WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.880 Good morning, Watermark. The scripture reading today comes from Jonah chapter 1, verse 17 to Jonah chapter 2, verse 10. 00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:13.880 ! If you're using the church Bible, you can turn to page 726. 00:00:23.320 --> 00:00:26.000 Starting in verse 17, we read, 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:35.899 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 00:00:36.620 --> 00:00:40.679 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:46.359 I called out to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me. 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:50.659 Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. 00:00:50.659 --> 00:00:57.019 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the floods surrounded me. 00:00:57.539 --> 00:01:00.500 All your waves and your billows passed over me. 00:01:00.959 --> 00:01:04.920 Then I said, I am driven away from your sight. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:09.599 Yet I shall look again upon your holy temple. 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:13.500 The waters closed in over me to take my life. 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:15.219 The deep surrounded me. 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:18.980 Weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. 00:01:19.879 --> 00:01:24.579 I went down to the land whose bards closed up upon me forever. 00:01:25.819 --> 00:01:29.400 Yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. 00:01:29.739 --> 00:01:33.299 When my life was fainting away, I remember the Lord. 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:37.159 And my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:42.099 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of stuff as love. 00:01:42.420 --> 00:01:46.179 But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. 00:01:46.659 --> 00:01:48.620 What I have vowed, I will pay. 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:51.179 Salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:01:51.479 --> 00:01:56.219 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and he vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. 00:01:56.640 --> 00:01:57.959 This is the word of God. 00:02:00.039 --> 00:02:01.239 Great. Thank you, Iris. 00:02:01.299 --> 00:02:03.739 Let's pray briefly as we come to God's word. 00:02:03.739 --> 00:02:08.819 Lord Jesus, your word is perfect, infallible, unbreakable. 00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:10.319 My words are not. 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:14.079 And so, God, we want to hear your words, not just my words. 00:02:14.219 --> 00:02:18.599 I pray, God, open our eyes to see what you want us to see in your words. 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:20.500 Help us to hear from you. 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:24.159 Help us to see the great hope which you offer us, Lord Jesus. 00:02:24.340 --> 00:02:25.500 In your great name we pray. 00:02:26.099 --> 00:02:27.400 Amen. Amen. 00:02:28.519 --> 00:02:33.699 So, March the 10th, 1748, many, many years ago. 00:02:34.500 --> 00:02:42.320 A British merchant ship by the name of the Greyhound was sailing from Sierra Leone in Africa to Portsmouth in England. 00:02:42.540 --> 00:02:45.180 And it came upon a violent storm. 00:02:45.920 --> 00:02:49.540 And aboard that ship was a young man, 23-year-old John Newton. 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:51.080 He was a sailor on that ship. 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:57.480 And the storm was, heavy seas were tearing parts of the ship away. 00:02:57.700 --> 00:03:01.200 John Newton was woken up in the middle of the night with someone crying out, 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:02.019 She's sinking. 00:03:02.739 --> 00:03:07.819 And so, all hands on deck, they all run upstairs to save the ship. 00:03:08.379 --> 00:03:13.699 And John Newton was immediately told to go downstairs, grab a knife to cut the ropes and the sails. 00:03:14.139 --> 00:03:21.280 As he turns to go downstairs, a wave comes and knocks the man standing next to him overboard, never to be seen again. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:23.039 John Newton writes, 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:29.219 The sea had torn away the upper timbers on one side and made the ship a mere wreck in a few minutes. 00:03:29.780 --> 00:03:34.580 Taking all the circumstances into account, it's miraculous that any of us survived. 00:03:34.580 --> 00:03:42.720 And so, for the next couple of hours, John Newton and his crew are pumping water out of the ship trying to survive. 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:45.000 And after 11 hours of doing that, they're exhausted. 00:03:45.620 --> 00:03:47.420 And John Newton cries out, he says, 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:51.220 If this will not do, the Lord have mercy upon us all. 00:03:52.100 --> 00:03:54.840 And immediately, two things happen. 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:59.180 Firstly, he's instantly struck by his own words. 00:04:00.140 --> 00:04:00.920 This is what he writes. 00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:07.659 This thought, spoken without much reflection, was the first desire for mercy I had breathed in many years. 00:04:08.119 --> 00:04:09.539 It instantly came to me. 00:04:09.799 --> 00:04:11.539 What mercy can there be for me? 00:04:11.899 --> 00:04:16.479 I thought there never was or ever could be such a terrible sinner as myself. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:19.339 My sins were too great to be forgiven. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:23.259 Secondly, the storm starts to subside. 00:04:23.979 --> 00:04:27.560 Over the next few hours, the wind quietens down. 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:29.740 The waves start to subside. 00:04:29.740 --> 00:04:37.900 And for the next four weeks, this ship, broken as it is, hobbles along the coast until they find a port in Northern Ireland where they dock. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:43.319 For the rest of his life, John Newton would remember the 10th of March, 1748. 00:04:43.500 --> 00:04:49.340 And would remember this day, the day that God had saved him from a certain death, but also saved his soul. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:50.720 He writes this many years later. 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:55.620 On that day, the Lord sent from on high and delivered me out of deep waters. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:05:02.100 About this time, I began to know there is a God in heaven who hears and who answers prayers. 00:05:03.340 --> 00:05:06.780 Friends, I'm sure many of us have never had such a dramatic experience. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:10.440 But I wonder, what is the most dramatic experience you've had in your life? 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:13.520 What have you been rescued from or saved from? 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:18.599 Christmas Day, 1994, I was swimming in the sea and I had to be rescued by lifeguards. 00:05:18.919 --> 00:05:20.079 A rip current was taking me out. 00:05:20.359 --> 00:05:22.539 That's about as far as dramatic as I've ever got. 00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:23.519 What about you? 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:27.519 What dramatic experience have you had? 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:29.539 How did you come out of it? 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:32.199 Who rescued you or got you through? 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:34.319 And how did it change your life? 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:41.459 At the heart of Christianity is the idea of rescue, of salvation. 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:47.439 As we saw last week, our sin leads us into a storm, a storm of our own making. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:55.819 And Christianity is all about the great rescue plan, the salvation plan that God has put in place to rescue us from the storms of our own making. 00:05:55.819 --> 00:06:04.360 But this is a rescue that we could not organize or orchestrate ourselves and certainly could not accomplish on our own. 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:11.860 At the heart of Christianity is the idea that those that have been rescued, those that have been saved, are no better than anyone else. 00:06:12.219 --> 00:06:17.420 They're not smarter, more intelligent, more righteous, more deserving than anyone else. 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:25.579 But those who, like Jonah, like John Newton, have been rescued from a deadly storm from which we could not save ourselves. 00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:29.120 That's what Jonah 2 wants to show us. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:30.800 That's what we're going to see today. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:43.579 And friends, the depth to which we understand or grasp this truth is the degree to which our Christian faith, for those of us that are Christians, will be life-transforming and deeply soul-satisfying. