Speak Life: No Place to Run

Speak Life: No Place to Run        

Jonah 1:1-17

October 6, 2019

1. Jesus compared Himself to Jonah.

Matthew 12:40 - Jesus answered, “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

2. Jonah is still read on the Day of Atonement.

3. Jonah mentions 12 miracles in 48 verses.

4. Jonah 2:9 is the Great Message of the Bible.

                “Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

5. TheReal Fish Story is gospelizing the world.

The fish is mentioned 4 times.

Evil is mentioned 9 times.

God is mentioned 38 times.

I. Running from God’s Word. (Jonah 1:1-6)

Psalm 119:105 - “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path

Psalm 119:11 - “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

II. Running from God’s Commands.

1. Arise- Get up, stand up, be a man.

2. Go- Get moving, obey me. 

3. Call out- Proclaim the Good News of the LORD.

Nehemiah 4:14 - “Do not be afraid of them.  Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

III. Running from Difficult Ministry.

"Disciples forsake the world and cling to Jesus 'till he comes. Converts don't. Disciples aren't engaged in a culture war. Converts are. Disciples cherish, obey, and share the word of God. Converts don't. Disciples choose Jesus over anything and everything else. Converts don't. Converts run when the fire comes. Disciples don't." – Iranian Church Planter

IV. Running from God’s Face. 

Psalm 105:4 (NIV) - “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”

V. Running into God’s Storm.

“How can I pray for you?"

God’s Gracious Discipline:

1. It is not punishment.

Hebrews 12:6 -“… the Lord disciplines the one he loves…”

2. It is painful.

Hebrews 12:6-7 - “For those whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom he receives…. God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”

3. It brings Godly fruit.

Hebrews 12:11 - “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

4. It makes us holy.

Hebrews 12:10 - “…He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.” 

5. It humbles us.

John 13:16 – Jesus said, “...no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

 Go Deeper and Apply Truth This Week:

1. What is one way you have seen God work in your life this week?

2. Ask one person this week to read and explain the overall passage in their own words.

3. Ask at least one person to share the Gospel and discuss.

4. How do you view God’s discipline? (Romans 8:28-29)

5. Describe your prayer life for and with the unbelieving. Explain.

6. How would you describe your humility in this stage of life? (Humility is confidence in God.)

7. From your experience, what are some things that hinder believers today from being obedient to the Lord and His Word?

8. Discuss how to encourage each other and hold one another accountable in sharing the Gospel with others.