Courageous Obedience
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We’re going to pick up where we left off in our GO series. So please turn to .
We’re going to pick up where we left off in our GO series.
Go
We’re going to pick up where we left off in our GO series. So please turn to .
We’re going to pick up where we left off in our GO series.
PRAY
In chapter 1, God tells Jonah to go to the great city (map) of Nineveh. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, about 550 miles from Israel. That’s about a 4 week journey for Jonah.
Remember, the whole premise of this series is from – “Go and make disciples of all nations – all ethnic groups, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Kerry talked about that a few weeks ago.
Jonah doesn’t want to go. He does not like the Assyrians - he doesn’t like “those people.” So he runs away.
Remember, God cares about “those people.” That’s the theme of this book. And “those people” are people we normally do not associate with for whatever reason. It could be physical (don’t like the way they look or they scare me), location (that’s out of my way), emotional (“those people could bring up painful memories), even political or spiritual.
I want you to write down two things: This is not in our notes – God changed a few things yesterday.
We ignore “those people” for many reasons, and I would say more times than not, our reasons fall under the category of pride. If you and I refuse to love “those people,” the people God calls us to love it’s called pride and pride is sin and sin hinders the work of God.
1) Write down the name of someone you are actively helping to know Christ or to grow in their obedience to Christ? We call that discipling? Who are you actively discipling? If you don’t have a name to write down, you need one – so I challenge you to bring that to the Lord this week. Pray about it.
2) Write down the name of someone (or people group) whom God wants you to talk to – that He wants you to share your faith in Christ, maybe confront them on a particular sin or whatever – but you have either refused or have been fearful to do so.
How is that pride? Well, in Jonah’s case, he believed he deserved God’s mercy but “those people” didn’t. “I’m an Israelite, I’m in - too bad for “those people.” That’s pride - and there is no room for pride in God’s Kingdom. If your pride is preventing you from loving “those people,” you need to pray, repent and ask God to help.
This is a good time to do a plug for China – I just got the dates, so if you’re interested in going – let me know.
So Jonah runs the other direction, gets on a ship, God sends a storm, the sailors toss him over, God sends a fish to rescue Jonah. Talk about a creative rescue mission. God is creative. People who say the Bible is boring - never really read the Bible.
We’ll come back to those names toward the end, but for now, let’s do a quick review of Jonah.
Let’ pick it up in
And the
So, Jonah’s back on land, covered in fish puke and then what? Well, Jonah’s had quite the traumatic experience. Does Jonah get a week off to recover? Does God send Jonah to counseling for Post Traumatic Swallowed-by-a-Fish Syndrome? We don’t know. All we know is what God’s Word tells us - and we’re led to believe that what happened next was relatively soon.
And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
So, Jonah’s back on land, covered in fish puke and then what? Well, Jonah’s had quite the traumatic experience. Does Jonah get a week off to recover? Does God send Jonah to counseling for Post Traumatic Swallowed-by-a-Fish Syndrome? We don’t know. All we know is what God’s Word tells us - and we’re led to believe that what happened next was relatively soon.
In chapter 1, God told Jonah to go to the great city (map) of Nineveh. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. They’re the bad guys – “those people” – and Jonah hated them so Jonah he refused to go. So Jonah ran the other direction, boarded on a ship, God sent a storm and a fish to get Jonah back on track toward Nineveh – toward “those people.”
Why was it so important for Jonah to go to Nineveh?
And as we get into that - I have two truths to uncover this morning:
Because God cares about “those people” – which is the theme of this book – that God cares about “all people” – even the ones you and I don’t care about. Here’s the thing – God shows His love and care for “those people” how? When His people go ….
WHAT GOD EXPECTS
What does that mean? When it comes to God’s mission for us - to go and make disciples, what does He expect?
We all have “those people” in our lives. For today’s message, “those people” are the ones whom God has specifically directed us to go to, to talk to, to love etc. Could be a family member, a co-worker or children in China – but we have yet to go because of either fear or disobedience.
Then the word of the
I think fear and disobedience are wreaking havoc in Western Christianity. And our world is in desperate need of Christians who will courageously obey God. And that’s exactly what Jonah did – with all his character defects and disobedience, he eventually obeyed and went to Nineveh. So let’s get back into the story.
Then the word of Yahweh came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of Yahweh and went to Nineveh.
This is a parallel to chapter 1 verses 1-3 when God spoke to Jonah the first time. God is simply repeating His initial command to Jonah. God didn’t change anything because of the traumatic events. God is saying, “Jonah, get up, take a shower man, you stink and complete the mission I gave you. Put the disobedience behind you, put the storm behind, put the fish behind you and go.”