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:52.019 Friends, if there's anything to understand about Christianity at all, if our faith is going to be life-transforming and the power of Christianity is going to change us, 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:56.060 we need to appreciate the desperate situation from which we were saved. 00:06:56.519 --> 00:07:00.219 We need to understand our utter inability to save or rescue ourselves. 00:07:00.799 --> 00:07:03.620 And we need to see just how great God's rescue plan is. 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:07.199 And so that's what we see in Jonah 2 in his prayer. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:09.959 Now, many of us will know the story of Jonah. 00:07:10.099 --> 00:07:11.399 Remember, Jonah is a prophet. 00:07:11.599 --> 00:07:12.819 He's meant to represent God. 00:07:13.039 --> 00:07:16.079 But he runs away from the God that he's meant to be representing. 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:22.419 And he runs instead of going east to Nineveh, he goes west down to Tarshish on the ship. 00:07:23.019 --> 00:07:26.339 And by running away from God, he runs into a mighty storm. 00:07:26.779 --> 00:07:28.740 The ship that he's on is about to break up. 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:32.579 And he says to the sailors, the only way you can save yourselves is throw me overboard. 00:07:33.039 --> 00:07:34.479 They don't think that's a good idea. 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:35.919 So they try and row harder. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:37.680 But their efforts get nowhere. 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:41.240 And so eventually they conclude, our only hope is to do what he says. 00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:43.400 And they hurl Jonah overboard. 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:50.060 And immediately the seas are calm and peace is restored. 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:53.519 But Jonah sinks to the bottom of the sea. 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:58.420 And as you know, at this point, God sends a ginormous fish, probably some kind of whale, 00:07:59.019 --> 00:08:02.079 which swallows him and in doing so saves his life. 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:04.060 Now, brief pause. 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:06.560 What should we do with the fish part, right? 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:10.000 Because, let's be honest, this is unusual. 00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:12.839 Not too many people get swallowed by whales. 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:14.240 It does happen from time to time. 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:18.399 Normally they are, you know, spat out straight away, regurgitated straight away. 00:08:18.459 --> 00:08:20.740 It happened in the seas just about a year ago. 00:08:21.100 --> 00:08:22.579 But this is pretty unusual. 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:24.199 What do we do? 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:26.079 Some people ask, did this really happen? 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:28.860 Well, two brief thoughts. 00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:33.620 I want to encourage us not to discard the parts of the Bible 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:37.379 too quickly that are unusual or difficult to understand. 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:38.879 Two reasons for that. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:39.740 The first is this. 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:45.580 There are often actually good reasons for believing the parts of the Bible 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:47.340 that at first are hard to understand. 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:51.720 Often with enough reading, enough research, enough thinking, talking to people, 00:08:51.920 --> 00:08:55.660 actually we find there's more reason to believe than first meets the eye. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:58.040 I think a good example of this is the empty tomb. 00:08:58.560 --> 00:08:59.820 Jesus rose from the dead. 00:09:00.420 --> 00:09:03.980 Now, normally people that are dead don't rise from the dead after three days. 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:08.080 But actually if you investigate the historical evidence, look at the data, 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:11.340 you'll see there's more than enough reason to believe this really happened. 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:12.620 This is a fact of history. 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:14.840 So don't discard it too quickly. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.360 Look into it. 00:09:16.420 --> 00:09:16.720 Research. 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:17.379 Understand. 00:09:17.560 --> 00:09:18.340 Read up about it. 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:21.600 You'll find just because there's not a reason that first comes to mind 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:22.960 doesn't mean there's no good reason. 00:09:23.680 --> 00:09:25.659 But secondly, and more importantly this, 00:09:26.420 --> 00:09:31.480 disregarding anything from Scripture which is unusual or challenging 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:36.840 will leave our faith anemic, shallow, and unsatisfying. 00:09:37.720 --> 00:09:38.960 What I mean by that is this. 00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:42.600 If your requirement for believing what the Bible says 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:47.320 is that it must align or correspond with what you automatically already believe, 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:52.620 you're going to disregard anything that is outside of your current experience. 00:09:53.300 --> 00:09:59.700 The God that you are left with is going to be very small, very shallow, very powerless. 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:04.600 Outside of mystery, no room for mystery, no room for incomprehensibility. 00:10:05.160 --> 00:10:09.400 And you'll never experience the power of the God that is beyond time and space. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:10.660 Does that make sense? 00:10:11.060 --> 00:10:17.400 So as we saw last week, if we do not fear, if we're not in awe of the God that is beyond our understanding, 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:24.200 the God we'll be left with is safe, predictable, small, non-mysterious, 00:10:24.520 --> 00:10:28.580 actually comprehensible, and powerless to actually change our lives. 00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:31.840 Powerless to satisfy the deepest questions of our hearts. 00:10:32.800 --> 00:10:37.160 Unable to help us when we come face-to-face with the hardships and the realities of life. 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:41.160 And so don't be too quick to discount the parts of Scripture that are unusual. 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:44.340 And so in Jonah 2, actually at the end of 1, 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:51.200 God, as is his custom, brings about a very unusual means of rescuing and saving Jonah from a certain death. 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:54.080 And there in the depths, God rescues Jonah. 00:10:54.180 --> 00:10:58.520 And having encountered God's saving grace, Jonah prays this prayer of thanksgiving. 00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:00.320 And so let's look at it together. 00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:09.400 In this prayer, Jonah shows us two things that we all must grasp deeply if Christianity is going to make sense at all 00:11:09.400 --> 00:11:12.740 and if it's going to have any life-transforming power in our lives. 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:14.060 Okay, two things we must grasp. 00:11:14.059 --> 00:11:15.839 Firstly, our true condition. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:20.519 Secondly, our spiritual insufficiency or our utter inability. 00:11:20.939 --> 00:11:24.000 Okay, our true condition and our inability to save ourselves. 00:11:24.099 --> 00:11:25.359 Let's dive in and look at that. 00:11:25.479 --> 00:11:27.359 So, firstly, our true condition. 00:11:28.359 --> 00:11:33.659 In this prayer, Jonah acknowledges that his situation is one of his own making. 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:38.639 Now, it may not be obvious at first, but look at the language that he uses here. 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:45.059 Having been rescued by the God that he's tried to run away from, Jonah comes to the realization he's not just unlucky. 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:46.639 He's under judgment. 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:51.240 Jonah is not in the situation he's in because of his circumstances. 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:52.720 He's there because of his sin. 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:58.340 And the reason that he's drowning is not just unfortunate circumstances. 