Jonah 1:11-17 (New International Version)
11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”
12 “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.”
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.
17 Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
I. Look for solutions not scapegoats (v. 11)
• Love resists accusing and blaming others until after
• We are never closer to
• We can run from God to a false religion of immorality and secularism which rejects God’s
• We can run from God to a false religion of legalism and entitlement which rejects God’s
II. Look for personal fault not deflecting blame (v. 12-13)
• Pride and hatred make
• Compassion and sorrow can be shown without
• Jesus was 100% right and we were 100% wrong in our conflict, but he took 100% of the
III. Look for responsibility not an escape (v. 14)
• God orchestrates his plans through both
• Some parts of God’s plan will only be accomplished by
• Intercession done right is standing with God, not a person, as we assume
IV. Look for God’s will in believable and livable ways (vv. 15-17)
• Fear of the Lord provokes us to obey
• There are four ways to interpret the sea creature in Jonah:
• Good theology is both
• “
TAKE OFF
What is the oddest solution someone has given you to solve a problem? (Such as advice on how to cure a minor medical problem, fix your car/mechanical problem, or deal with a relationship problem.)
TEXT
1. What thoughts or feelings did you have during this week’s sermon?
2. Read Jonah 1:11-12. What solution does Jonah propose to calm the seas? Why does he think this will work? What does this solution tell us about his mental/emotional health? Can you think of other possible actions that could result in calming the seas?
3. Read Jonah 1:13-16. How did the sailors initially respond to Jonah’s proposed solution? What do you think was going through their minds and hearts that led them to take their next actions?
4. Read Jonah 1:17. How did God intervene in Jonah’s attempt to die? What does this teach us about God’s love, grace, and discipline when we try to find our own solutions for problems?
TAKE AWAY
What is one problem/situation in your life where you need God’s help to find the best solution? Commit to seeking God in prayer and seeking out a trusted mentor who can help you see options you may not have considered.