We wrap up our Jonah study with a look at chapter 4:5-11. This intense scene of shelter, vines, winds and worms is often difficult to place and understand within the broader context and purpose of the book. But we will see the beautifully simple lesson that God had in mind for Jonah…and for us. Jonah was pro-compassion, just like God. But as this section asks us to compare God and Jonah, they remain very different. The best way for us to get out of a self-imposed, self-righteous, self-deluded prison is to join God in HIS MISSION. It is the most beautiful place we can be.
Jonah 5 – “I Told You So”
In this sermon, Scot looks at Jonah’s violent reaction to God’s compassion in Jonah 4:1-4. Is it okay for us to be angry with God? Is it right for us to voice our anger to God? In a difficult text, we actually see Jonah take a beautiful statement of God’s compassionate character and transform it into an indictment. He accuses God of wrong! The outcome is our chief application: right-wrestling with God is a miserable place to be.
Jonah 4 – “God in Truth”
In this fourth sermon in our series we come to Jonah 3:1-10. We see great meaning right off the bat when we realize that God’s call comes to Jonah a second time. God wants us to be involved in His mission and although we can reject His calling, we can never fully miss it. Since His compassion for His people is ever-available, His calling for His people has no expiration date.
Jonah 3 – “Soggy Grace”
In this sermon we come to Jonah 1:17-2:10 and a song of thanksgiving. Our study of the text takes us on a departure from traditional Jonah sermons. We look at the specific language of Jonah’s prayer/song, what he says, what he doesn’t say and the beautifully gracious actions of God. We see that when God wants to show His mercy and grace to us, the undeserving are His only options. In the greater context of the book of Jonah, this chapter shines a marvelous light on the free grace of God, which is the very heart of the book.
Jonah 2 – “Running Down”
In this second sermon we come to the meat of Jonah chapter 1, studying 1:3-1:17. In it we see Jonah’s journey “down.” We learn that when we run from God, our only option is “down.” Jonah seems to bear the weight of his decision to flee from the LORD and its accompanying emptiness and depression. However, the safest and most joyful place for us to be is in the will of God. God pursues Jonah, and us, to this end.
Jonah 1 “God’s Unexpected Call”
With this sermon we begin a new series in the well-known book of Jonah. We cover only two verses (Jonah 1:1-2) because the hidden and assumed background of these verses is absolutely critical to properly understanding this very misunderstood book. The saga of Jonah is much more than a fish story. It unveils the gorgeous heart of God in an unexpected way. In this sermon Scot explains how no heart can hold the weight of God’s love. And no matter what His calling, God’s mission always begins in my heart.
