Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of faith, and welcome to this blessed gathering where we come together, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the divine discourse of God’s word. It is indeed a joyous occasion every time we convene in His holy name, for it is in these moments that we are reminded of our shared purpose, our shared love, and our shared pursuit of understanding His divine will.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds towards the book of Jonah, a short but profound book that carries within its pages lessons of purpose, procrastination and providence. It is a story that speaks to us, not of a man swallowed by a whale, but of a man swallowed by his own disobedience, only to be spat out by the grace of God.

But before we delve into the depths of this book, let us first hear the words of the respected Christian author, J.I. Packer, who once said, "The life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration". It is this adoration, this reverent awe, that we must carry in our hearts as we navigate the waters of Jonah's story.

Pursuit of Purpose

The story of Jonah is a compelling narrative that invites us to consider the significance of purpose in our lives. Jonah was a man who knew his purpose. He was a prophet, called by God to deliver His message to the people of Nineveh. Yet, when the call came, Jonah chose to run away. He boarded a ship bound for Tarshish, in the opposite direction of Nineveh. He attempted to escape his purpose, to flee from the task God had set before him.

Now, we might ask ourselves, why would Jonah do such a thing? Why would he run from his purpose? The answer lies in the nature of the task. Nineveh was a great city, known for its wickedness. The task of preaching against such a city would not be an easy one. It would require courage, faith, and a deep commitment to God's purpose. Jonah, in his fear and doubt, chose to run away.

But God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, did not let Jonah escape so easily. He sent a great storm to disrupt Jonah's journey, a storm so violent that even the seasoned sailors were afraid. Jonah, in his disobedience, had brought calamity upon himself and those around him. He had tried to run from his purpose, but his purpose had caught up with him. This brings us to our first sub-point.

Jonah's attempt to flee from his purpose resulted in a storm. This is a powerful reminder for us. When we run from our purpose, when we ignore God's call, we invite storms into our lives. These storms may not be physical, like the one Jonah faced, but they are just as real. They are storms of confusion, of dissatisfaction, of unfulfillment. They are the result of living a life that is not aligned with our God-given purpose.

Our second sub-point is the response of the sailors. When the storm hit, the sailors did what they could to save the ship. They threw the cargo overboard, they rowed as hard as they could, but nothing seemed to work. The storm was too strong, the waves too high. It was only when they turned to Jonah, the cause of the storm, that they found a solution. Jonah admitted his guilt and told them to throw him into the sea. Reluctantly, they did as he said, and the storm ceased.

When we face storms in our lives, our first instinct might be to rely on our own strength, our own wisdom. But often, this is not enough. The storms we face are not of our own making, they are the result of running from our purpose. And so, the solution is not to fight the storm, but to confront the cause. We must face our disobedience, our fear, our doubt, and turn back to God.

Our third sub-point is Jonah's time in the belly of the fish. After being thrown into the sea, Jonah was swallowed by a large fish. He spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, a time of darkness and despair. But it was also a time of reflection and repentance. Jonah prayed to God from the belly of the fish, acknowledging his disobedience and asking for God's mercy.

This shows us that even in our darkest moments, there is hope. Even when we have run from our purpose, when we are in the midst of the storm, God is with us. He provides a way out, a way back to our purpose. But we must be willing to repent, to acknowledge our disobedience and turn back to God.

Our fourth and final sub-point is Jonah's eventual obedience. After being spat out by the fish, Jonah went to Nineveh and delivered God's message. The people of Nineveh repented, and God spared the city. Jonah, despite his initial disobedience, fulfilled his purpose.

Perils of Procrastination

As we continue to navigate the narrative of Jonah, we find ourselves confronted with a stark reality that is as true today as it was in the days of this reluctant prophet ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO