WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:06.020 All right, well y'all thank you for being here today. I hope you've enjoyed the service so far. 00:00:06.259 --> 00:00:11.960 I want to thank Jared and Tyler and Coulter for leading us so well in worship today as well as our choir. 00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:14.780 And thank you for all of you participating. 00:00:15.500 --> 00:00:19.620 We are going to continue in our study of the book of Jonah today. 00:00:19.940 --> 00:00:23.800 So let's look at Jonah. We're going to be in chapter 2. 00:00:23.800 --> 00:00:25.539 Chapter 2. 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:30.640 Jonah chapter 2. 00:00:33.140 --> 00:00:38.420 Last week, while you turn there, I'm going to grab my remote. 00:00:42.019 --> 00:00:42.939 You don't have it? 00:00:45.340 --> 00:00:46.299 You really don't? 00:00:50.899 --> 00:00:52.460 Is it hiding over here, anybody? 00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:54.700 Let's play Where's the Remote. 00:00:55.539 --> 00:00:56.380 Thank you. 00:00:59.200 --> 00:01:00.379 See, here's what happened. 00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:02.339 I put my stuff down right here this morning. 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:04.840 And I thought that's where we were going to sit. 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:08.260 And then right before church started, I looked over and my family was over here. 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:10.900 So I said, well, I'm not going to sit apart from my family. 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:13.460 So I grabbed my stuff and moved over here. 00:01:13.539 --> 00:01:14.840 But I left my remote behind. 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:16.099 So I apologize for that. 00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:19.759 That's getting to be a weekly thing, isn't it? 00:01:19.859 --> 00:01:20.840 It's like, where's the remote? 00:01:21.099 --> 00:01:21.799 That's all right. 00:01:21.799 --> 00:01:22.239 Okay. 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:27.500 The runaway prophet is what we looked at in Jonah chapter 1. 00:01:27.500 --> 00:01:33.000 And just by way of review, we said two questions. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:34.560 Number one, why do we run? 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:35.960 We all know Jonah ran. 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:38.480 So why do we run? 00:01:38.540 --> 00:01:40.840 And it's usually because of our lack of faith. 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:45.400 Our lack of faith in God as good as we believe he is. 00:01:45.460 --> 00:01:47.960 And as correct as we believe he is. 00:01:47.960 --> 00:01:49.560 As just as we believe he is. 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:54.219 Usually we just have a lack of faith in those things when we run from God. 00:01:54.299 --> 00:01:56.040 And then why does God pursue us? 00:01:56.120 --> 00:01:57.519 Why doesn't he just let us go? 00:01:57.780 --> 00:02:01.320 He pursues us to draw us back to himself. 00:02:01.600 --> 00:02:05.120 So that was from our study of Jonah 1. 00:02:05.299 --> 00:02:08.900 And our takeaway was God's plan always wins. 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:17.060 Despite you and I fighting against God and his plan, just like Jonah did, God's plan will always win. 00:02:17.060 --> 00:02:19.420 The goal is, will it involve us? 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:23.659 So today, I want to remind you of this little game. 00:02:23.740 --> 00:02:26.140 Anybody ever heard of Two Truths and a Lie? 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:27.479 Yeah? 00:02:27.979 --> 00:02:29.379 That's a fun game, right? 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:31.539 Do you feel like we should play it? 00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:33.539 Okay, then let's do it. 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:36.659 Lane wants to play it, so let's play it, all right? 00:02:38.020 --> 00:02:41.039 These are Two Truths and a Lie about me. 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:45.759 I once fell into a fountain. 00:02:47.139 --> 00:02:48.439 I have been arrested. 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:53.859 Nobody take that little clip and use it against me at some point, all right? 00:02:54.519 --> 00:02:56.759 I have eaten a live animal. 00:02:58.519 --> 00:03:06.259 Now, how many of y'all think, I'm telling you right now, one of these things is a lie, but two of them are true. 00:03:06.799 --> 00:03:08.599 Which is a terrifying thought, probably. 00:03:08.599 --> 00:03:14.400 How many of y'all think the lie is number one, I once fell into a fountain? 00:03:14.599 --> 00:03:14.879 Anybody? 00:03:15.379 --> 00:03:16.620 By way of uplifted hand? 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:18.379 A couple of us, all right. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:20.259 Three, I think I counted four. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:22.919 Number two, how many of you think that one's a lie? 00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:23.740 I have been arrested. 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:30.740 The people who did the background check on me early on are like, was there an arrest in there somewhere? 00:03:32.019 --> 00:03:34.959 Number three, I have eaten a live animal. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:36.299 How many of y'all think that one's a lie? 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:43.320 I've never been arrested, folks. 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:43.960 I'm sorry. 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:46.500 I've never been arrested. 00:03:47.460 --> 00:03:52.000 And now I know you all really want to know how I fell in the fountain, right? 00:03:52.720 --> 00:03:53.240 No? 00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:54.220 That's not the one? 00:03:55.340 --> 00:03:56.100 All right. 00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:58.300 It was a goldfish. 00:03:58.300 --> 00:04:02.140 It was a goldfish in a little bag. 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:10.100 It was this like Sunday school promotion at church when I was young, probably 20 or something, maybe even younger than that. 00:04:10.660 --> 00:04:14.460 And I'm working with the little kids in Sunday school. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:24.340 And the promotion was, if you do such and such, bring whatever, get enough points, then Brother Sam is going to eat a live goldfish. 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:26.579 Now, did I chew it up? 00:04:26.680 --> 00:04:27.840 No, I swallowed it. 00:04:28.660 --> 00:04:31.720 The people from PETA are probably not happy with me right now. 00:04:31.900 --> 00:04:36.639 But I don't know what goldfish lifespans are anyway. 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:38.500 I don't know how much longer he had. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:39.339 But anyway. 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:41.459 Yeah. 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:42.719 It was gross, too. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:43.539 It was nasty. 00:04:44.279 --> 00:04:46.159 Put him in a little styrofoam cup. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:48.339 Had to show the kids, make sure he was really there. 00:04:48.479 --> 00:04:49.439 Tiny little goldfish. 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:50.639 And just whoop, down the hatch. 00:04:50.719 --> 00:04:51.159 There you go. 00:04:52.599 --> 00:04:57.899 But I will say, the sardine I ate at VBS was way nastier than that goldfish was. 00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:01.459 So, the things we will do for kids' ministry. 00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:01.959 Okay. 00:05:01.959 --> 00:05:06.039 I'm not sure how that led any kids closer to Jesus. 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:07.099 But there you go. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:08.639 It is what it is. 00:05:09.299 --> 00:05:12.399 Today, we are not talking about two truths and a lie. 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:16.459 We're talking about two lies and a truth. 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:18.919 Two lies and a truth. 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:21.219 It's worse than two truths and a lie. 00:05:21.359 --> 00:05:21.579 Okay. 00:05:21.959 --> 00:05:27.159 Jonah chapter 2 is where we find these two lies and a truth. 00:05:27.359 --> 00:05:28.060 Let's begin. 00:05:28.459 --> 00:05:29.159 If you're able. 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:30.279 You know what? 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:31.939 We're going to read this whole chapter. 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:34.219 So, if y'all want to keep your seats, that's okay. 00:05:34.519 --> 00:05:34.819 All right? 00:05:34.979 --> 00:05:39.539 I know sometimes with some of us, it's a little harder to stand for length of period than others. 00:05:39.699 --> 00:05:40.279 So, all right. 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:42.799 Jonah chapter 2, verse 1. 00:05:42.859 --> 00:05:43.319 Here we go. 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:47.199 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord, his God, from inside the fish. 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:47.759 He said, 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:51.139 I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. 00:05:51.339 --> 00:05:54.779 I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me. 00:05:55.059 --> 00:05:59.339 You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. 00:05:59.339 --> 00:06:01.539 The mighty waters engulfed me. 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:04.599 I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. 00:06:04.699 --> 00:06:09.659 Then I said, O Lord, you have driven me from your presence, yet I will look once more toward 00:06:09.659 --> 00:06:10.479 your holy temple. 00:06:10.839 --> 00:06:13.739 I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. 00:06:14.159 --> 00:06:16.219 Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. 00:06:16.479 --> 00:06:19.000 I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:22.639 I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates locked shut forever. 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:26.399 But you, O Lord, my God, snatch me from the jaws of death. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:31.159 As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord, and my earnest prayer went out to 00:06:31.159 --> 00:06:32.339 you in your holy temple. 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:36.319 Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God's mercies. 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:43.079 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:45.639 For my salvation comes from the Lord alone. 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:54.300 Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:56.439 Let's pray together. 00:06:59.099 --> 00:07:02.180 God, we read a very unique passage of scripture just now. 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:09.500 And then we read a miracle that you did, one of a series in this story. 00:07:12.280 --> 00:07:15.939 I pray that you would reveal to us the truth from this passage of scripture. 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:25.259 That we would be very careful to always stick by your truth. 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:29.879 And remember, self-deception is always lurking right around the corner. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:32.079 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:32.699 Amen. 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:40.060 What is our first takeaway after reading the prayer of Jonah? 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:46.620 My first takeaway is, that is one of the most beautiful prayers in scripture. 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:47.819 Right? 00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:53.079 I mean, you read this thing from a literary point of view. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:55.399 You know, I'm sure Laurie Schaffner would agree. 00:07:55.779 --> 00:07:57.439 This is beautiful. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:08:00.319 It's the descriptions he puts in there. