Sermon Tone Analysis

Jonah 1:1-17* *

*            A common question among Christians of the first generation was, /“Is there any word from the Lord?”/  Underlying such a question is a basic assumption; namely, that the Lord will make His will known!

In the days before Christ, God revealed Himself and His purpose through more direct and often dramatic means:  A burning bush, an angelic messenger, a pillar of cloud or fire, etc.  Today God communicates personally with those that know Him.

If we are willing to listen, the Holy Spirit makes known to us the mind of God.*

*            Some years ago I became involved in a discussion with a friend on this very subject.

It all began because I had announced to members of my senior class that God had called me into the ministry.

My friend’s contention was that God does not so speak to individuals today.

I was forced to consider whether my calling was real or just some figment of my imagination.

How does God speak today?

How can we know the direction God wants our lives to follow?

In my case there was a vision and a strong conviction that I must serve the Lord as a preacher and teacher.*

*            That is one of the many ways God speaks to me.

I have come to conclude that believers that don’t hear God speaking have either tuned Him out or never learned to listen when He speaks.

With so many voices vying for our attention it can be very difficult to attune ourselves to that one voice that is God’s.*

*            Of course, God also speaks through His written and spoken word.

Attuned believers recognize His voice when a scriptural passage is read and when the Gospel is preached.

We know the truth not because we have mastered the scripture but because we know Him that wrote it.

There are those, even believers, that have difficulty recognizing that God is speaking.

Jonah was not among these.

He knew God’s will – he simply refused to do it!

Among the majority of the saints I fear this is most often the case.*

* *

* *2nd Timothy 4:1-5*

* *

*I.                    “Arise and God…Cry Against…Wickedness”*

* *

*A.

This is every believer’s calling*

*1.

To live in opposition to evil – at work, home, etc.*

*2.

We are to reprove and rebuke (2 Tim.4)*

*B.

The call may be specific*

*1.

Confrontational and personal*

*2.

Requiring courage and faith*

* *

*II.

The General Reaction To God’s Call*

* *

*A.

Not to recognize the importance of the occasion*

*1.

Jonah – a little man running from the most important moment of his life*

*2.

We prefer comfortable service – pew sitting and hymn singing*

*B.

Wasted opportunities are sad*

*1.

Individuals and churches waiting for a perfect ministry will never see it*

*2.

Better to burn brightly and be consumed than to sputter and never produce a clear flame for the Lord*

*C.

Jonah found a ship*

*1.

The Devil will supply an escape~/excuse*

*2.

We can justify our unwillingness to be obedient (fleece)*

* *

*III.

Jonah Was Confronted*

* *

*A.

God got his attention*

*B.

Jonah returned to service but not to faithfulness*

* *

*The prophet preached to Nineveh but without love for God or the people of the city.

Joy and peace do not necessarily follow service!

Only an obedient servant knows peace and joy!*