Why Your Life Keeps Hitting A Wall

Three truths I want you to not to miss Three truths I want you to not to miss this morning. Truth number one, very this morning. Truth number one, very this morning. Truth number one, very very simple, very very important, God very simple, very very important, God very simple, very very important, God disciplines. disciplines. disciplines. God disciplines. God disciplines his God disciplines. God disciplines his God disciplines. God disciplines his children. God puts us on time outs. children. God puts us on time outs. children. God puts us on time outs. We the 21st century Christian need to We the 21st century Christian need to We the 21st century Christian need to remember this because we're often remember this because we're often remember this because we're often extremely selective in what we want to extremely selective in what we want to extremely selective in what we want to believe about our God and pick and believe about our God and pick and believe about our God and pick and choose what we want to camp out on as it choose what we want to camp out on as it choose what we want to camp out on as it relates to what he has said about relates to what he has said about relates to what he has said about himself in his word. himself in his word. himself in his word. Very selective. Very selective. Very selective. But God disciplines. That's clear across But God disciplines. That's clear across But God disciplines. That's clear across the scriptures. God disciplined back the scriptures. God disciplined back the scriptures. God disciplined back then. God disciplines today. If you're a then. God disciplines today. If you're a then. God disciplines today. If you're a child of God, don't forget that. He will child of God, don't forget that. He will child of God, don't forget that. He will bring discipline into your life and bring discipline into your life and bring discipline into your life and redirect your stray steps and correct redirect your stray steps and correct redirect your stray steps and correct your stray heart if he needs to do so. your stray heart if he needs to do so. your stray heart if he needs to do so. And it's an act of grace. And it's an act of grace. And it's an act of grace. They did so for Jonah here. Jonah is They did so for Jonah here. Jonah is They did so for Jonah here. Jonah is undergoing the discipline of God inside undergoing the discipline of God inside undergoing the discipline of God inside of that fish at the bottom of the sea.

of that fish at the bottom of the sea. of that fish at the bottom of the sea. And Jonah hasn't stolen anybody's money And Jonah hasn't stolen anybody's money And Jonah hasn't stolen anybody's money that I know of. He hasn't stolen that I know of. He hasn't stolen that I know of. He hasn't stolen anybody's wife, but he is a rebel. anybody's wife, but he is a rebel. anybody's wife, but he is a rebel. He's robbing God of obedience to God. He's robbing God of obedience to God. He's robbing God of obedience to God. He's robbing God of the loyalty that God He's robbing God of the loyalty that God He's robbing God of the loyalty that God deserves deserves deserves and God won't have that. Look at verse 17 of chapter 1. Don't Look at verse 17 of chapter 1. Don't Don't miss this. I mean, it's so easy to Don't miss this. I mean, it's so easy to Don't miss this. I mean, it's so easy to get caught up in all the remarkable get caught up in all the remarkable get caught up in all the remarkable stuff that's there that we miss this. It stuff that's there that we miss this. It stuff that's there that we miss this. It says, "The Lord sent a huge fish to says, "The Lord sent a huge fish to says, "The Lord sent a huge fish to swallow Jonah and Jonah was in the swallow Jonah and Jonah was in the swallow Jonah and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish 3 days and 3 stomach of the fish 3 days and 3 stomach of the fish 3 days and 3 nights." The Lord sent it. nights." The Lord sent it. nights." The Lord sent it. The Lord did that. The Lord put him on The Lord did that. The Lord put him on The Lord did that. The Lord put him on that creative time out. that creative time out. that creative time out. Look at verses 3 and 4 of chapter 2 Look at verses 3 and 4 of chapter 2 Look at verses 3 and 4 of chapter 2 where Jonah says, "You threw me into the where Jonah says, "You threw me into the where Jonah says, "You threw me into the deep waters." deep waters." deep waters." It wasn't the sailors that threw Jonah It wasn't the sailors that threw Jonah It wasn't the sailors that threw Jonah into the deep waters even though they into the deep waters even though they into the deep waters even though they did cast him into the deep waters. It did cast him into the deep waters. It did cast him into the deep waters. It was God who threw him in through the was God who threw him in through the was God who threw him in through the sailors into the water, and Jonah knows sailors into the water, and Jonah knows sailors into the water, and Jonah knows that. You threw me into this.

