WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.839 According to Gershwin, the things that you're liable to read in the Bible, it ain't necessarily so. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:18.039 Now of course, Gershwin wasn't a great theologian. I'm sure he wrote some good songs. But I have to agree with him in this particular instance. 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:26.300 Because when it comes to the story of Jonah and the whale, which everybody knows so well, it ain't necessarily so. 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:32.640 The Bible doesn't actually say there was a whale. It just says there was a great fish. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:39.880 And we don't really know what the fish was. I know what it's become. It's become a massive red herring. 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:48.960 Because people go chasing after the whale and they miss the whole point, don't they, of the story of Jonah. 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:56.859 And the story of Jonah is very powerful and very relevant to doing ministry in a borough like ours. 00:00:57.760 --> 00:01:01.420 Let's forget about the fish for a moment and focus on what this story is really about. 00:01:02.579 --> 00:01:07.099 I think if Jonah was here tonight, he would want to say to us, the Lord has done great things for me. 00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:11.859 He sent a great storm. He prepared a great fish. 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:14.219 And he saved a great city. 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:15.659 The city of Nineveh. 00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:22.340 Which, if you're on social media, you'll remember, wouldn't you, about a couple of years ago, there were all those symbols. 00:01:23.079 --> 00:01:24.159 Do you remember the symbol? 00:01:25.140 --> 00:01:27.099 Kind of, Arabic symbol, isn't it? 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:30.200 Kind of, sort of a smiley face with two dots. 00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:31.700 You'll know what I mean. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:34.299 It was, it began in the city of Mosul. 00:01:34.939 --> 00:01:35.500 Do you remember that? 00:01:36.700 --> 00:01:37.599 We know it today. 00:01:37.859 --> 00:01:39.640 That is the ancient city of Nineveh. 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:44.719 It was the sign that Islamic states were putting on the doors of Christians. 00:01:45.799 --> 00:01:47.060 In the ancient city of Nineveh. 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:49.019 And many kind of Christians adopted it. 00:01:49.340 --> 00:01:50.700 And put it on their homepage. 00:01:50.819 --> 00:01:52.260 Or put it on their profile. 00:01:53.700 --> 00:01:56.859 It was done to mark out those who were to be killed or persecuted. 00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:58.480 Or just driven out of town. 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:00.859 Town of Nineveh. 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:03.379 And so it's still a frightening place. 00:02:04.159 --> 00:02:07.740 But nowhere near what it was in the days of Jonah. 00:02:07.739 --> 00:02:10.159 So let's look at these three things. 00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:11.259 First of all, the great storm. 00:02:11.359 --> 00:02:12.240 Can you see verse 4? 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:19.900 The Lord hurled a violent storm into the sea. 00:02:20.319 --> 00:02:21.079 It's a great translation. 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:23.759 It's like a violent javelin. 00:02:23.959 --> 00:02:24.900 That's what the word means. 00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:27.200 So here is Jonah. 00:02:27.319 --> 00:02:28.760 He is running away from God. 00:02:28.900 --> 00:02:30.840 And God gets him in his sight. 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:32.819 And he hurls this javelin. 00:02:33.920 --> 00:02:39.180 He hurls the storm into the sea at the boat where Jonah is trying to run away from God. 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:41.900 The hound of heaven is after him. 00:02:41.980 --> 00:02:44.640 And he's running away as fast as his little legs will carry him. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:45.980 Look what it says in the opening verses. 00:02:46.099 --> 00:02:46.540 Verse 1. 00:02:46.539 --> 00:02:49.639 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah, the son of Amittai. 00:02:50.079 --> 00:02:54.219 Saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it. 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:56.560 For their evil has come up before me. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:01.199 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. 00:03:01.919 --> 00:03:04.359 He went down to Jobba and found a ship going to Tarshish. 00:03:04.739 --> 00:03:08.560 So he paid the fare and went down to it to go with them to Tarshish. 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:10.439 Away from the presence of the Lord. 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:12.460 God said, go to Nineveh. 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:15.539 It's about 600 miles to the east of where Jonah was. 00:03:16.020 --> 00:03:19.639 And what Jonah did is he turned around and he went 2,000 miles to the west. 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:22.560 To near Gibraltar or somewhere near there. 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:26.579 He went as far west as it was possible to go in the then known world. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:30.900 He does what the psalmist says in 1.3.9. 00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:32.000 Psalm 1.3.9. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:34.719 If you remember, he tries to go as far as east is from the west. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:38.579 He travels to get away from the presence of the Lord. 00:03:38.580 --> 00:03:43.120 He's trying to put as much distance between himself and God's call on his life as possible. 00:03:43.980 --> 00:03:47.080 So we're told in verse 3, at that last sentence, 00:03:47.880 --> 00:03:50.700 he paid the fare, went down to it to go with them to Tarshish. 00:03:50.820 --> 00:03:53.760 Away from the presence of the Lord. 00:03:55.040 --> 00:03:56.220 And he went down to Jobba. 00:03:57.080 --> 00:03:57.840 And he found a ship. 00:03:57.939 --> 00:03:58.939 Let's go to Tarshish. 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:00.340 It's convenient, isn't it? 00:04:01.420 --> 00:04:02.620 So he pays the fare. 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:03.960 He's got the right money on him. 00:04:04.320 --> 00:04:07.540 And he went down into the ship to go with them to Tarshish. 00:04:07.539 --> 00:04:10.139 Away from the presence of the Lord. 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:13.079 It's actually repeated twice in verse 3. 00:04:14.519 --> 00:04:15.439 And that's what he's doing. 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:17.339 That's his aim. 00:04:17.420 --> 00:04:19.120 To go away from the presence of the Lord. 00:04:20.159 --> 00:04:21.560 You can imagine the scene, can't you? 00:04:21.579 --> 00:04:22.819 Down at the docks there in Jobba. 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:24.240 As Jonah goes through customs. 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:24.920 Name. 00:04:25.219 --> 00:04:25.560 Jonah. 00:04:26.539 --> 00:04:26.980 Occupation. 00:04:27.459 --> 00:04:27.980 Profit. 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:29.459 Reason for travel. 00:04:29.980 --> 00:04:31.060 Running away from the Lord. 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:34.079 And that is what is happening here in this chapter. 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:37.780 And as the story unfolds, it's like the great status quo song. 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:41.399 Down, down, down, down. 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:42.420 Verse 3. 00:04:43.160 --> 00:04:46.100 Says he went down to Jobba. 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:50.980 It says he got into the boat and went down into it. 00:04:50.980 --> 00:04:53.020 Verse 5. 00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:55.840 It tells us that he went down. 00:04:56.939 --> 00:04:58.740 Down into the below the decks. 00:04:58.800 --> 00:04:59.640 He goes to sleep. 00:05:00.660 --> 00:05:02.540 He goes down into the sea. 00:05:02.620 --> 00:05:03.900 We're told in chapter 2. 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:06.160 In verse 6 of chapter 2. 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:09.420 It says he sank down to the roots of the mountains. 00:05:09.420 --> 00:05:09.920 Isn't it? 00:05:11.020 --> 00:05:14.600 I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever. 00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:15.980 The world under the sea. 00:05:16.360 --> 00:05:18.379 And then he goes down the gullet of a great fish. