Jonah Series Pt.2 (The Prayer of A Desperate Man)

Jonahs life seems to be going from bad to worst. Can you think
of a time when God has trying to get your attention and had to
use some drastic measures to wake you up?
I think of people having heart attacks due to poor health and
exercise. Or going bankrupt due to poor money management.
V: 17 The Lord provided a great fish. Some of your bibles say a
whale though the translation of that word “great fish” can be
translated sea monster. There have been reports of Dog sharks
known to swallow men with whole armor on and after being
caught were cut out of there bellies alive as well as horses.
You know when I look at God providing this great fish it shows
me that God can be so unique with His creativity in rescuing us.
We all know the greatest rescue for us has been Jesus. Trust in
Him with all your heart.
The sad thing with this story is Jonah did nothing to get right
with God; it was really God perusing Jonah. Oh, the mercy of
God, and the stubbornness of humanity. Again, let me remind
you that this story is not just about Jonah or a big fish or even
Nineveh but the love and patience of God with His creation.
Everybody wants the call of God to do great miracles only
without the full responsibility of why God gives us them. And
wonders yet every gift given to us is meant to be given away.
I was saying last week how I believe Jonah is a prophetic picture
of the church today. The world is perishing and the messengers
are asleep. Does it take unfortunate events like 9/11 to awaken
us here?
I wonder if Jonah knew God would rescue him from the sea.
Even in our rebellion and sin, God is always extending His
mercy towards us.
2
Some commentators believe that Jonah possibly died and was
raised back from the dead. You can draw this conclusion by the
wording of his prayer.
Just as Jonah is a type of the church, we will see that he needs
to be revived as we do to life.
V: 1 Here is the first indication of Jonah turning back to God
from his rebellion. But there still seems to be a selfish thread
running through his prayer life.
Romans 2:4 says the kindness of God leads us to repentance.
V: 2-9 Jonah uses “I” nine times “Me” seven times . The sad
thing I see about Jonahs prayer is that it was all still about him.
V: 3 All Your waves and breakers swept over me.
Is that how we pray and live our life making our prayers and
efforts all about us?
John Kilpatrick Pastor of the Brownsville said, “after thirty years
of ministry I realized most Christians didn’t like to be corrected
of things”.
He went on to say, “People love to hear it from the pulpit but
don’t give them in personal counsel”.
Have you ever thought of asking someone to speak into our
lives? Ask them what they see in you that could help your life.
Jonah loved everything on his terms like many of us.
Who owns the church Jesus does.
Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because
you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God
members of every tribe and language and people and nation.
The biggest obstacle in Jonah’s life was Jonah.
V: 10 and the Lord commanded the fish to vomit and it did.
3
V: 10 I could not help but think of Rev.3:16 You need to be hot or
cold or I will vomit you out of my mouth.
Conclusion:
I’m reluctant to give you a few easy steps to obedience but let
me challenge you these areas.
1. You are not your own your calling is meant for others.
1Cor. 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of
the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from
God? You are not your own; 1Co. 6:20 you were bought at a
price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.
2. Surrender you complete heart and will to the Lord tonight.
Dt. 6:5-13 Love the Lord.
3. Be ready to be used out-side your own comfort zone.
Jonah thought he was called only to his own people. His own
prejudices blinded him from the bigger calling of God.
Ac 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen
instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings
and to the people of Israel. Ac 9:16 I will show him how much he
must suffer for my name.”