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HOPE Covenant Sermons

Jonah and the Great Fish: Part I

July 24, 2011 Speaker: Series: Summer Cruisin'

Topic: Bible Verses about Water Verse: Jonah 1:3–1:3

SUMMER CRUISIN’

“Jonah and the Great Fish: Part I”

Pastor Duane Cross | 07.24.2011

 

I. JONAH’S REBELLION.

“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(NIV)

II. JONAH’S REPENTANCE.

“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said: ‘In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.’ I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.’ And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” Jonah 2:1-10(NIV)

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2) WHAT WE LEARN FROM THIS PRAYER:

1) When you hit rock bottom, you look up.

2) Deliverance/salvation can only come from God.

3) God of the second chance.

4) He is delivered.

“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases; he redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion.” (Psalm 103:1-4)

III. JONAH’S REALIZATION

1) God’s great mercy.

2) God’s perseverance.

3) God’s sense of humor.

4) God’s love for the unlovely.

“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.” Ezekiel 18:30-31)

NEW HEART AND NEW SPIRIT

More in Summer Cruisin'

August 14, 2011

The River of Life

August 7, 2011

Shipwrecked

July 31, 2011

Jonah and the Great Fish: Part II