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:22.140 Down into the belly of a monster of the deep. 00:05:22.220 --> 00:05:24.000 It's quite a come down for a prophet. 00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:26.780 For a prophet of the Lord, a man, and God. 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:27.700 That is what happens. 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:31.000 And that is what happens when you run for the presence of the Lord. 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:32.140 It's downhill all the way. 00:05:32.220 --> 00:05:33.020 And isn't it interesting? 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:34.720 When you want to run away from God. 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:35.720 Isn't it interesting? 00:05:35.840 --> 00:05:37.879 There's always a ship in the dock ready to go. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:41.600 There's always a ship in the port ready to sail. 00:05:43.080 --> 00:05:45.920 Spurgeon speaks in one of his sermons about a man who had a real problem. 00:05:45.980 --> 00:05:46.540 With his temper. 00:05:47.400 --> 00:05:49.780 And whenever he lost his temper he would throw things. 00:05:50.980 --> 00:05:52.520 And Spurgeon says of the man. 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:54.980 The real wonder is not that he lost his temper. 00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:56.640 Or that he threw things. 00:05:57.040 --> 00:06:00.200 But whenever he lost his temper there was always something on hand to throw. 00:06:01.200 --> 00:06:03.860 And the devil will always help us on our way. 00:06:03.960 --> 00:06:05.340 When we're running away from God. 00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:06.120 And that's how it is. 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:06.439 Isn't it? 00:06:06.700 --> 00:06:07.620 That's how it was with Jonah. 00:06:08.840 --> 00:06:11.080 He's running away from God's will for his life. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:13.800 And it just so happens that there down in the docks is a ship. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:17.100 In Joppa waiting to take him to where he wants to go. 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:18.240 There always is. 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:21.980 He's got the right money in his pocket for the fare. 00:06:23.020 --> 00:06:26.420 And it may well be that Jonah is tempted to rationalise this. 00:06:27.800 --> 00:06:29.319 In terms of the providence of God. 00:06:29.400 --> 00:06:30.939 Well surely it can't be a coincidence. 00:06:31.379 --> 00:06:32.680 You know the sort of things people say. 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:36.100 I know that God's word says for example. 00:06:36.600 --> 00:06:39.660 That we should not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:42.959 I know that God's word says that I shouldn't go out with a non-Christian. 00:06:43.540 --> 00:06:45.840 But you know the circumstances in which we've met. 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:47.160 And we have been put together. 00:06:47.300 --> 00:06:48.280 They are so unlikely. 00:06:48.740 --> 00:06:49.939 They are so remarkable. 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:51.939 I really feel. 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:53.960 That God has brought us together. 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:54.620 Have you heard that? 00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:55.280 I've heard that. 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:58.739 And once you start talking like that. 00:06:58.819 --> 00:06:59.979 You are well on the way. 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:01.419 From God's presence. 00:07:01.559 --> 00:07:03.059 And once you start talking like that. 00:07:03.159 --> 00:07:05.279 You are in real danger of backsliding. 00:07:06.679 --> 00:07:08.500 Once you stop reading the Bible. 00:07:09.739 --> 00:07:12.259 And start misreading God's providence. 00:07:12.339 --> 00:07:13.179 You'll really see. 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:17.739 And God may well have to send a great storm in your life. 00:07:17.799 --> 00:07:18.739 Not to destroy you. 00:07:18.779 --> 00:07:20.399 But to bring you back to where you belong. 00:07:21.979 --> 00:07:23.479 He knows the way to bring you back. 00:07:23.559 --> 00:07:25.039 So look what happens in this great storm. 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:27.560 God hurls this great storm at Jonah. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:29.100 And verse 5. 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:32.040 Then the mariners were afraid. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:34.800 And each cried out to his God. 00:07:34.960 --> 00:07:35.600 The small g. 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:37.900 And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship. 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:39.700 Into the sea to lighten it for them. 00:07:40.040 --> 00:07:41.700 But Jonah had gone down. 00:07:41.820 --> 00:07:43.100 Into the inner part of the ship. 00:07:43.200 --> 00:07:44.540 And had laid down. 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:46.160 And was fast asleep. 00:07:46.700 --> 00:07:48.420 So the captain came and said to him. 00:07:48.580 --> 00:07:49.220 Why do you. 00:07:49.340 --> 00:07:51.240 What do you mean you sleeper. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:52.120 Arise. 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:53.000 Call out to your God. 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:55.020 Now I don't want you to miss the irony here. 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:58.060 What is the book of Jonah. 00:07:58.120 --> 00:08:00.220 The book of Jonah is a satirical book. 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:02.939 And in some ways actually. 00:08:03.080 --> 00:08:03.780 As you study it. 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:05.640 The book of Jonah is a very funny book. 00:08:05.760 --> 00:08:07.060 And tragically sad. 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:08.820 At the same time. 00:08:09.100 --> 00:08:09.420 You see. 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:09.879 Jonah. 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:12.180 Isn't running away from God. 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:14.019 Because he's afraid to go to Nineveh. 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:14.819 I don't think that. 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:16.379 I think most of us would be afraid. 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:19.879 I don't think most of us would want to go to Mosul now. 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:21.519 It was far worse then though. 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:23.519 But the interesting thing is. 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:26.000 And I don't want to give the end of the book away too much. 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:27.319 But as you read the book of Jonah. 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:28.579 It becomes pretty obvious. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:29.459 That the reason is. 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:30.300 He is running away. 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:32.700 Is not because he is afraid to go to Nineveh. 00:08:32.700 --> 00:08:34.860 Even though Nineveh was a very scary place. 00:08:35.920 --> 00:08:37.759 The Assyrians were Israel's sworn enemies. 00:08:37.900 --> 00:08:40.460 And they were a wild and brutal bunch of people. 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:43.580 Every bit as cruel and barbaric as he is in our state. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:45.920 But it wasn't that he was afraid. 00:08:47.140 --> 00:08:48.320 And as you read the book. 00:08:48.379 --> 00:08:49.720 You'll discover that he wasn't running away. 00:08:49.780 --> 00:08:51.000 Because he was afraid of failure. 00:08:52.180 --> 00:08:53.360 It's a pretty big gig isn't it. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:55.500 It's a huge task that God was wanting him to do. 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:58.500 He was calling this lone prophet. 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:00.740 This Hebrew prophet. 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:03.799 To walk down the main street of the most powerful city on earth. 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:06.440 And call on that city to get down on its knees. 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:07.539 Before the God of Israel. 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:09.220 What are the chances of that happening? 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:13.460 I think we've got a pretty big job to reach Ealing. 00:09:14.200 --> 00:09:15.279 There's quite a lot of us here. 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:19.980 What are the chances of one solitary Hebrew prophet. 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:21.440 In the Assyrian capital. 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:22.899 Walking down the street. 