This is a parallel to chapter 1 verses 1-3 when God spoke to Jonah the first time. God is simply repeating His initial command to Jonah. God didn’t change anything because of the traumatic events. God is saying, “Jonah, get up, take a shower man, you stink and complete the mission I gave you. Put the disobedience behind you, put the storm behind, put the fish behind you and go.”
Let’s begin with
And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
So, Jonah’s back on land, covered in fish puke and then what? Well, Jonah’s had quite the traumatic experience. Does Jonah get a week off to recover? Does God send Jonah to counseling for Post Traumatic Swallowed-by-a-Fish Syndrome? We don’t know. We don’t know if he had any recovery time. All we know is what God’s Word tells us – and it’s very clear that God had some high expectations for Jonah. And so this morning we’re going to look at what God expects and next week we’ll look at what God accomplishes when we meet those expectations.
I don’t know where you’re at, but some of you might be in a similar situation. God gave you a mission, or a passion, or a dream some time ago and you have yet to fulfill it. And life hasn’t turned out the way you thought. And you’re reading this story about Jonah and you’re thinking - “that’s me.” And so God might be telling you the second time, “Get up, some of you might need a shower, and complete the mission. Forget about the wasted years, forget about the storms - forgetting what is behind and press forward and complete the mission.”
So, Jonah’s back on land, covered in fish puke and then what? Well, Jonah’s had quite the traumatic experience. Does Jonah get a week off to recover? Does God send Jonah to counseling for Post Traumatic Swallowed-by-a-Fish Syndrome? We don’t know. We don’t know if he had any recovery time. All we know is what God’s Word tells us – and it’s very clear that God had some high expectations for Jonah. And so this morning we’re going to look at what God expects and next week we’ll look at what God accomplishes when we meet those expectations.
And I’m telling you right now God is waiting -
WHAT GOD EXPECTS
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
- “… being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” You know what that tells me? It tells me that God’s not done. He’s ready to pick up where you left off.
Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it.
You know what that tells me? It tells me that God’s not done. He’s ready to pick up where you left off.
Then the word of Yahweh came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of Yahweh and went to Nineveh.
So let’s go back to the question - what does God expect of us? If we compare chapter 1 verses 1-3 and chapter 3 verses 1-3, this parallel will show us a couple of things:
This parallels chapter 1 verses 1-3 when God spoke to Jonah the first time. God is simply repeating His initial command to Jonah. God didn’t change anything – it’s the same command and the same mission.
1) God expects obedience:
This parallels chapter 1 verses 1-3 when God spoke to Jonah the first time. God is simply repeating His initial command to Jonah. God didn’t change anything – it’s the same command and the same mission.
Jonah’s tantrum didn’t release him of his responsibility to go to Nineveh. And we need to understand that -
Disobedience does not release us of our Biblical responsibilities.
Ignoring God’s commands, sweeping them under the rug, or minimizing their importance doesn’t cut it in the Kingdom of God. If God has given you a command, whether personally or Biblically - ignoring it, thinking someone else will do it or whatever, doesn’t cut it. God doesn’t say, “You’re right - someone else will do it.”
We could paraphrase 1-3 like this - “Jonah, get up, take a shower man, you stink and complete the mission I gave you. Put the past behind you and go.”
Disobedience does not release us of our Biblical responsibilities. Furthermore,
Culture does not release of our Biblical responsibilities.
Culture says you don’t have to honor your parents. God says you have a responsibility to honor them. Culture says sex outside of marriage is no big deal. God says you have a responsibility to wait until you are husband and wife. Culture says adultery is no big deal. God says you should not even look lustfully at another man or woman. ….
I don’t know where you’re at, but some of you might be in a similar situation. God gave you a mission, or a passion, or a dream and you have yet to fulfill it. And you’re reading this story about Jonah and you’re thinking - “that’s me. I was too fearful or I refused to do it.” And so God might be telling you the second time, “Get up, some of you might need a shower, and complete the mission. Forget about the wasted years, forget about the storms – forget about the past and press forward and complete the mission.”
Maybe God put something on your year a year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago. Listen, to
I think Jonah was falling into this - he was hoping that by going the wrong way God would release Him of his responsibility to go to Nineveh and preach. When we disobey or ignore our responsibilities, what does God do?
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
- “… being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” You know what that tells me? It tells me that God’s not done. He’s ready to pick up where you left off.
You know what that tells me? It tells me that God’s not done. He’s ready to pick up where you left off.
So what does God expect?
a) God pursues the disobedient
Jonah’s story is a great example of God’s determination - the relentless pursuit of His own purpose to extend grace and mercy to all nations. So first, God pursue the disobedient in Nineveh - God was pursuing “Those People” - which is the theme of this book - that God loves and is concerned about every tribe, tongue and nation.
1) God expects obedience: Jonah’s tantrum didn’t release him of his responsibility to go to Nineveh. And we need to understand that -
disobedience does not release us of our Biblical responsibilities
God was pursuing the disobedient in Nineveh - God was pursuing “Those People” - which is the theme of this book - that God loves and is concerned about every tribe, tongue and nation.
