When God’s Servants Say No! (Part 3)

Jonah thought that he had got away with Jonah thought that he had got away with his disobedience. He thinks he's fine. his disobedience. He thinks he's fine. his disobedience. He thinks he's fine. Jonah thought wrong. God is a storm Jonah thought wrong. God is a storm Jonah thought wrong. God is a storm ready for Jonah. Just a little bit down ready for Jonah. Just a little bit down ready for Jonah. Just a little bit down the line. But here's the thing. Satan the line. But here's the thing. Satan the line. But here's the thing. Satan has plans for your life, too. He's has plans for your life, too. He's has plans for your life, too. He's always looking for a bad attitude. He's always looking for a bad attitude. He's always looking for a bad attitude. He's always looking for some temptation to to always looking for some temptation to to always looking for some temptation to to lure your heart. He's always looking for lure your heart. He's always looking for lure your heart. He's always looking for a gossipy tongue. He's always looking a gossipy tongue. He's always looking a gossipy tongue. He's always looking for a sleepy Christian. anything to for a sleepy Christian. anything to for a sleepy Christian. anything to sabotage God's plans for your [music] sabotage God's plans for your [music] sabotage God's plans for your [music] life and stick it to God. But if you life and stick it to God. But if you life and stick it to God. But if you position your life in the way of position your life in the way of position your life in the way of rebellion, you become easy prey, rebellion, you become easy prey, rebellion, you become easy prey, you make it easy for the evil one. Well, good morning. Well, good morning. It is good to see everybody. Welcome. It is good to see everybody. Welcome. It is good to see everybody. Welcome. Thank you for being here or thank you Thank you for being here or thank you Thank you for being here or thank you for watching online. It's good to be for watching online. It's good to be for watching online. It's good to be with God's people on the Lord's day. So, with God's people on the Lord's day. So, with God's people on the Lord's day. So, thank you for being with us this thank you for being with us this thank you for being with us this morning. Go ahead and turn in your copy morning. Go ahead and turn in your copy morning. Go ahead and turn in your copy of the scriptures to the book of Jonah.

of the scriptures to the book of Jonah. of the scriptures to the book of Jonah. Jonah chapter 1. We're we're learning Jonah chapter 1. We're we're learning Jonah chapter 1. We're we're learning from God about life with God. Uh and from God about life with God. Uh and from God about life with God. Uh and we're doing so through the interactions we're doing so through the interactions we're doing so through the interactions that an ancient man had in his walk with that an ancient man had in his walk with that an ancient man had in his walk with God. to use our language. Of course, God. to use our language. Of course, God. to use our language. Of course, Jonah was a a good living, a a Jonah was a a good living, a a Jonah was a a good living, a a godfollowing, a bibleelving, a godfollowing, a bibleelving, a godfollowing, a bibleelving, a churchgoing, regular tithing person, churchgoing, regular tithing person, churchgoing, regular tithing person, Christian as it were. He in fact was a Christian as it were. He in fact was a Christian as it were. He in fact was a legacy preacher. Even though when we legacy preacher. Even though when we legacy preacher. Even though when we find him, he's misbehaving a little bit. find him, he's misbehaving a little bit. find him, he's misbehaving a little bit. God has commissioned this man to to to God has commissioned this man to to to God has commissioned this man to to to shift gears in his ministry from shift gears in his ministry from shift gears in his ministry from ministering in Israel where things have ministering in Israel where things have ministering in Israel where things have gone really really well under his gone really really well under his gone really really well under his ministry for a little period of time and ministry for a little period of time and ministry for a little period of time and to head over to a foreign culture to head over to a foreign culture to head over to a foreign culture to head over to the Ninevites and and to head over to the Ninevites and and to head over to the Ninevites and and Jonah doesn't want to do that. He Jonah doesn't want to do that. He Jonah doesn't want to do that. He doesn't want God to be compassionate doesn't want God to be compassionate doesn't want God to be compassionate toward other people. toward other people. toward other people. And there's a little bit of of what's And there's a little bit of of what's And there's a little bit of of what's going on, I think, in Jonah's heart that going on, I think, in Jonah's heart that going on, I think, in Jonah's heart that that at some level I can understand that at some level I can understand that at some level I can understand because crosscultural travel, because crosscultural travel, because crosscultural travel, cross-cultural engagement can be tricky.

cross-cultural engagement can be tricky. cross-cultural engagement can be tricky. As you know, I'm not from here. As you know, I'm not from here. As you know, I'm not from here. I've had to travel. I've had to to to I've had to travel. I've had to to to I've had to travel. I've had to to to come to a a people that weren't the come to a a people that weren't the come to a a people that weren't the original people that I grew up among. original people that I grew up among. original people that I grew up among. So, I get that it can be tricky. So, I get that it can be tricky. So, I get that it can be tricky. Recently, I was reminded of how tricky Recently, I was reminded of how tricky Recently, I was reminded of how tricky it can be through a minor cultural it can be through a minor cultural it can be through a minor cultural practice that I encountered right in my practice that I encountered right in my practice that I encountered right in my front yard. front yard. front yard. I woke up uh one morning. We got ready I woke up uh one morning. We got ready I woke up uh one morning. We got ready for school and I headed out the front for school and I headed out the front for school and I headed out the front door with the kids and and the tree out door with the kids and and the tree out door with the kids and and the tree out on our front yard had bloomed overnight. on our front yard had bloomed overnight. on our front yard had bloomed overnight. Now, it hadn't bloomed leaves. Now, it hadn't bloomed leaves. Now, it hadn't bloomed leaves. It had bloomed what looked like rolls of It had bloomed what looked like rolls of It had bloomed what looked like rolls of white toilet paper-like tissue like white toilet paper-like tissue like white toilet paper-like tissue like everywhere. I was going to ask you've ever seen that I was going to ask you've ever seen that happen, but you rascals have. That's why happen, but you rascals have. That's why happen, but you rascals have. That's why you giggled. you giggled. you giggled. You know exactly what's going on. and You know exactly what's going on. and You know exactly what's going on. and you've participated in that cultural you've participated in that cultural you've participated in that cultural practice here in the US that that still practice here in the US that that still practice here in the US that that still baffles me that's called tepeeing.

What on earth is that all about? What on earth is that all about? So, I get cross-cultural So, I get cross-cultural So, I get cross-cultural travel. I get cross-cultural engagement. travel. I get cross-cultural engagement. travel. I get cross-cultural engagement. I I get having to understand how a I I get having to understand how a I I get having to understand how a another culture, a new culture to me another culture, a new culture to me another culture, a new culture to me does life, processes reality, functions. does life, processes reality, functions. does life, processes reality, functions. I have my preferences on how people I have my preferences on how people I have my preferences on how people should talk. should talk. should talk. I have my preferences on how people I have my preferences on how people I have my preferences on how people should enunciate words should enunciate words should enunciate words like cow, I I've I've been exposed to that which I I I've I've been exposed to that which I became familiar with and became natural became familiar with and became natural became familiar with and became natural to me and and became a preference of to me and and became a preference of to me and and became a preference of mine. And I I I have a preference for mine. And I I I have a preference for mine. And I I I have a preference for for food products that that you don't for food products that that you don't for food products that that you don't have like like pick like not eating have like like pick like not eating have like like pick like not eating pickles, right? You love pickles. These pickles, right? You love pickles. These pickles, right? You love pickles. These these are things that that that one get these are things that that that one get these are things that that that one get expo gets exposed to as they travel expo gets exposed to as they travel expo gets exposed to as they travel across culturally and they can be tricky across culturally and they can be tricky across culturally and they can be tricky but but they're only cultural but but they're only cultural but but they're only cultural preferences. There are many aspects o of preferences. There are many aspects o of preferences. There are many aspects o of of culture across all cultures that are of culture across all cultures that are of culture across all cultures that are crosscultural.