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:24.340 Calling on the people to repent. 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:25.980 And bow down before Yahweh. 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:27.740 Not their God. 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:29.340 But the God of Israel. 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:31.420 The God who made the sky and the sea and the land. 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:32.680 It doesn't look like it's going to happen. 00:09:32.800 --> 00:09:33.139 Does it? 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:34.759 But as we see. 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:36.280 Jonah wasn't afraid of that either. 00:09:37.420 --> 00:09:38.560 It wasn't the city itself. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:39.700 It wasn't failure. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:41.440 He was a prophet of the Lord. 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:42.680 What was he scared of? 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.740 And this will give the show away. 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:48.280 But otherwise you won't be able to understand the irony of this. 00:09:48.519 --> 00:09:49.560 He was afraid. 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:51.780 What he was afraid of was not failure. 00:09:51.780 --> 00:09:52.860 But success. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:57.540 And that becomes obvious when you get to chapter 4. 00:09:57.680 --> 00:09:59.460 It's really in your face in chapter 4. 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:05.500 The last thing that Jonah wants to do is to go to Nineveh and preach to a bunch of pagans. 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:08.559 That's the last thing he wants to do. 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:11.139 And that is the irony of what is happening in the storm. 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:13.379 Do you see what happens? 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:19.539 God puts him right back into the situation that he's trying to run away from. 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:22.960 It's not that he's a coward. 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:24.919 He's a bigot. 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:26.399 That's his problem. 00:10:27.159 --> 00:10:28.139 Jonah is a racist. 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:34.059 He doesn't want to see the Nineveh bow before the God of Yahweh. 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:35.899 And that's what he's afraid of. 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:39.439 And the irony of the whole situation is he gets on a boat and he's running away. 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:41.580 And God throws this storm at him. 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:47.019 And in the middle of the storm suddenly he finds himself on board a ship full of pagans. 00:10:47.199 --> 00:10:48.480 Who are crying out to their gods. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:52.379 He's in the very situation that he's trying to run away from. 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:58.139 And reluctantly, amazingly, Jonah has to give his testimony in verse 9. 00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:00.580 Who says God doesn't have a sense of humour? 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:09.879 Here's Jonah, the reluctant prophet, the unwilling evangelist, and he's forced to evangelise against his will. 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:11.300 And the sailors are terrified. 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.820 You see that in verses 4-6. 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:16.840 Again, they are used to storms, aren't they? 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:17.740 They are sailors. 00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:20.560 So this must have been a big storm. 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:23.379 And they are absolutely terrified. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:25.500 They are Phoenician sailors. 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:27.300 And they are used to storms at sea. 00:11:27.700 --> 00:11:29.539 And they start to throw the cargo overboard. 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:30.539 It's a cargo vessel. 00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:33.779 And they are about to jettison the cargo. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.879 And the ship threatens to break in pieces. 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:37.080 Even that is funny. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:40.139 You can almost hear the ship saying, 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:42.580 If you don't stop this, I'm going to break in pieces. 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:45.680 The ship threatens to break in pieces. 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:48.839 And Jonah, where is Jonah in all this? 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:52.039 He's fast asleep at the bottom of the boat. 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:54.139 Look at verse 6. 00:11:55.219 --> 00:11:57.139 The pagan captain. 00:11:58.579 --> 00:11:59.539 This pagan sailor. 00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:01.059 The captain of this Phoenician vessel. 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:02.000 Approached him and said, 00:12:02.079 --> 00:12:03.860 What are you doing, O sleeper? 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:04.579 Get up. 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:07.120 And call to your God. 00:12:08.219 --> 00:12:10.059 And maybe this God. 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.839 Maybe this God. 00:12:11.839 --> 00:12:13.079 Will give a thought to us. 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:14.759 That we may not perish. 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:17.079 This pagan. 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:20.019 Says to the prophet of God. 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:22.219 How can you sleep while we are perishing? 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:23.079 Don't you care? 00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:24.079 Do you see the irony? 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:28.620 How can we sleep while we are perishing? 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:29.320 Don't you care? 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:32.620 Here, if I can put it this way. 00:12:32.680 --> 00:12:34.720 Here is the church being rebuked by the world. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:35.200 Do you see? 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:40.000 Here is God's prophet being shown up by a bunch of pagans. 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.540 I am a Hebrew. 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:43.160 Verse 9. 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:48.820 And I fear the Lord God of heaven. 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:51.840 I worship Yahweh. 00:12:51.900 --> 00:12:54.560 When you see that word Lord in capital letters in the Bible. 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:55.379 It is Yahweh. 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:56.180 That is his name. 00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:58.320 They have been calling on their gods. 00:12:58.400 --> 00:12:59.340 With a small g. 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:02.060 And they had lots of different gods. 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:04.820 And they did not know which god was which. 00:13:04.920 --> 00:13:06.940 They just in a panic are being superstitious. 00:13:07.520 --> 00:13:09.320 And they were calling on their various gods. 00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:11.560 And then Jonah reluctantly has to give his testimony. 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:12.920 And he says, 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:14.680 I worship Yahweh. 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:18.040 The God of the heavens who made the sea. 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:20.180 And the dry land. 00:13:21.760 --> 00:13:23.340 And there he is sleeping like a baby. 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:25.120 And at the same time running away from God. 00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:26.560 He suppressed his conscience. 00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:32.240 Isn't that interesting? 00:13:33.520 --> 00:13:34.920 You can run away from God. 00:13:36.020 --> 00:13:37.600 You can suppress your conscience. 00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:40.500 And sleep like a baby. 00:13:43.040 --> 00:13:44.560 You can disobey God. 00:13:45.700 --> 00:13:47.160 And yet have peace about it. 