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:02.879 Talking about how he's plummeting down through the water. 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:03.540 All this. 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:05.120 I mean, it is impressive. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:08.199 Also, it is orthodox Christianity. 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:09.759 I mean, you read through this thing. 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:12.819 There's all kinds of great things about how God delivers. 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:16.939 And, you know, you, I will look once more toward your holy temple. 00:08:17.159 --> 00:08:19.699 God, you, I called to you from the land of the dead. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:20.459 And you heard me. 00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:22.439 All these great things in this prayer. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:26.019 So my first thought is, wow, what a prayer. 00:08:26.019 --> 00:08:27.899 What about y'all? 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:30.019 Yeah? 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:30.719 You feeling it? 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:32.779 What about somebody else? 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:34.259 Anybody? 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:36.360 What are you thinking? 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:37.319 Don't be shy. 00:08:38.439 --> 00:08:39.620 Just the talk back moment. 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:41.319 You like it? 00:08:41.439 --> 00:08:41.819 It's good? 00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:43.100 It's feeling good? 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:47.319 Mike was like, it went okay when Lane said yeah, so I'm going to say yeah too. 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:49.139 Is that the right answer? 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:51.000 That was good. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:59.879 So, first of all, we have to back up and think what do we already know about Jonah? 00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:08.940 When we're trying to discern the meaning and the heart behind this prayer, we've got to back up and say what do we know about Jonah? 00:09:08.940 --> 00:09:15.980 Well, we learned last week in 2 Kings, we see the other direct reference to this prophet Jonah. 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:17.500 He was a prophet of God. 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:23.000 He was called by God, commissioned by God to speak on God's behalf to God's people. 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:29.060 And we see in 2 Kings, he served under the time of the evil king Jeroboam. 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:37.359 This was the king of a good king, Joash, but this man did not do as his father did as far as honoring God. 00:09:37.479 --> 00:09:44.639 He went astray and served himself and served other gods and he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:48.699 And Jonah was serving as a prophet during the time of this evil king. 00:09:49.119 --> 00:09:51.079 Well, there was another prophet named Amos. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:57.099 And so Jeroboam brought both prophets together and he said, I'm going to battle. 00:09:57.100 --> 00:09:58.920 How am I going to do? 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:05.860 And Jonah immediately prophesied this great victory for him, even though he was an evil king in the sight of God. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:08.580 He said, God's going to give you a mighty victory today. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:10.560 Amos had a little bit different story. 00:10:10.899 --> 00:10:13.800 He said, King, you're going to die by the sword. 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:15.899 Guess who won? 00:10:17.560 --> 00:10:22.879 The prophet Amos, the one who truly said what God had told him. 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:26.540 And didn't just say what the king wanted to hear. 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:29.279 So, what happened? 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:33.240 The king died by the sword, just as Amos had said. 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:35.980 So, we've already got our radar up about Jonah. 00:10:36.800 --> 00:10:39.300 This guy doesn't seem to be all that trustworthy. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:42.019 How close is he to God? 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:45.180 Is he an actual false prophet? 00:10:46.300 --> 00:10:48.019 You can't trust what he says? 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:55.159 So, we know that he's got problems. 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:57.480 Then we read Jonah chapter 1. 00:10:58.419 --> 00:11:00.379 And we know that God gives him a direct command. 00:11:01.059 --> 00:11:02.860 To go and preach the gospel. 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:10.100 Preach about the one true God to this city of terrible people. 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:12.980 Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrians. 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:16.420 The most feared army in the world in that day. 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:20.320 And he says, no way God, I'm out of here. 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:25.220 And catches a ship to go as far across the known world as he could possibly get. 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:27.279 From where God wanted him to be. 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:31.340 So, number one, he's not saying what God actually says. 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:34.860 Number two, he's not doing what God wants. 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:43.460 And here we find Jonah on the heels of one of the most selfish decisions you could ever make. 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:46.019 And that is asking other people. 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:47.080 Remember last Sunday? 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:51.360 The sailors in the boat asking them to throw him overboard. 00:11:51.700 --> 00:11:54.879 Instead of simply falling to his knees and saying, 00:11:55.080 --> 00:11:57.620 God, forgive me for not obeying you. 00:11:58.080 --> 00:11:59.240 Stop this storm. 00:11:59.560 --> 00:12:00.539 Save our lives. 00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:02.740 I will go and do what you asked me to do. 00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:06.220 God is a prayer away all the time. 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:08.419 But not just words. 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:11.899 It's turning our heart back to God. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:15.820 If he had done that, this whole story could have been different. 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:20.379 But instead, he says, guys, just sacrifice me. 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.779 Just throw me in the water. 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:24.580 Dramatic much, Jonah? 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:31.100 And he says, guys, just throw me in the water. 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:32.960 And they don't want to do it. 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:36.320 Because they're halfway decent guys, you know? 00:12:36.540 --> 00:12:37.940 We don't want to kill you, man. 00:12:38.060 --> 00:12:39.700 Just call out to your God. 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:40.800 Oh, no, he wouldn't do it. 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:42.320 He wouldn't call out to his God. 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:45.259 So, they finally throw him in the water. 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:48.540 And then they call out to his God for repentance. 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:55.439 And they see that God instantly answers, calms the storm. 00:12:57.179 --> 00:13:00.599 And then they turn in their hearts to the one true God. 00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:03.000 So, this is the end of Jonah 1. 00:13:03.459 --> 00:13:05.579 And now we get into Jonah 2. 00:13:06.219 --> 00:13:09.259 So, let's go verses 1 through 9, verse by verse. 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:09.519 Ready? 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:12.319 Jonah chapter 2 and verse 1. 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:15.939 Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:20.060 Finally, that was the one word that jumped out to me when I read this. 00:13:20.680 --> 00:13:22.120 Why didn't he pray before? 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:24.520 Why is he only just now praying? 00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:27.380 He's a prophet of God. 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:30.960 Well, I can tell you just because you're God's man. 00:13:31.060 --> 00:13:31.920 Or you're a preacher. 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:33.040 Or you're a prophet. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.380 Or you're a pastor. 00:13:34.640 --> 00:13:36.480 Or you've been a Christian for a long time. 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:38.280 Or you're chairman of deacons, Bruce. 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:40.360 Or you're a deacon. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.520 Or you're a Sunday school teacher. 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:42.640 Or you're a trustee. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:46.379 Or you're whatever just because you've been a Christian for a long time. 00:13:46.439 --> 00:13:49.500 And you've got a title attached to you for God's sake. 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:50.539 Listen. 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:55.199 Doesn't mean that you turn to God all the time when you should. 00:13:55.939 --> 00:13:56.580 Jonah didn't. 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:57.580 I don't. 00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:59.059 There's no way you do either. 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:02.379 We all turn to God far less than we should. 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:07.120 Usually it's one of the last things that we end up doing. 00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:11.419 Because we try to fix it in our own strength. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.980 We try to fix it in our own might. 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:16.299 And finally when we keep running up against a brick wall. 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.759 When we just can't figure it out. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:19.519 We finally turn to God. 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:21.220 And that's exactly what we see Jonah doing. 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:23.340 Finally from inside the fish. 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.759 The fish comes along. 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:25.939 Swallows up Jonah. 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:27.519 Probably a whale, right? 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.179 But who knows? 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:29.360 God can do whatever he wants. 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:31.800 He could have swelled up that goldfish that I ate. 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:33.940 To swallow Jonah if he wanted to. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.580 So verse 2. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:40.279 He said I cried out to God. 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.639 Here starts Jonah prayer. 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:44.279 Here begins Jonah's prayer. 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:47.159 I cried out to God. 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.220 To the Lord. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:50.159 In my great trouble. 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:54.480 Look at the screen for a minute. 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:57.300 This great trouble. 