that. You threw me into this. that. You threw me into this. He goes on to talk about how the mighty He goes on to talk about how the mighty He goes on to talk about how the mighty waves swept over him, but but he says, waves swept over him, but but he says, waves swept over him, but but he says, "All the mighty waves that you sent "All the mighty waves that you sent "All the mighty waves that you sent swept over me. swept over me. swept over me. The mighty waves didn't come my way The mighty waves didn't come my way The mighty waves didn't come my way because of the positioning of the moon because of the positioning of the moon because of the positioning of the moon and the magnetic pull that that has on and the magnetic pull that that has on and the magnetic pull that that has on the earth that creates waves and tides. the earth that creates waves and tides. the earth that creates waves and tides. They came over me because you sent those They came over me because you sent those They came over me because you sent those waves to engulf me. waves to engulf me. waves to engulf me. I thought I had been banished from your I thought I had been banished from your I thought I had been banished from your sight. sight. sight. Jonah understands that the position he Jonah understands that the position he Jonah understands that the position he finds himself in is God's direct doing finds himself in is God's direct doing finds himself in is God's direct doing as an act of discipline upon his unruly as an act of discipline upon his unruly as an act of discipline upon his unruly heart. Verse 10, the other little verse that Verse 10, the other little verse that features the the fish. Then the Lord features the the fish. Then the Lord features the the fish. Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it spat Jonah commanded the fish, and it spat Jonah commanded the fish, and it spat Jonah out onto dry land. out onto dry land. out onto dry land. This isn't just indigestion. This isn't just indigestion. This isn't just indigestion. God sent that fish, and God then sent God sent that fish, and God then sent God sent that fish, and God then sent that fish with another message, spit that fish with another message, spit that fish with another message, spit spitting back out. The Lord did this.

spitting back out. The Lord did this. spitting back out. The Lord did this. This is This is all God's doing because This is This is all God's doing because This is This is all God's doing because God disciplines his own. Now, we've we're seeing in the Now, we've we're seeing in the experience of Jonah here experience of Jonah here experience of Jonah here how it manifested itself in his life, how it manifested itself in his life, how it manifested itself in his life, but but that's spills out from this book but but that's spills out from this book but but that's spills out from this book all across the scriptures. It's clear in the Bible that God It's clear in the Bible that God disciplines nations. disciplines nations. disciplines nations. There's some of the major prophets there There's some of the major prophets there There's some of the major prophets there have massive sections where God is have massive sections where God is have massive sections where God is delivering a message to the nations of delivering a message to the nations of delivering a message to the nations of the world. the world. the world. God disciplines nations to correct them, God disciplines nations to correct them, God disciplines nations to correct them, to give them an opportunity to stop to give them an opportunity to stop to give them an opportunity to stop walking that path and to return to to walking that path and to return to to walking that path and to return to to real God. And if a nation would refuse real God. And if a nation would refuse real God. And if a nation would refuse to be corrected and to be disciplined, to be corrected and to be disciplined, to be corrected and to be disciplined, eventually God's wrath would be poured eventually God's wrath would be poured eventually God's wrath would be poured out upon that nation in judgment. And out upon that nation in judgment. And out upon that nation in judgment. And rightly so. Sodom, Sodom, Gomorrah, Gomorrah, Gomorrah, the Canaanites, the Canaanites, the Canaanites, they all got opportunities to turn to they all got opportunities to turn to they all got opportunities to turn to God long before God's wrath was poured God long before God's wrath was poured God long before God's wrath was poured out upon them.