issues that are not matters of issues that are not matters of preference, but that are morally rooted preference, but that are morally rooted preference, but that are morally rooted practices. They're non-negotiables on practices. They're non-negotiables on practices. They're non-negotiables on all of us, whether you're an American, all of us, whether you're an American, all of us, whether you're an American, whether you're a Canadian, whether whether you're a Canadian, whether whether you're a Canadian, whether you're a Ninevite, or whether you're a you're a Ninevite, or whether you're a you're a Ninevite, or whether you're a Texan. Texan. Texan. issues of of how we do life as human issues of of how we do life as human issues of of how we do life as human people like not telling lies people like not telling lies people like not telling lies like not stealing like like loving God like not stealing like like loving God like not stealing like like loving God and loving others. These are not and loving others. These are not and loving others. These are not culturally determined practices. These culturally determined practices. These culturally determined practices. These are ways of life from God on all of us. are ways of life from God on all of us. are ways of life from God on all of us. And Jonah believed this. And Jonah believed this. And Jonah believed this. Remember Jonah is to use our language a Remember Jonah is to use our language a Remember Jonah is to use our language a good living God-following bibleelving good living God-following bibleelving good living God-following bibleelving churchgoing regular tithing preacher in churchgoing regular tithing preacher in churchgoing regular tithing preacher in his case. He believed this, but but his case. He believed this, but but his case. He believed this, but but Jonah chose to be selective about how he Jonah chose to be selective about how he Jonah chose to be selective about how he behaved this behaved this behaved this that he was willing to be obedient to that he was willing to be obedient to that he was willing to be obedient to God to a certain extent if it didn't God to a certain extent if it didn't God to a certain extent if it didn't begin to step on his toes, his begin to step on his toes, his begin to step on his toes, his preferences, his way of thinking about preferences, his way of thinking about preferences, his way of thinking about the world and how others should function the world and how others should function the world and how others should function within it. So when God called this man within it. So when God called this man within it. So when God called this man to go and reach the culture of Nineveh, to go and reach the culture of Nineveh, to go and reach the culture of Nineveh, who didn't know how to live life under who didn't know how to live life under who didn't know how to live life under God's ways, God's culture as it were, God's ways, God's culture as it were, God's ways, God's culture as it were, his his non-negotiables, this man says, his his non-negotiables, this man says, his his non-negotiables, this man says, "No, "No, "No, I don't like them.

I don't like them. I don't like them. They're way over there and they're They're way over there and they're They're way over there and they're different to me and so I don't want to different to me and so I don't want to different to me and so I don't want to go." And so he runs. He runs. and and go." And so he runs. He runs. and and go." And so he runs. He runs. and and disobedience is certainly never loving disobedience is certainly never loving disobedience is certainly never loving God, loving others. Running from God God, loving others. Running from God God, loving others. Running from God isn't isn't living in submission to God. isn't isn't living in submission to God. isn't isn't living in submission to God. And and Jonah doesn't seem to care. He And and Jonah doesn't seem to care. He And and Jonah doesn't seem to care. He sleeps fine, remember, sleeps fine, remember, sleeps fine, remember, running from God. running from God. running from God. He runs from his responsibilities to the He runs from his responsibilities to the He runs from his responsibilities to the culture of Nineveh, but his sin, his his culture of Nineveh, but his sin, his his culture of Nineveh, but his sin, his his rebellion, his disobedience goes with rebellion, his disobedience goes with rebellion, his disobedience goes with him. him. him. It it it follows him and and it affects It it it follows him and and it affects It it it follows him and and it affects all the people around him all the people around him all the people around him in a very small minor in a very small minor in a very small minor incomparable way just like tepeeing. I I incomparable way just like tepeeing. I I incomparable way just like tepeeing. I I don't know what kid in my household don't know what kid in my household don't know what kid in my household provoked the kids in his grade to tepee provoked the kids in his grade to tepee provoked the kids in his grade to tepee our home, but they teeped our home. our home, but they teeped our home. our home, but they teeped our home. We all have had toilet, tissue, paper in We all have had toilet, tissue, paper in We all have had toilet, tissue, paper in our yard for the last few weeks. We're our yard for the last few weeks. We're our yard for the last few weeks. We're all connected. The life of one affects all connected. The life of one affects all connected. The life of one affects those around that one, especially those around that one, especially those around that one, especially rebellion.

rebellion. rebellion. Now, I'm I'm bordering on repreaching Now, I'm I'm bordering on repreaching Now, I'm I'm bordering on repreaching last message from last week. So, so let last message from last week. So, so let last message from last week. So, so let me move on and and jump back into our me move on and and jump back into our me move on and and jump back into our passage here in Jonah 1 and this passage here in Jonah 1 and this passage here in Jonah 1 and this beautiful sea storm that's laid out for beautiful sea storm that's laid out for beautiful sea storm that's laid out for us from God to to meet a third us from God to to meet a third us from God to to meet a third character. Remember, there are three key character. Remember, there are three key character. Remember, there are three key characters in this sea storm. characters in this sea storm. characters in this sea storm. And I want you to meet the third one. And I want you to meet the third one. And I want you to meet the third one. And I'm using the analogy of how I And I'm using the analogy of how I And I'm using the analogy of how I remember being taught the story of Jonah remember being taught the story of Jonah remember being taught the story of Jonah as a little boy, right? the the as a little boy, right? the the as a little boy, right? the the character cutouts made of felt that you character cutouts made of felt that you character cutouts made of felt that you stick onto a flannelraph board. You're stick onto a flannelraph board. You're stick onto a flannelraph board. You're the you're the board and I'm trying to the you're the board and I'm trying to the you're the board and I'm trying to stick these characters onto the board of stick these characters onto the board of stick these characters onto the board of your heart so that you go home and chew your heart so that you go home and chew your heart so that you go home and chew on them so you'd hear what God is on them so you'd hear what God is on them so you'd hear what God is telling us about life with God. Now, we telling us about life with God. Now, we telling us about life with God. Now, we looked at the first one a few weeks looked at the first one a few weeks looked at the first one a few weeks back, the the pagan sailors, right? The back, the the pagan sailors, right? The back, the the pagan sailors, right? The secular sailors. They're ironically the secular sailors. They're ironically the secular sailors. They're ironically the ones who actually become ones who actually become ones who actually become converted to God. They're they become converted to God. They're they become converted to God. They're they become saints and and they actually go about saints and and they actually go about saints and and they actually go about committing to walk the godly talk. They committing to walk the godly talk. They committing to walk the godly talk. They they make vows to God from now on in to they make vows to God from now on in to they make vows to God from now on in to live for him. It's ironic. That's what live for him. It's ironic. That's what live for him. It's ironic. That's what happens. They're converted. And then happens. They're converted. And then happens. They're converted. And then character cutout number two is is the is character cutout number two is is the is character cutout number two is is the is is is the main character in the whole is is the main character in the whole is is the main character in the whole book. The book's named after him, Jonah.

