Lessons Learned In A Fish

Jonah 2 LESSONS LEARNED IN A FISH 9 "Salvation is of the Lord" 1. The Place - Where Jonah Prayed 17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, The Sperm Whale can grow to over 60 ft long and has a mouth 20 feet long, 15 feet high and 9 feet wide. God now has Jonah’s undivided attention, and the prophet prays.

2. The Prayer - What Jonah Prayed 2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

Psalm 120:1-I called on the Lord in my distress

Psalm 86:13-you have delivered my soul from the depths...

Psalm 88:6- You cast me into the darkest depths

Psalm 42:7- The roar of your waves has swept over me

Psalm 31:22-I am cut off from your sight

Psalm 69:1-The waters have come up to my neck

Psalm 69:2-I am in deep waters, the floods engulf me

Psalm 30:3-You brought me up from the pit Athanasius once said, “Most of scripture speaks to us, but the Psalms speak for us.” (a) Jonah is Aware of the Presence of God 1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, 3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. (b) Jonah Acknowledges the Providence of God 4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. (c) Jonah Affirms the Purposes of God 9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. - Jonah agrees to obey God’s call.

3. The Purpose - Why Jonah Prayed Jonah Worships a Saving God 9 Salvation is of the LORD Jonah Depends on a Sovereign God 10 And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. Jonah Obeys a Steadfast God 3:1 And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

4. The Persuasion - What Jonah Preached - 9 Salvation is of the LORD (a) Salvation is GOD'S SALVATION. Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. He Planned It, Promised It, Purchased It, Provided It, and Presents It.

(b) Salvation is a COMMON SALVATION Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation. Rom 3:23 there is no difference "For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (c) Salvation is a GREAT SALVATION. Heb 2:3 "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS PREPARATION God planned it in eternity — Jesus purchased it at Calvary—The Holy Spirit presented it. GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS PRICE He gave his body to bear our sins—his blood to blot my sins— his being to banish my sins. GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS PROSPECT—It will save: The Rich like Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-10 The Ruined like the Samaritan woman—John 4 The Religious like Nicodemus—John 3 The Rebellious like the Prodigal—Luke 15 The Rest —like us—Revelation 22:17 GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS POWER - Transforming Power—2 Cors 5:17 Transfixing Power—Mark 5:1-20 Translating Power— Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Transporting Power - Heaven GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS PROVISION - The quality of our life—Eternal, God's life The quantity of our life—Everlasting life The quota of our life—Abundant life—John 10:10 GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS PLAN - Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (d) Salvation is an ONLY SALVATION. Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. Acts 4:12, Peter declares, "Neither is there salvation in any other: John 10:9 "I am the door: - John 14:6 He said, "I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME." (e) Salvation is a PERSONAL SALVATION. Acts 13:26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. (f) Salvation is a PRESENT SALVATION. 2 Cors 6:2 "Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." (g) Salvation is a LASTING SALVATION. Heb 5:9 being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

GOD THOUGHT IT! JESUS BOUGHT IT! THE BIBLE TAUGHT IT!

FAITH BROUGHT IT! THE HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT IT!

THE DEVIL FOUGHT IT! BUT THANK GOD, I'VE GOT IT !!!!