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:51.379 He is there sleeping in the boat. 00:13:51.420 --> 00:13:53.080 When he should in fact be preaching and witness. 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:54.900 And it is almost as if he said, 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:55.680 I am done with this. 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:56.960 Just wake me up when it is all over. 00:13:59.140 --> 00:14:01.020 I don't know whether you feel or sometimes feel like that. 00:14:01.060 --> 00:14:01.580 I often do. 00:14:01.760 --> 00:14:03.480 Sometimes you just want to escape some or other. 00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:04.720 Even some of our theology. 00:14:04.900 --> 00:14:06.900 Some of our longing for the return of the Lord. 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:09.040 Is nothing more than escapism. 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.720 Wake me up when it is all over. 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:13.340 I can't cope with the world as it is now. 00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:17.700 I can't cope with my responsibility to bring the knowledge of God to the city. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.980 Wake me up when it is all over. 00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:22.779 Matthew Parris is a writer for the Times. 00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:23.519 He is an atheist. 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:26.019 He is no friend to Christianity. 00:14:26.160 --> 00:14:28.160 But he wrote an article for the Times several years ago. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:30.360 Which was a very good summary of Christian faith. 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.440 He is not a Christian. 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:33.460 But he does know what the gospel is. 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:34.820 And he finished up with these words. 00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:37.700 If I believed that. 00:14:37.780 --> 00:14:38.879 Or even a tenth of that. 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:39.920 How could I care. 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:42.760 Which version of the prayer book was being used. 00:14:44.180 --> 00:14:45.220 I drop my job. 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:46.000 Sell my house. 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:47.160 Throw away my possessions. 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:49.240 Leave my acquaintances. 00:14:49.400 --> 00:14:50.480 And set out into the world. 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:52.520 Burning with a desire to know more and more. 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:55.840 And when I found out more to act upon it. 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:57.900 And to tell it to others. 00:14:58.060 --> 00:15:00.880 Far from being puzzled that the Mormons and the Sam's Day Adventists. 00:15:00.880 --> 00:15:02.000 Should knock on my door. 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:03.380 I am unable to understand. 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:05.340 And how anyone who believes what is written in the Bible. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:08.139 Could choose to spend his working hours in any other endeavour. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:13.200 How it should be motivated by compassion. 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:17.100 Jesus saw people as sheep without a shepherd. 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:19.279 So that's the challenge for us here. 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:23.080 If you know the true and the living God. 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.320 If you know Yahweh. 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:25.720 The God who has revealed himself. 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:27.700 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:30.379 If you know the supreme sovereign God. 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:32.799 Who made the sky and the air and the dry ground. 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.500 Well it's high time. 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:35.980 It's next to awake from our sleep. 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:40.059 Isn't that what Paul said in Romans 13. 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.259 It's high time to awake. 00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:44.179 Because your salvation is nearer now. 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.240 Than when you first believed. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:49.360 The returning of Jesus is growing near. 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.200 He is coming back. 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.240 And time is rolling on. 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:53.960 It's high time for the church to awake from their sleep. 00:15:53.960 --> 00:16:00.800 And I believe that the great need we have in the Christian church here in the UK. 00:16:00.940 --> 00:16:01.560 Is an awakening. 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:04.100 It's an awakening. 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:06.519 We believe the right things. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:10.100 We see these eternal realities. 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:11.039 And we believe them. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:11.799 And we debate them. 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.799 And we discuss them. 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.779 But we're half asleep. 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:15.019 And half awake. 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:19.699 And so we believe that people that don't know Jesus. 00:16:19.699 --> 00:16:21.379 Will be lost eternally. 00:16:21.579 --> 00:16:23.399 But it doesn't drive us to our knees. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:29.759 We have a prayer meeting on Wednesday. 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:33.340 There should be double the amount of folks that are normally there. 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.879 The people around your house. 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.600 And your workplace. 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.340 Are going hell. 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.899 And it should drive us to our knees. 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:46.699 That we should be pleading with God to visit this borough. 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:48.419 And bring salvation to this place. 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:50.500 Isn't it high time we awoke out of our sleep. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:52.039 Because Jesus is coming back. 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:57.439 And what on earth are we going to say to him when he turns up. 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:57.919 But that. 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:00.879 But not only is that a challenge to us. 00:17:01.219 --> 00:17:03.299 To take our Christianity seriously. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.460 Especially in the days in which we live. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:08.299 But it's also a very great comfort to know. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:10.319 That for those who do not yet know God. 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:12.259 And there are. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:14.700 Aren't there hundreds of thousands around this place. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.940 That don't know God. 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.579 God has a heart for the lost. 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:21.240 And God has a heart for Nineveh. 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:27.359 The unspeakable things that we know that IS have done in Morser. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:29.019 Well it was just like that in Nineveh. 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:31.619 And God had a heart for that city. 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.539 The cruel barbaric city. 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:36.559 And he is determined to save the people of that city. 00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:39.079 And he is determined to send his messenger to that city. 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.599 And so this story. 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.379 Is ironic. 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.359 It's satirical. 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:45.079 It's challenging. 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:45.799 But at the same time. 