SF699 - HOW TO RUN WITH GOD - KNOWING AND DOING GOD'S WILL - 3 of 4 LIVING LIFE ON THE RUN (Jonah 3 1-5)
How to Run with God - Knowing and Doing God's Will
Living Life on the Run - Part 3 of 4
Jonah 3:1-5
Introduction
Chapter three picks up the narrative with a humbled Jonah sitting on the beach. He has spent three days and nights in the belly of a fish. God has given him a new attitude and a new opportunity. We begin this chapter with Jonah's new commission. The commission is the same, but the missionary has changed.
What does it mean to "do God's will?'
Is it important for us to know and do God's will?
"God's will is what I would choose for myself is I was smart enough to know what is best for me." A. Rogers
How can I know and do God's will?
1A. You Must Be Willing to Listen to God Voice (1)
1B. We Tend to Ignore God
Ø Jonah's sin
Ø Jonah singled out
Ø Jonah sentenced
Ø Jonah repentance
God wants us to listen to Him
(Deuteronomy 30:20 NIV) "… that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life…"
(Proverbs 1:5 NIV) "let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--"
(John 10:27 NIV) "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
2B. God Will Not Give Up on You - He is the God of a Second Chance
Ø Simon Peter (John 21:15-25)
3B. You Must Listen Even When You Do Not Like What He Says
(2 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV) "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, {15} and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
2A. You Must Be Willing To Follow God's Lead (3)
1B. Even if You Do Not Like God's Chosen Place
Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh
Jesus did not want to suffer the agony of the cross (Matthew 26:36-42)
(Matthew 26:39 NIV) "…, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.""
2B. Even if You Do Not Like God's Stated Purpose
Jonah wanted God to destroy Nineveh
God intended to save Nineveh
We must be like Job…
(Job 13:15 NIV) "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him…"
3B. Even if You Must Change Your Plans
(Acts 16:6-10 NIV) "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. {7} When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. {8} So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. {9} During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." {10} After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."
3A. You Must Be Willing To do God's Work (4)
1B. You Must Do What He Tells You to Do!
Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
(1 Samuel 3:10 NIV) "The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening.""
2B. You Must Do What He Tells You to Do… When He Tells You to Do It!
(Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV) "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, {16} making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
3B. You Must Do What He Tells You to Do… The Way He Tells You to Do It!
Saul (1 Samuel 15:1-35)
(1 Samuel 15:10-11 NIV) "Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: {11} "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night."
(1 Samuel 15:22 NIV) "But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."
4a. You Must Be Willing to Trust God to Do what You Cannot Do (5-10)
1B. Only God Can Bring Conviction (5-9)
(John 16:7-11 NIV) "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. {8} When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: {9} in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; {10} in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; {11} and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."
(Isaiah 6:5 NIV) ""Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.""
(Revelation 1:17-18 NIV) "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. {18} I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."
2B. Only God Can Bring Conversion (10)
(Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast."
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
Application
Are you listening to God?
Are you following God's leadership in your life?
Are you fulfilling God's purpose for your life?
Are you trusting God to do what you cannot do?
How to Run with God - Knowing and Doing God's Will
Living Life on the Run - Part 3 of 4
Jonah 3:1-5 - August 17, 1997 a.m.
1A. You Must Be Willing to __________ to God (1)
1B. We Tend to ________________ God
(Proverbs 1:5 NIV) "let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--"
(John 10:27 NIV) "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
2B. God Will Not Give Up on You - He is the God of a __________ _____________
3B. You Must Listen Even When You Do Not ______ What He Says
(2 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV) "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, {15} and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
2A. You Must Be Willing To _______ God's Lead (3)
1B. Even if You Do Not Like God's _________ ______
(Matthew 26:39 NIV) "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.""
2B. Even if You Do Not Like God's _______ ________
(Job 13:15 NIV) "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him…"
3B. Even if You Must ____________ Your Plans
(Acts 16:10 NIV) "After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."
3A. You Must Be Willing To do God's _________ (4)
1B. You Must Do ___________ He Tells You to Do!
Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
(1 Samuel 3:10 NIV) "The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening.""
2B. You Must Do What He Tells You to Do… ______ He Tells You to Do It!
(Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV) "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, {16} making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
3B. You Must Do What He Tells You to Do… The ____ He Tells You to Do It!
Saul (1 Samuel 15:1-35)
4a. You Must Be Willing to __________ God to Do what You Cannot Do (5-10)
1B. Only God Can Bring ______________ (5-9)
(John 16:8 NIV) When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
2B. Only God Can Bring ________________ (10)