Stories Worth Telling

JONAH

Matthew 12:39-40 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights

Jonah’s story…. Is OUR STORY

1. WE ALL FROM GOD

Jonah 1:1-3 The LORD gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD

Matthew 7:13-14 You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it

2. GOD OUR ESCAPE

Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights

Jonah 2:9 For my salvation comes from the LORD alone

John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me”

3. GOD GIVES

Jonah 3:1-3 Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” This time Jonah obeyed the LORD’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all

4. GOD OUR

Jonah 4:2-4 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. Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” The LORD replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”

• It’s possible to do the will of God without the heart of God