book. The book's named after him, Jonah. book. The book's named after him, Jonah. And Jonah is the sleepy servant of God, And Jonah is the sleepy servant of God, And Jonah is the sleepy servant of God, right? The sleepy, snoring servant of right? The sleepy, snoring servant of right? The sleepy, snoring servant of God. He's a man who knows God. He's a God. He's a man who knows God. He's a God. He's a man who knows God. He's a pastor. He's a preacher. He's been pastor. He's a preacher. He's been pastor. He's a preacher. He's been serving God for many, many years. And serving God for many, many years. And serving God for many, many years. And ironically, and in contrast to the the ironically, and in contrast to the the ironically, and in contrast to the the secular sailors who who only got to know secular sailors who who only got to know secular sailors who who only got to know God in the last few sort of moments, God in the last few sort of moments, God in the last few sort of moments, he's selfish. he's selfish. he's selfish. He's selfish. He he he talks the godly He's selfish. He he he talks the godly He's selfish. He he he talks the godly talk, but he doesn't walk the godly talk, but he doesn't walk the godly talk, but he doesn't walk the godly walk. Remember his statement in verse 9, walk. Remember his statement in verse 9, walk. Remember his statement in verse 9, Hebrew I am. Hebrew I am. Hebrew I am. I fear the God of heaven, the one who I fear the God of heaven, the one who I fear the God of heaven, the one who made the sea and the land. made the sea and the land. made the sea and the land. Be sure not living that out Be sure not living that out Be sure not living that out as he runs from God. But there's a third as he runs from God. But there's a third as he runs from God. But there's a third character in this scene that that's very character in this scene that that's very character in this scene that that's very very important and I don't want you to very important and I don't want you to very important and I don't want you to miss him. Character cutout number three miss him. Character cutout number three miss him. Character cutout number three to place on the flannel board o of your to place on the flannel board o of your to place on the flannel board o of your heart is God. heart is God. heart is God. God introduces himself to us here in a God introduces himself to us here in a God introduces himself to us here in a specific manner as the sovereign God.

specific manner as the sovereign God. specific manner as the sovereign God. Let me show you. Let's let me read the Let me show you. Let's let me read the Let me show you. Let's let me read the passage to you once again. And and as I passage to you once again. And and as I passage to you once again. And and as I read through it from verses 4 all the read through it from verses 4 all the read through it from verses 4 all the way to 17, I want you to take note of way to 17, I want you to take note of way to 17, I want you to take note of God's involvement in this scene. God's involvement in this scene. God's involvement in this scene. So, picking up at verse four, when Jonah So, picking up at verse four, when Jonah So, picking up at verse four, when Jonah thought that he'd got away, thought that he'd got away, thought that he'd got away, but the Lord hurled a great wind on the but the Lord hurled a great wind on the but the Lord hurled a great wind on the sea, there was such a great storm in the sea, there was such a great storm in the sea, there was such a great storm in the sea that the ship threatened to break sea that the ship threatened to break sea that the ship threatened to break up. up. up. The sailors were in fear. So, each cried The sailors were in fear. So, each cried The sailors were in fear. So, each cried out to his own God, and they hurled the out to his own God, and they hurled the out to his own God, and they hurled the ship's cargo into the sea to lighten the ship's cargo into the sea to lighten the ship's cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. ship. ship. But Jonah had gone down below into the But Jonah had gone down below into the But Jonah had gone down below into the hold of the ship. hold of the ship. hold of the ship. He had lain down and had fallen sound He had lain down and had fallen sound He had lain down and had fallen sound asleep. asleep. asleep. So the captain approached him and said, So the captain approached him and said, So the captain approached him and said, "How is it that you're sleeping? Get up. "How is it that you're sleeping? Get up. "How is it that you're sleeping? Get up. Cry out to your God. Perhaps your God Cry out to your God. Perhaps your God Cry out to your God. Perhaps your God will be concerned about us so that we will be concerned about us so that we will be concerned about us so that we will not perish."

will not perish." will not perish." The sailors said to one another, "Come, The sailors said to one another, "Come, The sailors said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots so we may find out on let us cast lots so we may find out on let us cast lots so we may find out on whose account this calamity has come whose account this calamity has come whose account this calamity has come upon us." upon us." upon us." So they cast lots So they cast lots So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. and the lot fell on Jonah. and the lot fell on Jonah. So they said to him, "Tell us now on So they said to him, "Tell us now on So they said to him, "Tell us now on whose account has this calamity come whose account has this calamity come whose account has this calamity come upon us? What is your occupation? And upon us? What is your occupation? And upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your where do you come from? What is your where do you come from? What is your country from? What people are you? country from? What people are you? country from? What people are you? And he said to them, I am a Hebrew and I And he said to them, I am a Hebrew and I And he said to them, I am a Hebrew and I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the fear the Lord God of heaven who made the fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land. sea and the dry land. sea and the dry land. Then the men became extremely fearful. Then the men became extremely fearful. Then the men became extremely fearful. They said to him, "How could you do They said to him, "How could you do They said to him, "How could you do this?" For the men knew that he was this?" For the men knew that he was this?" For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord fleeing from the presence of the Lord fleeing from the presence of the Lord because he'd told them. because he'd told them. because he'd told them. So they said to him, "What should we do So they said to him, "What should we do So they said to him, "What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for to you that the sea may become calm for to you that the sea may become calm for us? For the sea was becoming worse and us? For the sea was becoming worse and us? For the sea was becoming worse and worse."

worse." worse." And he, that is Jonah, said to them, And he, that is Jonah, said to them, And he, that is Jonah, said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea. "Pick me up and throw me into the sea. "Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, Then the sea will become calm for you, Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me, this for I know that on account of me, this for I know that on account of me, this great storm has come upon you." However, the men tried to row to return However, the men tried to row to return to dry land, but they could not, for the to dry land, but they could not, for the to dry land, but they could not, for the sea kept getting worse and worse. sea kept getting worse and worse. sea kept getting worse and worse. So they cried out to the Lord and said, So they cried out to the Lord and said, So they cried out to the Lord and said, "Oh Lord, please do let do not let us "Oh Lord, please do let do not let us "Oh Lord, please do let do not let us perish on account of this man's life. Do perish on account of this man's life. Do perish on account of this man's life. Do not hold us guilty of shedding innocent not hold us guilty of shedding innocent not hold us guilty of shedding innocent blood, for you, oh Lord, have done as blood, for you, oh Lord, have done as blood, for you, oh Lord, have done as you pleased." So they picked up Jonah. you pleased." So they picked up Jonah. you pleased." So they picked up Jonah. They hurled him into the sea, and the They hurled him into the sea, and the They hurled him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. sea stopped its raging. sea stopped its raging. Then the men feared the Lord greatly. Then the men feared the Lord greatly. Then the men feared the Lord greatly. And they offered a sacrifice to the Lord And they offered a sacrifice to the Lord And they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him, and made vows to him, and made vows to him, and the Lord appointed a great fish to and the Lord appointed a great fish to and the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah.