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.600 Actually, it's his rebellion. 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.419 Look at what he says here. 00:12:00.439 --> 00:12:02.059 Look at how he describes himself in his prayer. 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:02.860 Look at verse 2. 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:03.659 He says, 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:13.439 Sheol is the Old Testament word for the place where the dead go. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:16.980 But it's not just the generic place of the dead. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:19.659 It's kind of a place of divine judgment. 00:12:19.939 --> 00:12:22.000 It's a place of the morally corrupt. 00:12:22.459 --> 00:12:24.839 It's the place you don't want to go once you die. 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:25.839 And Jonah says, 00:12:25.839 --> 00:12:28.759 Out of that place, out of the belly of Sheol, I cried out to you. 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:31.299 Jonah realizes he's not in a good place. 00:12:31.699 --> 00:12:32.399 Look at verse 3. 00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:33.159 He says, 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:36.319 You cast me into the depths of the heart of the sea. 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:39.159 Your waves and billows passed out over me. 00:12:39.579 --> 00:12:41.639 It's not just the sailors that threw Jonah in here. 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:44.480 It's not just the storm that caused him into the depths of the sea. 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:51.699 He realizes God is the one who's done this because he's under the judgment of the sovereign God that he's been trying to run away from. 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:54.419 Verse 4. 00:12:54.959 --> 00:12:55.240 He says, 00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:58.179 I'm driven away from your sight, from your presence. 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.899 What does that make you think of? 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:04.459 Where else in the Old Testament are God's people driven from his presence? 00:13:05.459 --> 00:13:08.759 Remember in Genesis chapter 3, Adam and Eve sinned grievously. 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:11.620 And God drives them out of the Garden of Eden. 00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.579 Same word in Hebrew. 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:15.939 Out of his presence as a result of their sin. 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:20.760 Jonah is coming to the realization that actually it's his sin. 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:23.920 It's his running away from God that's caused him this situation. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:28.960 If you know the story of Jonah, in many ways this is the turning point of the story. 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:30.880 After this, Jonah is going to go to Nineveh. 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:32.640 This is the turning point of his life. 00:13:32.780 --> 00:13:37.220 Now, Jonah is not the perfect example of a wonderful Christian after this. 00:13:37.400 --> 00:13:39.740 He still has a lot of stuff to work through. 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.980 As do we all. 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:47.399 But this point, it seems like the turning point when God gets a hold of him and turns him around. 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:52.379 Here, Jonah comes face to face with his depravity, with his lostness. 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:55.840 The fact that he is a sinner in the hands of a sovereign God, 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:58.940 deserving of the watery grave in which he finds himself. 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:02.399 And having come to this place, his life begins to turn around. 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:06.360 And Jonah's prayer is a confession of his sin against God. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:12.899 Friends, I wonder how do you feel about confessing sin and acknowledging your lostness? 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:19.039 How do you feel about acknowledging the fact that you and I have sinned? 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:23.840 The Bible tells us again and again that this is where redemption starts. 00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:26.080 This is where healing begins. 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:29.560 This is the place where we can find restoration. 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:31.620 That healing and restoration begins. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:36.440 That the path to salvation begins with acknowledging the depth and the extent of our sin. 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:38.779 You may remember King David. 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:41.519 Remember David in the Old Testament, the greatest king of the Old Testament. 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:42.820 He sins grievously. 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:45.000 He has an affair with another man's wife. 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.360 She falls pregnant. 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:49.860 In order to cover up his steps, he has her husband killed. 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:52.279 So that the husband can't say, it's not my baby. 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:55.940 So he has an affair, calls her to be pregnant, kills her husband. 00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:59.279 He tries to cover his steps, but he can't cover up his steps. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.720 And he's confronted by his sin. 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:02.740 And how does David respond? 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:07.060 Does David say, I'm a victim of my circumstances. 00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:07.980 It's not me. 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:08.759 It's the government. 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:09.940 It's my advisors. 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:12.700 It's big tech and social media, right? 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:13.960 It's my childhood. 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:14.680 It's my upbringing. 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:15.940 No, look what he says. 00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:19.920 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love. 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:22.340 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.620 Cleanse me from my sin. 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:25.399 For I know my transgressions. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.700 My sin is ever before me. 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:29.440 Against you, you only have I sinned. 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:31.440 And done what is evil in your sight. 00:15:31.660 --> 00:15:33.860 So you are justified in your words. 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:35.400 You are blameless in your judgments. 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:38.040 Or friends, think of the prodigal son. 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:40.040 The son that runs away from his father. 00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:41.140 He comes to his senses. 00:15:41.280 --> 00:15:43.400 He turns around and he returns back home. 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.100 And what does he say? 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:46.980 Father, I've sinned against heaven and before you. 00:15:47.640 --> 00:15:49.180 Or think of the apostle Paul. 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:51.780 The greatest Christian missionary leader in the New Testament. 00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:53.000 How does he describe himself? 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:58.000 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the foremost. 00:15:58.519 --> 00:16:00.440 But I receive mercy for this reason. 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:05.799 That in me, as the foremost of sinners, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience. 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:08.360 As an example to those who were to believe in him. 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:10.159 Friends, think of John Newton. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:13.279 That sailor who was caught in a storm in 1748. 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:16.460 He later writes a song describing his salvation. 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:18.519 Not only from the storm, but of his soul. 