WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.919 I want you to look on the screen with me at three events that the Bible records and think 00:00:06.919 --> 00:00:08.759 about what they have in common. 00:00:10.279 --> 00:00:15.820 God parted the waters of the Red Sea so the children of Israel, His people, could walk 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:17.199 through on dry land. 00:00:18.019 --> 00:00:24.600 After they were across, He closed the waters on the pursuing Egyptians and they drowned. 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:33.520 Daniel was unjustly sentenced to death by being thrown into a den of lions. 00:00:34.480 --> 00:00:44.100 But God sent an angel to close the mouths of the lions and they didn't touch Daniel. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:47.100 They didn't harm him at all. 00:00:48.100 --> 00:00:54.060 Jesus fed over 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:59.520 They all ate until they were full. 00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:05.700 And there were 12 basketfuls of pieces left over. 00:01:06.820 --> 00:01:09.000 All four Gospels record that. 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:18.340 I'm sure everyone has figured out that all of those incidents are miracles that are described 00:01:18.340 --> 00:01:20.120 as miracles in the Bible. 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:23.800 The Bible records hundreds of miracles. 00:01:24.800 --> 00:01:33.020 The most important event in the Bible is the resurrection of Jesus and it is a miracle. 00:01:33.019 --> 00:01:46.280 The person who refuses to believe that God can intervene in this world that He created, suspend the laws of nature that He put into place, 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:54.399 and do supernatural things that we call miracles, that person cannot have a relationship with God. 00:01:54.400 --> 00:02:11.300 The fact is that anyone who denies the reality of miracles must also deny the reality of the God who has revealed Himself in Scripture and in the person of Jesus Christ. 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:23.939 Now I am stressing the importance, the necessity of believing in miracles to prepare us for what we're going to look at this morning in the book of Jonah. 00:02:24.600 --> 00:02:31.400 Turn with me if you would to Jonah chapter 1 verse 17 and we're going to read through the end of chapter 2. 00:02:31.400 --> 00:02:38.980 In the Hebrew Bible chapter 2 begins with the English Bibles verse 17 of chapter 1. 00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:40.719 It's all one story. 00:02:41.580 --> 00:02:51.300 The story of the great fish swallowing Jonah and Jonah living to tell about it is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. 00:02:51.300 --> 00:03:04.620 However, it is also one of the most unbelievable things you'll ever read and it is unbelieved by many people. 00:03:07.219 --> 00:03:13.180 I'm going to guess that 98% of people in this room are familiar with the story. 00:03:14.220 --> 00:03:17.600 But there's some you've never read it. 00:03:18.600 --> 00:03:21.080 Some you haven't read it in a long time. 00:03:21.300 --> 00:03:26.180 So before we go any further, let's read the story. 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:31.840 A lot of times we refer to it as a children's Bible story of Jonah and the big fish. 00:03:31.920 --> 00:03:33.939 Or as some people call it, Jonah and the big whale. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:36.439 1.17 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:41.120 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. 00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:45.420 And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 00:03:45.419 --> 00:03:52.859 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish saying, 00:03:53.799 --> 00:03:58.779 I called out to the Lord out of my distress and he answered me. 00:03:59.459 --> 00:04:04.479 Out of the belly of Sheol I cried and you heard my voice. 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:12.019 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas and the flood surrounded me. 00:04:12.019 --> 00:04:15.859 All your waves and your billows passed over me. 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:19.519 Then I said, I am driven away from your sight. 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:24.000 Yet I shall again look upon your holy temple. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:27.720 The waters closed in over me to take my life. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:30.160 The deep surrounded me. 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:35.459 Weeds were trapped or were wrapped around my head at the roots of the mountains. 00:04:36.459 --> 00:04:41.639 I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever. 00:04:42.339 --> 00:04:45.079 Yet you brought up my life from the pit. 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:47.259 Oh Lord, my God. 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:51.740 When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord. 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:55.159 My prayer came to you and to your holy temple. 00:04:56.259 --> 00:05:01.920 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. 00:05:02.860 --> 00:05:09.560 But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you what I have vowed I will pay. 00:05:10.459 --> 00:05:12.519 Salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:19.639 And the Lord spoke to the fish and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:31.359 Now, did you notice that this story is not really a story about a great fish? 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:38.979 The fish is an important part of the story because God used it to rescue Jonah. 00:05:38.980 --> 00:05:45.520 God used the fish as an instrument of His grace to save Jonah. 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:54.420 But the fish is really a minor character in this chapter and in this book. 00:05:55.660 --> 00:05:58.879 Now, there are some commentators, if you do a study of this, 00:05:59.340 --> 00:06:03.660 there are some commentators who will go to the trouble of describing 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:08.800 why we should take this as a factual story. 00:06:08.980 --> 00:06:14.620 For example, they describe the kind of fish or the kind of a whale 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:20.819 that is big enough to have swallowed Jonah 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:27.360 and would have had enough air inside to sustain his life. 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:29.220 You can read about that. 00:06:29.220 --> 00:06:33.760 There are some who will write about a few recorded stories 00:06:33.760 --> 00:06:42.040 of someone surviving inside a large fish for several days. 00:06:42.980 --> 00:06:46.340 And when the fish was caught and cut open, they were alive. 00:06:47.900 --> 00:06:51.160 But I agree with what most commentators say about this. 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:55.960 We don't need to prove this story really happened. 00:06:57.020 --> 00:07:02.439 It is presented in the Word of God as a miraculous work of God 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:10.860 that happened at some point in time in the life of this man named Jonah. 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:12.800 That's how it reads. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:14.800 Look again, verse 117. 00:07:14.800 --> 00:07:20.360 The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:22.620 Chapter 2, verse 10. 00:07:23.400 --> 00:07:29.560 The Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. 00:07:31.220 --> 00:07:33.699 Our God is a miracle-working God. 00:07:33.699 --> 00:07:43.219 And because He is God, He doesn't explain how His miracles could have really happened. 00:07:44.500 --> 00:07:51.919 He is not concerned to try to make us skeptics in the 21st century 00:07:51.919 --> 00:08:00.219 believe that He did what He did, that He still does what He does. 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:06.960 This passage, this story of Jonah and the big fish, 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:13.300 it is presented in the Bible as something that God did. 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:15.220 It happened. 00:08:16.900 --> 00:08:19.380 And if we understand the Bible to be God's Word, 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:25.620 we need to understand whether we can explain it or not 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:29.160 and accept this is a miracle of God. 00:08:29.160 --> 00:08:33.220 But there's an even better reason, more powerful reason 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:36.519 for us to believe what happened to Jonah really happened. 00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:38.560 Jesus believed it. 00:08:39.660 --> 00:08:46.340 And Jesus even used this story to teach about His own death and resurrection. 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:49.820 It's recorded in Matthew 12 and other Gospels. 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:50.680 But look at this one. 00:08:50.679 --> 00:08:54.439 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him saying, 00:08:54.819 --> 00:08:59.099 Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you. 00:09:00.599 --> 00:09:01.879 But He answered them, 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:06.620 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign. 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:12.059 But no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:16.539 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:21.819 so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 00:09:23.179 --> 00:09:26.159 You see, Jesus understood this to be a real story. 00:09:26.939 --> 00:09:34.059 And He used it to teach the reality that He was going to die, be buried, 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:38.399 be buried, and then rise again three days later. 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:48.659 The focal point of chapter 2 of Jonah is not a great fish who swallowed Jonah, 00:09:48.839 --> 00:09:52.279 but the gracious God who rescued Jonah. 00:09:53.439 --> 00:09:57.199 And He just chose to use a fish to do it. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:04.940 There's something else about chapter 2 that we need to observe, take note of. 00:10:05.940 --> 00:10:09.180 And I hope if you're a regular reader of the Bible, you've already figured it out. 00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:14.500 Beginning in verse 2, chapter 2, verse 2 through verse 9, 00:10:16.020 --> 00:10:17.879 this reads like a psalm. 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:23.759 If you're familiar with the psalms and you read this, 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:28.500 in fact, if you just took out verse 2 through 9 of this chapter 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:31.899 and just gave it to the average Bible reader, 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:34.419 they'd think, well, this is one of the psalms. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:37.460 Well, it is a psalm. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:39.700 It's a psalm of Jonah. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:47.259 Now, I want you to look at the big picture of this passage. 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:49.319 It is a prayer. 00:10:49.320 --> 00:10:54.800 The prayer of Jonah written in the form of a psalm. 