swallow Jonah. swallow Jonah. So fascinating character cutout number So fascinating character cutout number So fascinating character cutout number three, the sovereign God. the sovereign three, the sovereign God. the sovereign three, the sovereign God. the sovereign God. What we are to learn concerning God God. What we are to learn concerning God God. What we are to learn concerning God according to God in his word here in according to God in his word here in according to God in his word here in Jonah 1. And by by sovereign, what we Jonah 1. And by by sovereign, what we Jonah 1. And by by sovereign, what we mean is that he rules. That that God mean is that he rules. That that God mean is that he rules. That that God rules with total authority rules with total authority rules with total authority and that he can express his total and that he can express his total and that he can express his total authority, his his complete sovereignty authority, his his complete sovereignty authority, his his complete sovereignty over his creation in different ways as over his creation in different ways as over his creation in different ways as he chooses because he's sovereign. No he chooses because he's sovereign. No he chooses because he's sovereign. No one tells him how to act. He acts one tells him how to act. He acts one tells him how to act. He acts according to his own will and desire according to his own will and desire according to his own will and desire because he's sovereign. He rules. So let because he's sovereign. He rules. So let because he's sovereign. He rules. So let me let me show you how God presents me let me show you how God presents me let me show you how God presents himself in that way in this sea storm. himself in that way in this sea storm. himself in that way in this sea storm. There are three ways in which he shows There are three ways in which he shows There are three ways in which he shows us that that essentially he's boss that us that that essentially he's boss that us that that essentially he's boss that he's boss first in his relationship with he's boss first in his relationship with he's boss first in his relationship with the storm. the storm. the storm. God's relationship with the storm. God God's relationship with the storm. God God's relationship with the storm. God is clearly sovereign over the storm. God is clearly sovereign over the storm. God is clearly sovereign over the storm. God rules nature. total control and he rules rules nature. total control and he rules rules nature. total control and he rules nature to fulfill his purposes as he nature to fulfill his purposes as he nature to fulfill his purposes as he pleases.

pleases. pleases. Look at verse four again. But the Lord Look at verse four again. But the Lord Look at verse four again. But the Lord hurled a great wind in the sea. Very hurled a great wind in the sea. Very hurled a great wind in the sea. Very clearly right at the start of the story, clearly right at the start of the story, clearly right at the start of the story, we're told that God has the ability, the we're told that God has the ability, the we're told that God has the ability, the power to to send a storm. power to to send a storm. power to to send a storm. There was such a great storm, it says on There was such a great storm, it says on There was such a great storm, it says on the sea that that the ship threatened to the sea that that the ship threatened to the sea that that the ship threatened to break up. So, right from the very break up. So, right from the very break up. So, right from the very beginning of this story, just after beginning of this story, just after beginning of this story, just after Jonah takes off in his happy rebellion, Jonah takes off in his happy rebellion, Jonah takes off in his happy rebellion, you're supposed to see God's powerful you're supposed to see God's powerful you're supposed to see God's powerful intervention intervention intervention that God has the ability to to summon or that God has the ability to to summon or that God has the ability to to summon or to whip up a wind and to call it a upon to whip up a wind and to call it a upon to whip up a wind and to call it a upon a ship, to cast a storm upon this a ship, to cast a storm upon this a ship, to cast a storm upon this particular ship because of who is on particular ship because of who is on particular ship because of who is on board. board. board. So, you're not supposed to just see that So, you're not supposed to just see that So, you're not supposed to just see that God can can can call summon a storm, but God can can can call summon a storm, but God can can can call summon a storm, but that that he's been watching Jonah, that that he's been watching Jonah, that that he's been watching Jonah, that the storm is being sent to that that the storm is being sent to that that the storm is being sent to that particular ship because God's custom particular ship because God's custom particular ship because God's custom calling a storm upon a man who's walking calling a storm upon a man who's walking calling a storm upon a man who's walking in rebellion to him, and he knows in rebellion to him, and he knows in rebellion to him, and he knows better.

better. better. It goes to that ship because of that It goes to that ship because of that It goes to that ship because of that man. man. man. So God sees all. Even runaway prodigal So God sees all. Even runaway prodigal So God sees all. Even runaway prodigal preachers, God sees all. He watches all. preachers, God sees all. He watches all. preachers, God sees all. He watches all. No one escapes his eye. Jonah thought No one escapes his eye. Jonah thought No one escapes his eye. Jonah thought that he had got away with his that he had got away with his that he had got away with his disobedience. disobedience. disobedience. See, as Jonah, you know, whistled his See, as Jonah, you know, whistled his See, as Jonah, you know, whistled his way down to Japa on his wearing his way down to Japa on his wearing his way down to Japa on his wearing his little Hawaiian shirt. Remember, he little Hawaiian shirt. Remember, he little Hawaiian shirt. Remember, he thought he was fine. He's probably thought he was fine. He's probably thought he was fine. He's probably flicking through some little flicking through some little flicking through some little all-inclusive resort brochures from all-inclusive resort brochures from all-inclusive resort brochures from Tarses, Tarses, Tarses, planning what he's going to do over planning what he's going to do over planning what he's going to do over there. And he thinks he got away with there. And he thinks he got away with there. And he thinks he got away with it. He thinks he's fine. But Jonah it. He thinks he's fine. But Jonah it. He thinks he's fine. But Jonah thought wrong. thought wrong. thought wrong. Jonah thought wrong. God has a storm Jonah thought wrong. God has a storm Jonah thought wrong. God has a storm ready for Jonah just a little bit down ready for Jonah just a little bit down ready for Jonah just a little bit down the line. the line. the line. And that storm that we read about, this And that storm that we read about, this And that storm that we read about, this event is depicted, the way it's told event is depicted, the way it's told event is depicted, the way it's told here is an unusual event. It's an here is an unusual event. It's an here is an unusual event. It's an unusual unexpected storm that rises up unusual unexpected storm that rises up unusual unexpected storm that rises up on this sea. It's not it's not on this sea. It's not it's not on this sea. It's not it's not functioning, it seems, in in the functioning, it seems, in in the functioning, it seems, in in the ordinary natural flow of the natural ordinary natural flow of the natural ordinary natural flow of the natural laws o of the sea for that season.

laws o of the sea for that season. laws o of the sea for that season. That's why we read in verse four that That's why we read in verse four that That's why we read in verse four that that the ship is in a panic. that the ship is in a panic. that the ship is in a panic. Let's look at it again. The ship there Let's look at it again. The ship there Let's look at it again. The ship there in verse four, it seems like the ship's in verse four, it seems like the ship's in verse four, it seems like the ship's in shock and in panic mode. The ship is in shock and in panic mode. The ship is in shock and in panic mode. The ship is being presented as though the ship is a being presented as though the ship is a being presented as though the ship is a person that has a brain that is person that has a brain that is person that has a brain that is thinking, "This is unusual. I'm about to thinking, "This is unusual. I'm about to thinking, "This is unusual. I'm about to undo myself here. I'm about to break undo myself here. I'm about to break undo myself here. I'm about to break up." We also are told as we read this story We also are told as we read this story that these seasoned sailors, remember, that these seasoned sailors, remember, that these seasoned sailors, remember, they're in a shock and in panic mode, they're in a shock and in panic mode, they're in a shock and in panic mode, too. They're in fear. verse 5, they're too. They're in fear. verse 5, they're too. They're in fear. verse 5, they're trembling in extreme fear. In verse 10, trembling in extreme fear. In verse 10, trembling in extreme fear. In verse 10, in verse six, remember we're even in verse six, remember we're even in verse six, remember we're even introduced to the captain of the ship. introduced to the captain of the ship. introduced to the captain of the ship. You got to leave the bridge or you got You got to leave the bridge or you got You got to leave the bridge or you got to leave the captain's quarters. You to leave the captain's quarters. You to leave the captain's quarters. You better go down and find that snoring guy better go down and find that snoring guy better go down and find that snoring guy and ask him what he's doing. So, we're and ask him what he's doing. So, we're and ask him what he's doing. So, we're we're brought into the the the fact that we're brought into the the the fact that we're brought into the the the fact that this captain even believes that this is this captain even believes that this is this captain even believes that this is a very unusual set of circumstances that a very unusual set of circumstances that a very unusual set of circumstances that he finds himself in. Where did that he finds himself in. Where did that he finds himself in. Where did that storm come from?

