Jonah 1:15 We left Jonah being tossed overboard to his death. We left Jonah being tossed overboard to his death. This would be an adequate story if Jonah just died. This would be an adequate story if Jonah just died. However, this is a GOSPEL story, a GOD story, so it doesn’t end here. However, this is a GOSPEL story, a GOD story, so it doesn’t end here.

Jonah 2:2-9 “out of the belly of Sheol” (2:2) “out of the belly of Sheol” (2:2) “to take my life” (2:5) “to take my life” (2:5) “weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains” (2:5-6) “weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains” (2:5-6) “I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever” (2:6) “I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever” (2:6)

Jonah 1:17 The fish is not a punishment. It is salvation. The fish is not a punishment. It is salvation. God does the saving before we ever even know that we are lost. God does the saving before we ever even know that we are lost. Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person -- though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die -- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person -- though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die -- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jonah 2:1, 7 When you are drowning, look up. When you are drowning, look up. Discussion: Sinner’s Prayer Discussion: Sinner’s Prayer 1 Peter 3:21 “an appeal to God for a good conscience” 1 Peter 3:21 “an appeal to God for a good conscience” Acts 22:16 “calling on his name” Acts 22:16 “calling on his name” Baptism is the sinner’s prayer. Baptism is the sinner’s prayer.

Jonah’s story is a GOSPEL story, because it does not end in death. Matthew 12:39-40 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:39-40 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”