God works miracles through those who obey, though often times our nature rebels against Him. Regardless of which path we choose-obedience or rebellion- God is the God of second chances. Few stories illustrate this principle more clearly than the story of Jonah. Join us as we delve into the story of one man and his journey towards surrender.

JONAH: KNOWN AS “THE RELUCTANT PROPHET.” HIS NAME MEANS DOVE.

AMITTAI: MEANS TRUTH.

NINEVAH: CAPITAL OF ASSYRIA. NINEVEH WAS ISRAEL’S WORST ENEMY.

THE JONAH IN US

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai… Jonah 1:1

1) GOD WILL OFTEN ASK YOU TO DO THINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO DO.

"Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." Jonah 1:2

2) YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND A BOAT SAILING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION

But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. Jonah 1:3

3) GOD MAY SEND A STORM TO GRAB YOUR ATTENTION

Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. Jonah 1:4

(Jonah) answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land." This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.) Jonah 1:8-10

"Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you." Jonah 1:12

4) JONAH’S WORST NIGHTMARE WAS EXACTLY WHAT HE NEEDED.

Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him. But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:15-17

Thoughts to consider --

1) In his mind, Jonah had legitimate reasons for not wanting to preach to the Ninevites. Describe a time when you disobeyed God’s direction and faced the consequences.

2) What has God used in your past (or present) to get your attention?

3) What has God asked you to do that you haven’t done? (Is there any area of disobedience in your life?)