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:59.039 Jonah caused it. 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.879 He was the one. 00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:04.580 God didn't bring him this great trouble. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:07.580 God brought him a job to do. 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:10.200 And then the trouble got increasingly worse. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:12.919 As Jonah ran farther and farther away. 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:15.180 From what God asked him to do. 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:18.220 That's often the case it is for you and me. 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:21.259 God doesn't plan. 00:15:21.800 --> 00:15:23.759 For the horrible things sometimes. 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:25.060 That happen in our lives. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:28.240 Sometimes we stray further and further away from him. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:31.799 And we get further and further from the life that he intended for us. 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.440 Now the good news is. 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:36.799 All it takes is turning back to God. 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:41.580 And it doesn't take that long to get back to where he wants you to be. 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:44.480 God can just get you right back on course. 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:48.500 Because no trouble is too big for him to get you out of. 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:51.840 No sin is too great that he can't forgive. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:54.600 God is always right there. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.980 Waiting for us. 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:58.659 He was always right there for Jonah. 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:03.940 But it took Jonah so long to finally turn back to God. 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:04.679 And when he did. 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.360 What does he say? 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:09.019 God I cried out to you in my great trouble. 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.120 And you answered me. 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:12.860 I called to you from the land of the dead. 00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:14.120 And you heard me. 00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:15.159 Then in verse 3. 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:18.899 You threw me down into the ocean depths. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.860 Anybody catch what he just said? 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:27.259 God you threw me into the ocean. 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.340 Oh no. 00:16:29.179 --> 00:16:30.879 I don't even think so buddy. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:33.060 That was your big idea. 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:35.620 God never told you to get in the water. 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:37.980 God told you to go preach to Nineveh. 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:41.299 You did all these other things ever since then. 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:43.179 This was all you. 00:16:43.719 --> 00:16:46.639 God rescued you from what you did. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:50.099 So I've got a problem with this prayer. 00:16:50.219 --> 00:16:50.919 Right at the beginning. 00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:55.719 He seems to be intimating that God caused this great trouble. 00:16:56.079 --> 00:16:58.659 And then he boldly states in verse 3. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:01.719 God you threw me into the ocean depths. 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:04.000 I sank down to the heart of the sea. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:05.899 The mighty waters engulfed me. 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:10.339 I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. 00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:12.419 You know what the really ironic part in here? 00:17:12.639 --> 00:17:14.759 If you look close enough in this whole story. 00:17:14.959 --> 00:17:15.799 This whole book. 00:17:15.899 --> 00:17:18.000 You can find a lot of humor. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:21.500 A lot of kind of read between the lines humor. 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:23.759 Jonah says I was buried. 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.500 Way down deep. 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:27.959 Beneath your wild and stormy waves. 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:29.579 What he doesn't realize is. 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:31.679 As soon as he hit the water. 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:33.799 We read in chapter 1. 00:17:33.919 --> 00:17:35.119 That the waves stopped. 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.740 The storm stopped. 00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:37.659 It was all still. 00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:42.380 He says no you were buried beneath a very still calm ocean. 00:17:44.120 --> 00:17:46.620 Because the whole reason for this storm. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:49.140 Was you disobeying God. 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.360 It wasn't judgment. 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:54.040 On anybody else. 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:56.460 It was God trying to get your attention. 00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:59.220 But it didn't work. 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:01.380 He took the coward's way out. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.620 Decided to throw it. 00:18:03.820 --> 00:18:04.940 Throw yourself into the water. 00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:06.200 End your life. 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.360 So to speak. 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:09.580 But God had other plans. 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:10.319 So. 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:13.299 I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:13.960 Verse 4. 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.720 Then I said oh Lord. 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.940 You have driven me from your presence. 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.440 Again. 00:18:21.360 --> 00:18:23.080 Blaming God for what he did. 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.420 Now look. 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.960 Before we get too judgy of Jonah. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:31.519 How many of us have ever felt like. 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:33.779 God was just nowhere to be found. 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.980 I know I have. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.799 There have been some dark. 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.640 Difficult moments in my life. 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.620 And I'm looking around. 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.940 Where is God in all this? 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:48.319 We read similar things from some of the psalmists. 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.120 As they wrote. 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.860 Something along the lines of. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.259 God. 00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:53.640 You seem to have driven me away. 00:18:54.100 --> 00:18:55.319 You seem to be nowhere around. 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.059 I understand. 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:58.859 That when God is not present here. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.259 In the form of a person. 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:02.659 As he was when Jesus was walking this earth. 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.579 For 33 years. 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:05.619 It's sometimes hard. 00:19:05.919 --> 00:19:06.359 To put. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:09.159 To not be able to put sight. 00:19:09.159 --> 00:19:09.799 To our faith. 00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:10.980 And just have to believe. 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.679 By faith that God is there. 00:19:12.939 --> 00:19:14.539 But time and time again. 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.039 He reassures us. 00:19:16.179 --> 00:19:16.859 Of his presence. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.079 Time and time again. 00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:19.759 He reveals himself to us. 00:19:19.919 --> 00:19:20.879 He shows us. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.019 That he is real. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.759 He is there. 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.720 He is working. 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:24.500 He is active. 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.200 He is involved. 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.200 He is all knowing. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.200 He is in control. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.380 Time and time again. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:30.039 We see the evidence of this. 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:31.220 In our lives. 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:34.160 Evidence of the divine. 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:36.000 Jonah forgot that. 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:37.579 He said. 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:37.819 God. 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.799 You drove me away. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.480 From your presence. 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:39.960 Oh no. 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.180 No buddy. 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.960 God wanted you walking with him. 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.779 God was going to go with you. 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.859 All the way to Nineveh. 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:48.319 God was going to be there. 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:49.140 As you preached. 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.859 To that scary city. 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:52.980 To those scary people. 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:54.140 To those people. 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:54.940 Who didn't want to hear. 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.839 What you have to say. 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:57.339 They don't believe in your God. 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.860 They don't want to appreciate your message. 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.640 They won't appreciate you telling them. 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.539 That they're doing wrong. 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.000 That God wants them to repent. 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.480 Or he's going to destroy them. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:04.880 Yeah. 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.940 That's a terrifying thing. 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:07.099 For God to ask him to do. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:09.099 But God was going to walk with you. 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:09.779 All the way. 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.480 But instead. 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:12.120 You tried to run. 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:13.940 From God's presence. