JONAH LIVING “DEFIANTLY” Jonah ch.1

Intro: No one lives in defiance of God for a significant amount of time. Like Jonah a lot of God’s people have tried. Not only is it short lived but it will end in judgment. Let’s look at Jonah’s defiance we see.

I = The commission he received, 1-2; Jonah 1:1-2 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

A. It was personal = God speaks to his own. God spoke directly to Jonah. He called him by name so Jonah knew exactly too whom God was speaking.

B. It was Plain = Go to Nineveh this is easy understood. God will not leave us wondering.

C. It was pointed = Not only did Jonah know where to go, he knew what to do when he got there. Cry against that city, preach the Word. He was to point out their sin.

II = The course he pursued, 3-4; Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

A. He turned from God. = We are always in trouble when we turn from God.

B. He took the easy way out = Notice every thing went well for Jonah.

The bible records no problem in his journey to Joppa. He found a ship and had the money for a ticket and was merrily on his way. “But” Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Jonah did not physically die at this time but his fellowship with God died, his testimony died, his witness died, his prayer life died.

Just because things go well does not necessarily mean were in the will of God, nor when things go bad does it necessarily mean were out of the will of God. If you want a ticket away from God, Satan will provide one and the means with which to acquire it.

III =The confusion he caused, 4-8; Jonah 1:4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

A. Confusion on the sea = There was a mighty tempest. Not just one small part of the sea was affected this was a major storm. When we cause confusion it affects all those around us.

B. Confusion on the ship = The wind and waves were so strong that it was very likely that the ship would be destroyed.

C. Confusion among the sailors = Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. The sailors feared for their life. Remember 1 Corinthians 14:33 say’s For God is not the author of confusion

IV = The confession he made, 9-10; Jonah 1:9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. This confession speaks about..

A. His Country = He was a Hebrew one of God’s covenant people.

B. His Conversion = We know from this verse and prior verses that Jonah was a man of God.

C. His Calling = They knew from verse ten that Jonah had been called by God to go to Nineveh, but he had defied the call of God.

V = The calm he prophesied, 12-14; Jonah 1:12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

A. The Counsel = Jonah advises the sailors to throw him overboard and assures them the storm will cease.

B. The Calm = As soon as Jonah was thrown overboard the storm ceased.

VI = The conversion of the seamen, 15-17. Jonah 1:16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.

A. Their Praise = The sailors who had before been pagan begin to worship God through sacrifice.

B. Their Promise = When we make a vow to God it is a must that we keep it. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Jonah was swallowed by the fish God had prepared. Jonah’s sin had found him out. We never live in defiance of God with out the consequences that go with it.

From Brother Bobby Helton
Please continue to Pray for this Pastor and his brother-in-law, who is a victim of cancer.