out upon them. out upon them. But it's clear in the scriptures that But it's clear in the scriptures that But it's clear in the scriptures that God disciplines not just the nations of God disciplines not just the nations of God disciplines not just the nations of the world, but his own people. the world, but his own people. the world, but his own people. Israel in the Old Testament, the church Israel in the Old Testament, the church Israel in the Old Testament, the church today, today, today, individuals inside of of those entities. individuals inside of of those entities. individuals inside of of those entities. Israel was constantly under the Israel was constantly under the Israel was constantly under the discipline of God. discipline of God. discipline of God. I mean, you can't read far into into the I mean, you can't read far into into the I mean, you can't read far into into the Old Testament without beginning to see Old Testament without beginning to see Old Testament without beginning to see the the cycle of correction that God has the the cycle of correction that God has the the cycle of correction that God has to bring in the lives of his people back to bring in the lives of his people back to bring in the lives of his people back then. then. then. And it's incremental, right? It it it And it's incremental, right? It it it And it's incremental, right? It it it moves from from things like like famine moves from from things like like famine moves from from things like like famine and a drought ultimately to exile. and a drought ultimately to exile. and a drought ultimately to exile. But all of it is to bring them back to But all of it is to bring them back to But all of it is to bring them back to God. God. God. Individuals weren't immune from it, Individuals weren't immune from it, Individuals weren't immune from it, either. God disciplined individuals either. God disciplined individuals either. God disciplined individuals despite their legacy status. Take Moses. despite their legacy status. Take Moses. despite their legacy status. Take Moses. Moses, one sin, Moses, one sin, Moses, one sin, one sin, one mistake, one error, one act one sin, one mistake, one error, one act one sin, one mistake, one error, one act of disobedience in the life of Moses of disobedience in the life of Moses of disobedience in the life of Moses resulted in his exclusion from entering resulted in his exclusion from entering resulted in his exclusion from entering the promised land that he led millions the promised land that he led millions the promised land that he led millions of grumpy people toward for 40 years.

of grumpy people toward for 40 years. of grumpy people toward for 40 years. Harsh? Harsh? Harsh? No. No. No. Holy, holy, holy? Yes. No one messes with God. No one messes with God. Not little you, not little me, not not Not little you, not little me, not not Not little you, not little me, not not not Moses, not mighty Moses, not anyone, not Moses, not mighty Moses, not anyone, not Moses, not mighty Moses, not anyone, whoever they may be, who sits at the top whoever they may be, who sits at the top whoever they may be, who sits at the top of Christian leadership perhaps in the of Christian leadership perhaps in the of Christian leadership perhaps in the 21st century. 21st century. 21st century. God will not be messed with. So, Jonah's God will not be messed with. So, Jonah's God will not be messed with. So, Jonah's time out is granted a very unusual spot time out is granted a very unusual spot time out is granted a very unusual spot to have a time out. to have a time out. to have a time out. But, it's it's just it's holy, it's But, it's it's just it's holy, it's But, it's it's just it's holy, it's righteous, and it's purposeful. righteous, and it's purposeful. righteous, and it's purposeful. Remember, Jonah, Remember, Jonah, Remember, Jonah, uh, by his own choice has put his life uh, by his own choice has put his life uh, by his own choice has put his life on a downward trajectory. And And on a downward trajectory. And And on a downward trajectory. And And chapter 1 tries to communicate that to chapter 1 tries to communicate that to chapter 1 tries to communicate that to you literarily, but the point is is a you literarily, but the point is is a you literarily, but the point is is a spiritual downward trajectory, right? spiritual downward trajectory, right? spiritual downward trajectory, right? Anybody who walks away from God is Anybody who walks away from God is Anybody who walks away from God is always going down. always going down. always going down. So, he went down to Joppa, we read in So, he went down to Joppa, we read in So, he went down to Joppa, we read in chapter 1. And then he goes down into chapter 1. And then he goes down into chapter 1. And then he goes down into this ship, and then he goes down into this ship, and then he goes down into this ship, and then he goes down into the below deck or the belly of the ship.