00:10:55.820 --> 00:11:00.300 Jonah is actually, or it appears he's quoting from the psalms 00:11:00.300 --> 00:11:03.080 seven or eight times. 00:11:03.280 --> 00:11:06.120 If you've got a Bible that has cross-references, 00:11:06.560 --> 00:11:09.940 you will see that in the text, verses 2 through 9. 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:14.640 Jonah wrote this sometime after it happened, 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:21.419 and he's looking back describing his experience in the ocean 00:11:21.419 --> 00:11:24.539 when he thought he was going to drown 00:11:24.539 --> 00:11:30.240 and inside this fish when he prayed to God. 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:34.159 This is a long introduction, I know. 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:37.220 And so what we're going to look at next 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:40.740 is just the first point of chapter 2's study, 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.720 and we'll come back next week and finish it up. 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:44.720 Let's look now at what we can learn 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:51.759 from Jonah's experience of running to God in prayer. 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:55.160 Point number one, God can put us in a position 00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:58.399 where all we can do is pray. 00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:00.759 We need to understand this. 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:05.899 God can, and sometimes does, 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:09.959 put us, his people we're talking about, 00:12:10.959 --> 00:12:14.480 in a position where all we can do is pray. 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:16.500 From the beginning of chapter 1, 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:19.279 Jonah has been running from God. 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:21.379 That's what the whole story has been up to this point. 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.579 He is a prophet of God. 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:26.259 He's a believer. 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:30.340 He is one who knows God, 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:31.659 has a relationship with God, 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:34.659 but he's rebelling at this point in time, 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:35.799 chapter 1. 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:38.519 He's rebelling and running from 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:42.240 what he knows God wants him to do. 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:46.000 He does his best to ignore God 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:47.559 while he's on board this ship, 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:50.480 even during a life-threatening storm. 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:54.379 No one else on this ship 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:55.839 believed in the one true God. 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:58.720 Everyone else on that ship, 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:01.500 they were pagans 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:06.279 who worshipped all kinds of false gods. 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:09.720 But here's what we read in chapter 1. 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:13.840 Everyone prayed except Jonah. 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:17.320 It appears that Jonah was so determined 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:20.460 to not do God's will 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:23.460 that he was willing to die 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:25.920 rather than repent and do it. 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:29.399 That's the impression that he gives 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.740 when he tells those sailors, 00:13:31.819 --> 00:13:33.099 if you want this storm to stop, 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:34.919 throw me overboard. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.179 Knowing full well, 00:13:37.459 --> 00:13:38.679 you get thrown overboard 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:40.819 in the Mediterranean Sea 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:41.639 in the midst of the storm, 00:13:41.719 --> 00:13:42.279 you're going to die. 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:43.139 You're going to drown. 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.919 But God was determined 00:13:46.599 --> 00:13:50.379 to change Jonah's mind 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:52.639 by putting him in a position 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:56.439 where he would stop running from God 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:59.059 and start running to God 00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:00.679 in prayer. 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:04.100 God did two things 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:04.840 to bring this about. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.740 God used the sailors 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:08.460 to throw Jonah overboard, 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:11.279 sink to the bottom 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:12.740 of the Mediterranean Sea, 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:15.419 and come close to drowning. 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:17.980 But Jonah, I want you to look, 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.559 he described all this 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:20.819 as God's work. 00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:21.660 Verse 3, 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:25.720 For you cast me into the deep. 00:14:26.540 --> 00:14:27.900 God just used the sailors. 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:29.520 But Jonah understood. 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:31.100 He had been running from God 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:32.240 and God was tired of it. 00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:35.379 And God stopped his running 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:38.520 by throwing him into the sea 00:14:38.520 --> 00:14:40.840 using the hands of those sailors. 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:43.660 God sent a great fish 00:14:43.660 --> 00:14:45.120 to rescue Jonah, 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.620 save his life, 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:49.639 by swallowing him 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:51.320 and keeping him alive, 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:53.620 trapped inside its body 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.779 for three days and nights. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:56.560 Jonah didn't say 00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:57.419 this just happened. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.820 He attributed it 00:14:58.820 --> 00:15:00.000 to the work of God. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.139 Look again at verse 17. 00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:02.259 And the Lord 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:03.759 appointed a great fish 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.500 to swallow Jonah. 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:05.720 And Jonah was in the belly 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:06.179 of the fish 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:07.419 three days and three nights. 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:10.100 I want you to imagine 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.080 what it would have been like 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:13.600 for Jonah 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:15.279 to go through all this. 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:17.639 Anytime we read the Bible, 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.439 we need to understand 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:21.740 this is describing 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.779 real events 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:25.240 that happened 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.579 in history, 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:27.399 in time 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:29.459 to people just like us. 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:31.939 Whenever you read 00:15:31.939 --> 00:15:32.639 something in the Bible, 00:15:33.699 --> 00:15:34.199 think, 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.819 this really happened. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.379 If I had been there, 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.759 I could have seen it. 00:15:40.839 --> 00:15:42.000 Think about those people. 00:15:42.079 --> 00:15:43.100 They're just human beings 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.920 like us. 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:46.200 And so we can get more 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:47.279 out of some studies 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.759 by just putting ourselves 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.180 in situations 00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:50.120 and thinking about 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:52.019 what it would have been like. 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.480 Jonah was probably 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:57.680 wedged inside the fish 00:15:57.680 --> 00:16:00.519 and unable to move 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.360 during this time. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.500 You've probably seen cartoons 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:05.879 where Jonah is swallowed 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:06.700 by a whale 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:08.040 and he wakes up 00:16:08.040 --> 00:16:09.060 in the belly of the whale 00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:12.019 and it's just a large area 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:12.919 like this 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.699 or a cave 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:14.299 or something. 00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:15.879 And he just sits around, 00:16:15.959 --> 00:16:16.259 you know, 00:16:16.359 --> 00:16:17.099 taking it easy, 00:16:17.219 --> 00:16:17.939 talking to God, 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:18.339 whatever. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.719 Jonah was swallowed 00:16:21.719 --> 00:16:22.959 by a fish 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:24.559 and most likely 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:25.619 whatever position 00:16:25.619 --> 00:16:26.579 he was in, 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:28.339 when he got in there, 00:16:29.119 --> 00:16:29.759 that's how he... 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.759 He was stuck. 