storm come from? storm come from? The sailors call it in verse seven and The sailors call it in verse seven and The sailors call it in verse seven and verse eight a calamity. verse eight a calamity. verse eight a calamity. A and they're acting in keeping with how A and they're acting in keeping with how A and they're acting in keeping with how they viewed the world. That this unusual they viewed the world. That this unusual they viewed the world. That this unusual circumstance at this time of the year circumstance at this time of the year circumstance at this time of the year that's come upon us that that if we that's come upon us that that if we that's come upon us that that if we could listen to the wood on the boat is could listen to the wood on the boat is could listen to the wood on the boat is telling us I'm about to go here must be telling us I'm about to go here must be telling us I'm about to go here must be the work of some God who's hunting the work of some God who's hunting the work of some God who's hunting someone. And so they're trying to figure someone. And so they're trying to figure someone. And so they're trying to figure that out. This is a a storm that that's that out. This is a a storm that that's that out. This is a a storm that that's that's just never happened in their that's just never happened in their that's just never happened in their experience before. experience before. experience before. Of course, we know that God sent the Of course, we know that God sent the Of course, we know that God sent the storm, but but they're trying to storm, but but they're trying to storm, but but they're trying to understand their circumstances, not understand their circumstances, not understand their circumstances, not knowing that, sort of fumbling in the knowing that, sort of fumbling in the knowing that, sort of fumbling in the dark, dark, dark, trying to figure out what's happening, trying to figure out what's happening, trying to figure out what's happening, what God is up to something. what God is up to something. what God is up to something. So this storm is is sent by God. It's So this storm is is sent by God. It's So this storm is is sent by God. It's unusual. It's it's divine.

unusual. It's it's divine. unusual. It's it's divine. But the storm also suddenly stops. But the storm also suddenly stops. But the storm also suddenly stops. In verse 15, if you look at it again, In verse 15, if you look at it again, In verse 15, if you look at it again, once the sailors pick up Jonah and they once the sailors pick up Jonah and they once the sailors pick up Jonah and they hurl him into the sea, the sea stopped. hurl him into the sea, the sea stopped. hurl him into the sea, the sea stopped. It's raging. It's raging. It's raging. Unusual start. Unusual stop. Unusual start. Unusual stop. Unusual start. Unusual stop. It's as though Jonah is the switch It's as though Jonah is the switch It's as though Jonah is the switch that's flipped. that's flipped. that's flipped. It's as though they they got God what It's as though they they got God what It's as though they they got God what God rightfully wanted and it stopped. God rightfully wanted and it stopped. God rightfully wanted and it stopped. Ultimately, what we're seeing here is Ultimately, what we're seeing here is Ultimately, what we're seeing here is that God can switch on storms and God that God can switch on storms and God that God can switch on storms and God can switch off storms as he pleases. can switch off storms as he pleases. can switch off storms as he pleases. I don't know how he does it. I assume I don't know how he does it. I assume I don't know how he does it. I assume it's through the the the just the just it's through the the the just the just it's through the the the just the just his voice just just summoning the the his voice just just summoning the the his voice just just summoning the the wind and the sea and the waves to rise wind and the sea and the waves to rise wind and the sea and the waves to rise up. I I don't know if he has some sort up. I I don't know if he has some sort up. I I don't know if he has some sort of celestial thermostat panel that he of celestial thermostat panel that he of celestial thermostat panel that he uses to control things with. I I don't uses to control things with. I I don't uses to control things with. I I don't know. But we're told here very clearly know. But we're told here very clearly know. But we're told here very clearly that God is sovereign over the storm.

I'm not going to push this much in the I'm not going to push this much in the rest of the series, so I might as well rest of the series, so I might as well rest of the series, so I might as well say it here. If you look down at verse say it here. If you look down at verse say it here. If you look down at verse 17, the first half of verse 17, you'll 17, the first half of verse 17, you'll 17, the first half of verse 17, you'll see that it says that God appoints see that it says that God appoints see that it says that God appoints or sends or sends or sends or ordains a fish. or ordains a fish. or ordains a fish. And at some point, go to chapter 4 or And at some point, go to chapter 4 or And at some point, go to chapter 4 or remember from your days in this story in remember from your days in this story in remember from your days in this story in the past, you'll read about how God the past, you'll read about how God the past, you'll read about how God grows or appoints or ordains a plant. grows or appoints or ordains a plant. grows or appoints or ordains a plant. And then like the next verse, you will And then like the next verse, you will And then like the next verse, you will read about how God ordains or appoints read about how God ordains or appoints read about how God ordains or appoints or calls forth the birth of a hungry or calls forth the birth of a hungry or calls forth the birth of a hungry worm who eats the plant. worm who eats the plant. worm who eats the plant. What you're supposed to understand from What you're supposed to understand from What you're supposed to understand from from this story and certainly from this from this story and certainly from this from this story and certainly from this scene is that God is in control. God has scene is that God is in control. God has scene is that God is in control. God has sovereign total control over his sovereign total control over his sovereign total control over his creation. creation. creation. Wind, waves, stormy seas, calm seas, Wind, waves, stormy seas, calm seas, Wind, waves, stormy seas, calm seas, fish, plants, worms, total control. God fish, plants, worms, total control. God fish, plants, worms, total control. God rules over all and God rules through rules over all and God rules through rules over all and God rules through all. He directs his creation all. He directs his creation all. He directs his creation for his purposes as he pleases, for his purposes as he pleases, for his purposes as he pleases, including pursuing a prodigal prophet including pursuing a prodigal prophet including pursuing a prodigal prophet through a storm to give him an through a storm to give him an through a storm to give him an opportunity to sort his life out. Don't opportunity to sort his life out. Don't opportunity to sort his life out. Don't miss that.

miss that. miss that. God's using this storm to to get this God's using this storm to to get this God's using this storm to to get this man's attention, to give this man the man's attention, to give this man the man's attention, to give this man the opportunity to sort his life out. That opportunity to sort his life out. That opportunity to sort his life out. That storm is essentially the compassion of storm is essentially the compassion of storm is essentially the compassion of God. Now, they might not have felt it in God. Now, they might not have felt it in God. Now, they might not have felt it in the moment, but that storm is an act of the moment, but that storm is an act of the moment, but that storm is an act of God's compassion upon these people. God's compassion upon these people. God's compassion upon these people. Sovereign God pursuing a prodigal Sovereign God pursuing a prodigal Sovereign God pursuing a prodigal prophet because God is good, because God prophet because God is good, because God prophet because God is good, because God cares, because God is compassionate, cares, because God is compassionate, cares, because God is compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love and slow to anger, abounding in love and slow to anger, abounding in love and mercy. mercy. mercy. So don't miss that God is sovereign over So don't miss that God is sovereign over So don't miss that God is sovereign over storms. God doesn't want you to miss storms. God doesn't want you to miss storms. God doesn't want you to miss what he does in this scene. I control my what he does in this scene. I control my what he does in this scene. I control my creation. creation. creation. Secondly, God's relationship with humans Secondly, God's relationship with humans Secondly, God's relationship with humans becomes very clear here in the becomes very clear here in the becomes very clear here in the interactions that we see. God is interactions that we see. God is interactions that we see. God is sovereign over the lives of of these sovereign over the lives of of these sovereign over the lives of of these godless sailors. Uh and God is sovereign godless sailors. Uh and God is sovereign godless sailors. Uh and God is sovereign over the life of of this wobbly preacher over the life of of this wobbly preacher over the life of of this wobbly preacher servant. He rules over everyone. He servant. He rules over everyone. He servant. He rules over everyone. He rules over you. He rules over me. And he rules over you. He rules over me. And he rules over you. He rules over me. And he can use people, even lost people like can use people, even lost people like can use people, even lost people like the sailors. And he can use saved people the sailors. And he can use saved people the sailors. And he can use saved people who are acting like they're lost and in who are acting like they're lost and in who are acting like they're lost and in rebellion like Jonah to fulfill his rebellion like Jonah to fulfill his rebellion like Jonah to fulfill his purposes if he so wants.