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.379 And he writes, 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.539 Amazing grace. 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:22.139 How sweet the sound. 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:24.159 That saved a pretty good guy like me. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.379 No, no, no. 00:16:25.699 --> 00:16:28.480 That saved a wretch like me. 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:31.379 I once was lost, but now I'm found. 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:34.279 Was blind, but now I see. 00:16:35.579 --> 00:16:37.699 Friends, I wonder, are you able to say this? 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:41.860 Have you ever come to a place of seeing your lostness? 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:42.960 Your true condition? 00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:46.100 Friends, your moral bankruptcy. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:49.940 Your rebellion against the God who made you to know him and love him. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.620 And be in relationship with him. 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.879 This is where Jonah comes to. 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:56.899 And it's the starting point of his life turning around. 00:16:57.700 --> 00:17:00.639 Friends, if you're a Christian and your faith has become shallow. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.040 Anemic. 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.540 Lifeless or dull. 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:07.720 If there's no real bearing, no grit, no gravitas to your faith. 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:11.920 Could it be that you've never really understood the depths from which God has saved you? 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:16.560 Could it be that maybe you heard and thought about it years ago, but you've long since forgotten. 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:20.200 And you've become so familiar that it doesn't have any bearing on your life. 00:17:20.840 --> 00:17:27.740 Friends, this is the starting point for those who want to experience the life transforming power of God to own and acknowledge our true condition. 00:17:28.820 --> 00:17:31.259 But in Jonah chapter 2, that's not the only thing we see. 00:17:31.320 --> 00:17:32.300 We see something else. 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:36.420 Not only our true condition, but our inability to do anything about it. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.840 Look at what happens here. 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:41.119 Look at the obvious language here. 00:17:41.199 --> 00:17:44.299 It's not just the dark and desperate place that Jonah's sin has got him into. 00:17:44.459 --> 00:17:45.879 It's his complete powerlessness. 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:48.079 His inability to solve it or fix it. 00:17:48.439 --> 00:17:50.379 That's what really comes through in the prayer here. 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:53.720 Because in this prayer, notice the only thing that Jonah does. 00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:57.939 The only thing he does is he cries out to God for mercy. 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.079 Look at verse 2. 00:17:59.559 --> 00:17:59.799 He says, 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:07.180 Look at verse 5. 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:34.580 Jonah describes the way that he finds himself in a kind of dungeon, a deep dungeon under the sea. 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:38.500 And it's like a land where the bars have closed in on him forever. 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:41.059 There is nothing he can do about it. 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:41.679 He says, 00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:45.619 Not only was he physically drowning, he is spiritually dead. 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:46.519 Verse 3. 00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:49.359 You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the sea. 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:51.079 The flood surrounded me. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.799 And Jonah's point is, 00:18:53.179 --> 00:18:57.539 There is no way that he can rescue himself from this place. 00:18:58.039 --> 00:19:01.279 He is utterly unable to do anything about it. 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:04.700 He can't go down to Joppa and buy a one-way ticket to Tarshish. 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:07.639 He can't negotiate his way out of this mess. 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.599 He can't talk himself out. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.460 He can't buy himself out. 00:19:11.879 --> 00:19:14.399 He's not strong enough to muscle his way out. 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:18.220 There is nothing that he can do about it to get his life back from the pit. 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:20.180 To save and rescue himself. 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:23.700 He is utterly powerless in his lostness. 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.180 Except, 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.279 There's one thing he can do. 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:29.259 He can get on his knees. 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:31.640 He can admit his powerlessness. 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:35.379 He can cry out to the God who loves to hear the cry of the helpless. 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:38.599 And who loves to save those who cannot save themselves. 00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:43.299 Friends, this is the message of the Bible from beginning to end. 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.940 That we all, like Jonah, 00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:48.759 Are by nature spiritually dead and lost in our sin. 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:52.079 And utterly powerless to do anything about it. 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:53.319 To save ourselves. 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:56.220 Now, some people say, 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:59.059 This is the reason I don't like all the Old Testament. 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:02.980 It's so, you know, angry and wrathful. 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:05.140 Can't you just give us the New Testament God, right? 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:07.759 Like, all this judgment stuff. 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.319 Let's move on. 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.140 Let's get to Jesus. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:12.660 Friends, let's listen to the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:17.500 Apostle Paul, greatest writer, writes much of the New Testament, says this. 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:22.759 As for you, as for me, we, we were dead in our trespasses and our sins. 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:26.839 Following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, that's Satan, 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:32.380 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, we were by nature children of wrath. 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:33.599 There's Paul. 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.779 Well, that's our true condition. 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.279 That's our situation. 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.539 And notice what he says here. 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:37.740 He says, 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.559 We were slaves. 00:20:38.679 --> 00:20:41.059 Slaves to our desires. 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.619 Slaves to our sinful nature. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.339 Slaves to the devil. 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:46.539 Always doing things that we don't want to do. 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:49.039 Why do we keep on doing the dumb things that we hate doing? 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:51.139 Because we cannot do anything about it. 00:20:51.659 --> 00:20:55.000 Friends, if you've been alive for more than a week, you'll know how true that is, right? 00:20:55.879 --> 00:20:56.139 He says, 00:20:56.199 --> 00:20:56.859 We were slaves. 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:57.699 Paul says, 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.579 This is our nature. 00:20:58.679 --> 00:20:59.439 This is our disposition. 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.019 We are, 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.939 This is who we are deep in our souls. 00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:04.619 We are bent on loving and serving ourselves. 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.500 Not just a few bad actions. 