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:33.099 He was wedged. 00:16:33.099 --> 00:16:34.059 At best, 00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:36.039 he would have had 00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:37.299 just a little room 00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:38.759 to wiggle around. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.759 Inside that fish, 00:16:42.339 --> 00:16:44.279 he was in total darkness. 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:48.099 The air was thin. 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.979 There was a constant, 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:53.259 sickening stink 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:56.179 and almost unbearable heat 00:16:56.179 --> 00:16:59.159 inside this big fish. 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:03.000 Now think about it. 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:06.539 He would be in shock 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:08.039 at first. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.279 Then he would have had 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.759 a full-blown 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:14.819 panic attack. 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.200 He'd have taken 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.799 a whole bottle 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.019 of lorazepam 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.839 if he'd have had it 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:20.920 or something like that. 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.059 He would have drifted 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:24.779 in and out 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:26.079 of consciousness. 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:30.359 But at some point, 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:33.039 over the course 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.579 of those three days, 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:37.480 he came to himself. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.899 He realized 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:41.679 where he was 00:17:41.679 --> 00:17:43.000 and what his condition was. 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:44.799 He didn't know 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.619 if he'd live and die 00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:46.240 to start with, 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:46.759 live or die 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.319 to start with. 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.799 At some point, 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:52.859 he spiritually 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.519 and emotionally 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:57.059 ran to God 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:58.539 in prayer. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:18:01.700 and looking back, 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.519 he describes it 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:05.039 in the form of a psalm. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:06.960 R.T. Kendall 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.859 describes Jonah's 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:08.899 situation like this. 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:11.259 The belly of the fish 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:13.019 is not a happy place 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.720 to live, 00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:15.940 but it is a good place 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.799 to learn 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.359 and Jonah 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:19.339 had a lot to learn. 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.500 Now I want you 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.000 to understand. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:26.660 I am not implying 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.500 in this message 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:29.279 that God's going 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:29.700 to do something 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.740 like this to you. 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:33.200 God rarely 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.759 ever 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:36.220 goes to such 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.839 extreme measures 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:41.680 to turn around 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:44.160 his wayward people. 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:47.200 But God has 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.519 many ways 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:50.700 of putting us 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:52.880 in positions 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:54.320 where we are 00:18:54.320 --> 00:18:55.420 willing to stop 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:55.840 running 00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:56.900 and start running 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:57.660 to him 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.880 in prayer. 00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:01.680 If we could just 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.580 go around this room 00:19:02.580 --> 00:19:03.060 this morning 00:19:03.060 --> 00:19:05.860 and everybody 00:19:05.860 --> 00:19:07.880 explain a time 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:09.340 when God 00:19:09.340 --> 00:19:10.340 got your 00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:11.240 attention, 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:14.519 we would find 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.259 a lot of 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.640 common ways 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.420 that God works 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.120 in our life 00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:19.259 to get our 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:19.660 attention. 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:23.519 Some of us 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:23.859 in here, 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:26.400 we've been 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.279 maybe spiritually 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.000 asleep 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.420 or indifferent 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.660 or even rebellious, 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:32.059 but a family 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:33.039 crisis 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:35.000 got our 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.400 attention, 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.319 woke us up, 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.019 caused us 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.660 to turn to God 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.120 in prayer. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.059 Some people, 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.759 a health 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.299 scare 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.579 is what it 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.059 took to 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:47.339 bring you 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:48.099 back to where 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:48.380 you would 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.039 talk to God. 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.660 Some people, 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.380 it's a financial 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:51.960 problem. 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:54.259 You're going to 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.059 lose something. 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.140 Some people, 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:57.960 it's something 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.500 that goes on 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:59.180 with your job, 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.559 your school. 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.519 For some people, 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:02.539 it's relational 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.839 outside of family. 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.960 God just has 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.839 his ways. 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:10.419 knowing us, 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:11.859 knowing what 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.359 will get our 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:12.779 attention 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:14.059 in the situations 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.519 of life 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.259 that we have, 00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:16.699 God has ways 00:20:16.699 --> 00:20:17.459 when he's ready 00:20:17.459 --> 00:20:20.879 to cause us 00:20:20.879 --> 00:20:22.159 to pay attention 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:22.579 to him, 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.159 listen to him, 00:20:27.159 --> 00:20:27.939 talk to him 00:20:27.939 --> 00:20:28.379 in prayer. 00:20:29.179 --> 00:20:29.919 I think Abraham 00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:30.799 Lincoln describes 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:31.819 the way all of us 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.759 have felt at times. 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:33.439 He said, 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:33.880 I have been 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:34.559 driven many 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.500 times to my 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:37.240 knees by the 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.880 overwhelming 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:39.940 conviction that 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.600 I have nowhere 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.900 else to turn. 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.140 If you're in a 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:45.740 situation like 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.799 that now, 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:49.259 or you know 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.180 someone close 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.840 to you who 00:20:50.840 --> 00:20:51.519 is, 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.880 I want you to 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.360 understand that 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:56.299 God takes no 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.860 pleasure in 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.620 putting such 00:20:58.620 --> 00:21:00.420 pressure on 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.120 his children. 