purposes if he so wants. purposes if he so wants. That screams from this scene. That screams from this scene. That screams from this scene. God reached and used the sailors. They God reached and used the sailors. They God reached and used the sailors. They had no thought for this God, the true had no thought for this God, the true had no thought for this God, the true God, Yahweh, that morning when they set God, Yahweh, that morning when they set God, Yahweh, that morning when they set sail. sail. sail. In verse five and verse 6 and verse 7, In verse five and verse 6 and verse 7, In verse five and verse 6 and verse 7, we read of their lostness, right? we read of their lostness, right? we read of their lostness, right? They're praying. They're crying out to They're praying. They're crying out to They're praying. They're crying out to all these fake gods. all these fake gods. all these fake gods. But by verse 16, look at it again. You But by verse 16, look at it again. You But by verse 16, look at it again. You don't miss it. Then the men feared the don't miss it. Then the men feared the don't miss it. Then the men feared the Lord Yahweh greatly and they offered a Lord Yahweh greatly and they offered a Lord Yahweh greatly and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and they made vows sacrifice to the Lord and they made vows sacrifice to the Lord and they made vows to him. to him. to him. Pagan sailors with no thought for God Pagan sailors with no thought for God Pagan sailors with no thought for God are converted to God because of that are converted to God because of that are converted to God because of that storm. And then God uses them, as we read in And then God uses them, as we read in verse 15, just like he uses the storm, verse 15, just like he uses the storm, verse 15, just like he uses the storm, just like he uses the fish, just like he just like he uses the fish, just like he just like he uses the fish, just like he uses the plant, just like he uses the uses the plant, just like he uses the uses the plant, just like he uses the worm, he uses them to do his bidding, to worm, he uses them to do his bidding, to worm, he uses them to do his bidding, to do what he wants. They hurl Jonah into do what he wants. They hurl Jonah into do what he wants. They hurl Jonah into the sea for the sea to stop.

the sea for the sea to stop. the sea for the sea to stop. They gave God what God wanted. They They gave God what God wanted. They They gave God what God wanted. They flipped the switch, as it were, for God. flipped the switch, as it were, for God. flipped the switch, as it were, for God. Even then when they were trying Even then when they were trying Even then when they were trying desperately not to throw Jonah over sea, desperately not to throw Jonah over sea, desperately not to throw Jonah over sea, they were trying to row back to to get they were trying to row back to to get they were trying to row back to to get him to dry land. him to dry land. him to dry land. So God is sovereign over the lives of of So God is sovereign over the lives of of So God is sovereign over the lives of of these godless sailors. And God is these godless sailors. And God is these godless sailors. And God is clearly sovereign over the life of this clearly sovereign over the life of this clearly sovereign over the life of this full-time vocational pastor who's in full-time vocational pastor who's in full-time vocational pastor who's in rebellion. Remember verse 5, look at it rebellion. Remember verse 5, look at it rebellion. Remember verse 5, look at it again. Or verse 9, sorry, verse 9. again. Or verse 9, sorry, verse 9. again. Or verse 9, sorry, verse 9. Hebrew I am. Hebrew I am. Hebrew I am. Hebrew I am. I fear the Lord God of Hebrew I am. I fear the Lord God of Hebrew I am. I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and heaven who made the sea and heaven who made the sea and [clears throat] the dry land blah blah [clears throat] the dry land blah blah [clears throat] the dry land blah blah blah blah on his lips because his heart blah blah on his lips because his heart blah blah on his lips because his heart is off. He can say that all day long. is off. He can say that all day long. is off. He can say that all day long. He's not living like that. He's not living like that. He's not living like that. The words are true, but the heart is The words are true, but the heart is The words are true, but the heart is off. But God uses those true words even off. But God uses those true words even off. But God uses those true words even though they're hypocritical and on though they're hypocritical and on though they're hypocritical and on boasting lips of a runaway preacher to boasting lips of a runaway preacher to boasting lips of a runaway preacher to do what this preacher doesn't want to do what this preacher doesn't want to do what this preacher doesn't want to have done, which is for them to be a have done, which is for them to be a have done, which is for them to be a witness to the lost concerning the true witness to the lost concerning the true witness to the lost concerning the true God. That's how sovereign he is.

God. That's how sovereign he is. God. That's how sovereign he is. Using true words on fake lips in order Using true words on fake lips in order Using true words on fake lips in order to reach people who don't know God, had to reach people who don't know God, had to reach people who don't know God, had no interest in God so that they come to no interest in God so that they come to no interest in God so that they come to know God. God is sovereign. know God. God is sovereign. know God. God is sovereign. God is in total control. He can even use God is in total control. He can even use God is in total control. He can even use true words on huffy, sleepy, runaway true words on huffy, sleepy, runaway true words on huffy, sleepy, runaway lips to save if he so chooses. Reminds me of an incident my dad told me Reminds me of an incident my dad told me about years ago. My dad is a pastor and about years ago. My dad is a pastor and about years ago. My dad is a pastor and and he had been visiting a man in and he had been visiting a man in and he had been visiting a man in hospital over a series of weeks and the hospital over a series of weeks and the hospital over a series of weeks and the man was very ill and dad had been man was very ill and dad had been man was very ill and dad had been sharing the gospel with him but but he sharing the gospel with him but but he sharing the gospel with him but but he hadn't turned to Christ. And one one hadn't turned to Christ. And one one hadn't turned to Christ. And one one time he came to to see this man again. time he came to to see this man again. time he came to to see this man again. And the man wasn't there. The man had And the man wasn't there. The man had And the man wasn't there. The man had passed away. passed away. passed away. And of course this concerned dad and and And of course this concerned dad and and And of course this concerned dad and and as he was there, the guy who was lying as he was there, the guy who was lying as he was there, the guy who was lying in the in the hospital bed beside this in the in the hospital bed beside this in the in the hospital bed beside this man who was now deceased saw dad and and man who was now deceased saw dad and and man who was now deceased saw dad and and he said to him, "Don't worry. I led him he said to him, "Don't worry. I led him he said to him, "Don't worry. I led him to Christ."