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.000 This is our disposition. 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:11.039 And that means we are spiritually dead. 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.479 Not just unwell. 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.240 Not just sick. 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.859 Not just lazy or unlucky. 00:21:15.639 --> 00:21:18.059 Unable to rescue or save ourselves. 00:21:18.979 --> 00:21:21.079 But, says Paul, verse 4, 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:24.179 But God, who is rich in mercy, 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:27.019 Because of his great love with which he loved us, 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:29.299 Even when we were dead in our sins, 00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:30.940 When we had nothing we could do, 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:33.279 This great God, because of his love, 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:35.620 Made us alive together with Christ. 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:38.320 By grace you have been saved through faith. 00:21:38.580 --> 00:21:39.960 This is not your own doing. 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:41.580 It is the gift of God, 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:42.779 Not a result of works, 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.759 So that no one may boast. 00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:47.759 Friends, Jonathan Edwards famously said, 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:50.080 You can no more save yourself 00:21:50.080 --> 00:21:52.060 From the consequences of your sin, 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:54.779 Than a spider's web can stop a boulder 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:56.419 Tumbling down the mountainside. 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.639 This is our inability. 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:01.559 Friends, we could no more save ourselves 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.440 From divine judgment 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.839 Than Jonah could rescue himself 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.480 From the storm 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:06.819 Or from the bottom of the ocean of the sea. 00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:09.519 There's an old hymn called 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.359 The Rock of Ages, 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.319 And I love its words. 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:12.139 Listen to what he says. 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:12.599 He says, 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.700 Not the labors of my hands 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:16.819 Could fulfill thy law's commands. 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:19.319 Could my zeal with no respite, 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:21.279 Could my tears forever flow, 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:24.099 All for sin could not atone, 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:25.599 Thou must save, 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.899 And thou alone. 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.779 And it's in this space, 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:30.180 In the bottom of the sea, 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:31.799 In the gut of the whale, 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:33.559 In the darkest moments of his life, 00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:35.359 Jonah's eyes are open 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:36.639 To see himself clearly, 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.819 To see who he is, 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:39.240 To see where his sin has gotten him, 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:41.119 And how utterly powerless he is 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:42.220 To do anything about it. 00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:44.139 Friends, again I ask you, 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.899 Have you come to this place? 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.039 Is this true of you? 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:51.000 Do you know your true condition? 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.440 Do you know how powerless you are 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.400 To save yourself? 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:56.640 Friends, are you still trying to cling on 00:22:56.640 --> 00:22:58.559 To some semblance of morality or goodness? 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.819 You can no more save yourself 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.859 From the judgment of sin 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.720 Than a spider's web can save 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:05.579 A bouldering tumbling down the mountainside. 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:07.720 You know, I've shared this story before, 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:09.159 So many of you would have heard this, 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:11.399 But I grew up in a Christian family, 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.839 A very wonderful family, 00:23:13.439 --> 00:23:16.079 And a very loving Christian home, 00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:18.179 I was very involved in church from a young age, 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:20.220 I believed in Jesus from a young age, 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.879 And as a teenager, 00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:23.539 I didn't do too many bad things, 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:25.839 I was generally a relatively good kid, 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.799 And I thought, 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:29.879 That made me a great person, 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:32.319 And someone that God would love to save, 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:32.759 Right? 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:34.359 And so, not perfect, 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.319 But pretty good, 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.420 And I kind of, 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.379 In the back of my mind, 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.460 At a subconscious level, 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:38.960 I thought, 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.779 If there's one kind of person 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.859 That God would save, 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.319 It would be someone like me, 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:45.519 Someone who would be safe 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.379 From divine judgment, 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.559 I wasn't perfect, 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.480 But I was good, 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:50.779 I could give you a list of a lot of bad people 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.579 That needed saving, 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:51.900 Sure, 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:52.200 Okay, 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.200 They needed grace, 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:55.539 But I was on the right track, 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.759 I was one of the good guys, 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.359 And you know what that did? 00:23:58.439 --> 00:23:59.699 It did three things in my life, 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:00.539 Firstly, 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:02.839 It made me profoundly arrogant, 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.819 And self-righteous, 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.079 Profoundly arrogant, 00:24:05.219 --> 00:24:06.439 I would look down my nose, 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.799 At anyone that wasn't good enough, 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:08.839 Or anyone wasn't like me, 00:24:09.159 --> 00:24:10.699 And I would judge people, 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:12.359 And those who couldn't get their act together, 00:24:12.639 --> 00:24:13.959 I just thought they were weak, 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:15.079 And not strong enough, 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:16.639 And they needed to sort themselves out, 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.419 Paradoxically, 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:20.339 It also made me profoundly insecure, 00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:22.319 Because my identity, 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.959 Was based on the fact that God loves me, 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.899 Because I'm a good person, 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:27.299 But what happens when I wasn't such a good person? 