SF698 - HOW TO RUN TO GOD - 2 of 4 LIVING LIFE ON THE RUN (Jonah 2 1)

How to Run to God

Living Life on the Run - Part 2 of 4

Jonah 2:1, 10

Introduction

Life is lived on the run…

This week has been a perfect example

Ø Bible school

Ø Work

Ø Activities….

Jonah is in Trouble

Ø He is imprisoned in a fish, but he is really imprisoned by his own sin.

Ø Jonah has sunk to a new low, not only has he lost his ministry, he has lost his testimony, and he is afraid he may still loose his life.

Like many of us Jonah decides to Pray when he is in Trouble

Prayer is the key in Running to God

1A. You Begin by Responding to God's Call (1-2)

There are two possible responses to God's Call

1B. You can try to Ignore God's Call

Jonah did …

Ø Jonah did not pray when God's call first came.

Ø He did not pray before he bought his ticket for Tarshish.

Ø Jonah did not pray when he boarded the ship or even when the storm came.

Jonah does not pray until he is in the belly of the fish.

Ø Why is it we wait until all of our ways have failed before we seek the Lord?

2B. You can Answer God's Call

"My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5-6 NIV)

"Difficulty will either make you bitter or better."

"And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV)

The question is not will we face calamities in life, but how will we face them.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word." (Psalms 119:67 NIV)

How are you responding to God's call in your Life?

2A. You Continue by Submitting to God's Conditions

1B. We Do Not Come to God on our Conditions

This was the mistake of the Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-23)

(Matthew 5:3 NIV) ""Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

2B. We Must Come to God on His Conditions (2-9)

We must confess of our sin (2-6)

Ø Jonah admits to God how foolish it is to try to run from God.

Ø He recognizes it was not the sailors who put him in the belly of the fish, it was God.

We must turn away from our sin (7)

(Acts 3:19 NIV) "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,"

(Acts 17:30 NIV) "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent."

We must turn to God in faith (trust) (8-9)

(Acts 16:31 NIV) "They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.""

(Romans 10:9-10 NIV) "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

3A. Then We Can Serve God with Confidence (2:10-3:2)

1B. Salvation and Worship always Precede Service

God's response to Jonah's prayer is to deliver him from his watery prison.

2B. Confidence comes with Cleansing

God not only preserves Jonah and protects Jonah

He cleanses Jonah and re-commissions Jonah.

Ø I am so thankful God cares for me even when I do not care about Him. In the midst of our darkest day, God is busy preparing our next blessing.

Application

Which way are you running?

It is time to run to God.

Begin by hearing God's call

Then confess your sin and turn from your sin.

Finally, place your trust and faith in God.

Then, you will be ready to serve God with confidence.

How to Run to God
Living Life on the Run - Part 2 of 4
Jonah 2:1, 10 - August 10, 1997

1A. You Begin by Responding to God's _______ (1-2)

There are two responses to God's Call

1B. You can try to ___________ God's Call

2B. You can _______________ God's Call

"My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5-6 NIV)

"And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV)

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word." (Psalms 119:67 NIV)

2A. You Continue by Submitting to God's __________ (3-9)

1B. We Do Not Come to God on ________ Conditions

(Matthew 5:3 NIV) ""Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

2B. We Must Come to God on His ____________ (2-9)