SF697 - WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE RUN FROM GOD - 1 of 4 LIVING LIFE ON THE RUN (Jonah 1 1-3)
What Happens when We Run From God
Living Life on the Run: Part 1 of 4
Jonah 1:1-3
Introduction
Biblical Background
Jonah is one of the most debated and maligned books in the Old Testament canon.
However, the historicity of Jonah is witnessed to in both the Old and New Testaments.
Ø In 2 Kings 14:25, Jonah is mentioned as a prophet of God.
Ø In Matthew 12:38-41, Jesus spoke of Jonah in reference to His own resurrection.
The Man
He is the son of Amittai.
Ø The Northern Kingdom during the reign of Jeroboam II (793-753 BC).
Ø The nation of Israel enjoyed a time of prosperity and peace during these years.
Jonah had some good traits.
Ø He was the kind of man God wanted to use.
Ø He was the kind of man God could speak to, and he was the kind of man who would listen to God.
The Mission
Ø Nineveh was a great city.
Great in its Antiquity
Ø .The city was founded by Nimrod (Genesis 10:8-11). Archaeologists date the oldest remains to about 4500 BC.
Great in its Enormity
Ø It took three days to walk from one side to the other.
Ø Most scholars estimate the population to number somewhere around six hundred thousand.
Great in its Iniquity
Ø As the capital of Assyria, they were the archenemy of Israel.
Ø They were known to bury their enemies alive, as well as impale them on sharp poles under the hot sun.
The Message
Ø Missions and mercy, sovereignty and salvation.
Ø It is a message about a reluctant missionary and an unlikely awakening.
The Mandate (1-2)
God's call was Personal. (1:1)
Ø God always comes to us first
Ø God calls us to Himself before he calls us to serve
God's call was Purposeful. (1:2)
Ø God called Jonah to go to a specific place to deliver a specific message.
Ø Although the message was negative, the purpose was positive.
Ø God's ultimate purpose was to see the Ninevites repent.
1A. We Ignore God's DIRECTIONS (1:3)
1B. Jonah's Purpose (1:3a)
He thought he could ignore God's call
Then he tried to escape God's call.
Ø We cannot escape God any more than we can escape the sunrise.
Ø Wherever we go, God is already there to greet us.
2B. Jonah's Plan (1:3b)
Tarshish was the opposite direction from Nineveh.
Ø He wanted to get as far away from God's call as possible.
Ø Sin is never satisfied with disobedience; sin desires rebellion.
Ø Notice that with every step Jonah took he went down.
3B. Jonah's Philosophy - "Why would Jonah run?"
He misunderstood the nature of God's will.
Ø Instead of seeing God's will as good and desirable, he saw God's will as difficult and dangerous.
He saw witnessing as an option not a command.
He saw prayer as a means of relief not as a meaningful relationship.
Jonah really did not want God to save the Ninevites he wanted them to perish.
2A. We can Expect God's DISCIPLINE (1:4-15)
1B. The Confusion Jonah Caused (1:4-6)
The struggling sailors (1:4-5)
Ø They were afraid for their lives
Ø Pictures each of us without Christ
The sleeping saint (1:5b-6)
Ø Jonah was so far from God a pagan sea captain had to tell him about the storm.
Ø While the man of God slept, sinners sought God.
How can God's people sleep in the midst of the storm?
Ø We sleep because we lack concern for others.
Ø We sleep because we lack commitment to God.
2B. The Conviction Jonah Felt (1:6-7)
He was found sleeping when he should have been praying (1:6)
He was found sinning when he should have been preaching (1:7)
Ø Sin can only be kept secret for so long and eventually everyone will know.
3B. The Confession Jonah Made (1:8-10)
He was confronted about his sin (1:8)
He confirmed his faith (1:9)
He confessed his sin (1:10)
4B. The Cost Jonah Paid (1:11-15)
Running from God cost Jonah his peace (1:6)
Ø The sea may be calm now but the storm is coming
Running from God cost Jonah his privacy (1:7-11)
Running from God cost Jonah his pride (1:11-12)
Ø You feel like you are in control, but you are not
Running from God cost Jonah his position (1:15)
Ø As a witness for God
Ø As a passenger of the ship
Jonah was faced with a decision.
Ø He could try to ride out the storm on his own, or he could trust God to bring him through the storm.
Ø Jonah found the faith and commitment in the storm he should have had on the shore.
Ø Believers are often guilty of waiting for the storm to come before they truly trust and obey God.
3A. We Can Experience God's DELIVERANCE (1:16-17)
1B. God Rescued Jonah (1:17)
From certain death
From continued defeat
God provide a whale-house for a jailhouse
2B. God Redeemed the Sailors (1:16)
The rebellious saint had unwittingly been used of God to witness to the unbelieving sailors.
God in his grace used an act of desperation to bring faith to the sailors.
From an apparent disaster, God brought wonderful victory.
Application
Two Choices…
You can choose to run from God.
You cannot choose to escape God.
Two Conclusions…
You do not have to run!
If you have ran, God is waiting to deliver you from your dilemma!
What Happens When We Run From God
Living Life on the Run: Part 1 of 4
Jonah 1:1-3 - August 3, 1997
Introduction
The Man
Ø Jonah had some good traits.
The Mission
Ø Nineveh was a great city.
The Message
The Mandate (1-2)
1A. We Ignore God's ____________________ (3)
1B. Jonah's ________________ (3a)
2B. Jonah's _______________ (3b)
3B. Jonah's ____________ - "Why would Jonah run?"
He misunderstood the nature of God's _________.
He saw witnessing as an ________ not a command.
He saw _______ as a means of relief not as a meaningful relationship.
Jonah really did not want God to ____ the Ninevites he wanted them to perish.
2A. We can Expect God's __________________ (4-15)
1B. The _________________ Jonah Caused (4-6)
How can God's people sleep in the midst of the storm?
2B. The _________________ Jonah Felt (6-7)
3B. The _________________ Jonah Made (8-10)
4B. The _________________ Jonah Paid (11-15)
Running from God cost Jonah his _________ (6)
Running from God cost Jonah his _________ (7-11)
Running from God cost Jonah his _________ (11-12)
Running from God cost Jonah his ________________
3A. We Can Experience God's Deliverance (16-17)
1B. God _______________ Jonah (17)
2B. God _______________ the Sailors (16)