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Lessons from Jonah Sermon

Introduction

A. The Book

  • This Book is Prophetic (Matt. 12:38-41; 16:4; Luke 11:29-32)
  • It was not written for Nineveh, but for Israel.
  • God seeks to purify the heart of His messenger that He may purify the heart of His people.
  • Judgment was preached by one prophet and grace reached Nineveh's heart. && Grace was given to Israel by many prophets that they refused and therefore were judged.
  • Nineveh shall rise in judgment and condemn every generation that rejects Christ. (Matt. 12:41)

B. The Prophet

The account of Jonah might seem so fantastic that we fail to relate to it and miss the many great lessons found in it. Jonah, in print, appears as almost a caricature and certianly an amazing combination of extremes.

  • God calls him and he runs.
  • God sends a tremendous storm to get his attention and Jonah goes and takes a nap.
  • His name means "a dove" which is a symbol of gentleness and purity and yet he demonstrates a very volatile nature.

Do I know anyone this intense? On more careful examination, I believe everyone of us can relate and learn from Jonah's testimony.The contrasts of this account makes our understanding it so much simpler.

1. Jonah's name means "dove"

2. Jonah was willing to receive mercy for His people and himself,but not willing to give mercy to strangers. (II Kings 14:25 Jonah 4:2)

3. A native of Gath-hepher in Zebulon, the son of Amittai of Galillee John 7:52 - Jonah, Nahum Not far from Nazareth where Jesus grew up.

4. Jonah in the great fish was a type of Christ’s death and resurrection.

5. Jonah loved truth, but truth must have full course in your life.

We must experience the revelation so we can be like the Lord in all His ways without delay.

C. The Message

  1. Cry against wickedness that God may spare them.

1:1,2; 2:1-4; 3:9-4:2,11

  1. Then Jonah prayed

2:1 Disobedience closed his lips - despair opened them.

  1. Above all, God is merciful. (2:8)

  2. Paying the fare is expensive (1:3) but Paying the vow is worth it (2:9; 1:16)

  3. The storm, the fish, the worm, the wind (1:4 1:17 4:7 4:8)

Jer. 4:11 a dry wind, not to winnow and not to cleanse

  1. Salvation is only of the Lord (2:9; 1:16; 3:2)

  2. Jonah and Paul were in the same sea (Jonah 1:3; Acts 27:3,20) and Both were sent to the Gentiles

  3. If you walk contrary to God, He will walk contrary to you. (Jonah 1:3,10 Lev. 26:14-44 Jer. 22:4-9)

  4. Turn now to God with all your heart with fasting and prayer. (Jonah 3:5 - 4:11 Joel 2:11-15)

  5. The Word can restore what the worm has caused to wither. (Jonah 4:7,11 Psa. 78:19 Joel 2:25)

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