling us back to Him.

So, if you’re in a storm today, it might be time to stop running, wake up, and take responsibility. God is ready to calm the storm, but first, He wants you to come back to Him.

Call to Action:

As we close, I invite you to reflect on your own life. Are you running from God’s call? Are you asleep in the middle of a storm? Is there something you need to take responsibility for? Whatever it is, know that God’s grace is sufficient. Let’s come to Him in prayer and let Him guide us back to where we need to be. Amen.