Bible Text: Jonah 1 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship | — Pastor Lou’s Notes —
Intro: Have you ever tried running from God? Let me give you the historical context of Jonah’s time…
Jonah is a prophet of God, but now we meet Jonah at a point when he chooses to disobey a direct order from God. Nor only did he disobey, he ran in the opposite direction. One of the problems in reading a book like Jonah is that, if we real truly honest with ourselves, we can see a bit of Jonah in ourselves. So, perhaps you and I can learn some valuable lessons from the rebellion of Jonah against God.

1.
Hearing the Clear Word of God

1.
God gave the prophet a clear commission
2.
Nineveh is described as a great city
3.
Repent and return to God
2.
Running From God

1.
He gave up his commission as a prophet by running
2.
He doubted God’s will for his life because it was a dangerous and difficult mission
3.
He doubted the power of God’s Word
4.
He had no compassion for a wicked people
3.
Feeling the Discipline of God

1.
Continued disobedience invites the correction of God
2.
Continued disobedience results in indifference toward God
3.
Continued disobedience results in affect other people
4.
Continued disobedience leads to denial
4.
Exposing the Sin Against God and God’s Grace

1.
God ‘s discipline is designed to bring a Christ follower to repentance and restoration

1.
God was speaking to Jonah through the storm

1.
When Jonah still didn’t listen, God exposed his sin
2.
He didn’t pray
3.
He lost any good influence on others while his sin was unconfessed
4.
He almost lost his life
5.
Experience God’s Patience and Grace

1.
God never gave up on Jonah
2.
God always desires restoration through repentance, confession, and faith
3.
God grace is awesome

Conclusion: As we come around the Lord’s Table this morning, we need to remember that this is the place where you and I can come clean before God.
1.
Has God been speaking to you about unconfessed sin?
2.
Has God been offering you an opportunity for repentance and restoration through confession and faith?
3.
Are we like Jonah backsliding and indifferent?
4.
The Lord’s table