the below deck or the belly of the ship. the below deck or the belly of the ship. So, God in chapter 2 essentially takes So, God in chapter 2 essentially takes So, God in chapter 2 essentially takes him down as far as one can possibly get him down as far as one can possibly get him down as far as one can possibly get on this planet, to the very bottom of on this planet, to the very bottom of on this planet, to the very bottom of the seabed of the Mediterranean Sea. But, but this is time for reflection. But, but this is time for reflection. This is This is a purposeful time out. This is This is a purposeful time out. This is This is a purposeful time out. Yes, it may feel like a bit of a Yes, it may feel like a bit of a Yes, it may feel like a bit of a coffin-like chamber. coffin-like chamber. coffin-like chamber. But, but God is helping him come to his But, but God is helping him come to his But, but God is helping him come to his spiritual senses. Remember the 3 days and 3 nights inside Remember the 3 days and 3 nights inside of the belly of the fish when we looked of the belly of the fish when we looked of the belly of the fish when we looked at that a few weeks ago, spoke of at that a few weeks ago, spoke of at that a few weeks ago, spoke of justice tempered with compassion. justice tempered with compassion. justice tempered with compassion. It is an act of of just discipline upon It is an act of of just discipline upon It is an act of of just discipline upon his life. his life. his life. Because God disciplines his children. Because God disciplines his children. Because God disciplines his children. In order to grow us, in order to prune In order to grow us, in order to prune In order to grow us, in order to prune us, in order to purify us, in order to us, in order to purify us, in order to us, in order to purify us, in order to direct us, in order to redirect us, in direct us, in order to redirect us, in direct us, in order to redirect us, in order to align us to him. order to align us to him. order to align us to him. And his discipline might at times feel And his discipline might at times feel And his discipline might at times feel nasty, and at times it might feel very nasty, and at times it might feel very nasty, and at times it might feel very confusing, and it might feel very, very confusing, and it might feel very, very confusing, and it might feel very, very uncomfortable. It might feel harsh, but uncomfortable. It might feel harsh, but uncomfortable. It might feel harsh, but it's always motivated by love if you're it's always motivated by love if you're it's always motivated by love if you're a child of God.

a child of God. a child of God. And those of us who are parents And those of us who are parents And those of us who are parents understand that. understand that. understand that. Right? If you're a parent, you Right? If you're a parent, you Right? If you're a parent, you understand the importance of of loving understand the importance of of loving understand the importance of of loving discipline to help your kids discipline to help your kids discipline to help your kids to put them in appropriate time outs. to put them in appropriate time outs. to put them in appropriate time outs. All sorts of ways of doing that, right? All sorts of ways of doing that, right? All sorts of ways of doing that, right? One of the ways that it's done One of the ways that it's done One of the ways that it's done where I come from in the UK is is we where I come from in the UK is is we where I come from in the UK is is we have the bottom step of the staircase in have the bottom step of the staircase in have the bottom step of the staircase in the house. And that's where the kid has the house. And that's where the kid has the house. And that's where the kid has to sit on a time out. to sit on a time out. to sit on a time out. We call it the naughty step. We call it the naughty step. We call it the naughty step. That's where their wicked little hearts That's where their wicked little hearts That's where their wicked little hearts have to reflect a little bit about on have to reflect a little bit about on have to reflect a little bit about on their activities their activities their activities and their mischief. and their mischief. and their mischief. Everything from you don't throw tantrums Everything from you don't throw tantrums Everything from you don't throw tantrums across the floor at church or across the across the floor at church or across the across the floor at church or across the mall, and you don't throw meatballs mall, and you don't throw meatballs mall, and you don't throw meatballs across the table. across the table. across the table. All of that's important instruction, All of that's important instruction, All of that's important instruction, correction, because you love this child correction, because you love this child correction, because you love this child and you want them to to grow up, to be and you want them to to grow up, to be and you want them to to grow up, to be become a wonderful member of this become a wonderful member of this become a wonderful member of this family, and a wonderful member of family, and a wonderful member of family, and a wonderful member of society, and ultimately to become all society, and ultimately to become all society, and ultimately to become all that God has designed them to be.