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.700 You may need 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.420 to assure 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:06.519 somebody of 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:06.840 that. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:08.900 But at the 00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:09.460 same time, 00:21:09.580 --> 00:21:10.600 God loves us 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:12.180 enough to 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.420 discipline us 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:15.059 severely if 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:17.039 necessary to 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.700 put us in a 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.440 position where 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:20.460 we can and 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:22.420 want to come 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.240 back to him in 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.600 confession, in 00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:26.299 repentance, and 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:26.740 renewed 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.380 commitment. 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:30.059 He is a 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:31.340 great father. 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:31.419 father. 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:32.659 As we 00:21:32.659 --> 00:21:33.439 studied a few 00:21:33.439 --> 00:21:34.079 weeks ago, 00:21:35.699 --> 00:21:37.199 great parents 00:21:37.199 --> 00:21:39.480 discipline their 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:39.819 children. 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:42.779 You don't just 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:44.379 let anything go. 00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:48.779 And a loving, 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.899 gracious parent 00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:53.319 will sometimes 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.220 go to 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:56.480 tremendous lengths 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:58.339 to inflict 00:21:58.339 --> 00:22:01.519 pain for the 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.720 ultimate outcome 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:04.660 of turning a 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.360 child's life 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:06.299 around if 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:06.799 possible. 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.480 Well, God 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:11.460 can and does 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.799 that when 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.360 necessary. 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.980 But we learn 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.539 from Jonah that 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.299 we can never run 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:19.539 too far for God 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.400 to hear our 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.480 prayer of 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.019 desperation. 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.920 Look at verse 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:23.220 two. 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:26.900 I called out 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.640 to the Lord 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:29.380 out of my 00:22:29.380 --> 00:22:30.279 distress. 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:32.400 He answered 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:32.700 me. 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.039 Out of the 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:35.299 belly of Sheol 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:37.000 I cried, 00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:38.420 and you heard 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:39.019 my voice. 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.519 God, or 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.420 Jonah called 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.120 out to God 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:44.519 from what he 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.360 considered to be 00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:46.000 the place of 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.799 death, Sheol. 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.559 You see it 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.819 several times in 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.200 the book of 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:49.960 Psalms. 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:52.319 The place of 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:52.759 death. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.680 A place of 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.559 no return. 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:56.839 That's what 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.900 Jonah felt 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:58.980 like at first 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.480 when he cried 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.220 out to God. 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.900 But God 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.279 heard his 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:02.700 prayer. 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.279 And God 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.180 graciously 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:07.559 answered it. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.860 If you are 00:23:09.860 --> 00:23:10.579 away from God 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.039 right now, 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.539 I want to 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.380 encourage you 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.700 as strongly 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.319 as I can. 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.160 Call out 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.019 to God 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.779 right now 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.299 where you 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:21.000 are just 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.600 as you 00:23:21.600 --> 00:23:21.900 are. 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.519 God 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.840 you may 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.640 have drifted 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.759 from God 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.380 years ago. 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.100 You may 00:23:30.100 --> 00:23:30.460 think to 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:30.960 yourself, if 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.340 you'll stop 00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:31.640 and think, 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:33.560 I've been 00:23:33.560 --> 00:23:35.680 sort of 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.200 spiritually 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:38.740 indifferent 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:41.060 for quite some 00:23:41.060 --> 00:23:41.340 time. 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.060 You may be 00:23:42.060 --> 00:23:42.780 here right now 00:23:42.780 --> 00:23:43.280 in body, 00:23:44.280 --> 00:23:45.960 but this 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.840 entire service, 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:48.060 your mind and 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:48.440 your heart, 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:48.900 it's not been 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:49.160 here. 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.740 If that's 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.120 true, you 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.540 know it. 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.300 Because you 00:23:54.300 --> 00:23:54.660 haven't 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:56.019 worshipped God 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.840 and hadn't 00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:57.280 really wanted 00:23:57.280 --> 00:23:57.519 to. 00:23:58.840 --> 00:23:59.500 You haven't 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.200 been listening 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.780 to Him. 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:02.800 Because truth 00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:03.180 be known, 00:24:03.560 --> 00:24:04.019 you're not 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.860 interested in 00:24:04.860 --> 00:24:05.060 Him. 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.200 You come to 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.580 church for 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.440 various reasons, 00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:09.740 out of habit, 00:24:09.820 --> 00:24:10.300 out of to 00:24:10.300 --> 00:24:11.040 please someone, 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:12.940 or maybe 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.920 with a 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.240 thought, 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.940 God will 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.440 love me 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:17.819 more, 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:18.279 He won't 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.899 do something 00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:20.279 to me if 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.779 I put in 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.559 the time 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:23.379 on Sundays. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:25.059 Crazy thought, 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.319 heretical 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:26.839 thought, 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.039 but a lot of 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.420 people have 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:28.899 those kinds 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:29.480 of thoughts. 