Jonah 2:1-10 (NLT) Big Idea God’s kindness & mercy extend to Jonah’s enemies, the Ninevites. Ultimately, God’s invitation is for Jonah to love his enemy as God does. 1. God brought Jonah to a place of . 1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. 2 He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me! 2. God’s discipline was for his , never for his destruction. 3 You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. 4 Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’ 5 “I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. 6 I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! “I sank beneath the waves,and the waters closed over me.” 3. God’s only point was repentance & faith. 7 As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. 8 Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. 9 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.” 4. God alone delivered Jonah by His alone. 10 Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach. Jesus as our true & better Jonah: Jonah was thrown into sea as a result of his disobedience, but Jesus willingly went to cross for disobedience. Jonah spent three days in belly of fish, emerging to God’s mission. Jesus spent three days in tomb, rising to bring us eternal life & God’s ultimate mission of salvation. Jonah’s deliverance points to God’s grace & mercy, but Jesus’ resurrection secures it for all who believe. What now? Recognize where God has you & why. Remember your only turning point. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION 1. Was there ever a time in your life (or someone you love) where you hit “rock bottom”, a dark place or felt desperate? — if so how did God get your (their) attention? 2. When you think of a dark time when you were desperately struggling, were you slow to repent of your self reliance and turn your life choices back over to God? If so, why so slow? 3. Which of these “true & better” resonates with you most? a. Jonah was thrown into sea as a result of his own disobedience, but Jesus willingly went to cross for our disobedience. b. Jonah spent three days in belly of fish, emerging to continue God’s mission but Jesus spent three days in tomb, rising to bring us eternal life & fulfill God’s ultimate mission of salvation. c. Jonah’s deliverance points to God’s grace & mercy, but Jesus’ resurrection secures it for all who believe.