that God has designed them to be. that God has designed them to be. Discipline is good if it's motivated by Discipline is good if it's motivated by Discipline is good if it's motivated by love, and God's discipline here on love, and God's discipline here on love, and God's discipline here on Jonah's life is is not him cruelly Jonah's life is is not him cruelly Jonah's life is is not him cruelly trying to slowly digest Jonah inside of trying to slowly digest Jonah inside of trying to slowly digest Jonah inside of a fish. a fish. a fish. It's motivated by burning off all the It's motivated by burning off all the It's motivated by burning off all the spiritual nonsense that sticks to us spiritual nonsense that sticks to us spiritual nonsense that sticks to us even as followers of God. even as followers of God. even as followers of God. Because he loves Jonah. Because he loves Jonah. Because he loves Jonah. God does that. God does that. God does that. Let me read you a few passages from the Let me read you a few passages from the Let me read you a few passages from the scriptures so that you understand this scriptures so that you understand this scriptures so that you understand this theme stretches from beginning to end. theme stretches from beginning to end. theme stretches from beginning to end. At some point you can go home and study At some point you can go home and study At some point you can go home and study these there yourself. Deuteronomy 8:5, these there yourself. Deuteronomy 8:5, these there yourself. Deuteronomy 8:5, Moses speaking to the second generation Moses speaking to the second generation Moses speaking to the second generation of Israelites who are fresh off a of Israelites who are fresh off a of Israelites who are fresh off a 40-year journey through the desert where 40-year journey through the desert where 40-year journey through the desert where they watched their parents die because they watched their parents die because they watched their parents die because they wouldn't obey God. And Moses tells they wouldn't obey God. And Moses tells they wouldn't obey God. And Moses tells them this, "Know then in your heart that them this, "Know then in your heart that them this, "Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the as a man disciplines his son, so the as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you."

Lord your God disciplines you." Lord your God disciplines you." It's motivated by by love. It's motivated by by love. It's motivated by by love. Proverbs 3 verses 11 and 12, wisdom for Proverbs 3 verses 11 and 12, wisdom for Proverbs 3 verses 11 and 12, wisdom for the ages says this, "My son, do not the ages says this, "My son, do not the ages says this, "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke because the Lord resent his rebuke because the Lord resent his rebuke because the Lord disciplines those he loves as a father disciplines those he loves as a father disciplines those he loves as a father the son he delights in." Hebrews 12, written to Christians, Hebrews 12, written to Christians, written to the church in the New written to the church in the New written to the church in the New Testament, grabs that proverb from Testament, grabs that proverb from Testament, grabs that proverb from Proverbs 3 and then pushes it into us as Proverbs 3 and then pushes it into us as Proverbs 3 and then pushes it into us as a fellowship of believers, "Endure a fellowship of believers, "Endure a fellowship of believers, "Endure hardship as discipline. God is treating hardship as discipline. God is treating hardship as discipline. God is treating you as his children, for what children you as his children, for what children you as his children, for what children are not disciplined by their father?" are not disciplined by their father?" are not disciplined by their father?" God disciplines us for our good that we God disciplines us for our good that we God disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness. may share in his holiness. may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the No discipline seems pleasant at the No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later, however, it time, but painful. Later, however, it time, but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and produces a harvest of righteousness and produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by peace for those who have been trained by peace for those who have been trained by it.

it. it. It's for those who actually take the It's for those who actually take the It's for those who actually take the discipline properly. discipline properly. discipline properly. They can produce a harvest in their They can produce a harvest in their They can produce a harvest in their lives, a harvest that speaks of living lives, a harvest that speaks of living lives, a harvest that speaks of living in the holiness of God. in the holiness of God. in the holiness of God. Revelation 3 Revelation 3 Revelation 3 verse 19, Jesus, the resurrected Lord verse 19, Jesus, the resurrected Lord verse 19, Jesus, the resurrected Lord speaking to the church of Laodicea. He speaking to the church of Laodicea. He speaking to the church of Laodicea. He says this, "Those whom I love, I rebuke says this, "Those whom I love, I rebuke says this, "Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline, so be earnest and and discipline, so be earnest and and discipline, so be earnest and repent." repent." repent." So, truth number one is very, very So, truth number one is very, very So, truth number one is very, very basic. It's very, very clear. It's very, basic. It's very, very clear. It's very, basic. It's very, very clear. It's very, very important. God disciplines. very important. God disciplines. very important. God disciplines. God does discipline. So, here's a God does discipline. So, here's a God does discipline. So, here's a practical lesson for you to take home practical lesson for you to take home practical lesson for you to take home with you today. with you today. with you today. Take his correction. Take his correction. Take his correction. Take his correction daily. Embrace his Take his correction daily. Embrace his Take his correction daily. Embrace his correction. Embrace his time outs in correction. Embrace his time outs in correction. Embrace his time outs in your life. While you're sitting there in your life. While you're sitting there in your life. While you're sitting there in the I don't know the the celestial the I don't know the the celestial the I don't know the the celestial naughty step, listen to what God has naughty step, listen to what God has naughty step, listen to what God has said to you. Reflect upon your life. said to you. Reflect upon your life. said to you. Reflect upon your life. Repent of known sin. Remember to follow Repent of known sin. Remember to follow Repent of known sin. Remember to follow Jonah's heart path back to God.