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:29.019 And if God's love for me, 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.159 Was based on my performance, 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.859 What happens when I didn't perform very well? 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:33.940 And so my assurance of God's love, 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:35.399 Was up and down like a yo-yo, 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.839 I was profoundly insecure, 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.480 And what that meant, 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.480 Was that my faith, 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.259 I had a faith, 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.819 My faith was very shallow, 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.359 Very superficial, 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.359 Very weak and anemic, 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:47.159 And then one day, 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:49.339 Two things happened at the same time, 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:51.919 I came to see my true condition, 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.899 I came to see the depth, 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:56.200 Of my sickening moral bankruptcy, 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:58.220 I came to see how arrogant, 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.680 And self-righteous, 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.840 And self-centered, 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.740 And self-opinionated I was, 00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:04.519 I wasn't one of the good guys, 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:06.240 I felt like John Newton, 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:06.720 I could say, 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.860 I thought there never was, 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.600 Or ever could be, 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:10.140 Such a terrible sinner as myself, 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.660 My arrogance, 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:13.240 My self-righteousness, 00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:14.720 My self-superiority, 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.559 My hypocrisy and snobbery, 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.319 Were laying bare, 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:19.420 And it was disgusting, 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.299 I remember feeling like, 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:23.360 It doesn't matter how long I shower, 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:25.940 I'm never going to be able to get this grossness off of me, 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:28.220 It was like deep inside of my soul, 00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:30.440 And yet I saw a second thing, 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.000 I saw friends, 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:34.240 That Christ Jesus went to the cross, 00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.700 For a sinner like me, 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:39.340 That Jesus was plunged into the sea of darkness, 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:42.980 That Jesus was in an ocean of judgment, 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:44.039 On the cross, 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:45.180 In my place, 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.519 So that I didn't have to, 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:48.019 Christ did for me, 00:25:48.080 --> 00:25:49.340 What I could never do for myself, 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:51.019 Christ went to the cross, 00:25:51.360 --> 00:25:52.240 To take my sin, 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.059 To give me his righteousness, 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.299 In order to save me, 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:56.079 And rescue me, 00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:57.919 From the depths of my arrogance, 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:59.240 That I could not save myself, 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.159 You see friends, 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:03.639 It's not that there's no hope whatsoever, 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:05.899 It's just that there's no hope in ourselves, 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.980 It's not that there's no salvation, 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:10.220 It's that we can't save ourselves, 00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:12.379 But that doesn't mean there's no salvation, 00:26:12.899 --> 00:26:13.879 There is salvation, 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:15.379 Because look at what Jonah says, 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:18.419 Look at how the passage opens and closes, 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:20.000 Jonah's first line, 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.579 As he says, 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:22.220 It begins with Jonah's voice, 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:23.519 Crying out for mercy, 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.299 In his distress, 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:26.240 And his utter helplessness, 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:28.180 And it ends with Jonah's voice, 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:30.259 Crying out for thanksgiving and praise, 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:32.220 Look at the final verse, 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:33.099 Of Jonah's prayer, 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:35.039 With the voice of thanksgiving, 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:37.220 I will sacrifice to you, 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.460 What I have vowed, 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.140 I will pay, 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:42.920 Salvation belongs to the Lord, 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.819 Friends, 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.799 Many people have said, 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:47.159 There is the Bible, 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:49.240 In five simple words, 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:52.539 Salvation belongs to the Lord, 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.779 In five words, 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.759 The message of the Bible, 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:56.960 Salvation is all of the Lord, 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:59.200 Salvation is of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.119 Who would go to the cross, 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:01.139 For sinners like me, 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.680 Sinners like Jonah, 00:27:03.419 --> 00:27:04.339 Sinners like John Newton, 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.899 Sinners like you, 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:06.720 Friends, 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:08.460 Salvation is in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:10.220 Who was led like a lamb to the slaughter, 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:12.720 To die for all those who would trust in him, 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:15.139 Salvation is in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.440 Who on the cross cried out, 00:27:16.800 --> 00:27:17.280 My God, 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:17.740 My God, 00:27:17.820 --> 00:27:19.080 Why have you forsaken me? 