Running From God

Jonah 1:1-3 (NIV)

1The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

3But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

I.                   Introduction:

Never say no to God.

II.               The Authoritative Word: Go

A.                 To People: A Mission

B.                 To Preach: A Message

1.                  Preaching Against Sin: Preaching Holiness

2.                  Preaching As A Warning: Preaching Grace

III.            The Disobedient Answer: No

A.                 Running From God

B.                 Running From Responsibility

1.                  Responsibility to God

2.                  Responsibility to Others

IV.             Conclusion:

God’s mission to “go” is often rejected because we don’t love people enough.

Jonah 4:2 (NIV)2He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 

How much do you desire God’s mercy for yourself? How much do you desire him to have mercy on others?

Order of Worship

Prayer

Hymn #502 – We’ve A Story To Tell To The Nations

Hymn #515 – Rescue The Perishing

Hymn #329 – Anywhere With Jesus

Sermon

Hymn #513 – I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go

Prayer