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.960 It could be 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:34.960 that you've 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.559 rebelled against 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:35.899 God, 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.700 and you're 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.159 living in 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:39.299 willful sin 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.779 right now. 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:43.680 You've 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.200 turned away 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.619 from Him, 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:47.039 but you've 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.519 not been able 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.299 to escape 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:48.740 Him, 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.359 His conviction, 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.119 or the guilt 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:52.960 that goes along 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.859 with your sin, 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.299 because as a 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:55.919 child of God, 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.759 you just know 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.579 it's wrong, 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:58.960 and you can't 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.399 get that out 00:24:59.399 --> 00:24:59.899 of your mind. 00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:02.200 It may be 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.519 that what's 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:02.919 going on in 00:25:02.919 --> 00:25:03.539 your life right 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:03.779 now, 00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:04.759 somebody sitting 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.339 next to you 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.279 could elbow 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:06.899 you because 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:07.500 they know it. 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.019 They know 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.379 that you're 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:09.279 living in 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:10.700 rebellion right 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.059 now. 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.740 But it could 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.160 be the people 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:13.579 you're sitting 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:13.940 with, 00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:15.079 that you live 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.259 with, 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:15.660 it could be 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:16.000 they don't 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.379 know, 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:16.940 because what's 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.339 going on in 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:17.839 your life is 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.700 mainly in your 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.180 mind, 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.920 in your heart, 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.359 it's in your 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:20.779 thoughts, 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:21.240 it's in your 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.839 desires, 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.660 it's things 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:23.200 you do in 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.680 secret. 00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:26.000 But nonetheless, 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.200 you know it, 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:29.079 and God knows 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:29.339 it. 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.279 And so the 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.039 conviction is 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.399 there, 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:35.000 the guilt is 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.379 there, 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.980 but no one 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.579 else in the 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.740 world may know 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:40.160 what you're 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.720 going through. 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.980 If you're 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.500 away from 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:43.980 God for 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.740 any reason, 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.759 learn from 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.480 Jonah's 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.319 painful 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.420 experience. 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.680 Don't put 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.220 God in 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:55.279 position to 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.019 so work in 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.839 your life 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:59.920 that he has 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.960 to get you 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.740 like Jonah 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:03.980 where all 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.940 you can do 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:06.380 is pray. 00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:08.000 God's 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.120 God's 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:08.380 God. 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:08.700 This is the 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.380 whole point of 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.340 today's message 00:26:10.340 --> 00:26:12.700 because we as 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.180 Christians, 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:15.220 we disappoint 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.560 God. 00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:16.860 We ignore 00:26:16.860 --> 00:26:17.160 God. 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:17.880 We run 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.180 from God. 00:26:18.260 --> 00:26:18.760 We rebel 00:26:18.760 --> 00:26:19.260 against God. 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:20.140 We do. 00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.120 If you think 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:23.340 and say, 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:23.940 if I don't, 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.700 you've got some 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.940 deep problems. 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:27.260 You don't 00:26:27.260 --> 00:26:28.180 understand yourself 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:28.760 or you don't 00:26:28.760 --> 00:26:29.700 understand sin 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.240 or you don't 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.060 understand God. 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:32.539 if you don't 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:32.980 think of 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.960 yourself as 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.799 having a sin 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.259 problem, 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.019 an obedience 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.619 problem, 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.399 a holiness 00:26:37.399 --> 00:26:38.039 problem, 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:38.839 a love 00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:39.379 problem, 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:43.759 talk to 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.359 your spouse. 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.359 They can 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:46.759 help you. 00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:48.139 Talk to 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.720 your children. 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:50.859 Talk to 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.539 your parents. 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.559 Talk to 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.019 anyone who 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.619 knows you 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.119 well and 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:55.379 will tell 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:55.659 you the 00:26:55.659 --> 00:26:56.059 truth. 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.299 truth. 00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.500 We, 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.339 you and 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:01.619 me, 00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:04.440 we can be 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.139 just like 00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:05.879 Jonah or 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:08.460 worse as 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:08.940 God's 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:10.700 children at 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.539 times. 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.019 Here's how I 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.839 want us to 00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:16.619 end this with 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.299 a thought today. 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.079 Are you 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.859 closer to God 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:21.059 right now than 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.619 you have ever 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:22.220 been in your 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.619 life? 