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:15.220 The very fact. 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.700 That Jonah thought. 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:18.079 He could leave. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:19.460 The presence of God. 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.859 Shows that he didn't have. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.559 An accurate understanding. 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:25.419 Of who God really is. 00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:27.779 And he shows that. 00:20:27.919 --> 00:20:28.720 In the next part of it. 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:30.399 Lord. 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.159 I've driven. 00:20:31.439 --> 00:20:32.379 You have driven me. 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.240 From your presence. 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:33.899 Jonah says. 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:34.619 Then he says. 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.579 Yet I will look. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.480 Once more. 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:38.619 Toward your holy temple. 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.879 There seems to be. 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:41.740 A consistent theme. 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.500 We'll see it again. 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.659 At the end of the chapter. 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.759 That Jonah. 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.319 Jonah looked at God. 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:48.059 As residing at the temple. 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.839 That God's location. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.400 Was at the temple. 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:52.779 You know how many people. 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.160 That have that idea. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:54.920 About church. 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:57.379 Like God lives at church. 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:00.299 Anybody ever heard. 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.059 That kind of thing. 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:03.079 Whether people actually. 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:03.720 Said that. 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.700 But the way they talk. 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.379 It feels like. 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.519 Well you can't say that. 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.079 In church. 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.039 Well. 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.200 You can say it. 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.079 Outside of church. 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.359 Because then God won't hear you. 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:11.799 Or what. 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.379 He's everywhere. 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:14.920 Y'all. 00:21:15.560 --> 00:21:16.700 He's omnipresent. 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:18.120 He created this world. 00:21:19.820 --> 00:21:21.220 He's so much bigger. 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:23.580 Than we could ever imagine. 00:21:23.820 --> 00:21:25.440 You can't get away. 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:26.760 From God. 00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:27.900 Now that should be a. 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:28.940 Good thing. 00:21:29.300 --> 00:21:30.420 Not a bad thing. 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.700 But when you're running from God. 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.740 That's a terrifying thing. 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.580 And here was Jonah. 00:21:39.540 --> 00:21:41.100 God you drove me away. 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.540 From your temple. 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.780 I just wanted to stay. 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:45.240 Back at the temple. 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:45.940 In Jerusalem. 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:47.639 And I just wanted to worship you there. 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:49.039 I didn't want to go off. 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:49.960 To those bad people. 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.700 I didn't want to go. 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.339 Tell the gospel. 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:52.599 To those. 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:54.299 You want those people. 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:55.279 To be your children. 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.359 Oh please. 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.599 They're not like us. 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.160 Okay. 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.920 They're not going to fit in. 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.579 With us. 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.539 Now we would never have. 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.240 That kind of attitude. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:04.599 Would we? 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:07.439 We would never want to look at. 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:10.000 People who don't fit our mold. 00:22:10.159 --> 00:22:11.339 Or fit what we think. 00:22:11.459 --> 00:22:12.859 Church people ought to look like. 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:14.439 Or talk like. 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.459 Or smell like. 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.359 Or whatever else. 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.699 We don't want to. 00:22:19.219 --> 00:22:20.379 Branch out beyond. 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:22.139 What we're comfortable with. 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:25.659 But that's where God wants to take us. 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:28.379 Wants to get us out of that comfort zone. 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:29.900 He wants to reach. 00:22:31.520 --> 00:22:33.180 Those who seem. 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.360 Unreachable. 00:22:35.520 --> 00:22:36.740 Bible calls it. 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:38.740 He saves to the uttermost. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.240 Anybody. 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:42.700 Anywhere. 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:43.840 Anytime. 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:45.860 God can save them. 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.660 If he chooses. 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.240 And he chose. 00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:50.880 And Jonah wouldn't do it. 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:51.980 So. 00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:54.180 He says. 00:22:54.760 --> 00:22:57.120 He believed that God's presence. 00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:58.079 Was found. 00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:59.039 At the temple. 00:22:59.139 --> 00:22:59.759 But we know. 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:01.279 God is everywhere. 00:23:01.739 --> 00:23:02.919 God is at all times. 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:04.479 God was going to be there in Nineveh. 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:07.519 God was going to go with Jonah. 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.239 As he ran. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:10.239 God was going to go before Jonah. 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.399 And cause that storm. 00:23:11.959 --> 00:23:12.899 God was going to go. 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.739 With Jonah. 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.939 As he fell through the water. 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:16.059 And bring that fish along. 00:23:16.159 --> 00:23:17.179 To save his life. 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:19.000 God's presence. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.799 Was everywhere. 00:23:20.159 --> 00:23:21.439 Now look at verses five and six. 00:23:21.919 --> 00:23:22.579 So now he. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.559 Very. 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:25.719 Using very flowery language. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.779 He describes. 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.740 His journey. 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:29.440 Through the ocean. 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:31.379 I sank beneath the waves. 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:33.200 The waters closed over me. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.899 Seaweed wrapped itself. 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:36.019 Around my head. 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:38.599 Sorry. 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:38.980 I just. 00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:41.599 I'm like. 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.059 Man. 00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:42.339 You're. 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:42.980 You're a lot. 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.359 Aren't you? 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:46.319 I sank down. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.480 To the very roots. 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.299 Of the mountains. 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.420 I was imprisoned. 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.160 In the earth. 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.899 Whose gates. 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.720 Locked shut. 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.180 Forever. 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.059 Well. 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.539 Thankfully. 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.139 You're wrong. 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.119 They didn't lock shut. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:57.500 Forever. 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.599 God came through. 00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:58.839 And. 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.579 And got you. 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:01.200 God liberated you. 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.119 He rescued you. 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:03.420 So what do we see. 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.539 In verses five and six. 00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:05.839 Jonah dramatically. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.460 Describes his misfortune. 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.559 He felt like. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.440 His misfortune. 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.200 Was the biggest. 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.899 In the world. 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.940 You can see it. 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.500 Coming through. 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.240 He felt like. 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:13.940 This was it. 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:15.299 This was the end. 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.079 And. 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.619 He just. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.299 Dramatically. 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:17.940 Thought. 