to Christ." to Christ." I shared the gospel with him and he I shared the gospel with him and he I shared the gospel with him and he believed. And dad was encouraged by believed. And dad was encouraged by believed. And dad was encouraged by this. and and he asked this individual this. and and he asked this individual this. and and he asked this individual how long he had been a believer, how how long he had been a believer, how how long he had been a believer, how long he had been a Christian. To which long he had been a Christian. To which long he had been a Christian. To which the man responded, "I'm not a Christian, the man responded, "I'm not a Christian, the man responded, "I'm not a Christian, but I know the gospel. but I know the gospel. but I know the gospel. I'm not a believer, I'm not a believer, I'm not a believer, but I know the gospel." but I know the gospel." but I know the gospel." God can use God can use God can use Jonah despite Jonah. Jonah despite Jonah. Jonah despite Jonah. That's total control. That's total control. That's total control. Jonah can't outrun. Jonah can't Jonah can't outrun. Jonah can't Jonah can't outrun. Jonah can't outsmart. Jonah can't outwit. Jonah outsmart. Jonah can't outwit. Jonah outsmart. Jonah can't outwit. Jonah can't outmaneuver. Jonah can't sabotage can't outmaneuver. Jonah can't sabotage can't outmaneuver. Jonah can't sabotage God's plans. God's plans. God's plans. The storm, the runaway servant were just The storm, the runaway servant were just The storm, the runaway servant were just used by a compassionate, sovereign God used by a compassionate, sovereign God used by a compassionate, sovereign God to reach these lost sailors because God to reach these lost sailors because God to reach these lost sailors because God is in total control. is in total control. is in total control. And God is good. And God is good. And God is good. He's compassionate.

He's compassionate. He's compassionate. He's slow to anger. He's abounding in He's slow to anger. He's abounding in He's slow to anger. He's abounding in love. love. love. I believe he would have used some other I believe he would have used some other I believe he would have used some other means to get the gospel to these sailors means to get the gospel to these sailors means to get the gospel to these sailors someday. someday. someday. But the occasion arose through a runaway But the occasion arose through a runaway But the occasion arose through a runaway preacher for him to reach them that day. preacher for him to reach them that day. preacher for him to reach them that day. That's how in control God is. God is That's how in control God is. God is That's how in control God is. God is sovereign over storms and all creation. sovereign over storms and all creation. sovereign over storms and all creation. God is sovereign over sailors and God is sovereign over sailors and God is sovereign over sailors and runaway servants. Thirdly, God is runaway servants. Thirdly, God is runaway servants. Thirdly, God is sovereign even over pagan motivated sovereign even over pagan motivated sovereign even over pagan motivated cultural practices. cultural practices. cultural practices. I'm not talking about tepeeing, but God I'm not talking about tepeeing, but God I'm not talking about tepeeing, but God is sovereign over tepeeing. is sovereign over tepeeing. is sovereign over tepeeing. God is sovereign over stones, God is sovereign over stones, God is sovereign over stones, pebbles. pebbles. pebbles. Let me explain this to you. Turn to Let me explain this to you. Turn to Let me explain this to you. Turn to verse seven. The sailors said to one verse seven. The sailors said to one verse seven. The sailors said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots so we another, "Come, let us cast lots so we another, "Come, let us cast lots so we may find out on whose account this may find out on whose account this may find out on whose account this calamity has come upon us." So they cast calamity has come upon us." So they cast calamity has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.

lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. What you're reading of here is a What you're reading of here is a What you're reading of here is a cultural practice of trying to figure cultural practice of trying to figure cultural practice of trying to figure out what the gods are doing, which is out what the gods are doing, which is out what the gods are doing, which is not that unlike remove the fake gods. not that unlike remove the fake gods. not that unlike remove the fake gods. What we do with our cultural practice of What we do with our cultural practice of What we do with our cultural practice of rock, paper, scissors, shoot, rock, paper, scissors, shoot, rock, paper, scissors, shoot, right? To try and figure out an outcome right? To try and figure out an outcome right? To try and figure out an outcome or of or a way forward. or of or a way forward. or of or a way forward. Rock, paper, scissors, shoot is is Rock, paper, scissors, shoot is is Rock, paper, scissors, shoot is is essentially what's going on here, except essentially what's going on here, except essentially what's going on here, except they're doing it with with lots which they're doing it with with lots which they're doing it with with lots which were stones. were stones. were stones. They were little pebbles that they would They were little pebbles that they would They were little pebbles that they would paint on one side of the two petals. paint on one side of the two petals. paint on one side of the two petals. They pebbles they would paint it dark, a They pebbles they would paint it dark, a They pebbles they would paint it dark, a dark color, and then they would flip the dark color, and then they would flip the dark color, and then they would flip the pebb pebbles and on the other side they pebb pebbles and on the other side they pebb pebbles and on the other side they would paint it a light color. So when would paint it a light color. So when would paint it a light color. So when you cast these two pedals, I if if both you cast these two pedals, I if if both you cast these two pedals, I if if both the stones, the pebbles fell with the the stones, the pebbles fell with the the stones, the pebbles fell with the dark side up, then the gods were dark side up, then the gods were dark side up, then the gods were answering your question with a no.

answering your question with a no. answering your question with a no. And if they fell with the light painted And if they fell with the light painted And if they fell with the light painted side up, then the gods were essentially side up, then the gods were essentially side up, then the gods were essentially giving you the answer to your question, giving you the answer to your question, giving you the answer to your question, yes. yes. yes. And if you were unfortunate enough to And if you were unfortunate enough to And if you were unfortunate enough to have one dark up and one light up, then have one dark up and one light up, then have one dark up and one light up, then it was just, hey, throw again. Just it was just, hey, throw again. Just it was just, hey, throw again. Just throw again. throw again. throw again. Well, it it just happens that as they're Well, it it just happens that as they're Well, it it just happens that as they're working their way through all the working their way through all the working their way through all the sailors, when it comes to Jonah's turn, sailors, when it comes to Jonah's turn, sailors, when it comes to Jonah's turn, it seems like only at that point the it seems like only at that point the it seems like only at that point the pebbles must have been saying, "Yes, pebbles must have been saying, "Yes, pebbles must have been saying, "Yes, cuz they find their culprit." And then cuz they find their culprit." And then cuz they find their culprit." And then they interrogate him. they interrogate him. they interrogate him. God got Jonah for them. God got Jonah for them. God got Jonah for them. In his kindness, God even controlled In his kindness, God even controlled In his kindness, God even controlled this cultural practice in the hands of this cultural practice in the hands of this cultural practice in the hands of these pagan sailors in order to direct these pagan sailors in order to direct these pagan sailors in order to direct them toward truth. God accommodated to them toward truth. God accommodated to them toward truth. God accommodated to their level of maturity to speak to their level of maturity to speak to their level of maturity to speak to them. them. them. That's how good God is. That's how That's how good God is. That's how That's how good God is. That's how compassionate God is. That's how compassionate God is. That's how compassionate God is. That's how sovereign God is. that storm and that sovereign God is. that storm and that sovereign God is. that storm and that runaway servant and those stones were runaway servant and those stones were runaway servant and those stones were used by a compassionate sovereign God used by a compassionate sovereign God used by a compassionate sovereign God for their good because God is good for their good because God is good for their good because God is good and God is in total control. Don't miss and God is in total control. Don't miss and God is in total control. Don't miss that in this sea storm. Don't miss that that in this sea storm. Don't miss that that in this sea storm. Don't miss that as we study the book of Jonah. God is as we study the book of Jonah. God is as we study the book of Jonah. God is sovereign over it all. over storms, sovereign over it all. over storms, sovereign over it all. over storms, sailors, runaway servants, and even the sailors, runaway servants, and even the sailors, runaway servants, and even the weird cultural practice of using stones