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:21.140 And his cries were not answered, 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.960 Unlike Jonah, 00:27:22.280 --> 00:27:23.860 His cries fell on deaf ears, 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:26.400 God did not save Jesus on the cross, 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:28.340 So that our cries would be heard, 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.200 And would be answered, 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.460 That God would save us, 00:27:31.100 --> 00:27:32.800 Salvation is in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:27:32.800 --> 00:27:33.940 Who died for our sins, 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:35.720 And rose for our justification, 00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:37.300 Who ascended to heaven, 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:39.180 And who will return in glory, 00:27:40.020 --> 00:27:40.700 You know, 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:43.120 John Newton's very last recorded words, 00:27:43.520 --> 00:27:45.040 Just a few days before he died, 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.680 His friend, 00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:47.399 William J., 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.180 Goes to visit him, 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:50.700 And John Newton says this, 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.980 I am an old man now, 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:54.339 And my memory is almost fading, 00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:56.659 But I remember two things very clearly, 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.220 I am a great sinner, 00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:00.259 And Christ is a great savior, 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:03.319 Salvation belongs to the Lord, 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:04.399 Friends, 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.519 In Jonah chapter 2, 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:08.019 We see a mirror of all of humanity, 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:10.440 And a mirror of those that have come to know him, 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:12.400 We see our true condition, 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:15.759 That we are in the despair that we are in, 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:17.519 Not just because we are unlucky, 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:18.720 But because we are under judgment, 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.799 Not just because of our circumstances, 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.759 But because of our sin, 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.700 Because we have rebelled against the God, 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:25.059 Who made us to know him, 00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:25.920 And love him, 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.840 And follow him, 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.860 Be in relationship with him, 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:30.460 And we also see our utter helplessness, 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.620 Our complete inability, 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:33.620 To save and rescue ourselves, 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:36.220 Because salvation is all from the Lord, 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:37.620 So, 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:39.539 What should we do about this? 00:28:39.900 --> 00:28:40.779 How should we respond? 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:41.700 Well, 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.839 A couple of thoughts, 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.420 Firstly, 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.319 Friends, 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:46.420 Receive God's great salvation, 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.120 Receive it, 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.319 Friends, 00:28:48.360 --> 00:28:49.220 If you are here this morning, 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:50.500 And you are not a follower of Jesus, 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.980 We have nothing to offer you, 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.920 We have nothing to offer you, 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:56.019 Other than Jesus Christ, 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:58.299 We cannot tell you how to succeed in life, 00:28:58.620 --> 00:29:00.279 We cannot promise you health, 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.380 Wealth or prosperity, 00:29:01.860 --> 00:29:02.940 We cannot promise you, 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:04.299 That life will always be easy, 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.339 If you become a Christian, 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.539 And life will always go well, 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:08.019 We cannot promise you, 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:09.519 Your children will be safe from sickness, 00:29:09.639 --> 00:29:11.379 Or that all your relationships will work out, 00:29:11.679 --> 00:29:13.419 Or that God will give you the perfect spouse, 00:29:14.159 --> 00:29:14.379 Friends, 00:29:14.419 --> 00:29:15.279 We cannot promise you, 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:17.539 You will be free from mental health challenges, 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:20.079 All we have to offer, 00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:21.619 Is Jesus Christ, 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.879 God of very God, 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.859 The God who came to us, 00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.480 And for us, 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.399 To die on the cross, 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.139 To save us, 00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:27.879 To do for us, 00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:29.379 What we could not do for ourselves, 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.439 Friends, 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.339 Will you receive it? 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.720 Will you accept him? 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:34.119 Look at verse 8, 00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:35.919 In the Jonah's prayer here, 00:29:35.979 --> 00:29:36.359 He says, 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:38.500 Those who cling to vain idols, 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:40.339 Forfeit the steadfast love, 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.219 That could be theirs, 00:29:41.959 --> 00:29:42.199 Friends, 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.000 What vain idol, 00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:43.799 What false God, 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.559 Are you hoping in? 00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:46.719 What are you trusting in? 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:49.139 What are you putting your confidence in? 00:29:49.219 --> 00:29:50.279 To rescue you, 00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:51.719 In this life, 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.319 And forever, 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:54.399 Jesus Christ, 00:29:54.459 --> 00:29:54.979 Is the only hope, 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.639 You and I have, 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:56.899 To be rescued, 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.619 From the storm, 00:29:57.679 --> 00:29:58.819 Of our own sin and shame, 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.619 And from the power of death, 00:30:00.659 --> 00:30:01.379 And the power of hell, 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:03.940 Receive the great salvation, 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.500 But secondly, 00:30:05.820 --> 00:30:07.660 Rejoice in God's great salvation, 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:08.600 Friends, 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.820 For those of us who are Christians, 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:12.740 How precious is the good news of Jesus to you? 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.960 Have you become blasé, 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.640 Or familiar with it? 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:17.720 Friends, 00:30:17.760 --> 00:30:18.960 Has the glory of the gospel, 00:30:19.060 --> 00:30:20.680 Become unremarkable to you? 00:30:21.580 --> 00:30:23.060 Are we those who sing the words, 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:24.040 Of amazing grace, 00:30:24.100 --> 00:30:25.000 How sweet the sound, 00:30:25.080 --> 00:30:26.060 That saved a rich like me, 00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:26.820 And just sing it, 00:30:27.040 --> 00:30:28.120 As if it has no meaning, 00:30:28.560 --> 00:30:29.540 Unmoved and indifferent, 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.920 To the grace that we sing about? 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.220 Jonah says, 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.819 With the voice of thanksgiving, 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:35.019 I will rejoice, 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:36.420 In the God of my salvation, 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.519 Friends, 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.119 What about you? 