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.740 My life is over. 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.359 In that moment. 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:22.119 That I'd just be. 00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:22.919 Terrified. 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.319 Probably. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.159 Wouldn't be turning. 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.219 To flowery language. 00:24:26.219 --> 00:24:27.399 To describe my death. 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.259 But here's Jonah. 00:24:29.719 --> 00:24:30.159 Dramatically. 00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:31.679 Describing his misfortune. 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:33.259 And then we get down. 00:24:33.479 --> 00:24:34.859 To the second part. 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.919 Of verse six. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.639 But you. 00:24:37.879 --> 00:24:38.319 Oh Lord. 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:38.979 My God. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.959 Snatched me. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.039 From the jaws. 00:24:42.199 --> 00:24:42.819 Of death. 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.119 Jonah. 00:24:44.439 --> 00:24:44.879 Finally. 00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.599 Gives God. 00:24:46.699 --> 00:24:47.159 Some credit. 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:52.160 Finally. 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.600 He says something. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.640 Positive about God. 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.560 Finally. 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.259 He says. 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.400 God. 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:00.279 You. 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.220 Snatched me. 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:01.779 From the jaws. 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:02.160 Of death. 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.279 This is the first thing. 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:04.080 He said really. 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.860 That I don't take issue with. 00:25:06.540 --> 00:25:06.980 Yes. 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.660 You threw yourself. 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.380 To your death. 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.779 By convincing these men. 00:25:10.820 --> 00:25:11.540 To throw you overboard. 00:25:13.540 --> 00:25:14.500 But then God. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.220 Snatched you. 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:15.779 From the jaws. 00:25:15.860 --> 00:25:16.140 Of death. 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:16.900 Because God. 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:18.100 Has power. 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:19.220 Over death. 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:25.019 It's a little bit personal. 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:25.340 But. 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:27.519 Before I was ever born. 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:29.980 My grandmother. 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.800 Tried to commit suicide. 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:34.019 With a gun. 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:35.600 And. 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:38.019 What she did. 00:25:40.080 --> 00:25:40.600 99. 00:25:41.080 --> 00:25:42.140 999 times. 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.780 Out of a thousand. 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:44.220 It would have ended her life. 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.720 Life. 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:45.839 But God. 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.460 God chose. 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.740 To not let her. 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.299 End her life. 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:48.660 That day. 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:50.539 He kept her alive. 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.400 For a long time. 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:52.980 My parents. 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:54.299 Were able to go visit her. 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.700 They were married at the time. 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.420 I don't think they had any kids yet. 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.299 But they were married. 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.279 Able to go visit her. 00:25:59.600 --> 00:26:00.839 Share the gospel with her. 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:03.140 God wasn't ready. 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.660 For her life. 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.259 To be over. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.259 God. 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:08.319 And she said these words. 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:09.500 As one of her last words. 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.619 That she said on this earth. 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:12.079 Now I know. 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:13.579 That you can never be happy. 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.460 Without Jesus. 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:17.339 God had some things. 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.640 He wanted to reveal to her yet. 00:26:19.379 --> 00:26:20.879 God holds the keys. 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:21.879 To life. 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:22.480 And death. 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.359 You can try. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.039 To fight against that. 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:27.680 But God's plan. 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.740 Always wins. 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.319 God's plan. 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.139 Always wins. 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.460 Verse 7. 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:35.599 As my life was slipping away. 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.500 Jonah says. 00:26:36.659 --> 00:26:37.920 I remembered the Lord. 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.200 And my earnest prayer. 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.159 Went out to you. 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.480 In your holy temple. 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.319 There he is again. 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.519 Equating God. 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.220 With the temple. 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.279 Saying God is over here. 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.700 At the temple. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.879 But what do we see. 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.619 From verse 7. 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.539 Jonah waited. 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.899 Until the last second. 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.220 To remember. 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.000 God. 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:52.579 Quote on quote. 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.480 Likely because of his shallow. 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:56.019 Temple based view. 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.700 Of God. 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.579 He didn't have this great. 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.960 Grand view of God. 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.819 Trying to wrap his human mind. 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:03.359 Around how great God is. 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:04.299 Like we all do. 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.139 Because none of us. 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:07.119 Can completely understand God. 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.920 Or fit him into a little box. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.079 It won't be accurate. 00:27:10.399 --> 00:27:11.599 And Jonah was no different. 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:13.240 But he wasn't even trying. 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:15.420 To understand the God of the Bible. 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.619 He had figured out. 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:19.159 God is how I want him to be. 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.839 He is in this little box. 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.639 In Jonah's mind. 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:23.139 He's back here at the temple. 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.960 And he sends me on missions. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.759 If he wants to. 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:27.000 But I didn't want that mission. 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:27.940 So I'm running away. 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:29.579 And maybe God won't be able to find me. 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:29.799 Right? 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.220 But now finally. 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.160 In verse 7. 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:34.779 As his life was slipping away. 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:36.819 He's drowning under the water. 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:40.039 He finally remembers God. 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:43.460 Don't wait until the last second. 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.879 To remember God. 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:46.319 Folks. 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.480 We have the opportunity. 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.960 To remember God now. 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:50.099 We have the opportunity. 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:51.019 To remember God. 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.740 When we go to bed. 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.740 Remember God. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.460 When we wake up. 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.380 Remember God. 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:54.400 Remember God. 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.140 At our meal time. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.180 Remember God. 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:56.900 Families. 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.279 As you. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.920 Right before you put your kids in bed. 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:00.620 And maybe have a family altar. 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.079 Or family devotional time. 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.720 That has some prayer. 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:05.120 And maybe you sing a song together. 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.200 Or read a verse of scripture. 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:08.759 Or something that brings our minds back to God. 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:10.779 We can remember God anytime. 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.879 And when we do. 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:13.700 When we turn our minds to God. 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:16.960 That is the highest thought that our human mind can have. 