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.759 It is full of hope. 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.879 Isn't it look at verse 14. 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:51.300 They called out. 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:52.980 To the Lord. 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.420 Which Lord. 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.820 Did they call out to? 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.880 They've been calling out to their gods. 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:02.060 But now they call out to the Lord. 00:18:03.040 --> 00:18:03.940 To Yahweh. 00:18:05.080 --> 00:18:06.420 They've heard Jonah's testimony. 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.220 And now. 00:18:07.820 --> 00:18:09.220 They're calling on Jonah's God. 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.820 Don't let us perish. 00:18:10.860 --> 00:18:12.020 Because of this man's life. 00:18:12.020 --> 00:18:13.060 Don't charge us. 00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:14.480 With innocent blood. 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:20.440 And they pick up Jonah. 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.779 And they throw him. 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:24.579 And the rest into the sea. 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.220 They hurl him. 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:25.940 Same word. 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.620 Same word as. 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:29.120 The storm was hurled. 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:30.940 As the same way. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.099 They hurl Joseph. 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.579 Jonah into the sea. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:36.039 And the sea seeks from its raging. 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:39.839 And then the men feared the Lord exceedingly. 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:41.799 And they offered a sacrifice to the Lord. 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.599 And made vows. 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.579 We're meant to see. 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:44.500 The irony here. 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.699 Here is Jonah. 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.779 The reluctant prophet. 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:49.439 And his heart is certainly not in this. 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:50.599 He doesn't want it to happen. 00:18:50.659 --> 00:18:51.379 He's running away. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.639 No missionary society. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.839 Would ever send Jonah to the mission field. 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:55.899 And Jonah of course. 00:18:55.939 --> 00:18:57.480 Would never apply in the first place. 00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:01.399 And yet everyone who comes into contact with Jonah. 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.099 Turns to the Lord. 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:07.839 First a boat full of sailors. 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:10.179 And then 120,000 souls. 00:19:10.179 --> 00:19:11.539 In the pagan city of Nineveh. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:13.099 And they all turn to God. 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:15.099 Through the preaching of this reluctant prophet. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:18.220 The unwilling evangelist. 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.619 That's the first point. 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:21.359 Second or quicker. 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:24.339 Let's move from the great storm to the great fish. 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:27.500 And at the end of the chapter. 00:19:27.659 --> 00:19:28.319 Well where is Jonah? 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.819 Jonah is in the drink. 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.259 Isn't he? 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.220 At the bottom of the sea. 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.879 It's in David Jones' locker. 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:36.540 He's been thrown overboard. 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.620 Verse 15. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.000 It's ceased. 00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:42.240 From it's raging. 00:19:44.040 --> 00:19:45.620 Now I don't want to read into this passage. 00:19:45.760 --> 00:19:46.780 Something that isn't there. 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.160 But it seems to me. 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:51.240 When you take the New Testament controls. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:53.140 Of how Jesus speaks. 00:19:53.260 --> 00:19:54.560 Of the book of Jonah. 00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:57.840 This is a wonderful picture of the gospel. 00:19:58.020 --> 00:19:59.780 And it is a template of salvation. 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:01.540 So if you look at verse 10. 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:03.579 It says. 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:05.159 Then the men were exceedingly afraid. 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:05.659 And said. 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:07.599 What is this you have done? 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.619 For the men knew. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.720 That he was fleeing. 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.920 From the presence of the Lord. 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.259 Because he told them. 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:13.980 Which again is. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.920 Wonderfully ironic. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.319 And the sea is. 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.859 Getting rougher and rougher. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.539 So they say. 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:22.079 What should we do to you? 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:24.059 What should we do to you? 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:25.740 To make the sea calm down for us? 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:27.220 And he's owned up. 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.680 That he's on the run from God. 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:28.720 God. 00:20:29.320 --> 00:20:30.660 And they know that this is the God. 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.660 Who has sent the storm. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.720 And they are asking now. 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.940 What do we need to do. 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.259 To save ourselves. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:36.120 From this storm. 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:37.620 And Jonah says. 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:38.100 Pick me up. 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.019 And throw me into the sea. 00:20:39.060 --> 00:20:40.000 And it will become calm. 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:42.460 I know that it's my fault. 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.640 That the great storm. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.920 Has come upon us. 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.799 Because of me. 00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:47.720 And so do you see. 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:49.080 Jonah knows what is happening. 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:51.039 And Jonah knows. 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.080 That God is angry. 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:54.960 And that is why there is a storm. 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:56.019 God is angry. 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:58.319 That is why there is a storm. 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:58.940 God is angry. 00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.440 And Jonah knows who's to blame. 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.480 He is to blame. 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:02.200 And so he says. 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:02.799 Pick me up. 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:04.039 And throw me into the sea. 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:06.079 Now that just may be a death wish. 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:08.220 Lots of commentators think it is. 