Ignoring God’s commands or minimizing their importance doesn’t cut it in the Kingdom of God. If God has given you a command to “go,” whether personally or Biblically - ignoring it, thinking someone else will do it or whatever, doesn’t cut it. When God says I want you to go – He means you and no one else. Same with me.
We may think God will send someone else … maybe. Sometimes you and I are it and there are no others for God to send.
Let’s go back to - that He who began a good work - God was pursuing the people of Nineveh - wanting to do a good work in Assyria. How does God accomplish that good work? Through Jonah.
Disobedience does not release us of our Biblical responsibilities.
This also shows that God pursued His disobedient child - not out of anger and hatred, but out of what? Love. Scripture is clear -
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.
God pursued Jonah - a disobedient child. God will pursue you and me as well. Believe me, that’s a sign of love. And this should tell us that not all storms are from Satan. Some storms are a form of God’s discipline - getting us back on track. But know this -
Furthermore, this is a little deviation but we need to know that
Culture does not release of our Biblical responsibilities
Culture says you don’t have to honor your parents. God says you have a responsibility to honor them - period. Culture says sex outside of marriage is no big deal. God says you have a responsibility to wait until you are husband and wife. Culture says adultery is no big deal. God says you should not even look lustfully at another man or woman. Culture says everyone is doing it – God says, “So!”
God’s discipline and His expectation of obedience are not pointless, arbitrary, God is not egotistical or on some power trip.
Culture says you don’t have to honor your parents. God says you have a responsibility to honor them - period. Culture says sex outside of marriage is no big deal. God says you have a responsibility to wait until you are husband and wife. Culture says adultery is no big deal. God says you should not even look lustfully at another man or woman. Culture says everyone is doing it – God says, “So!”
Discipline and Obedience always have a greater purpose.
So understand if God is asking you to do something, or disciplining you, you will probably not know the full extent of His plans. You will not know the full extent of this good work that He wants to do in you and around you.
God expects obedience. Now, I think Jonah was hoping that by disobeying God would release Him of his responsibility to go to Nineveh. But God doesn’t play by those rules. So what does God do with the disobedient? We need to remember that
So God expects obedience. What else does God expect?
Jonah obeyed the word of the
a) God pursues the disobedient
Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it.
Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”
Jonah’s story is a great example of God’s determination – His relentless pursuit of His own purpose to extend grace and mercy to all nations - to all people. So who does God pursue?
So what else do I think God expects of us?
Well first, we see that God pursued the disobedient - in Nineveh. God saw their wickedness and what did God do? Sent Jonah that they might repent and be saved.
2) God expects courage
Remember - that He who began a good work - God pursued the people of Nineveh to do a good in Assyria. How did God attempt to do a good work? By sending Jonah, but Jonah disobeyed.
“Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.” ~ Eddie Rickenbacker
This also shows that God pursues His disobedient children - not out of anger! God wasn’t hunting down Jonah. He pursued Jonah out of love (Love for Jonah and love for those people.) This is
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.
God will pursue us when we’re off track. Really, that’s a sign of love. And this should tell us that not all storms are from Satan. Some storms are a form of God’s discipline - getting us back on track. But know this -
And that really is the definition of courage -
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to face fear.
Spiritual courage is the ability to obey God in the midst of fear.
Why do I think Jonah needed courage? Three times, Nineveh is referenced as a great or large city. Scholars debate what that really means. Does it mean great in size, does it mean great in significance and so on. Doesn’t really matter. The fact is, it was a great city and great cities can be quite intimidating - especially when you’re in unfamiliar territory and in enemy territory.
God will pursue us when we’re off track. Really, that’s a sign of love. And this should tell us that not all storms are from Satan. Some storms are a form of God’s discipline - getting us back on track. But know this -
Think of the fear factor here - the Assyrians were bad guys. Do you think it might be a wee bit dangerous to walking downtown as an Israelite? You’re in the enemy’s capitol city and you’re going to shout, “Um, you’ve got about 40 days and then it’s over! You guys are going to be overthrown.” Not exactly something you want to shout downtown Nineveh.
And just remember, that Discipline and Obedience always have a greater purpose. We probably won’t know the full extent of His plans, but we need to trust there is always a greater purpose involved.
Do you think that might be a little nerve-racking? Imagine God says, “I want to walk to Sacramento, CA (583 miles) and tell them, repent or destruction is coming.” Imaging walking through the streets. You don’t know how to get around. You don’t where the bad parts are. You don’t know what kind of people you’ll meet - who to stay away from and who you can trust.
So God expects obedience (obedience has to do with love (), and because of that He pursues the disobedient. What else does God expect?
Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”
Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it.
