When You Miss the Exit

Week 4 – When You Miss the Exit Series: Detours and Destinations – Traveling with God Through Life’s Twists and Turns Texts: Jonah 1:1–17 & Numbers 20:1–13 Theme: Running from God or reacting out of frustration can lead to detours, but not disqualification. Big Idea: Even when we go the wrong way or respond wrongly, God's grace reroutes us toward His will. Opening Line: A morning of worship, a lifetime of grace.

✝️ INTRODUCTION: “Recalculating…”

Have you ever missed your highway exit? You’re driving, you’re distracted, or maybe you’re just convinced you know a better way. You hear that calm voice: “Recalculating…” That’s grace, friends. It doesn’t yell—it redirects.

In the stories of Jonah and Moses, we meet two men who missed their exits. Jonah ran from God’s call. Moses reacted out of frustration. But neither was disqualified—because God's mercy reroutes us.

✅ POINT 1: God’s Clear Call

📖 Jonah 1:1–2 –

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’”

📖 Numbers 20:7–8 –

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Take the staff… speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water.’”

➤ Explanation:

God speaks with clarity, not confusion. But His clarity often leads us into places of discomfort. Jonah was called to his enemies. Moses was told to remain calm and obey under pressure.

➤ Argumentation:

God’s commands often contradict our emotions. Obedience is rarely convenient—but always correct.

➤ Application:

Where is God calling you to obey—even when it’s uncomfortable?

➤ Illustration:

It’s like a GPS giving clear instructions—but we think we know a shortcut. The longer route isn’t better—just more frustrating.

➤ Quote:

“God comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.” — Unknown

➤ Joke:

Jonah: “Go to Nineveh?” Buys ticket to Tarshish GPS: “Recalculating…” Jonah: “Disable voice guidance!”

✅ POINT 2: The Runaway and the Reaction

📖 Jonah 1:3 –

“But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish…”

📖 Numbers 20:10–11 –

“He and Aaron gathered the assembly… Moses said, ‘Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water from this rock?’ Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice…”

➤ Explanation:

Jonah fled 2,500 miles in the wrong direction. Moses didn’t flee—he stayed, but let his frustration take control. Jonah said “No.” Moses said “Fine!” but with a clenched fist.

➤ Argumentation:

You can rebel by running… or by reacting. Either way, it’s resistance to God’s way.

➤ Application:

Are you more like Jonah—running from something? Or like Moses—resenting the burden?

➤ Illustration:

It’s like when your phone has a cracked screen. You keep tapping harder—but it’s not a pressure issue—it’s a connection issue.

➤ Movie Quote:

“When you don’t know what to do next, just do the next right thing.” — Frozen II

➤ Joke:

Moses didn’t just get water from the rock—he gave it a performance review with a hammer!

✅ POINT 3: Storms and Consequences Are Not Rejection

📖 Jonah 1:4–5 –

“Then the Lord sent a great wind… the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid…”

📖 Numbers 20:12 –

“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in me… you will not bring this community into the land I give them.’”

➤ Explanation:

God sends a storm for Jonah, and a rebuke for Moses. But neither were abandoned.

➤ Argumentation:

God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). Correction is redirection—not rejection.

➤ Application:

Is the storm in your life a wake-up call? What might God be speaking through it?

➤ Illustration:

Storms are like divine flashing road signs: “Bridge out ahead!” The impact wakes us, but the purpose is safety.

➤ Quote:

“God’s correction is proof of His affection.” — Tony Evans

✅ POINT 4: Owning the Detour

📖 Jonah 1:11–12 –

“‘Pick me up and throw me into the sea,’ Jonah replied, ‘and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault…’”

📖 Numbers 20:13 –

“These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled… and where God was proved holy among them.”

➤ Explanation:

Jonah confesses and surrenders. Moses is silent, but God’s holiness is still honored.

➤ Argumentation:

Owning your mistake is the first step toward healing. Denial delays deliverance.

➤ Application:

What do you need to admit today to get back on the right road?

➤ Illustration:

Like a broken GPS recalculating once you stop and admit, “I made a wrong turn.”

➤ Quote:

“The greatest turning points begin with the smallest admissions: ‘I was wrong.’”

✅ POINT 5: Grace in the Deep

📖 Jonah 1:17 –

“Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah…”

📖 Numbers 20:11 –

“…and water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.”

➤ Explanation:

The fish wasn’t punishment—it was provision. The water still flowed, even though Moses failed.

➤ Argumentation:

God doesn’t stop the mission just because you had a moment of weakness.

➤ Application:

You may be in a hard place right now—but it might be the very place where grace is holding you.

➤ Illustration:

Grace sometimes comes in a dark belly—not a sunny beach. Jonah got solitude and silence in the fish—just what he needed.

➤ Quote:

“Grace means God still writes with crooked lines.” — Brennan Manning

➤ Joke:

Jonah’s fish: the only cruise line with no itinerary, no windows, and no complaint department!

🛑 CONCLUSION: When God Says “Recalculate”

Jonah ran. Moses reacted. But God rerouted both.

“The gifts and call of God are irrevocable.” — Romans 11:29

He didn’t revoke Jonah’s mission. He didn’t erase Moses’ legacy.

So if you’ve missed your exit—take heart: God’s grace doesn’t expire. His mercy still navigates.

🙏 INVITATION:

🕊️ The Lord’s Supper Script

Title: A Table of Grace and Remembrance Suggested Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 11:23–29; Luke 22:19–20 Tone: Reflective, reverent, pastoral

[Pastor steps to the table or pulpit. Holding the bread and cup nearby.]

PASTOR: Brothers and sisters, we now come to the Lord’s Table—a table not of merit, but of mercy. A table not of ritual, but of remembrance. A table set by grace—for the people of grace.

In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the words of our Savior:

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” (v. 23–24)

[Pastor lifts the bread.]

This bread is a symbol of Jesus’ body—broken for our sin, bruised for our healing, and freely given to bring us peace.

Let us bow our heads as we give thanks.

[Pastor or Deacon prays briefly over the bread.]

PRAYER OVER THE BREAD: Heavenly Father, thank You for the body of Christ, given for us. As we take this bread, remind us of the cost of our salvation and the depth of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[The bread is distributed. After all have received it, the pastor says:]

Let us eat together in remembrance of Him.

[All partake of the bread.]

PASTOR: The Scripture continues:

“In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (v. 25–26)

[Pastor lifts the cup.]

This cup reminds us of the blood of Christ, shed for the forgiveness of sins. It is the seal of a new covenant—written not on tablets of stone, but on hearts transformed by grace.

Let us give thanks for the cup.

[Pastor or another deacon prays briefly over the cup.]

PRAYER OVER THE CUP: Lord Jesus, thank You for shedding Your blood so we could be washed clean. As we drink this cup, renew in us a heart of gratitude, humility, and hope. In Your name we pray, Amen.

[The cup is distributed. After all have received it, the pastor says:]

Let us drink together in remembrance of Christ.

[All partake of the cup.]

PASTOR: Church, we remember not just a death, but a promise: That He who died will one day return. And until then, we proclaim the gospel with every bite and every sip.

As the disciples did after the first Lord’s Supper, let us close by singing a hymn together.

Are you running from something God told you to do?

Are you reacting out of frustration rather than trusting Him?

Are you in a storm or a dark place that might actually be grace in disguise?

Today is your “recalculate” moment. Let God reroute you. Because the exit you missed is not the end of the road.