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.160 He might just be saying. 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.359 I'd rather be dead. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:13.000 Than go to the pagans in Nineveh. 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:15.119 He might be as stubborn as that. 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:16.139 He might be saying. 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:17.339 I'd rather die. 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:18.879 Than see those people saved from hell. 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.859 Maybe he is saying that. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.259 Or maybe. 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:24.359 Now God has awakened him. 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:27.299 And brought him back to his senses. 00:21:27.459 --> 00:21:28.279 And maybe he is saying. 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.199 Well it is my fault. 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.119 Throw me overboard. 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.539 I am willing to die. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.819 So that you might live. 00:21:33.919 --> 00:21:35.339 And be spared in the storm. 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.139 And maybe you think. 00:21:37.199 --> 00:21:38.039 Well that's crazy. 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:38.839 Of course not. 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:41.319 That's exactly what the sailors thought. 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:44.399 Notice what they say in verse 13. 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:47.319 Instead of throwing him overboard. 00:21:47.419 --> 00:21:47.899 What did they do? 00:21:47.939 --> 00:21:49.740 They did their best to row back to shore. 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.439 So there they are. 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:52.059 Rowing and rowing and rowing. 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.759 Against the waves and against the wind. 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:56.640 And they are desperately trying to get the boat back to the shore. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.660 But the sea grew even wilder. 00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.700 We are told. 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:01.599 And they cried out to the Lord. 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:03.220 Please don't let us die. 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.119 Please don't let us die. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.879 For taking this man. 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:11.400 Oh Lord do not let us perish. 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.079 Verse 14. 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.900 For this man's life. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:16.400 Don't hold us accountable. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:20.920 And lay not on us innocent blood. 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:26.600 For you oh Lord have done as it pleased you. 00:22:27.800 --> 00:22:28.940 So they picked up Jonah. 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:30.160 And hurled him into the sea. 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.480 And the sea ceased from its region. 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.140 And God's anger stopped. 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.320 And then we are told in verse 16. 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.759 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly. 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:39.120 They offered a sacrifice to the Lord. 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:39.840 And they made vows. 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:43.100 So a boatload of pagans are saved. 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:45.300 And they offer sacrifices to the Lord. 00:22:46.300 --> 00:22:47.060 To Yahweh. 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:48.259 And they make their vows to him. 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.960 Now do you see what is happening? 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:53.379 They are trying to save themselves aren't they? 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.599 Can you pick that up in the narrative? 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:57.279 They are rowing. 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.099 And rowing. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:58.779 And rowing. 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:01.940 And they can't. 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.400 And in the end. 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:05.599 What do they need to do? 00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:09.079 They need to stop rowing. 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:12.079 And start trusting the word of the prophet. 00:23:13.699 --> 00:23:15.980 And they need to give up their attempts to save themselves. 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:17.359 And to trust in the one. 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.460 Who was to be thrown overboard. 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:24.559 And that is where their salvation lay. 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:29.799 They need to trust in the one who was three days and three nights in the belly of a fish. 00:23:30.939 --> 00:23:31.819 And that's what they had to do. 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:33.000 It was a ridiculous thing to do. 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.939 It's so counterintuitive. 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.399 If you are in the middle of a storm. 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:38.579 You want to row to shore as quickly as possible. 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:41.659 But instead they have to trust the one who is to be thrown overboard. 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:44.659 Who spends three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish. 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.699 And that's what we will see next week. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.839 That's what he is famous for. 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.839 But then we read. 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.240 Verse 17. 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:56.240 The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:58.579 And Jonah was in the belly of a fish three days and three nights. 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:02.500 But we will see what happens to him there next week. 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.480 In the belly of a fish. 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.339 But do you know what Jesus said? 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:11.139 Jesus said just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a fish. 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:16.000 Jesus said that he would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:22.240 Jonah as far as I'm aware is the only minor prophet that Jesus quotes. 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:25.460 And he's not really quoting Jonah. 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.120 Jonah. 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:29.799 He is really identifying himself with Jonah. 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:31.859 In fact Jesus is the ultimate Jonah. 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:33.220 That's what we read earlier. 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:37.860 I doubt if Jonah would make it into the top ten list of prophets. 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:40.839 He's hardly is he what you'd call a model prophet. 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:45.319 But Jonah is the prophet that Jesus compares himself to. 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:47.680 When he says one greater than Jonah is here. 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.059 Now what does that mean? 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:51.759 What does it mean that when he says. 00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:55.160 When he tells the story of the fish and the three days and the three nights. 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.700 And he says I tell you the truth. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:58.480 One greater than Jonah is here. 00:24:58.539 --> 00:25:00.059 Well surely that's meaningless isn't it? 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.500 Everyone is greater than Jonah. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:05.420 When you see the way that Jonah is here. 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.859 Jonah is a rubbish prophet. 