Jonah's heart path back to God. Jonah's heart path back to God. Don't waste the opportunity to return Don't waste the opportunity to return Don't waste the opportunity to return from your waywardness every single day. from your waywardness every single day. from your waywardness every single day. Don't be a fool. Don't be a fool. Don't be a fool. I'm sure you've heard of the man who was I'm sure you've heard of the man who was I'm sure you've heard of the man who was driving down the road and he saw a sign driving down the road and he saw a sign driving down the road and he saw a sign that said, "Road closed. Do not enter." that said, "Road closed. Do not enter." that said, "Road closed. Do not enter." And he thought, "Well, I don't know And he thought, "Well, I don't know And he thought, "Well, I don't know about that. Seems pretty clear to me. I about that. Seems pretty clear to me. I about that. Seems pretty clear to me. I think I'll just drive past it and keep think I'll just drive past it and keep think I'll just drive past it and keep going." And he did. going." And he did. going." And he did. Then he came across a second sign Then he came across a second sign Then he came across a second sign warning, "Turn back." warning, "Turn back." warning, "Turn back." I don't know about that. I think it's I don't know about that. I think it's I don't know about that. I think it's fine. The birds are chirping, you know, fine. The birds are chirping, you know, fine. The birds are chirping, you know, the sun is shining. And he kept going. the sun is shining. And he kept going. the sun is shining. And he kept going. Then there was a sharp turn, and he just Then there was a sharp turn, and he just Then there was a sharp turn, and he just in time was able to put the brakes on in time was able to put the brakes on in time was able to put the brakes on before he fell over a cliff. before he fell over a cliff. before he fell over a cliff. Because the bridge was down. Because the bridge was down. Because the bridge was down. So, he thanked the Lord, and he composed So, he thanked the Lord, and he composed So, he thanked the Lord, and he composed himself, and he turned, and he headed on himself, and he turned, and he headed on himself, and he turned, and he headed on back up the road that he had come down. back up the road that he had come down. back up the road that he had come down. And on the way back up, he saw the back And on the way back up, he saw the back And on the way back up, he saw the back of the sign that he'd ignored at the of the sign that he'd ignored at the of the sign that he'd ignored at the start. And the back of the sign had start. And the back of the sign had start. And the back of the sign had this, "Welcome back, stupid."

You Proverbs 12:1 says, "Whoever hates You Proverbs 12:1 says, "Whoever hates discipline is stupid." Uses that word. discipline is stupid." Uses that word. discipline is stupid." Uses that word. It's not being rude. It's a word that It's not being rude. It's a word that It's not being rude. It's a word that speaks of acting irrationally. speaks of acting irrationally. speaks of acting irrationally. Acting like a wild beast, like a beast Acting like a wild beast, like a beast Acting like a wild beast, like a beast that cannot that cannot be controlled, that cannot that cannot be controlled, that cannot that cannot be controlled, cannot be helped. cannot be helped. cannot be helped. I've had my share of welcome back, I've had my share of welcome back, I've had my share of welcome back, stupid signs in life. I'm sure you have, stupid signs in life. I'm sure you have, stupid signs in life. I'm sure you have, too. Proverbs 6 tells us rebukes of Proverbs 6 tells us rebukes of discipline are like the path leading to discipline are like the path leading to discipline are like the path leading to life. life. life. Path leading to life. Path leading to life. Path leading to life. God disciplines his own out of love. God disciplines his own out of love. God disciplines his own out of love. So, you take his correction. You take So, you take his correction. You take So, you take his correction. You take his rebuke. You don't take a huff. You his rebuke. You don't take a huff. You his rebuke. You don't take a huff. You take his rebuke. take his rebuke. take his rebuke. You swallow your pride. You humble You swallow your pride. You humble You swallow your pride. You humble yourself and you get on the path of yourself and you get on the path of yourself and you get on the path of life.