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:19.500 And it is what God uses and blesses. 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:21.660 And then God can work in your life. 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:23.139 If you remember him. 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.220 But if you tune him out. 00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:25.460 If you block him out. 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.220 If you say la la la la la. 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:29.099 I know God saved me from sin. 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:32.299 But I'm not going to remember him in my days. 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.700 Then you end up like Jonah. 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.180 Falling through the water. 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.680 Of life. 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:40.440 And finally. 00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:41.900 You remember God. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.620 And what does God do? 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.600 He saves. 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:50.340 But before we get to the good part. 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:52.400 Jonah is still not quite ready. 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.700 Verse 8. 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:56.980 Those who worship false gods. 00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:58.519 Turn their backs. 00:28:58.920 --> 00:29:00.920 On all God's mercies. 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.720 But I. 00:29:03.120 --> 00:29:05.080 Will offer sacrifices to you. 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:07.340 Jonah still. 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.159 sees. 00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:09.799 Other people's sins. 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.799 As worse. 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.899 Than his. 00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:14.220 Jonah still. 00:29:14.459 --> 00:29:14.959 Sees. 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:16.359 Everybody else. 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.079 Is worse. 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:17.919 Than I am. 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.619 These heathens. 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.099 Out there. 00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:22.659 In Nineveh. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.240 They wouldn't know. 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.139 To turn to you. 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.859 And worship you. 00:29:25.959 --> 00:29:26.579 But I do. 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:28.539 Well buddy. 00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:29.240 You're the problem. 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.799 Right now. 00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:30.399 Right? 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.779 Nineveh. 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:33.199 Is the one. 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.599 That God wants to save. 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:36.919 And God wanted to use you to do it. 00:29:37.159 --> 00:29:37.740 But you. 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:38.719 Resisted. 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.719 You ran. 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.319 Jonah never. 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.159 Admits. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:42.859 His. 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:43.579 Fault. 00:29:44.699 --> 00:29:45.980 And then in verse nine. 00:29:46.199 --> 00:29:47.859 He talks about this sacrifice. 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:50.199 I will offer sacrifices to you. 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:52.679 With songs of praise. 00:29:53.419 --> 00:29:55.759 The only sacrifice God wanted. 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:56.919 Was obedience. 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:59.960 Reminds me so much. 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.320 Of the story of Cain and Abel. 00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:05.360 God asked for a very specific sacrifice. 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.680 And Abel gave that to him. 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.480 But Cain. 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:10.620 Wanted to do it his way. 00:30:10.800 --> 00:30:11.960 Cain gave him. 00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:13.000 His version. 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.060 Of the sacrifice. 00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:15.980 That doesn't work with God. 00:30:17.800 --> 00:30:18.279 Obedience. 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.539 Is what works with God. 00:30:20.340 --> 00:30:20.980 You and I. 00:30:21.300 --> 00:30:22.740 Do not get to pick and choose. 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.860 How we're going to obey God. 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:27.419 We just have to obey. 00:30:28.179 --> 00:30:29.719 He's given us this book. 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:32.000 He's given us the guidebook to life. 00:30:32.479 --> 00:30:35.299 He's given us all we need for life. 00:30:35.419 --> 00:30:36.019 And practice. 00:30:36.199 --> 00:30:38.199 In this book. 00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:40.659 We have to obey it. 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:42.319 We don't get to say. 00:30:42.459 --> 00:30:44.039 Well I know the Bible says this. 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:46.459 But I think it's better if we do this. 00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:48.179 We don't get to say. 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:50.179 I understand that the Bible says this. 00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:50.979 But you see. 00:30:51.179 --> 00:30:52.740 This is how I like things done. 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:55.380 We don't get to do that. 00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:57.120 Jonah tried to do that. 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:58.019 Didn't work out for him. 00:30:58.099 --> 00:30:58.359 Did it? 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.200 God's plan. 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.559 Always wins. 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:04.420 I just hope we get to be a part of it. 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:06.099 I hope you get to be a part of it. 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:07.160 I hope I get to be a part of it. 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:08.759 Hope my kids get to be a part of it. 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.779 It's a heart issue. 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:12.000 It was always a heart issue. 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:12.720 With Jonah. 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:15.500 The only sacrifice God wanted from Jonah. 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.440 Was obedience. 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:19.160 Would you turn with me over to Matthew chapter 12. 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:21.259 Matthew chapter 12. 00:31:21.340 --> 00:31:22.800 We're going to read just a few verses there. 00:31:24.840 --> 00:31:27.640 Matthew 12 and verse 38. 00:31:28.300 --> 00:31:29.340 For sake of time. 00:31:30.560 --> 00:31:31.980 I'll go ahead and start reading. 00:31:33.100 --> 00:31:35.340 Jesus talks about Jonah. 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:38.400 Jesus talks specifically about the prophet Jonah. 00:31:38.620 --> 00:31:40.560 Verse 38 down through verse 41. 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:43.840 One day some teachers of religious law and the Pharisees. 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:45.460 Came to Jesus and said. 00:31:45.840 --> 00:31:46.180 Teacher. 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:49.299 We want you to show us a miraculous sign. 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:50.740 To prove your authority. 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:52.900 They were always trying to trip Jesus up. 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:53.759 Trying to catch him. 00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:55.320 Trying to catch him in some. 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:57.279 Breaking the law. 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:59.120 The religious law of some way. 00:31:59.200 --> 00:32:01.039 That they could discredit him. 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.900 Blaspheme him. 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:03.060 Maybe even have him arrested. 00:32:03.560 --> 00:32:04.799 They hated Jesus. 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:05.860 Verse 39. 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:07.060 But Jesus replied. 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:09.680 Only an evil adulterous generation. 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:11.539 Would demand a miraculous sign. 00:32:12.580 --> 00:32:13.880 But the only sign. 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:14.860 I will give them. 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:16.740 Is the sign of the prophet. 00:32:18.840 --> 00:32:19.720 What does it say? 00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:20.860 Jonah. 00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:23.800 For as Jonah. 00:32:24.140 --> 00:32:25.900 Was in the belly of the great fish. 00:32:26.020 --> 00:32:27.360 For three days and three nights. 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.680 So will the son of man. 00:32:29.120 --> 00:32:30.300 Be in the heart of the earth. 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:31.880 For three days and three nights. 00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:33.380 He keeps going. 00:32:34.060 --> 00:32:34.980 So there's a little sneak preview. 00:32:35.100 --> 00:32:36.540 To the end of the story of Jonah. 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:38.180 If you weren't sure what happened. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:39.560 Verse 41. 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.819 The people of Nineveh. 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:42.859 Will stand up against this generation. 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:44.059 On judgment day. 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.639 And condemn it. 00:32:46.139 --> 00:32:47.899 For they repented of their sins. 00:32:47.899 --> 00:32:49.980 At the preaching of Jonah. 00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:52.000 Now someone greater than Jonah. 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:52.659 Is here. 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:53.960 Jesus. 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.940 But you refuse. 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.879 To repent. 00:32:58.879 --> 00:33:00.440 So he talks about. 00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:01.240 The sign. 00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.480 Of the prophet. 00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.379 Jonah. 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:05.919 What is the sign of Jonah? 00:33:06.639 --> 00:33:07.740 You look at this story. 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:09.720 God calls. 00:33:09.900 --> 00:33:10.759 Jonah runs. 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.920 Jonah throws himself in the water. 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:14.579 God brings the fish. 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:15.559 Jonah says. 00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:15.960 Okay. 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:16.599 I'll do it. 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.779 He goes to Nineveh. 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:18.420 He preaches. 