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:10.400 The sailors call him don't they? 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.839 In verse 15. 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:14.119 An innocent man that should be. 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:16.539 He's anything but innocent. 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:20.339 They think they've thrown an innocent man overboard. 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:22.500 But in reality he is a fallen disobedient. 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.039 Self-righteous. 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:24.859 Ungrateful. 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.380 Angry. 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:25.940 Complaining. 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:26.700 Racist. 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.720 That's the man they've thrown overboard. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:33.940 So what does Jesus mean when he says that greater than Jonah is here? 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:38.740 In what sense is Jesus greater than Jonah? 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:43.440 Well again I think the clue is in verse 15. 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.039 In this sense. 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:48.740 Because Jesus is truly the innocent man. 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:54.099 He is. 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:56.259 He has innocent blood. 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:57.859 Isn't he? 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.420 He is the one who is without sin. 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.720 He's the one who came into this world. 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.900 The sinless son of God. 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:07.279 To take the blame for our sin. 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.140 For our wrongdoing. 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.500 And he came into this world. 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.700 And he was hurled. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:14.079 He was hurled into the sea of God's anger. 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:15.120 Isn't that what the cross is about? 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:17.779 Isn't that the meaning of the cross? 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:20.679 Jesus didn't die as an example of supreme self-sacrifice. 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:22.459 He was made sin for us. 00:26:22.939 --> 00:26:24.139 He who knew no sin. 00:26:25.479 --> 00:26:26.059 This is love. 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:27.019 Not that we loved God. 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:27.939 But that God loved us. 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:30.959 And God gave his son to be a propitiation for our sins. 00:26:31.219 --> 00:26:32.459 You know what propitiation is. 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:35.599 It is a way of talking of God's anger. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:39.000 So that the anger of God fell on Jesus and not on us. 00:26:39.959 --> 00:26:40.839 Or it should be. 00:26:40.919 --> 00:26:42.259 A greater than Jonah is here. 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:45.359 And here is an innocent one. 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:47.720 Who throws himself into the sea of God's anger. 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:49.259 And takes the blame for our sin. 00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:50.799 Willingly in our peace. 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.759 And on the third day. 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:55.099 God raises him from the dead. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.379 And on the cross. 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:59.460 Jesus Christ did go down. 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.000 Down. 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.660 Down. 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.859 Down into death. 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.119 Down into the grave. 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.440 And on the third day. 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:06.180 Jesus raised him from the dead. 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:08.220 So let me say this to you tonight. 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:10.299 It is Jesus you need to see. 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:15.700 And you need to stop trying to save yourself. 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:18.319 Drop the oars. 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.480 Stop rowing. 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:23.599 Trust the one who was thrown overboard for you. 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:26.619 Trust the one who was in the grave for three days and three nights. 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:28.440 Take Jesus as your saviour. 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.599 And as your substitute. 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.980 And that brings me to the last thing. 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.700 God sent a great storm. 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.680 He prepared a great fish. 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:37.900 And he used a great storm and a great fish. 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:39.640 To bring Jonah to the great city. 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.539 The city of Nineveh. 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.420 Look at verse 1. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.700 Now the Lord. 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:46.460 Word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai. 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:48.420 Saying arise and go to Nineveh. 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.420 That great city. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:52.980 And call out against it. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:54.559 For their evil has come up before me. 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:56.619 It's a sprawling city. 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:58.099 It's the capital of the Assyrian Empire. 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:01.059 They were the most powerful people on earth in those days. 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:02.160 They were Israel's enemies. 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:05.039 And just as it is today. 00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:05.839 Three thousand years. 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.980 Nothing much has changed. 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.460 Different people. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:11.920 But the same kind of unspeakable cruelty and barbarity. 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:13.800 And that is where God wants Jonah to go. 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.960 The word of the Lord came to Jonah. 00:28:17.080 --> 00:28:17.560 Arise. 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.240 Go to Nineveh. 00:28:18.300 --> 00:28:18.980 That great city. 00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:20.400 And call out against it. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:25.360 Kurt Mitchell has a cartoon in a children's storybook. 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:27.640 That depicts Jonah as a mouse. 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:30.580 And the people of Nineveh as cats. 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:35.259 And this mouse is asked to go and preach to the cats. 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:38.259 And that's what God is asking him to do. 00:28:39.659 --> 00:28:40.819 One other writer said. 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:43.679 It is like asking a Jewish rabbi in 1943. 00:28:44.439 --> 00:28:45.419 To go to Berlin. 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:48.419 And cry out against the wickedness of the people there. 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:51.559 And that is what God is asking Jonah to do. 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:55.019 And the only way that that mission can be accomplished. 00:28:55.179 --> 00:28:55.759 Did you notice? 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.639 In the passage. 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:59.159 It's an impossible task. 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:03.240 And so Jesus commands his church. 