The Call of the Lord
Jonah the Evangelist • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 4 viewsPastor emphasized the importance of relational evangelism, highlighting how building relationships can enhance our ability to share faith. He explored the story of Jonah, underscoring that God actively communicates with us through various means. The sermon warned against isolation and disobedience, illustrating how Jonah's fear led him away from God's presence, ultimately causing destruction for himself and others. Pastor encouraged the congregation to listen for God’s guidance and to actively seek opportunities to share the gospel in their relationships.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Our Focus and phrase for this year has been Relational Evangelism
“Sharing your faith in the relationships you build.”
1. Jesus the Evangelist
2. Moses the Evangelist
3. Jonah the Evangelist
Fact or Fiction: Is this story of Jonah real?
Fact or Fiction: Is this story of Jonah real?
Referenced in 2 Kings 14:25
25 He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher.
Referenced by Jesus in Matt 12:39-41
39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
The Background of Jonah
The Background of Jonah
Time: Approximately 775 B.C.
Target: The capital city of the Assyrians Nineveh
History tells us that the Assyrians were a cruel and heartless people who thought nothing of burying their enemies alive, skinning them alive, or impaling them on sharp poles under the hot sun.
The Assyrians had been cruel to Israel and been used by the hand of God to bring judgement on Israel when they sinned against God. Jonah wanted nothing to do with those people good or bad.
It would be like saying to Israel today, “Go and minister to Hezbollah in the name of the Lord.”
Questions to Consider
Questions to Consider
How do we evangelize in the world that is hostile toward God, that is anti-Christ?
What attitude should we take?
What are the consequences if we get it wrong?
What does God expect from his servants?
Exposition
The Word of the Lord
The Word of the Lord
1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”
God is still speaking to people.
God is still speaking to people.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Ways that God speaks
Ways that God speaks
Experiencing God: “God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.”
Experiencing God: “God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.”
Heart to Heart
Heart to Heart
Illustration: Elijah in the cave.
9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.
The activity of the Lord and the voice of the Lord are two different things.
The activity of the Lord and the voice of the Lord are two different things.
God is not vague when he speaks to you heart to heart.
God is not vague when he speaks to you heart to heart.
In my book, “The Potter’s Clay” I describe a Monday morning experience with God.
Running from the Presence of the Lord
Running from the Presence of the Lord
The Disagreement with God
The Disagreement with God
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”
Sometimes we are like Isiah, “Here am I Lord send me.”
Sometimes we are like Moses, “You got the wrong guy.”
Sometimes we are like Jonah and run.
At the end of the day the servant of the Lord does what the master says.
It’s always better to run to God then from God.
It’s always better to run to God then from God.
The Downward Trek
The Downward Trek
Jonah 1:3 (ESV)
3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. 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, away from the presence of the Lord.
He went down to Joppa
He went down to Joppa
He went down into the ship
He went down into the ship
Jonah 1:4–5 (ESV)
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.
He isolated himself from his God, his people, and his crew.
He isolated himself from his God, his people, and his crew.
Fear causes Isolation. (Example of Adam).
Fear causes Isolation. (Example of Adam).
He was thrown down into the sea
He was thrown down into the sea
He went down into the belly of the great fish
He went down into the belly of the great fish
Disobedience Causes Destruction.
Disobedience Causes Destruction.
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.”
When we sleep on the job people perish.
When we sleep on the job people perish.
5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
Don’t let the world have more hope and faith than we do.
Don’t let the world have more hope and faith than we do.
The Sailors would be destroyed.
The Sailors would be destroyed.
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.”
The nation of Nineveh would be destroyed.
The nation of Nineveh would be destroyed.
9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”
Jonah would be destroyed.
Jonah would be destroyed.
12 He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” 13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.
Those that didn’t know God were trying to save the man of God.
Those that didn’t know God were trying to save the man of God.
Jonah would rather die than repent.
Jonah would rather die than repent.
We have to die to our anger.
Die to our selfishness.
Die to our Pride.
Question to Consider:
Are you listening for the still small voice of the Lord in your life?
Are running from God or running to God?
How does God want you to share the gospel with those around you?
Prayer Response:
Ask God to give you wisdom and clear direction in sharing the gospel with others.
