THE BOOK OF JONAH IS THE TOUCHSTONE TO MANY A MAN'S FAITH IN THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD

• We can argue its historicity and miracle of the whale - and miss a deep, wonderful message.
• Too many today may talk with the prejudice of Jonah, but lack his honesty, and so be lost always.
• This book more than any other Old Testament work cries out the message of the Gospel for all - 

- Across national, racial, cultural, and social lines - Salvation offered to all!

WITH JONAH IN THE STORM  - JONAH 1 & 2

Many who do not believe in Jonah spend a lot of time travelling with him - and sharing his storms.

JONAH HAD A GREAT CHANCE FOR GLORY, A GREAT CALL TO PREACH IN THE GREATEST CITY OF THE AGE

• Jonah lived near Nazareth - at a time of great prosperity and national pride - and some peace.
• God called him to go to the greatest city in the world - university, library - and preach to it.
• The leaders - Assurbanipal, Tiglath-Pileser, Sennacherib - very cruel, bloodthirsty - killed thousands.

JONAH REFUSED TO OBEY GOD, RAN INSTEAD THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AND RAN INTO A STORM AND A WHALE

• Why did he run?  Fear of Nineveh?  Prejudice against them?  Or hatred? - a Jew to save Hitler?
• When he thought he had escaped - (asleep in the bottom of a ship), God sent a storm - crew knew it was not natural.
• The seamen were driven to prayer - and their captain wanted every man helping - v.6

BUT JONAH HAD TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM BEFORE HE WOULD REPENT AND OBEY GOD!

• The blame was found by casting lots - (we now have the mind of Christ) - and they asked Jonah what to do.
• The crew tried as hard as they could, but finally tossed Jonah overboard.
• Don't argue about the whale - Feb, 1891, a James Bartley of "Star of the East" shared Jonah's ride and lived.

If you join with Jonah in rebellion against God- you will share his storm and couch one way or another.

WITH JONAH IN THE REVIVAL - JONAH 2 & 3

We can choose to toss ourselves into God's arms of mercy- or circumstances will do it for us!

IN SPITE OF ALL HE COULD DO, JONAH BECAME THE CENTER OF A GREAT REVIVAL BLESSING

• The seamen were already converted - for after the storm quit, they gave blood sacrifice and vowed - 16.
• The real miracle was not Jonah in the whale, but the change inside Jonah - he started praying - ch.2.
• In this beautiful prayer - Jonah prayed, faced honestly, judged himself, repented, promised, preached.

JONAH CAME FORTH FROM THE WHALE PREACHING THE MESSAGE OF GOD

• In the whale he preached to himself - 2:9c "Salvation is of Jesus" - LORD is Jehovah, Joshua, Jesus
• Jonah then took the 500 mile trip across the desert and preached to Nineveh - 3:3,4
• But like many today - he preached only half of the message - 3:4b only of judgement, no salvation.

NINEVEH WAS SAVED, NO MATTER WHAT JONAH WANTED OR INTENDED, GOD'S GRACE IS STILL POWERFUL

• It was not Jonah's desire - but the amazing grace of God worked a miracle (today's Jesus people).
• The people and king heard, believed, took action, sacrificed, fasted, and prayed - to God, not LORD!
• Maybe it was shallow, maybe they did not stay with it, maybe they missed doctrine - LORD -

- But God spared their lives!  They had another chance; it was not God's fault they gospel hardened.  Nahum -

WITH JONAH IN THE SUNSHINE - 3,4

Some Christians are unhappy in the warmth of God's sunshine - no refrigeration in church!

AFTER GOD SPARED THE CITY, JONAH RETIRED TO A HILL TO SIT AND GRIPE - AND SEE IF IT WOULD LAST!

• He knew God had spared the city - and he did not like it!  V.2, he showed his prejudice and hate.
• Men always stumble after victory or revival - Elijah and others- but this is ridiculous!  V.3
• God asked him a question - but like the elder son, he walked away grumbling, awaiting failure - 

BUT GOD HAD A MESSAGE FOR JONAH, AND HE TAUGHT IT TO HIM WITH THREE MORE PREPARED - GOURD, WORM, WIND

• God gave him a castor bean for shade- he could at least be more comfortable in shadow - gripe.
• Then the object lesson - a worm (Jonah), then judgment in a scorcher wind - killed the vine - and woe.
• Under this discipline Jonah was asked the question again - over loss of a plant!  8b, 9, and WHAP!

JONAH'S HEART WAS SHAKEN, THE SHARP PROBE OF GOD'S ILLUSTRATION CHANGED HIS LIFE!  YOU, TOO!

• If Jonah wrote this - it proves that his life was changed - and he openheartedly records truth.
• If Jonah could have had pity on a lowly gourd vine - then why could not God have pity on Nineveh?
• If you agree that Nineveh should be saved - 120,000 children - what of Phoenix?  Same size...

Jonah went over 500 miles on foot - can you phone, walk, drive - and share His sunshine?

TODAY MUCH EVANGELISM IS STOPPED BY PREJUDICE AND HATE, JUST LIKE IN O.T. DAYS!  CHANGE IT!

• Will you accept the message of Jonah - 2:9b - and before you have a terrible experience, be saved?
• Will you accept the call - 1:2, 3:2 - and do what you can to tell the gospel of God's grace?
• Will you stay in the city and try to win others to Christ?  Or retreat into your favorite gripes?

What you do is up to you - but don't mock  Jonah if you are walking his pathway.