Sermons on Jonah 1:1-17:17:

One Big Fish Story

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Sep 25, 2016

There are truths in the Book of Jonah that are worth fishing for. Truths that the whole world needs to hear. Truths that should make us faithful to the call God has on our lives.

One Big Fish Story Isn't That A Whale of A Tell There are many who have called the book of Jonah, nothing but a "Big Fish Story." Others have said that is just a "Whale of a Tell!" Meaning that the Book of Jonah is no more than a fairy tale, causing many, to miss the truths God wants them to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Makes You Mad? Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jul 25, 2015

Fear and anger have a way of causing us to stray from God's will. Jonah shows us a clear example of this and Jesus shows us how to avoid it.

Growing up as a child in the midst of American patriotism during the cold war with Russia, I remember hearing it said by otherwise good Christian people that they wished we would just launch a bunch of our atomic warheads at Russia and blow them off the map. Some would even look at biblical books ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Can I Know God's Will For My Life? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 9, 2006

What can I do to learn what God wants me to do with my life? Can I miss out on what God desires for my life?

OPEN: I once read the true story about a man who was a guest sailing aboard a submarine. Before they set sail, he asked the coxwain if there were any special regulations to be observed during exercises. He said “I was puzzled when he replied by asking me how good my mental arithmetic was. He went ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not Our Way But God's Way

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 24, 2026

The choice to obey God or to disobey is entirely ours. However, while obedience is God’s will and our safe place, disobedience has consequences that are detrimental to us and to others.

For today’s meditation we will read Deuteronomy 1:21, “See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.'” (ESV) These were the words of Moses to the people of Israel. When the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:21-22, Numbers 13:1-2, Numbers 22:12, Numbers 22:19-20, Genesis 12:2, Genesis 16:2, Jonah 1:1-3, Luke 15:11-13, Luke 15:20, Proverbs 3:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

He Is A 2nd Chance God

Contributed by Jamie Wright on Sep 20, 2007

God asks us to forgive 7 times 70. Won’t he do the same for us? He gave Jonah a second chance; He will do the same for you.

Ever failed at anything? Ever tried to do something and been unsuccessful? Ever wish you had another chance to do or be or say something? Maybe today you wish you had another chance: at a job On a test In a relationship With your children To please ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Black History Month: Don't Sit Down And Die, Get Up And Try!

Contributed by Wayne Solomon on Feb 3, 2020

Just as Moses and Jonah came out of the water with a message from God. The peoples of African descent came out of the waters on slave ships and have a message from God, for the World.

Don’t sit down and die but get up and try! 2 King 7:3 Why sit we here until we die? 2 Kings 6:24-30 and 7:1-16 24 And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. 25 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 7:3, 2 Kings 6:24-30, 2 Kings 7:1-16

Denomination: Church Of God

Season Of Restraint

Contributed by John Oscar on Nov 9, 2024

Using the events described in the book of Jonah, this sermon teaches us about God's seasons of restraint regarding sending judgment when HE sees true repentance.

A Season of Restraint Scripture Reference: Jonah 3:1-10 Introduction- Ater our prayer service last Sunday concerning the election, I was cleaning up and thinking about how the service went. My next thought was- what will I say next week? I took it to God and asked, “What should I say?” I felt ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hope For The Hopeless

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Jan 29, 2003

Jesus said he would make us fishers of men, yet we are like Jonah who was called to preach to the people of Ninevah -- we run away as fast as we can!

Jonah 3:1-10 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city-- a visit required three days. On the first day, Jonah ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10, Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Forgiveness

Contributed by Matt Newburg on Aug 3, 2023

God is calling us to have his heart toward others. The Book of Jonah is a portrait of how this looks in action. It's just might be one of the toughest lessons in the Bible!

“FORGIVENESS” I. BOOK OF JONAH! A. Jonah lived in Gath Hepher, next to Nazareth 1. He’s called to travel to Nineveh 2. “Nineveh” - Capital of the Assyrian Empire...modern-day Northern Iraq. 3. ASSYRIAN EMPIRE – Huge influence at this time!! B. 2 Kings 14:25- Jonah known prophet during ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 5:43, Jonah 1:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Messenger Called Trouble

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 11, 2003

"Trouble Talk" It reminds us of our need for God. Sometimesit is a divine wake up call. Trouble calls us to 1- Talk with God 2- Turn to God 3- Trust God

A Messenger Called “TROUBLE” Jonah 2 4-28-02 1. Jonah 2:1-2 “Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly. 2And he said: "I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction,And He answered me. "Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice. In the next few ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13, Jonah 2:1-10

Denomination: Charismatic

Resistance To Commitment

Contributed by Chris Mason on Aug 27, 2001

Have you ever echoed the words, "I can’t do it!" My mother answered those words, with "Can’t never could!" This sermon deals with why we as Christian sometimes resist commitment in our lives.

Resistance to Commitment Resistance by it’s very definition means to withstand or fight against.. so the question I have is, How hard is it for you to resist? For me sometimes, it’s almost impossible! Here’s what I mean. You’ve already had two pieces of cake, there is only one piece left. You ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:8, Exodus 4:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Gone Fishin' Series

Contributed by Mark Winter on Jan 17, 2003

God’s love for all people compels us into the deep--not stay in the dock

It’s the Bible story that everybody knows, right? Even unchurched folks can tell you about Jonah. He was the guy swallowed by the whale. A story immortalized in children’s picture books everywhere. A fantastic, bizarre tale of a reluctant prophet, a huge fish, and a pagan city. Do you remember the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:4-5, Mark 1:17

Denomination: Methodist

What Happens When You Meet The Real God?

Contributed by Don Schultz on Jan 23, 2003

God is holier than you think. God is more merciful than you think.

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MEET THE REAL GOD? 1) He is holier than you think 2) He is more merciful than you think Until you meet someone in person, you really don’t know what that person is like. What is Tom Brokaw, or Matt Lauer, or John Madden like, in person? You see these ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10, Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Lutheran

"The Adventure Of Discipleship"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jan 24, 2003

The call to discipleship and the God Who can make sure we follow through.

Jonah 3:1-10 Mark 1:14-20 “The Adventure Of Discipleship” By: Rev. Kenneth Emerson Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA A teenager once asked a lonely old man, “What’s life’s heaviest burden?” The old fellow answered sadly, “To have nothing to carry.” And as ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10, Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: United Methodist

A Call To Obey

Contributed by Karl Kruse on Jan 25, 2003

This sermon speaks especially to congregations and communities experiencing stress, and a lack of unity; reinforcing the call to obediently seek and follow the will of God.

January 26, 2003 "A Call To Obey" Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Mark 1:14-20 “The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, ‘Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.’” Now, if the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, it only makes sense to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran