Sermon # 15 - The Gradual Steps Of Backsliding Series

We read in Jonah 1:10-12, Then the men were terrified. They knew that he was running away from the LORD, because he had told them. They asked Jonah, "Why have you done this?" The storm was getting worse. So they asked Jonah, "What should we do with you to calm the sea?" He told them, "Throw me overboard. Then the sea will become calm. I know that I'm responsible for this violent storm." (GW)

Our God is loving to all of His creation and therefore when we do wrong, the Lord desires that we should make amends to set ourselves right. However, when we are unwilling to do so, the Lord will chastise us in order that we could be aligned to His will. The city of Nineveh was so filled with wickedness, that the Lord commanded the prophet Jonah to preach against that city. Sometimes, the Lord will caution His children through other men of God. This is essential for us, and when anyone decides to ignore it, it will not affect the one who gave the warning, but the ones who chose to disregard it.

We live in Ooty which is a hill station, and there is a certain section of these hills that is extremely steep. As one travels in this route there are numerous signboards cautioning travelers to drive safe, and follow the rules. Nonetheless, there are many who will choose to ignore these warnings, and end up having accidents. So also, the Lord is constantly warning us, and if we despise it or reject it, we can be certain that we alone will have to face the consequences.

God called Jonah and entrusted him with a responsibility, but Jonah chose to reject it, and walked away in disobedience and rebellion.

Paul’s advice to Timothy

These are the words of the apostle Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5, “But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.” (GNB)

We are called to be those who will fulfill the purposes for which God has called us.

The question to Jonah

When Jonah chose to disobey God, the Lord caused a furious tempest over the sea. These were the words of the mariners to Jonah in Jonah 1:11, “The storm was getting worse. So they asked Jonah, "What should we do with you to calm the sea?"” (GW)

The situation was grave for everyone on that ship. As the storm raged, the ship was in a critical condition about to be broken. Already the men had thrown much of the cargo into the sea hoping to lighten the ship. There were so much of hardships and difficulties for everyone aboard the ship just because of one man Jonah. They were now as a last resort asking Jonah what they should do in order to get this tumultuous sea to calm down. Till the very last minute they wanted to save everyone on that ship, including Jonah.

Consider the attitude of Jonah and that of those mariners on that ship. Though Jonah knew the true and living God, he deliberately decided to walk away in disobedience. The Lord had called Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, so that they would have a chance to change their ways. Jonah cared nothing for the people of Nineveh, and was determined to disobey God. On the other hand, though the people on that ship did not know the living God, they had more compassion for their fellow-passengers. Though they did not know the Lord they were good men who cared for those who were under their care. They did not think for a moment that they could dispose of Jonah, and thereby remain safe from the terrible tempest, but rather were concerned for Jonah’s life as well as theirs.

Jonah’s response

We read in Jonah 1:12, He told them, "Throw me overboard. Then the sea will become calm. I know that I'm responsible for this violent storm." (GW)

Jonah’s solution to the problem was that they throw him into the sea, so that the sea would calm down. Jonah realized that the entire responsibility for their precarious condition was because of him. Finally, Jonah acknowledged to everyone on that ship that he was to blame for this calamity that had come upon them.

So often, when we are the cause for some of the issues that confront us, we fail to take responsibility for the same. There are many who will justify their wrong doings, and feel that others would have done far worse if they were in their position. Those who walk away from God and His presence often do so little by little. This does not happen overnight, but is a gradual process.