Sermon Example

Scripture:

Please open your Bibles to the Book of Jonah.

I. Prayer

While you are turning to Jonah, let me provide you with a little historical background. The events of Jonah take place approximately between 800-750 BC. In secular history, some speculate Homer may have been writing or had just completed the Iliad and Odyssey. The first Greek Olympics were established and Rome was founded and ruled by the legendary Romulus.

In Biblical History, Jonah is the first prophet to arrive approximately 50-100 years after Elisha and Elijah. He is alive during the ministries of Amos and Hosea and dies shortly before Isaiah arrives on the scene. He appears to be a successful prophet. Did you know he is mentioned in (NASB95) — 25 He (Jeraboam II) restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which He spoke through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.

Now when I said “Book of Jonah”, what is the first image that appears in your mind? The Whale, some kind of really big fish? Jonah and the whale is one of the most memorable scenes in the Bible. Yet, this big fish is not the most important character in the story. So who is?

Now, some of you may be thinking, Jonah is the most important character. And if so, you are getting warmer. One sermon was titled about Jonah how: “He can run, but he can’t hide”.

By the way, did you know where that expression can from “He can run, but He can’t hide”. That quote came from the famous boxer, Joe Louis. One of greatest boxers of all time! It was 1941, and he was facing Billy Conn who was lighter and faster and was planning a “hit and run” strategy to defeat Joe Louis. And that’s when the Joe Louis said before the fight “He can run, but he can’t Hide”. Then in the 13th round, behind in points, Joe Louis, nicknamed the “Brown Bomber” knocked Billy Conn out to win the match.

Now Our Jonah is not in a boxing ring but he is running way. But He is not running away from an opponent. He is running away from the most important person of this story. This person is not His enemy, but loves Him infinitely. He has called Him to be a prophet, and has an immeasurably, important mission and lesson for him to learn.

ILLUSTRATION: While you are turning to Jonah, let me provide you with a little historical background. The events of Jonah take place approximately between 800-750 BC. In secular history, some speculate Homer may have been writing or had just completed the Iliad and Odyssey. The first Greek Olympics were established and Rome was founded and ruled by the legendary Romulus.

In Biblical History, Jonah is the first prophet to arrive approximately 50-100 years after Elisha and Elijah. He is alive during the ministries of Amos and Hosea and dies shortly before Isaiah arrives on the scene. He appears to be a successful prophet. Did you know he is mentioned in (NASB95) — 25 He (Jeraboam II) restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which He spoke through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.

Now when I said “Book of Jonah”, what is the first image that appears in your mind? The Whale, some kind of really big fish? Jonah and the whale is one of the most memorable scenes in the Bible. Yet, this big fish is not the most important character in the story. So who is?

Now, some of you may be thinking, Jonah is the most important character. And if so, you are getting warmer. One sermon was titled about Jonah how: “He can run, but he can’t hide”.

By the way, did you know where that expression can from “He can run, but He can’t hide”. That quote came from the famous boxer, Joe Louis. One of greatest boxers of all time! It was 1941, and he was facing Billy Conn who was lighter and faster and was planning a “hit and run” strategy to defeat Joe Louis. And that’s when the Joe Louis said before the fight “He can run, but he can’t Hide”. Then in the 13th round, behind in points, Joe Louis, nicknamed the “Brown Bomber” knocked Billy Conn out to win the match.

Now Our Jonah is not in a boxing ring but he is running way. But He is not running away from an opponent. He is running away from the most important person of this story. This person is not His enemy, but loves Him infinitely. He has called Him to be a prophet, and has an immeasurably, important mission and lesson for him to learn.

While you are turning to Jonah, let me provide you with a little historical background. The events of Jonah take place approximately between 800-750 BC. In secular history, some speculate Homer may have been writing or had just completed the Iliad and Odyssey. The first Greek Olympics were established and Rome was founded and ruled by the legendary Romulus.

II. Devotion/Mediation

PASSAGE

In Biblical History, Jonah is the first prophet to arrive approximately 50-100 years after Elisha and Elijah. He is alive during the ministries of Amos and Hosea and dies shortly before Isaiah arrives on the scene. He appears to be a successful prophet. Did you know he is mentioned in (NASB95) — 25 He (Jeraboam II) restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which He spoke through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.

I. INTRODUCTION

Now when I said “Book of Jonah”, what is the first image that appears in your mind? The Whale, some kind of really big fish? Jonah and the whale is one of the most memorable scenes in the Bible. Yet, this big fish is not the most important character in the story. So who is?

A. Opening Illustration

Now, some of you may be thinking, Jonah is the most important character. And if so, you are getting warmer. One sermon was titled about Jonah how: “He can run, but he can’t hide”.

