Jonah - Part 2

Preached at: Mosaic Christian Church, Feb 2017 Jonah Part 2 of 4 Introduction "In Too Deep" is the 4th track on the 1986 Genesis album Invisible Touch. The single was a huge success in the US during the summer of 1987; it reached the number 3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It’s a song about two lovers who break up and one is wondering how it’s possible to ever forget the words and love shared. “In Too Deep” was a late ’90s movie about a drug lord and an undercover cop seeking to bring down the dealer. The dealer is so powerful he’s called “God,” and the undercover cop is determined to infiltrate so he can destroy “God’s” power and influence. If you search for a definition of the phrase, “In Too Deep,” you’ll get something similar to this: “in too deep” is to be so involved in a situation or relationship that you are unable to stop being involved. Let’s think about some scenarios: Suppose you are an entrepreneur and you borrowed a huge sum of money counting on a strong economy for the production and sale of your newest home cooking gadget. The economy has tanked, and now your loans are coming due. You could be “in too deep” to survive financially. Maybe you’re an off-roader who enjoys four-wheeling in the spring. You and your buddies head to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky for a day of adventure. You take the lead and come to a rather muddy section of a creek, but knowing your vehicle and your skills you determine you can pass through with no trouble. A few minutes later you’re in over your axles and the front end just nosed under water. At this point you may be “in too deep.” You’re young and a rising star in your profession. For a couple of years the money was rolling in so you and your wife decided to purchase the biggest house you could afford. You make the purchase and outfit the house with the best of everything. Now your expenses are exceeding your income. “In too deep” describes your situation, and now you have to figure out how to get out while you can. Discussion: With someone sitting next to you, describe a time in your life when you were “in too deep.” Today, we find Jonah is “in too deep,” literally and figuratively. Last week we read the first chapter of the book of Jonah. We saw how his pride, his fear, and his prejudice drove him to literally run from God. Somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea, on a ship, in a storm, Jonah realizes he made a foolish decision. After a brief explanation of the situation, Jonah convinces the crew of the ship to throw him overboard. Through his course of action, he has created a situation that he is no longer able to get out of. Let’s review the story up to this point: VIDEO CLIP - Overboard (start - 1:34) Thought - why didn’t he just jump instead of making the crew do it? Jonah’s Cry – Read Jonah 2:1–5 We’re going to do some small-group discussion today, so divide up into groups of 3 or 4. Jonah 2:1–5 (NIV) — 1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2 He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3 You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ 5 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. Discussion Questions: • What is Jonah thinking as he is tossed overboard? • What reality does Jonah discover through this experience? • What are Jonah’s thoughts about his deep sea experience? • How does he respond to his circumstances? • What do you notice is NOT in this prayer? As Jonah is tossed overboard he is certain God will punish him by drowning him in the Mediterranean Sea. But then, his prayer takes a turn… God’s Grace – Read Jonah 2:6–9 Jonah 2:6–9 (NIV) — 6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. 7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. 9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ ” Discussion Questions: • Describe Jonah’s emotions and spiritual journey in these verses. • What causes Jonah to “remember the Lord” during this experience? • How does Jonah “remember” the sailors prior to his admission of guilt for the storm? The sailors on the ship found themselves “in too deep” facing a storm they were convinced was going to destroy their entire boat. Jonah 2:8 (NIV) — 8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. The sailors on the ship did exactly that, but Jonah comes to his senses about what is happening and who is ultimately in charge. God’s Rescue – Read Jonah 2:10 Jonah 2:10 (NIV) — 10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Jonah serves his 3 day sentence in the belly of the fish, and when God is satisfied that Jonah is ready, he commands the fish the barf Jonah out. Even if fish barf, God shows grace. How? Where did the fish puke him up? Back on dry land. He could have spit him out in the middle of the sea and made him swim or float back to shore! Sometimes, we need to be thankful to God for the little things too. Right? Ultimately, Jonah comes to this conclusion: Jonah 2:9 (NIV) — 9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ Being grateful can change we the way we walk through life. Jonah gained a new perspective from his difficult experience - he became more grateful to God and his work in his life. And I think one simple way we can draw closer to God and lead a more spiritually and emotionally healthy life is to foster gratefulness. “Grateful” Challenges • Memorize and meditate on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. • At the end of each day, make a list of everything for which you are grateful. • Write a thank you note to someone, maybe for something they’ve done, or maybe just for who they are.