This is not a walk in the park for Jonah. God never guaranteed his safety, God simply said go do this. For Jonah to go into Nineveh, humanly speaking was practically a death sentence.
So number 2 -
It takes courage to obey and God expects courage.
Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
- as Israel was preparing to enter the Promised Land, God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous.”
Remember I said we had two truths to uncover this morning, here’s the second:
Remember I said we had two truths to uncover this morning, here’s the second:
So number 2 -
WHAT GOD ACCOMPLISHES
2) God expects courage
Eddie Rickenbacker (WWI pilot) said this - “Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.”
So, what happens when we courageously obey the Lord?
And that really is the definition of courage -
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to face fear.
The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
And Spiritual courage is the ability to obey God when you’re afraid.
The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. And then verse When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
Why do I think Jonah needed courage? Three times, Nineveh is referenced as a great or large city. Scholars debate what that really means. Does it mean great in size, does it mean great in significance and so on. Doesn’t really matter. The fact is, it was a great city and great cities can be quite intimidating - especially when you’re in an unfamiliar city and in enemy territory.
And then verse
Look at what God did through a wayward, disobedient cowardly prophet who decided to obey and mustered up enough courage to march deep into enemy territory and proclaim the message of God. Look at what God can do through the courageously obedient. Thousands of lives were saved because of Jonah’s obedience.
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
Think about it - the Assyrians were bad guys. Do you think it might be a wee bit dangerous to walk downtown as an Israelite? You’re in the enemy’s capitol and you’re going to shout, “You’ve got about 40 days and then it’s over! You guys are going down!”
Look at what God did through a wayward, disobedient cowardly prophet who decided to obey and mustered up enough courage to march deep into enemy territory and proclaim the message of God. Look at what God can do through the courageously obedient. Thousands of lives were saved because of Jonah’s obedience.
Look at what God did through a wayward, disobedient cowardly prophet who decided to obey and mustered up enough courage to march deep into enemy territory and proclaim the message of God. Look at what God can do through the courageously obedient. Thousands of lives were saved because of Jonah’s obedience.
You think my sermons are lousy! This has got to be the worst sermon ever. “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” There’s no points, no illustrations, or fill-in-the-blanks. The only good thing about his sermon is that it was short.
Do you think that might be a little nerve-racking? Imagine God says, “I want to walk to Sacramento, CA (583 miles) and tell them, repent or you will be destroyed.” Imagine walking through the streets. You don’t know how to get around. You don’t where the bad parts are. You don’t know what kind of people you’ll meet or how they will respond.
But what does that tell us? It’s not about us! It’s not about our skills or abilities, our intelligence …
This is not a walk in the park for Jonah. God never guaranteed his safety, God simply said go and do this. For Jonah, this was possibly a death sentence.
So you see, it takes courage to obey God. But where does courage come from?
So what does God accomplish when we obey?
God accomplishes the mission.
The only thing Jonah did was obey and open his mouth and then God …!
Only God and you know where you are at. Running from something? Disobeying? Perhaps in a storm - God’s trying to get your attention. Perhaps you’re fearful, lacking courage.
Only God and you know where you are at. Running from something? Disobeying? Perhaps in a storm - God’s trying to get your attention. Perhaps you’re fearful, lacking courage.
St. Patrick was a man of courage. Born around 360 AD in Scotland, Irish raiders ransacked his village and took him into slavery at age 16. He spent 6 long brutal years as a slave in Ireland.
Courage comes from God’s Word
After having a dream, it took courage to escape and make a 200-mile journey back to Britain. To be recaptured was certain death. But, through faith, and the miracles of God, he escaped.
When you read and meditate and memorize the Word of God, you know and believe in the promises of God and when you believe in His promises – you can face all kinds of obstacles.
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
After becoming a priest, he felt compelled to return to Ireland. Now that was ludicrous.
- Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Do a study this week on the word courage and see how often courage, or boldness or strength correlates to Scripture. Knowing God’s Word helps create courage.
Do a study this week on the word courage and see how often courage, or boldness or strength correlates to Scripture. Knowing God’s Word helps create courage.
He could have been recaptured or put to death. But he returned, as a missionary.
Patrick encountered heavy resistance from druidic cults; he was beaten, imprisoned, sentenced to death but he paid a cash price for his freedom, he had to pay the price of 15 slaves so he could preach.
Courage comes from God’s People
- See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
It took courage to return to a hostile pagan land, but he did. And because of his courageous obedience, he proclaimed the gospel to a pagan land and planted 300 Christian churches - turning an entire nation upside down.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
- Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
- Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
We need to encourage one another – but not just a pep talk – we need to encourage one another with the truths of God.
We need to encourage one another – but not just a pep talk – we need to encourage one another with the truths of God.
Remember the names of the people you wrote down …
Next week, what God accomplishes when we courageously obey