JONAH 1:1-3 Jonah Called of God I. THE NATURE . . . OF THE CALL OF GOD. 1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, A. This is a . . . PRE-EMINENT CALL. "The word of the \Lord\ came. . ." The Authority Of The Word - the word of the LORD came (a) We Must Respect the Word Rom. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. There is - Pardon In The Word John 3:16, Peace In The Word Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith. Purity In The Word Power In The Word Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Purpose In The Word 2 Tim 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The Audacity Of The Word - the word of the LORD came unto Jonah, saying (b) We Must Respond To the Word Because It Is :- A Divine Word Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: A Direct Word - Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah 1 Sam 3:9 Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place A Decisive Word John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Our Response to his word determines his response to our eternal destiny The Activity Of The Word - came unto Jonah, saying (c) We Must Receive the Word Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. B. This is a . . . PERSONAL CALL. " to Jonah the son of Amittai saying,. . ." John 11:28 she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. Matthew 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. C. This is a . . . PRACTICAL CALL." to Jonah the son of Amittai saying,. . ." There's always something He wants you to do.
II. THE NEED . . . FOR THE CALL OF GOD. v 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. A. The ... WHERE Of The Call Is Clear. "Arise, go to Nineveh the great city."
Capital of the ancient kingdom of Assyria; located on the east bank of the Tigris river. B. The ... WHAT Of The Call Is Clear. ". . . and cry against it, . . . " (a) Jonah's Cry Was To Be Pointed. - 2 "Go to Nineveh." - the CAPITAL of Assyria.
1. Nineveh, was founded by NIMROD 2. modern day IRAQ. 3.Streets 20 miles long and WALLS 100 feet high. 4. Population HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS. 5. A City Of SIN
(b). Jonah's Cry Was To Be Purposeful. " wickedness has come up before Me."
C. The ... WHY Of The Call Is Clear. " wickedness has come up before Me."
D. The ... WHEN Of The Call Is Clear. 2 Arise, go to Nineveh NOW
III. THE NEGLECT .... OF THE CALL OF GOD. 3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, A. The Contradiction In ... PERSPECTIVE. "But . . . "
God can also say But Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, B. The Contradiction In ... PLAN. ". . . Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish. . ."
Jonah refused, resigned, & renounced the office of prophet rather than go to Nineveh C. The Contradiction In ... PRESENCE. " . . . from the presence of the \Lord."
Ps 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. D. The Contradiction In ... PATH. So he went down to Joppa,. . . " part of Tel aviv.
1. He went DOWN to JOPPA. 2. DOWN into the SHIP. 3. DOWN into the FISH'S BELLY.
4. DOWN into the DEEP. (a LIFE FLEEING from God) IV. THE CONSOLING .... OF THE CALL OF GOD. I said, “Let me walk in the field;” He said, “Nay, walk in the town.” I said, “There are no flowers there.” He said, “No flowers, but a crown.” I said, “But, the skies are black. There is nothing but noise and din;”
But He wept as he sent me back. ”There is more,” He said, “there is sin.”
I said, “But the air is thick, And fogs are veiling the sun.”
He answered, “Yet souls are sick, And souls in the dark undone.”
I said, “I shall miss the light, And friends will miss me, they say.”
He answered, “Choose, to-night. If I am to miss you, or they.”
I pleaded for time to be given. He said, “Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in Heaven, To have followed the steps of your Guide.”
I cast one look on the field, Then set my face to the town.
He said, “My child, do you yield? Will you leave the flowers for a crown?”
Then into His hand went mine, And into my heart came He,
And I walked in the light divine, The path I had feared to see.
