WK 5 | September 3, 2023
Jonah 1:7-10 -
7 Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. 8 “Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?” 9 Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” 10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned.
GOD’S GRACIOUS PURSUIT OF YOU…
THOUGHT 01 | Brings
Jonah 4:2-3 -
2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 -
14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
THOUGHT 02 | Forces a
Jonah 2:1 -
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God form inside the fish.
Philippians 4:6 -
Don’t worry about untying; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Jonah 3:9-10 -
9 Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us. 10 When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.
THOUGHT 03 | leads to
Jonah 4:10-11 -
10 Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Should’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”
THOUGHT 04 | produces
Colossians 3:12-15 -
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
FINAL QUESTION: How is God graciously pursuing you?