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:03.639 Doesn't he? 00:29:03.639 --> 00:29:04.799 To go into all the worlds. 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.679 To all the nations. 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:06.659 And preach the gospel. 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:08.539 To go into every kind of culture. 00:29:08.679 --> 00:29:10.220 And every kind of language group. 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:12.039 And bring the message of salvation. 00:29:12.419 --> 00:29:13.619 And they won't want to hear it. 00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:16.839 And they will be radically opposed to it. 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.799 But Jesus says. 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:19.219 Go to his church. 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.959 And remember what he says. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:23.039 At the end of that great commission. 00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:23.500 He says. 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.679 No I am with you always. 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.479 At the end of the age. 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:28.639 I think it's very interesting. 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.959 The order there isn't it? 00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:30.819 He doesn't say. 00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:32.419 I am here now with you. 00:29:32.479 --> 00:29:33.379 Now you go. 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.579 No he doesn't say that. 00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.579 That's often what we want. 00:29:35.679 --> 00:29:37.659 We want don't we God to revive us. 00:29:37.659 --> 00:29:38.779 And then when he revives us. 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:40.839 Well we will plant churches all over the place. 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:43.759 That's not how it works. 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.319 Jesus says. 00:29:44.459 --> 00:29:44.720 Go. 00:29:44.859 --> 00:29:45.759 And as you go. 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:46.459 What do you discover? 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.720 You discover you're not on your own. 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:51.240 And you discover that God has been there ahead of you. 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:51.939 For a start. 00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:53.359 And not only that he's with you. 00:29:53.459 --> 00:29:54.519 Right there and there. 00:29:59.419 --> 00:30:00.259 But actually. 00:30:00.459 --> 00:30:03.119 The promise of the presence of the spirit. 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:05.459 Is tied to the church's mission. 00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:10.179 And Jonah was running away from God's presence. 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:13.459 When John Wesley. 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.399 The great Methodist preacher. 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.059 Lay dying. 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.539 During the last moments of his life. 00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.559 He kept saying these words. 00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:18.859 Over and over again. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.939 And best of all. 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.759 Is that God is with us. 00:30:23.639 --> 00:30:24.740 The best of all. 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:26.159 Is that God is with us. 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.500 God is with us. 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:29.039 God is with us. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:31.240 And you can face any challenge. 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.959 If you know not. 00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:36.559 If you know. 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:38.659 If you run from the presence of the Lord. 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.220 You're in trouble. 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:42.720 David Livingstone. 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.640 The pioneer missionary. 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.480 He was once asked. 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.200 What kept him going. 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.259 It's a fascinating story. 00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:46.779 David Livingstone. 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:49.559 He's attacked and made by a lion. 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:53.079 His body is often wracked by fever. 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.079 And dysentery. 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:56.319 The one home he had built. 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:58.120 Was burnt down during the Boer War. 00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:59.839 His wife died on the mission field. 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:00.500 Most of the time. 00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.799 He was all alone at the work. 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.600 And when he was asked. 00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:03.440 What kept him there. 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:03.920 He said. 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.400 It was those words. 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:07.320 Lo I am with you always. 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:08.660 Even at the end of the age. 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.620 Once when someone asked him. 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:13.140 About the sacrifices he had made. 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.360 He exploded with anger. 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.100 Sacrifice. 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:15.740 Sacrifice. 00:31:15.820 --> 00:31:16.120 He said. 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.380 The only sacrifice. 00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:18.980 Is to be outside the will of God. 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.840 And when you do that. 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:22.360 You forfeit the presence of God. 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:26.859 And that is what was happening with Jonah. 00:31:26.919 --> 00:31:27.459 In this chapter. 00:31:29.399 --> 00:31:31.559 He was running away from the presence of God. 00:31:34.679 --> 00:31:36.819 He was running away from the presence of God. 00:31:36.919 --> 00:31:37.659 Is that you tonight? 00:31:38.219 --> 00:31:39.000 You can be in church. 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:41.019 You can be in church. 00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:42.479 And run away from the presence of God. 00:31:44.899 --> 00:31:46.000 But as the hidden puts it. 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:47.379 He knows the way to bring us back. 00:31:47.719 --> 00:31:48.740 My fallen spirit. 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.240 To restore. 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:55.519 Come with me to chapter 3. 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:58.219 Verse 2 of chapter 3. 00:32:00.639 --> 00:32:02.139 Verse 1 of chapter 3. 00:32:05.219 --> 00:32:07.659 And the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time. 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.979 The second time. 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:15.979 God is the God of the second chance. 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:19.359 And God is. 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:21.219 The God of the new beginning. 00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:25.679 And God is the God of the fresh opportunity. 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:30.579 And the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time. 00:32:30.679 --> 00:32:30.919 Arise. 00:32:30.979 --> 00:32:31.699 Saying arise. 00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.339 Go to Nineveh. 00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:33.019 That great city. 00:32:33.119 --> 00:32:34.079 And call out against it. 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:35.259 The message that I tell you. 00:32:37.419 --> 00:32:39.119 God is the God of the new beginning. 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:43.459 The word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time. 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:46.039 And may it come to you tonight. 00:32:47.199 --> 00:32:47.759 Let's pray. 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.200 00:32:48.200 --> 00:33:18.180 Thank you.