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.960 The city repents. 00:33:20.120 --> 00:33:20.920 Jonah hates it. 00:33:22.380 --> 00:33:23.160 Spoiler alert. 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.220 God. 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:29.480 Is working. 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:31.839 All through this whole story. 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.920 And the sign. 00:33:34.079 --> 00:33:34.740 Of the prophet. 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.519 Of Jonah. 00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:35.639 Jonah. 00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:37.779 Is that Jesus. 00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:39.019 Is better. 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.299 Jesus. 00:33:40.619 --> 00:33:41.639 Is greater. 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:42.940 Than Jonah. 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:45.039 Jesus kind of tips it. 00:33:45.139 --> 00:33:45.599 At the end. 00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:47.240 Someone greater than Jonah. 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.200 Is here. 00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:49.559 But you refuse. 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:50.119 To repent. 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:52.019 So the whole point was. 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.019 Jonah. 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:54.400 Had a relationship. 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:55.220 With God. 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.440 The one true God. 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.879 But he refused. 00:33:57.879 --> 00:33:58.519 To repent. 00:33:58.859 --> 00:33:59.819 Of his own sin. 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.160 Then. 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.279 He goes to Nineveh. 00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.639 Of these evil wicked people. 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:07.240 He preaches to them. 00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:09.019 Do they refuse to repent? 00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:09.559 Oh no. 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.679 They repent. 00:34:10.779 --> 00:34:11.380 We'll get to that. 00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:12.440 In a couple weeks. 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.619 But these people. 00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:16.239 That Jesus. 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.340 Is then preaching to. 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:18.360 When we see in Matthew. 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.659 He's saying. 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:20.320 You. 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.219 Are worse. 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:22.279 Than the people of Nineveh. 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:22.639 Because. 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:23.800 They repented. 00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:24.900 And you won't. 00:34:25.259 --> 00:34:26.099 Jesus himself. 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:27.679 Someone greater than Jonah. 00:34:27.759 --> 00:34:28.219 Is here. 00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:29.099 And you. 00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:30.199 Will not repent. 00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:31.320 You won't see it. 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:33.680 You refuse. 00:34:33.680 --> 00:34:35.320 To see the truth. 00:34:36.260 --> 00:34:37.320 Very much. 00:34:37.640 --> 00:34:38.600 Like Jonah did. 00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:41.360 Because the truth is. 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:42.780 Jonah. 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:44.100 Just. 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:45.019 Would not. 00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:45.780 Repent. 00:34:46.600 --> 00:34:47.660 He would not see. 00:34:48.100 --> 00:34:49.240 His own sin. 00:34:49.340 --> 00:34:49.860 He had a. 00:34:50.240 --> 00:34:51.800 Jonah sized blind spot. 00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:53.440 In his mind. 00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:55.160 So. 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:57.220 Two lies and a truth. 00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:59.080 Lie number one. 00:34:59.079 --> 00:35:01.940 God threw me in the ocean. 00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:04.860 How does that apply to us? 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:06.900 You can take. 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.819 Through me in the ocean. 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:09.059 And you can fill in that blank. 00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:09.779 With something else. 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:11.460 Whatever it is. 00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.519 That you blame God for. 00:35:13.799 --> 00:35:14.759 Whatever happened. 00:35:14.819 --> 00:35:15.340 In your life. 00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:15.759 That you say. 00:35:15.819 --> 00:35:17.519 God didn't have to let that happen to me. 00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:19.179 God threw me in the ocean. 00:35:19.319 --> 00:35:19.460 No. 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:19.619 No. 00:35:19.659 --> 00:35:19.759 No. 00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:21.799 Things happen. 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:24.420 And God allows them to happen. 00:35:24.759 --> 00:35:25.199 Sometimes. 00:35:25.199 --> 00:35:26.900 Of our own causing. 00:35:26.900 --> 00:35:28.559 Or sometimes. 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.500 God allows us. 00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:30.500 To go through something. 00:35:30.680 --> 00:35:31.559 That in turn. 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:33.019 Is going to be better for us. 00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:34.420 Than if we didn't go through it. 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.840 And that's hard for us. 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:36.800 To wrap our heads around. 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:38.079 But we don't have to try. 00:35:38.139 --> 00:35:38.980 To understand it all. 00:35:39.139 --> 00:35:40.420 We just have to put one foot. 00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:41.039 In front of the other. 00:35:41.180 --> 00:35:42.200 And follow Jesus. 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.720 One step at a time. 00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:45.000 Even through the valley. 00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:46.559 Even through the dark times. 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:47.400 The good shepherd. 00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:48.680 Leads his good. 00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:49.960 His dear children along. 00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:53.480 God is always leading. 00:35:53.780 --> 00:35:55.059 But if we fight against him. 00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:56.460 If we try to run away. 00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:59.360 Then we go through hardship. 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:01.099 We go through things. 00:36:01.099 --> 00:36:03.199 That he never planned for us. 00:36:03.299 --> 00:36:03.860 To go through. 00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:06.239 And then those burdens. 00:36:06.619 --> 00:36:08.619 That would have been just heavy enough. 00:36:08.799 --> 00:36:09.579 For us to carry. 00:36:10.199 --> 00:36:11.380 Become much heavier. 00:36:12.779 --> 00:36:15.299 Then it seems like we can't stand it anymore. 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:17.599 And then God reaches down. 00:36:17.860 --> 00:36:19.320 And tries to pick us up again. 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:19.860 And say hey. 00:36:20.340 --> 00:36:21.699 Get back on the road with me. 00:36:22.219 --> 00:36:23.659 Get back on the path with me. 00:36:23.659 --> 00:36:26.000 So he says God threw me in the ocean. 00:36:26.339 --> 00:36:27.519 And you might have something else. 00:36:27.659 --> 00:36:29.039 That you're blaming God for. 00:36:29.399 --> 00:36:30.099 But that's a lie. 00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:31.139 It's a lie. 00:36:31.239 --> 00:36:32.079 Don't believe the lie. 00:36:32.179 --> 00:36:32.779 And then number two. 00:36:32.899 --> 00:36:33.799 God drove me away. 00:36:34.299 --> 00:36:35.759 Say oh God just won't listen to me anymore. 00:36:35.839 --> 00:36:36.719 He won't hear my prayers. 00:36:36.839 --> 00:36:37.819 God doesn't care about me. 00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:39.019 He doesn't bless me. 00:36:39.379 --> 00:36:40.659 God pushes me away. 00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.539 That's a lie. 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:43.059 God is always there. 00:36:43.259 --> 00:36:44.159 He always loves. 00:36:44.259 --> 00:36:45.539 He proved his love. 00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:47.259 On the cross of Calvary. 00:36:47.379 --> 00:36:49.519 When he gave his own life for us. 00:36:49.759 --> 00:36:52.259 What else would he withhold? 00:36:52.260 --> 00:36:54.880 He gave all he had. 00:36:55.200 --> 00:36:57.980 He will hold back nothing from us. 00:36:58.640 --> 00:37:02.160 He only wants what is good for us. 00:37:02.240 --> 00:37:04.500 Because that is how he gets the glory. 00:37:04.900 --> 00:37:06.360 That's how he is glorified. 00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:09.560 The fact is. 00:37:09.940 --> 00:37:10.900 Jonah never repented. 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:13.780 Jonah never repented. 00:37:15.240 --> 00:37:17.600 Repentance is godly. 00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:20.059 Turning from something. 00:37:20.279 --> 00:37:21.259 In your mind. 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:22.319 Recognizing. 00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:23.759 I have been wrong. 00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:26.179 I will now turn toward God. 00:37:26.319 --> 00:37:28.219 That is something we must all do. 00:37:28.420 --> 00:37:30.400 First we must do it from our sin. 00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.759 You might be in this room. 00:37:31.799 --> 00:37:33.199 And you might have been in church for a while. 00:37:33.339 --> 00:37:35.259 Or maybe it's your first time in a long time. 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:38.539 But it might be the day for you to repent of your sin. 00:37:38.599 --> 00:37:40.339 And say God forgive me. 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:42.079 I need to become your child. 00:37:42.380 --> 00:37:43.420 I need your forgiveness. 00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:45.000 I need your healing. 00:37:45.000 --> 00:37:46.200 I need your cleansing. 00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:47.539 And for the first time in your life. 00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:49.320 You say I turn from my sin. 00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:50.579 And I turn to Jesus. 00:37:50.680 --> 00:37:51.480 I'm giving up. 00:37:51.619 --> 00:37:52.260 I'm surrendering. 00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:54.079 God save me. 00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:56.980 Maybe today is the day for you to do that. 00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:59.960 Or maybe today is the day for you to repent. 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:02.420 From something that you did yesterday. 00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:03.519 Something you did today. 00:38:03.519 --> 00:38:07.280 Or maybe a bitterness that you've been harboring in your heart for a long time. 00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:08.480 And say God I repent. 00:38:08.619 --> 00:38:09.980 I turn back to you. 00:38:10.719 --> 00:38:11.800 You've already saved me. 00:38:11.860 --> 00:38:12.740 I'm already your child. 