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.779 If you are, 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:27.179 that's 00:27:27.179 --> 00:27:27.700 something to 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.119 just be 00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:28.940 thankful for, 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.460 to praise 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.279 God for, 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.519 that's a 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:31.879 sign that 00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:32.419 God's working 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:32.720 in your 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.179 life and 00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:33.460 you need 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:33.839 to just 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:35.639 be thankful 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:36.899 and ask 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.179 God to 00:27:37.179 --> 00:27:37.440 help you 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:37.859 just to 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.539 stay close 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:38.879 to Him. 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:40.619 If you 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.299 are not 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.599 close to 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.039 God right 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.240 now, 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:43.940 closer than 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.339 you've ever 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:44.679 been, 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.919 why is 00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:47.179 that? 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.559 I want 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:49.740 you to 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.139 try to 00:27:50.139 --> 00:27:50.700 identify 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:52.039 why. 00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:54.019 We as 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.440 God's 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:54.740 children 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.599 shouldn't 00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:58.419 be content 00:27:58.419 --> 00:27:59.939 to not 00:27:59.939 --> 00:28:01.099 be as 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:01.599 close as 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.240 possible to 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.500 Him. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.240 Is there 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.819 something you 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.319 have done 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:05.899 or refused 00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:06.359 to do 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:08.159 that is 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:08.879 the source 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:09.859 of your 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.379 separation? 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:12.639 Is there 00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:13.159 something that 00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:13.480 the Bible 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.699 clearly teaches 00:28:14.699 --> 00:28:16.740 but you're 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.059 just not 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.480 willing to 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.099 obey it? 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:20.879 and it 00:28:20.879 --> 00:28:21.419 may be 00:28:21.419 --> 00:28:21.859 something 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:22.859 related to 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:24.339 who you 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.859 are as 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:26.519 a member 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:26.759 of a 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.159 family. 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:29.219 It may 00:28:29.219 --> 00:28:30.699 be about 00:28:30.699 --> 00:28:31.500 attitudes. 00:28:33.179 --> 00:28:33.439 It may 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.899 be the way 00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:34.539 you treat 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.419 certain people 00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:35.740 or certain 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.299 kinds of 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.599 people. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:38.279 It may be 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.799 your mouth, 00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.480 your tongue. 00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:41.579 There's 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.199 something about 00:28:42.199 --> 00:28:43.299 something that the 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:43.740 Bible clearly 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:46.419 teaches but you 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:46.720 just won't 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.240 obey it. 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.340 Or is 00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:50.320 there an 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:51.380 internal voice 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:51.600 of the 00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:52.180 Holy Spirit 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:55.480 that is 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.279 leading you 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.560 to do 00:28:56.560 --> 00:28:57.060 something but 00:28:57.060 --> 00:28:57.440 you're trying 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:57.900 to ignore 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:58.380 that? 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.340 You're not 00:28:59.340 --> 00:28:59.759 obeying 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.220 that. 00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:03.240 It could be 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.860 something along 00:29:03.860 --> 00:29:04.519 the line of 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.300 the Lord's 00:29:05.300 --> 00:29:05.860 prompting you 00:29:05.860 --> 00:29:06.340 to serve 00:29:06.340 --> 00:29:06.680 Him a 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:07.120 certain way 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:07.880 or He's 00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:08.660 prompting you 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.620 to get 00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.380 involved in 00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:11.120 a certain 00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:12.259 person's life 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:14.320 as a 00:29:14.320 --> 00:29:15.519 Christian witness 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.400 or influence 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.379 to meet 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:18.160 a need. 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.900 Either way, 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.759 if we're not 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.319 being faithful 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:23.680 to what we 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.079 know the 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:24.519 Bible says 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.119 about something 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:26.460 or we're 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.119 not acting 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:27.680 on what the 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:27.980 Lord is 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.440 leading us 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.119 to do from 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.720 His Spirit 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.559 within us, 00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.359 our refusal 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:32.940 is sinful 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.759 disobedience. 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.539 And if that 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.740 describes why 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.619 you are 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.139 separated from 00:29:39.139 --> 00:29:39.960 God right now, 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.619 there's only 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.519 one solution, 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:42.139 that is you've 00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:42.859 got to confess 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.539 it to Him 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.119 and turn from 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:44.319 it. 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:46.039 Here's what I 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.299 want you to 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:46.639 understand. 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.299 It may be 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:47.579 something that's 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:47.980 going on for 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.939 a long time, 00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:50.639 but God is 00:29:50.639 --> 00:29:51.579 never so far 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:53.240 away that He 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:54.179 can't hear our 00:29:54.179 --> 00:29:55.539 prayer of sincere 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:56.879 confession and 00:29:56.879 --> 00:29:57.259 repentance. 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.139 There are no 00:29:59.139 --> 00:29:59.879 exceptions to 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:00.859 God's promise in 00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:01.799 1 John 1, 9. 00:30:02.159 --> 00:30:02.819 If we confess 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:04.139 our sins, He is 00:30:04.139 --> 00:30:05.319 faithful and just 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:06.240 to forgive us 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:07.859 our sins and to 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:09.639 cleanse us from 00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:10.539 all unrighteousness. 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.119 Here's what I 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.599 want you to hear. 