Meeting God in the Storm Jonah

God’s Instructions Jonah 1:1-2 Go to Nineveh Cry out against it

Jonah Went to Joppa

Jonah Fled to Tarshish

Spiritual Rottenness Jonah 1:6 Even a heathen captain was amazed by the prayerless sleeper. Titus 1:16 “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”

Endangered Others Jonah 1:4 Jonah 1:7 Jonah 1:11-12 Romans 14:7 “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.”

You Cannot Hide From God Jeremiah 23:23-24 “‘Am I a God near at hand,’ says the Lord, ‘And not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?’ says the Lord; ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the Lord.”

To Run to God, Acknowledge Sin Jonah 1:10 David acknowledged his sin –2 Samuel 12:13 –Psalm 51:3 Jonah 1:11-16

Approach God In Penitent Prayer Begin with thanksgiving – Jonah 1:17-2:2 Continue by turning toward God – Jonah 2:3-4 Remember the Lord – Jonah 2:5-7 Do not honor idols, but the true God – Jonah 2:8-9

God Will Hear the Penitent Jonah 2:10 Acts 2:21, Peter 3:21 1 John 1:9 Yet, his message remains the same – Jonah 3:1-2

Jonah Obeyed God Jonah 3:3 Nineveh was between 80 and 90 miles in circumference with a population of 600,000. Its walls were 100’ high and wide enough for four chariots to race side by side. Jonah 3:4 In Hebrew, Jonah’s was a five word message of judgment (compare Acts 24:25).

Nineveh’s Surprising Response Jonah 3:5-9 Their response matches God’s call to Israel to repent – Joel 2: Jonah 3:10 God’s grace is seen in his response. God will relent if man will repent.

Running Ahead of God Jonah 4:2 Jonah was disappointed because God did not do things his way –Matthew 19:16-22 Rich young ruler –Revelation 22:18-19 Jonah 4:4, 9-11 Jonah had more concern for a gourd than lost souls and innocent children!