00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:15.320 But I know that I turn away from you time and time again. 00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:17.139 God forgive me. 00:38:17.559 --> 00:38:18.500 Jonah never repented. 00:38:18.900 --> 00:38:19.740 Don't be like Jonah. 00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:21.519 Don't be like Jonah. 00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:23.420 Repent. 00:38:24.139 --> 00:38:25.320 If it's been a long time. 00:38:25.800 --> 00:38:26.480 Repent today. 00:38:26.820 --> 00:38:27.760 Don't go another day. 00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:29.199 Your family will thank you. 00:38:29.760 --> 00:38:30.679 Your friends will thank you. 00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:32.559 People in your life will thank you. 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:34.400 Time and time again. 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:38.380 We cause trouble for everybody else. 00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:41.340 When we don't repent and turn to God. 00:38:43.260 --> 00:38:44.400 Dietrich Bonhoeffer. 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:48.940 Great German theologian said repentance is ultimate honesty. 00:38:50.320 --> 00:38:52.680 Repentance is ultimate honesty. 00:38:53.400 --> 00:38:54.420 That's the problem with Jonah. 00:38:54.820 --> 00:38:56.440 He would never be honest about himself. 00:38:56.920 --> 00:38:59.579 And you see the dishonesty all throughout his prayer. 00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:01.420 God you did this. 00:39:01.840 --> 00:39:02.840 God you did this. 00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:03.720 You caused this. 00:39:03.820 --> 00:39:04.519 You threw me in. 00:39:04.579 --> 00:39:05.460 You pushed me away. 00:39:05.800 --> 00:39:06.240 Oh no no no. 00:39:07.579 --> 00:39:08.860 He had to repent. 00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:11.460 In order to be honest. 00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:12.900 About himself. 00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:14.420 And about God. 00:39:15.800 --> 00:39:17.079 So what can we learn. 00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:18.980 From Jonah chapter 2. 00:39:19.880 --> 00:39:21.680 We can learn the one truth. 00:39:22.100 --> 00:39:23.559 That's in this passage. 00:39:24.420 --> 00:39:25.280 We saw the lies. 00:39:25.720 --> 00:39:26.620 But there was a truth. 00:39:27.120 --> 00:39:28.680 That our God saves. 00:39:29.600 --> 00:39:30.579 In spite of us. 00:39:31.260 --> 00:39:32.539 In spite of our dishonesty. 00:39:32.539 --> 00:39:34.279 In spite of our lack of repentance. 00:39:34.599 --> 00:39:36.699 Our God still saves. 00:39:37.500 --> 00:39:38.559 You saw it in verse 2. 00:39:38.659 --> 00:39:39.219 Verse 6. 00:39:39.279 --> 00:39:40.539 Verses 8, 9, and 10. 00:39:40.739 --> 00:39:42.940 We saw that God still saves. 00:39:43.019 --> 00:39:44.099 In spite of Jonah. 00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:44.800 And guess what? 00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:46.219 God still saves. 00:39:46.340 --> 00:39:47.460 In spite of me. 00:39:48.340 --> 00:39:49.380 Time and time again. 00:39:49.380 --> 00:39:50.779 I've pushed back against God. 00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:52.559 I've tried to run away from God. 00:39:52.659 --> 00:39:53.860 And God brought me back. 00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:55.139 And he saved me again. 00:39:55.279 --> 00:39:55.719 Anyway. 00:39:56.199 --> 00:39:57.759 He saved me from whatever trouble. 00:39:57.759 --> 00:39:58.500 I was running toward. 00:39:58.719 --> 00:40:00.380 He saved me from whatever heartbreak. 00:40:00.380 --> 00:40:01.960 He was trying to keep me from. 00:40:02.360 --> 00:40:03.519 But I had to repent. 00:40:03.760 --> 00:40:04.940 I had to repent. 00:40:05.260 --> 00:40:06.880 Or the saving couldn't happen. 00:40:07.180 --> 00:40:08.019 Now once for all. 00:40:08.119 --> 00:40:08.480 He died. 00:40:08.559 --> 00:40:09.680 He died for our sins. 00:40:09.780 --> 00:40:10.579 And once for all. 00:40:10.700 --> 00:40:11.960 He can forgive your sins. 00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:12.760 And once for all. 00:40:12.820 --> 00:40:13.700 He can save you. 00:40:13.780 --> 00:40:15.480 From an eternal destiny in hell. 00:40:16.340 --> 00:40:17.820 But while we're walking on this earth. 00:40:17.880 --> 00:40:19.220 His salvation is still there. 00:40:19.280 --> 00:40:19.740 For the taking. 00:40:20.300 --> 00:40:21.700 His salvation is still there. 00:40:21.840 --> 00:40:23.140 To keep you on the path. 00:40:23.180 --> 00:40:24.039 That he wants you on. 00:40:24.160 --> 00:40:24.920 To keep you. 00:40:24.980 --> 00:40:25.840 From that darkness. 00:40:26.340 --> 00:40:27.380 That he's trying to. 00:40:27.380 --> 00:40:29.000 Protect you from. 00:40:29.880 --> 00:40:32.140 So our God still saves. 00:40:33.640 --> 00:40:34.940 Sometimes God's salvation. 00:40:35.900 --> 00:40:37.180 Might look like whale vomit. 00:40:40.019 --> 00:40:41.220 I had to put that up there. 00:40:41.220 --> 00:40:43.579 Because I thought that was just a great little illustration of that there. 00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:47.660 Sometimes God's salvation might look like whale vomit. 00:40:48.200 --> 00:40:48.900 Jonah 2.10. 00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:49.960 The Lord ordered the fish. 00:40:50.019 --> 00:40:52.940 The fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach. 00:40:53.460 --> 00:40:53.860 All right. 00:40:53.860 --> 00:40:57.460 God's saving might not be the prettiest. 00:40:58.140 --> 00:41:00.240 Most comfortable thing that ever happened. 00:41:00.880 --> 00:41:01.900 For in your life. 00:41:02.840 --> 00:41:04.320 But it'll still rescue you. 00:41:04.960 --> 00:41:06.059 It'll still save you. 00:41:06.740 --> 00:41:08.140 It'll still get you back. 00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:10.480 To where God wants you to be. 00:41:10.780 --> 00:41:11.960 And then God can use you. 00:41:12.059 --> 00:41:12.980 He can take you from there. 00:41:13.220 --> 00:41:14.059 He can clean you up. 00:41:14.099 --> 00:41:15.019 He can put you back together. 00:41:15.120 --> 00:41:16.480 And he can get you back doing. 00:41:16.740 --> 00:41:17.900 What he wants you to do. 00:41:18.019 --> 00:41:19.200 So our takeaway for today. 00:41:19.720 --> 00:41:20.500 Self-deception. 00:41:21.000 --> 00:41:21.599 Keeps us. 00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:23.200 From real change. 00:41:23.199 --> 00:41:25.759 You might need some change in your life. 00:41:27.639 --> 00:41:29.839 Might be something that you need to change. 00:41:29.899 --> 00:41:30.559 There might be a habit. 00:41:31.539 --> 00:41:32.559 There might be a past. 00:41:33.419 --> 00:41:34.359 Might be a friend. 00:41:35.480 --> 00:41:36.500 Might be a relationship. 00:41:38.139 --> 00:41:39.139 Might be an addiction. 00:41:40.299 --> 00:41:42.239 I don't know what it is about you. 00:41:42.399 --> 00:41:43.419 There might be a spirit. 00:41:44.539 --> 00:41:45.839 That you carry with you. 00:41:45.899 --> 00:41:47.480 And everybody else sees it except you. 00:41:47.480 --> 00:41:50.919 There might be something that you need to change. 00:41:51.000 --> 00:41:52.019 That I need to change. 00:41:52.019 --> 00:41:53.239 Do you know what's keeping us from it? 00:41:53.559 --> 00:41:54.239 Self-deception. 00:41:54.679 --> 00:41:56.880 We're lying to ourselves just like Jonah did. 00:41:57.159 --> 00:41:59.400 We're lying about God just like Jonah did. 00:42:00.659 --> 00:42:02.559 God keep us from self-deception. 00:42:02.719 --> 00:42:04.659 Help us to see you as you. 00:42:04.780 --> 00:42:07.199 Help us to see ourselves as you see us. 00:42:07.300 --> 00:42:09.820 And see you as we're meant to see you from the scriptures. 00:42:10.300 --> 00:42:11.639 Would you bow your heads and pray with me? 00:42:11.840 --> 00:42:13.699 God we're learning from the book of Jonah. 00:42:13.699 --> 00:42:14.179 Jonah. 00:42:14.179 --> 00:42:16.039 It's easy to remember this story. 00:42:16.439 --> 00:42:21.879 The whale and all these fascinating events that happened as we read them in scripture. 00:42:22.039 --> 00:42:23.779 But God there's so much more to it. 00:42:24.599 --> 00:42:26.980 This prayer was so self-centered. 00:42:27.099 --> 00:42:28.319 It was so self-focused. 00:42:28.659 --> 00:42:31.259 It was so full of deception and dishonesty. 00:42:31.419 --> 00:42:34.219 And God we see why Jonah was so troubled. 00:42:34.219 --> 00:42:38.019 Because he just didn't have an accurate view of himself. 00:42:38.139 --> 00:42:40.079 He didn't have an accurate view of God. 00:42:41.079 --> 00:42:42.759 God let us not be like that. 00:42:42.839 --> 00:42:44.919 Let us learn from this story. 00:42:45.759 --> 00:42:49.259 And if there's a man or a woman or a child sitting in this room today. 00:42:51.019 --> 00:42:52.519 Who's been lying to themselves. 00:42:52.519 --> 00:43:00.900 God let self-deception lose in the battle against your spirit. 00:43:01.980 --> 00:43:03.940 With our heads bowed and eyes closed church. 00:43:04.059 --> 00:43:05.159 Let me ask you this question. 00:43:06.239 --> 00:43:07.280 There's somebody here today. 00:43:07.340 --> 00:43:08.960 I gave the call for it just a moment ago. 00:43:09.280 --> 00:43:11.159 There's somebody here today with your heads bowed. 00:43:11.199 --> 00:43:12.840 But you'd be willing to slip your hand up and say. 00:43:13.059 --> 00:43:15.000 Today is the day of salvation for me. 00:43:15.780 --> 00:43:19.639 I need to repent of my sins and put my faith in Jesus to save me. 00:43:19.639 --> 00:43:21.800 Would you slip your hand up right now and I'll pray for you. 00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:23.079 If that's you. 00:43:23.500 --> 00:43:24.000 Thank you. 00:43:24.440 --> 00:43:25.039 Thank you. 00:43:25.500 --> 00:43:27.420 Say today is the day I've been putting it off. 00:43:27.619 --> 00:43:28.920 I'm not going to put it off any longer. 00:43:29.539 --> 00:43:30.759 I'm going to repent of my sins. 00:43:30.820 --> 00:43:31.639 I'm going to turn to Jesus. 00:43:32.340 --> 00:43:32.900 Thank you. 00:43:34.039 --> 00:43:37.800 How many of you would say there's something else that I need God to save me from. 00:43:38.699 --> 00:43:40.039 He saved me from my sins. 00:43:40.139 --> 00:43:41.400 I've been his child for a while. 00:43:41.480 --> 00:43:45.000 But I need God to save me from something else in my life. 00:43:45.059 --> 00:43:46.559 Would you just pray for me. 00:43:46.719 --> 00:43:47.920 Slip your hand up and I'll pray for you. 00:43:48.340 --> 00:43:48.860 Thank you. 00:43:48.860 --> 00:43:49.480 Thank you. 00:43:49.980 --> 00:43:50.480 Thank you. 00:43:50.559 --> 00:43:51.280 God sees it. 00:43:51.920 --> 00:43:52.500 Thank you. 00:43:52.519 --> 00:43:57.420 How many of you would say there's something in my life I need to repent of. 00:43:58.259 --> 00:44:01.340 I've been deceiving myself and I need God to change me. 00:44:01.619 --> 00:44:04.759 I need God to change me. 00:44:05.099 --> 00:44:07.340 I'm going to be honest about this. 00:44:07.400 --> 00:44:09.199 Would you slip your hand up and I'll pray for you as well. 00:44:09.559 --> 00:44:09.980 Thank you. 00:44:10.239 --> 00:44:10.659 Thank you. 00:44:11.300 --> 00:44:15.360 God you see these hands but more importantly you know what's going on in our minds and our hearts. 00:44:15.360 --> 00:44:18.559 I pray that your spirit would work freely in this moment. 00:44:19.579 --> 00:44:21.059 It's in Jesus name we pray. 00:44:21.800 --> 00:44:22.200 Amen. 00:44:22.199 --> 00:44:25.619 Jared's going to lead us in Jesus paid it all again. 00:44:26.619 --> 00:44:27.879 Just kind of slow it down. 00:44:27.880 --> 00:44:29.780 Let it be a time of reflection. 00:44:29.780 --> 00:44:32.140 If you'd like to sing along you can keep your seat. 00:44:32.420 --> 00:44:33.700 If you'd like to sing along go ahead. 00:44:33.780 --> 00:44:35.599 If you'd like to just pray right now go ahead. 00:44:35.900 --> 00:44:37.420 I'm going to be in the back of the room. 00:44:37.700 --> 00:44:40.119 If somebody would like to step back there and pray with me. 00:44:40.300 --> 00:44:41.700 I'd love to meet you back there. 00:44:42.059 --> 00:44:43.780 Talk over whatever else is going on. 00:44:43.840 --> 00:44:44.579 There's other people. 00:44:44.740 --> 00:44:47.140 If I'm busy there's other people I can grab to say. 00:44:47.199 --> 00:44:48.480 Hey would you pray with this person. 00:44:48.699 --> 00:44:50.699 Just come on back to the back if you need some prayer. 00:44:51.079 --> 00:44:53.539 Otherwise Jared's going to lead us in this song. 00:44:53.960 --> 00:44:55.079 Jesus paid it all. 00:44:55.420 --> 00:44:56.739 We can surrender it all to him.