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:16.119 God will forgive 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:17.000 you and restore 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.659 you to fellowship 00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:18.679 with Him no 00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:19.379 matter what 00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:20.039 you've done, 00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:20.939 no matter how 00:30:20.939 --> 00:30:21.959 many times you've 00:30:21.959 --> 00:30:22.419 done it, 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.579 no matter how 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:25.359 long ago, 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.379 if you will come 00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:27.839 to Him, 00:30:28.459 --> 00:30:28.919 the way the 00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:29.679 Scripture says. 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.819 But it could be 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.659 this morning that 00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:33.059 you would say, 00:30:33.159 --> 00:30:33.719 I'm not as close 00:30:33.719 --> 00:30:34.859 to God as I once 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:35.480 was, 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.679 and I don't know 00:30:37.679 --> 00:30:38.019 why. 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.599 You're just sort 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.519 depressed, 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.619 discouraged. 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.619 It's just sort 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.679 of maybe empty. 00:30:48.419 --> 00:30:49.059 You're not 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.959 conscious of any 00:30:49.959 --> 00:30:52.519 real willful 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.099 sin. 00:30:54.719 --> 00:30:55.559 It's not that 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.740 you're not willing 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.159 to confess 00:30:57.159 --> 00:30:57.839 something. 00:30:58.939 --> 00:30:59.579 It's not that you 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:00.599 hate God or even 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.500 are indifferent to 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:01.699 Him. 00:31:03.179 --> 00:31:03.639 You just, 00:31:03.939 --> 00:31:04.240 there's just 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.019 something wrong. 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:07.259 Could it be 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:08.799 that you're not 00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:09.660 spending any 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:11.680 meaningful time 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.319 with Him 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:14.000 in His Word, 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.480 in prayer? 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.200 I'm talking about 00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:16.819 just being still 00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:17.379 and quiet before 00:31:17.379 --> 00:31:17.639 the Lord, 00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.900 spending time with 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.440 Him on a regular 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:19.879 basis, 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.299 talking to Him 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.759 about what's 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.339 going on in your 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:23.680 life, 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:25.480 listening to Him 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:26.379 as He speaks 00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:27.099 from His Word, 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:29.240 helping you to 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.079 understand Him 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.440 better, 00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:32.200 how to relate to 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:32.619 Him better, 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:33.920 helping you understand 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.759 yourself better, 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:36.759 you know, 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.480 prayer and Bible 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.200 reading or Bible 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:39.420 study are the 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:40.400 two most important 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:41.680 means of grace 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.180 that God has 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:42.779 given us to 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.379 cultivate a 00:31:43.379 --> 00:31:44.119 relationship with 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:44.319 Him. 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:47.420 We cannot, 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.420 you can't, 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:48.879 I can't, 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.740 no one can 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.000 spend, 00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:51.119 no one can 00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:51.619 develop a 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.200 relationship with 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:52.359 Jesus, 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.119 with the Lord, 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.019 apart from 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.759 spending time 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.180 with Him 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:59.099 in real, 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.940 honest prayer 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:02.879 and open, 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.019 receptive, 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:05.519 Bible reading. 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.379 Spending time 00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:08.720 with the Lord 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.119 is the best 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:09.599 way to draw 00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:10.599 close to Him 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:12.559 as James 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.500 encourages us 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.119 to do in his 00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:14.359 letter. 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:14.799 Look at it. 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.319 He says, 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:15.980 draw near to 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.519 God and He 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.079 will draw near 00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:18.579 to you. 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.079 Are you not 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:22.579 as close to 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.200 God as you 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.700 used to be, 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.099 as you want 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:24.440 to be? 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:26.379 You don't know 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:26.740 why? 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.079 Well, here's a 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:28.420 step. 00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:29.839 Draw close to 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.200 God. 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:32.279 Even if you 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:33.220 don't feel like 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.960 it, talk to 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.140 Him. 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:36.920 Talk to Him 00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.420 about why you 00:32:37.420 --> 00:32:38.000 don't feel like 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.140 it. 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.039 Talk to Him 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:40.440 and say, I 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:40.720 don't know 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.160 what's wrong. 00:32:42.340 --> 00:32:42.980 Help me to 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.400 see. 00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:44.860 Help me to 00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:45.440 understand. 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:46.960 Read His 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.140 Word. 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:47.740 Read the 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:48.100 Psalms. 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.340 The 00:32:48.340 --> 00:32:48.900 Psalmist, 00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:50.220 the Psalmist 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:50.900 has all kinds 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.460 of problems, 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.460 just like Jonah. 00:32:53.580 --> 00:32:54.279 The Psalmist 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:54.840 has problems 00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:55.440 with people 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.080 sometimes. 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:57.019 Sometimes he 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.480 just hates 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:57.900 people. 00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:59.240 Sometimes he 00:32:59.240 --> 00:32:59.660 feels like 00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:00.460 God's far 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:00.940 away. 00:33:03.360 --> 00:33:04.220 He's honest 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:04.980 about this. 00:33:06.340 --> 00:33:07.200 God knows 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.720 if you hate 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.460 someone or 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:09.019 can't stand 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.460 someone. 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.280 God knows 00:33:10.280 --> 00:33:11.460 if you feel 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.160 like you are 00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.980 a million miles 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.400 from Him. 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:14.600 It's no 00:33:14.600 --> 00:33:15.400 surprise. 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.800 So just talk 00:33:16.800 --> 00:33:17.400 to Him about 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:17.540 it. 