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.440 Does Jesus' salvation, 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:41.579 Still astound you? 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:43.259 Does it bring you to your knees? 00:30:43.339 --> 00:30:44.599 Does it bring tears to your eyes, 00:30:44.659 --> 00:30:45.159 And gratitude, 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.500 And joy and appreciation? 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.259 Those who cling, 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:49.259 To worthless idols, 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.879 Forsake the steadfast love, 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.680 That could be theirs. 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:52.619 Friends, 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.319 Even as Christians, 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:55.180 We can cling to worthless idols, 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:57.119 False gods that cannot save. 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.379 In a few minutes time, 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.039 We're going to sing, 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:02.019 Of the great chasm, 00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:03.559 That Jesus crossed over, 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.859 To rescue us. 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.879 We're going to sing, 00:31:05.899 --> 00:31:06.920 Of this amazing grace. 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:07.759 Friends, 00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:08.279 Can I ask you, 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:09.279 Don't just sing the words, 00:31:09.659 --> 00:31:10.139 Meaninglessly, 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:12.379 Don't just mumble along the words, 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.440 Like any other song, 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:15.240 Rejoice in the God, 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.099 Of great salvation. 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.819 Finally friends, 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.920 Rest in this great salvation, 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.519 Receive God's great salvation, 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.779 Rejoice in it, 00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:23.519 Rest in it. 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:23.759 Friends, 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.440 Are you a Christian, 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.220 That's always anxious, 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:25.799 And worried, 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:27.259 Always trying to, 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:29.180 Prove that yourself, 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.779 Do you feel unworthy, 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.500 Inadequate, 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.680 Like you're never good enough? 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:33.720 Friends, 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.539 Are you someone who thinks, 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:35.700 When I'm a better Christian, 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:36.900 Then I'll get baptized, 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:38.660 Then I'll really serve God, 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:40.420 Then I'll do what he asks me to do. 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:41.500 Friends, 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.779 Do you sometimes feel inadequate, 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:45.640 Like your report card to God says 70%, 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:47.059 And you're waiting for God to say, 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:48.660 What happened to the other 30%? 00:31:50.099 --> 00:31:50.500 Friends, 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.539 Do you feel insecure, 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.859 About God's love for you? 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.839 You could not save yourself. 00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:56.720 Jesus saved you, 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:58.659 From what you could never rescue yourself. 00:31:59.339 --> 00:32:00.679 Rest in the arms of the God, 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:02.079 Who loves to save sinners, 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.259 To restore, 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.159 Redeem, 00:32:04.359 --> 00:32:05.220 Inadequate people, 00:32:05.679 --> 00:32:06.220 Like me, 00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.099 And you. 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.079 Friends, 00:32:08.179 --> 00:32:09.220 Jonah was brought to the place, 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:10.419 Where he could no longer fight, 00:32:11.159 --> 00:32:12.179 He could no longer wrestle, 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.779 He could no longer run, 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.720 He was brought to the end of himself, 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:17.839 And in order to finally discover, 00:32:17.959 --> 00:32:18.899 The hope and the salvation, 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:19.899 That God is offering him, 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:21.439 Jonah had to be brought, 00:32:21.439 --> 00:32:22.319 To that place. 00:32:22.959 --> 00:32:23.579 And in that place, 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:25.059 He discovers his true condition, 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:27.199 And he discovers he can't save himself, 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:29.319 But he discovers the God who can. 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.220 Friends, 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.839 What about you? 00:32:31.379 --> 00:32:32.639 Receive this great salvation, 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:34.159 Rejoice in it, 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.439 And then rest in it. 00:32:35.699 --> 00:32:36.480 Let's pray together. 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:38.879 Lord Jesus, 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.500 In some ways, 00:32:39.639 --> 00:32:40.639 The message of Jonah, 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:42.000 Is the message of the Bible. 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.399 It's so simple, 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:45.379 And yet it's so challenging, 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.859 That we could not save ourselves, 00:32:46.939 --> 00:32:47.519 But you can. 00:32:48.159 --> 00:32:48.460 God, 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:48.839 I pray, 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:50.259 Won't you write that message, 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:50.859 Deep, 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.899 Deep in our hearts. 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:52.740 God, 00:32:52.840 --> 00:32:53.700 Some of us have been Christians, 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.860 For 30, 00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.140 40, 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:55.880 50 years, 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:57.420 Some of us have been Christians, 00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:58.259 For a few weeks, 00:32:58.540 --> 00:33:00.019 Some of us are not yet Christians, 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.380 At all. 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.300 Lord, 00:33:01.360 --> 00:33:02.460 I pray this morning, 00:33:02.580 --> 00:33:04.140 By the power of your Holy Spirit, 00:33:04.280 --> 00:33:05.100 Open our eyes, 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:06.320 To see these things, 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:08.140 And to rejoice in you. 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:09.480 That you God, 00:33:09.540 --> 00:33:10.100 Are the one, 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:11.920 Who loves to do for us, 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:13.540 What we could never do for ourselves, 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:15.259 To save and rescue us. 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.759 Lord help us, 00:33:16.840 --> 00:33:17.240 We pray, 00:33:17.800 --> 00:33:18.720 In your great name, 00:33:19.340 --> 00:33:19.740 Amen. 00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:20.640 Amen. 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:23.040 Amen. 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.040