By the way, did you know where that expression can from “He can run, but He can’t hide”. That quote came from the famous boxer, Joe Louis. One of greatest boxers of all time! It was 1941, and he was facing Billy Conn who was lighter and faster and was planning a “hit and run” strategy to defeat Joe Louis. And that’s when the Joe Louis said before the fight “He can run, but he can’t Hide”. Then in the 13th round, behind in points, Joe Louis, nicknamed the “Brown Bomber” knocked Billy Conn out to win the match.

B. Background Summary

Now Our Jonah is not in a boxing ring but he is running way. But He is not running away from an opponent. He is running away from the most important person of this story. This person is not His enemy, but loves Him infinitely. He has called Him to be a prophet, and has an immeasurably, important mission and lesson for him to learn.

a. Date of Writing

b. Author & Circumstances

c. Recipients & Circumstances

Along with Jonah, we will learn 7 keys principles on how God’s grace prevails over man’s sin so that we rightly respond to His grace when we sin! [REPEAT]

d. Purpose of Writing & Circumstances

e. Past/Present/future Events

Q: So who is the most important person in Jonah? God Read with me

A: God

C. Theological Background

Jonah 1:1–3 NASB95

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

BLOCK QUOTE: Now if we are not careful, this miracle plant, this miracle storm, and Jonah’s emotional roller coaster ride changing from happy to angry to arguing with God again and pleading to die again, would distract us from seeing the most profound truth of God in the book of Jonah: God is a compassionate savior. To understand this truth, let me read to you this excerpt/section from “Jonah and the Worm” by Donald Baker.

a. Major Theological Theme:

b. Minor Theological Theme:

“Let’s analyze your anger Jonah. You are angry over the death of your beloved plant—but what did it really mean to you? Your attachment to it couldn’t be very deep, for it was literally here one day and gone the next. Your cared only because it gave you shade and relief, your concern was self-centered, this is not genuine love. You never had the devotion of a gardener. If you feel as bad as you do, what would you expect a gardener to feel like, who tended a plant and watched it grow only to see it wither and die? This is how I feel about Nineveh, only much more so. All those people, all those animals—I made them; I have cherished them all these years. Nineveh has cost Me no end of effort, and it means the world to Me. Your pain is nothing compared to Mine when I contemplate their destruction” (“Jonah and the Worm,” His. October 1983, p. 12).

D. Proposition/Purpose Statement

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Outline

I. The Disobedience of Jonah (chaps. 1–2)

A. The commission of the prophet (1:1–2)

B. The disobedience of the prophet (1:3)

C. The consequences of the prophet’s disobedience (1:4–2:10)

1. The great wind (1:4–16)

2. The great fish (1:17–2:10)

E. Overview Outline

II. BODY

Scripture:

8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face each other.” 9 Jehoash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trampled the thorn bush. 10 “You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Enjoy your glory and stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall, and Judah with you?” 11 But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah. 12 Judah was defeated by Israel, and they fled each to his tent. 13 Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate, 400 cubits. 14 He took all the gold and silver and all the utensils which were found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasuries of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

A. Point

1. Attention

2. Explanation

3. Illustration/Application

4. Transition

Scripture:

B. Point

1. Attention

2. Explanation

3. Illustration/Application

4. Transition

Scripture:

C. Point

1. Attention

2. Explanation

3. Illustration/Application

4. Transition

III. CONCLUSION

A. Restate all the points in a concluding manner

B. Restate proposition/purpose statement in a concluding manner

C. Final Illustration/Final Application

D. Prayer

Sermon Example

INTRODUCTION

Prayer

A. Key Idea #1

Prayer

PROPOSITION

Devotion/Mediation

Attention

Point #1

Devotion/Mediation

II. PASSAGE

Attention

Explanation

PASSAGE

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Illustration/Application

Explanation

Illustration/Application

Transition

Opening Illustration

Opening Illustration

Background Summary

B. Key Idea #2

Transition

Background Summary

Attention

Date of Writing

Date of Writing

Author & Circumstances

Explanation

Author & Circumstances

PROPOSITION

Recipients & Circumstances

Illustration/Application

Recipients & Circumstances

Transition

Purpose of Writing & Circumstances

Purpose of Writing & Circumstances

TRANSITION

Past/Present/future Events

C. Key Idea #3

Past/Present/future Events

Attention

Theological Background

Theological Background

Major Theological Theme:

Major Theological Theme:

Explanation

Minor Theological Theme:

Illustration/Application

Minor Theological Theme:

Transition

Proposition/Purpose Statement

Proposition/Purpose Statement

Overview Outline

Overview Outline

D. Key Idea #4

Attention

Explanation

Illustration/Application

Transition

E. Key Idea #5

Attention

Explanation

Illustration/Application

Transition