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.280 Be honest 00:33:18.280 --> 00:33:18.580 with Him 00:33:18.580 --> 00:33:19.040 about it. 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:20.560 Ask Him 00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:21.080 to help 00:33:21.080 --> 00:33:21.420 you. 00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:23.019 Ask Him 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:23.240 to help 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.500 you to 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.280 change. 00:33:25.120 --> 00:33:25.460 Ask Him 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:25.680 to help 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.019 you have a 00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:26.580 better attitude. 00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:28.440 Ask Him 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:28.980 to draw 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:30.240 close to 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.080 you as 00:33:31.080 --> 00:33:31.420 you are 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:31.840 seeking to 00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:32.360 draw close 00:33:32.360 --> 00:33:32.780 to Him. 00:33:34.320 --> 00:33:34.720 God 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.780 graciously 00:33:35.780 --> 00:33:37.720 pursues His 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.540 rebellious, 00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:39.920 disobedient 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:40.740 children. 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:42.620 As our 00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:43.380 loving Heavenly 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:43.820 Father, 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:45.440 He wants 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:45.940 to forgive 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.519 us. 00:33:47.560 --> 00:33:48.160 He wants 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:48.920 to restore 00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:49.440 us to 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:49.740 fellowship 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.300 with Him 00:33:50.300 --> 00:33:50.680 if we're 00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:51.160 away. 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.440 And God 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:53.940 really wants 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.280 to do it 00:33:54.280 --> 00:33:54.720 the easy 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.100 way. 00:33:55.100 --> 00:33:57.240 Through our 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:57.799 willing, 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:58.519 sincere, 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.200 wholehearted 00:33:59.200 --> 00:33:59.980 repentance 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.220 and commitment 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:01.720 to Him. 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.680 God doesn't 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.019 want to 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.440 wear us 00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:05.779 out. 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.880 But He 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.400 will if He 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:09.860 has to. 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.559 God would 00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:12.380 much rather 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:14.960 us come 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.440 to Him 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:17.239 the easy 00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:17.599 way. 00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:19.900 But like 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.360 we see in 00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:20.619 Jonah, 00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:22.920 God loves 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:23.699 us so much 00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:24.980 He'll do 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.579 whatever it 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:25.800 takes, 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.219 no matter how 00:34:26.219 --> 00:34:26.779 painful it 00:34:26.779 --> 00:34:28.739 is to 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:29.179 cause us 00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.759 to stop 00:34:29.759 --> 00:34:30.779 running from 00:34:30.779 --> 00:34:32.819 Him and 00:34:32.819 --> 00:34:33.619 start running 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:35.719 to Him in 00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.279 desperate 00:34:36.279 --> 00:34:37.000 prayer. 00:34:37.919 --> 00:34:38.319 Let's pray 00:34:38.319 --> 00:34:38.659 together. 00:34:39.899 --> 00:34:40.399 Dear God, 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:44.119 help us to 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:47.039 see ourselves 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:48.839 in this 00:34:48.839 --> 00:34:49.379 story 00:34:49.379 --> 00:34:51.839 where 00:34:51.839 --> 00:34:52.459 applicable. 00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:53.920 God 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:57.300 help us 00:34:57.300 --> 00:34:57.780 all. 00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:58.019 But Father, 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:58.460 help us 00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:58.940 all, 00:34:59.059 --> 00:34:59.360 whether it 00:34:59.360 --> 00:34:59.699 be for 00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:00.420 now or 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.059 for some 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.480 point in 00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:01.920 the future, 00:35:02.740 --> 00:35:03.679 help us 00:35:03.679 --> 00:35:04.260 all to 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:06.900 see that 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.440 You are 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:08.500 able and 00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:08.920 You are 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:10.500 willing to 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.360 so work in 00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:12.320 our lives, 00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:12.840 if we're 00:35:12.840 --> 00:35:13.539 Your children, 00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:16.880 to stop our 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:17.619 running and 00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.440 disobedience 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:21.400 and put us 00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:21.880 in a position 00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:22.340 where all 00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:23.260 we can do 00:35:23.260 --> 00:35:24.000 and want to 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:25.240 do is seek 00:35:25.240 --> 00:35:25.639 You in 00:35:25.639 --> 00:35:25.940 prayer. 00:35:29.619 --> 00:35:30.099 Lord, 00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:30.700 show us how 00:35:30.700 --> 00:35:31.079 we should 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:33.119 respond so 00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:33.440 that we 00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:34.220 might leave 00:35:34.220 --> 00:35:34.840 here today 00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:37.539 walking with 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.019 You in 00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:38.539 real, 00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:39.159 loving 00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:39.700 fellowship 00:35:39.700 --> 00:35:40.400 and 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:40.900 obedience. 00:35:42.340 --> 00:35:42.659 And Father, 00:35:42.760 --> 00:35:44.720 if there's 00:35:44.720 --> 00:35:45.159 anyone in 00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:45.420 this room 00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:45.860 who is not 00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:46.360 a Christian, 00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:48.180 help them 00:35:48.180 --> 00:35:48.700 to understand 00:35:48.700 --> 00:35:49.200 that the only 00:35:49.200 --> 00:35:49.680 way they can 00:35:49.680 --> 00:35:50.240 begin a 00:35:50.240 --> 00:35:50.639 relationship 00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:51.280 with You 00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:54.659 is to 00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:55.380 confess their 00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:55.920 sin, 00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.519 truly turn 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.099 from it, 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:01.099 and trust 00:36:01.099 --> 00:36:03.099 Jesus as 00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:04.800 their personal 00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:05.480 Savior and 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:05.820 Lord. 00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:07.260 Help that 00:36:07.260 --> 00:36:07.840 person to do 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.460 it now. 00:36:09.780 --> 00:36:10.139 Let's just 00:36:10.139 --> 00:36:10.680 all stay 00:36:10.680 --> 00:36:11.519 in an 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:11.960 attitude of 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:12.420 prayer and 00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:12.840 listen to the 00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:13.099 Lord and 00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:13.639 respond to 00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:13.840 Him. 00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:14.980 That's what 00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:15.380 this time 00:36:15.380 --> 00:36:15.719 is for 00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:18.240 us to 00:36:18.240 --> 00:36:19.099 listen to 00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:20.179 and obey 00:36:20.179 --> 00:36:20.780 our Lord. 00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:21.900 And if you 00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:22.320 would like me 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:22.780 to pray for 00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:23.099 you during 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:23.579 this time, 00:36:24.199 --> 00:36:24.740 I'd be 00:36:24.740 --> 00:36:25.219 happy to 00:36:25.219 --> 00:36:25.599 do that. 00:36:26.619 --> 00:36:27.000 Let's just 00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:27.480 listen to the 00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:27.760 Lord and 00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:28.219 obey Him.