Sermon Tone Analysis
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Jonah contains universal themes that always remain relevant and worthy of discussion:
Calling
Obedience/disobedience
God’s sovereignty - salvation & creation
Repentance
Some themes feel more relevant today than ever:
Jonah’s nationalistic racism
God has powerful lessons to teach us through this book on these themes; as we read the story keep these three questions in mind:
How do you see yourself in this story?
How do you see the brokenness of sin in this story?
How do you see Jesus in this story?
A. God’s Call
I have frequently said that I wish that I could hear God’s call on my life as clearly as Jonah did here; but upon studying this passage I’m not so sure anymore.
Most likely, God would call me to do something really challenging and it seems likely that I would have the same response as Jonah.
Most likely, God would call me to love someone I don’t want to, in a way that makes me uncomfortable.
*What does God’s call look like today?
Does it still come in the same way that it did to Jonah?
I think in some sense God has given us some clear callings through scripture that we have remained neglectful of:
These are good examples of what God has called us to, similar to what he called Jonah to do - have been obedient to these?
Start what God’s general revealed call on our lives and the specific call will come clearer.
*What does it look like when it feels like God is calling you to something that is unspecified in scripture?
B.Nineveh, Tarshish & Disobedience
Jonah’s reaction to God’s call is to do the exact opposite of what God called him to do - like he was called to preach to the heathen in Tucson and you buy a bus ticket to Flagstaff instead.
*What do you think motivated Jonah to react in such a way?
Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria; Assyria was the sworn enemy of Israel and would eventually conquer the Northern Kingdom during the divided monarchy.
Essentially, it’s the equivalent of God calling us to go to evangelize ISIS at the height of their persecution of Christians.
Most likely it would mean death, and even if you were successful would you really desire them to be saved and forgiven?
This identifies a root issue in Jonah - essentially he didn’t think that the Ninevites “deserved” God’s mercy.
*What are some Modern equivalents of people or groups who are perceived as not deserving God’s mercy?
Onto Jonah’s disobedience specifically - if we take a look at verses 5 and 12 I believe it shows the effects of disobedience.
*How do you see this illustrating the effects of disobedience to God’s call?
C.Sovereignty - Salvation & Creation
Sovereignty in salvation is more prominent in the next two chapters, but God’s sovereignty over creation is highlighted throughout the whole book and especially in the first couple chapters:
I think one of the most significant examples is the fish that swallowed Jonah - I used to think it was punishment, but now I see that the fish saved Jonah from drowning.
(Sunday school flannel graph)
Only read if time permits; if not summarize chapter 2
*What lessons can we take from the emphasis on God’s sovereignty over creation?
For me, I’m reminded that I should be slow to complain or grumble against circumstances that appear to be out of my favor.
A high view of God’s sovereignty leads to a strong trust that God is orchestrating all things to work together for our good and his glory.
A poem written by an 18th century theologian illustrates this well:
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace:
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
Presumably, the storm and the fish taught Jonah about being thankful for the mercy he received, rather than assuming he deserved it and others didn’t.
The second chapter ends with Jonah expressing thanksgiving and acknowledging God’s prerogative in distributing mercy.
Or did it…?
Conclusion
*How do you see yourself in this story?
*How do you see the brokenness of sin in this story?
*How do you see Jesus in this story?
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