weird cultural practice of using stones weird cultural practice of using stones to decipher the future. to decipher the future. to decipher the future. So, so here's what spills out of this So, so here's what spills out of this So, so here's what spills out of this scene as it relates to God. Character uh scene as it relates to God. Character uh scene as it relates to God. Character uh cutout number three to be put on your cutout number three to be put on your cutout number three to be put on your heart. Write this down. The sovereign heart. Write this down. The sovereign heart. Write this down. The sovereign God rules over all. Rules over all. God rules over all. Rules over all. God rules over all. Rules over all. Underline rules over all. So we submit Underline rules over all. So we submit Underline rules over all. So we submit to his authority. We don't subvert his to his authority. We don't subvert his to his authority. We don't subvert his authority. We submit to his authority. authority. We submit to his authority. authority. We submit to his authority. He rules. He's boss. We surrender to him He rules. He's boss. We surrender to him He rules. He's boss. We surrender to him not to try and sabotage his will. We not to try and sabotage his will. We not to try and sabotage his will. We live and we walk in the worship and in live and we walk in the worship and in live and we walk in the worship and in the fear of God. We don't live and walk the fear of God. We don't live and walk the fear of God. We don't live and walk as believers in wrongdoing or fleeing as believers in wrongdoing or fleeing as believers in wrongdoing or fleeing from the presence of God. And to live in from the presence of God. And to live in from the presence of God. And to live in submission to God is good because the submission to God is good because the submission to God is good because the sovereign God is good and he cares and sovereign God is good and he cares and sovereign God is good and he cares and he's compassionate even when he sends a he's compassionate even when he sends a he's compassionate even when he sends a scary storm.

Let me leave you with two practical Let me leave you with two practical comments that I'd love you to write down comments that I'd love you to write down comments that I'd love you to write down and take home and find time to chew on and take home and find time to chew on and take home and find time to chew on them this week. They're just too them this week. They're just too them this week. They're just too important. important. important. two, I think, teachings that that are two, I think, teachings that that are two, I think, teachings that that are all over this scene, but that are all all over this scene, but that are all all over this scene, but that are all over what God has told us about his over what God has told us about his over what God has told us about his ways, himself, how he functions in the ways, himself, how he functions in the ways, himself, how he functions in the world world, all over scripture. And the world world, all over scripture. And the world world, all over scripture. And the first one is a is a word of comfort. first one is a is a word of comfort. first one is a is a word of comfort. I want you to take comfort in in this I want you to take comfort in in this I want you to take comfort in in this truth to never forget this about our truth to never forget this about our truth to never forget this about our God. God is in control and he is good. God. God is in control and he is good. God. God is in control and he is good. I mean, it seems so basic, but you need I mean, it seems so basic, but you need I mean, it seems so basic, but you need to live in that truth tomorrow morning. to live in that truth tomorrow morning. to live in that truth tomorrow morning. God is in control God is in control God is in control and he's good. and he's good. and he's good. He's sovereign. We don't need to panic. He's sovereign. We don't need to panic. He's sovereign. We don't need to panic. God is sovereign over storms and stones God is sovereign over storms and stones God is sovereign over storms and stones and sailors and prodigal servants and and sailors and prodigal servants and and sailors and prodigal servants and fish and plants and worms as we see in fish and plants and worms as we see in fish and plants and worms as we see in the book of Jonah. But let me let me be the book of Jonah. But let me let me be the book of Jonah. But let me let me be very very clear. That's just the very very clear. That's just the very very clear. That's just the categories in Jonah through which God categories in Jonah through which God categories in Jonah through which God wants you to understand that truth. That wants you to understand that truth. That wants you to understand that truth. That truth works in all categories of life, truth works in all categories of life, truth works in all categories of life, not just storms and and worms and plants not just storms and and worms and plants not just storms and and worms and plants and lots and stones.

and lots and stones. and lots and stones. So, let me be very very clear because I So, let me be very very clear because I So, let me be very very clear because I can't have you miss this. can't have you miss this. can't have you miss this. What this means is that God is sovereign What this means is that God is sovereign What this means is that God is sovereign over you over you over you and God is sovereign over me. What this and God is sovereign over me. What this and God is sovereign over me. What this means is that God controls 2026, means is that God controls 2026, means is that God controls 2026, just like he did 1926. just like he did 1926. just like he did 1926. And just like he will 2126, And just like he will 2126, And just like he will 2126, [snorts] [snorts] [snorts] God is sovereign over today, this God is sovereign over today, this God is sovereign over today, this Sunday, and every single day until next Sunday, and every single day until next Sunday, and every single day until next Sunday. Sunday. Sunday. God doesn't just own your Sunday God doesn't just own your Sunday God doesn't just own your Sunday mornings. mornings. mornings. He owns all your mornings. He owns all your mornings. He owns all your mornings. God is sovereign over our economy. God is sovereign over our economy. God is sovereign over our economy. God is sovereign over all economies. God is sovereign over all economies. God is sovereign over all economies. God is sovereign over the markets. God God is sovereign over the markets. God God is sovereign over the markets. God is sovereign over our jobs. God is is sovereign over our jobs. God is is sovereign over our jobs. God is sovereign over our illnesses. God is sovereign over our illnesses. God is sovereign over our illnesses. God is sovereign over our cancers. God controls life where Jonah wanted to God controls life where Jonah wanted to do life successfully in Israel. And God do life successfully in Israel. And God do life successfully in Israel. And God controls life in Japa. And God controls controls life in Japa. And God controls controls life in Japa. And God controls life in Nineveh. And God controls life life in Nineveh. And God controls life life in Nineveh. And God controls life in Tarses.

in Tarses. in Tarses. God controls life on that boat and God God controls life on that boat and God God controls life on that boat and God controls life outside of that boat and controls life outside of that boat and controls life outside of that boat and God controls life on any airplane that God controls life on any airplane that God controls life on any airplane that you will ever board. you will ever board. you will ever board. God controls the straight of Hormuz God controls the straight of Hormuz God controls the straight of Hormuz and Suez Canal and the Panama Canal and and Suez Canal and the Panama Canal and and Suez Canal and the Panama Canal and the next straight or canal that will the next straight or canal that will the next straight or canal that will come into our vocabulary this week. come into our vocabulary this week. come into our vocabulary this week. God controls all geography. God controls all geography. God controls all geography. God is sovereign over Irish rain. God is sovereign over Irish rain. God is sovereign over Irish rain. God is sovereign over Canadian snow. God God is sovereign over Canadian snow. God God is sovereign over Canadian snow. God is sovereign over the Texan sun. God is is sovereign over the Texan sun. God is is sovereign over the Texan sun. God is sovereign over all that nasty pollen sovereign over all that nasty pollen sovereign over all that nasty pollen that fell on my car and my house the that fell on my car and my house the that fell on my car and my house the last few weeks. [snorts] last few weeks. [snorts] last few weeks. [snorts] God is sovereign over fire ants. God is sovereign over fire ants. God is sovereign over fire ants. God is sovereign all over all those God is sovereign all over all those God is sovereign all over all those little tiny termites way down there little tiny termites way down there little tiny termites way down there trying to invade your house. trying to invade your house. trying to invade your house. God knows them all. sovereign over each God knows them all. sovereign over each God knows them all. sovereign over each and every single one of them.

and every single one of them. and every single one of them. You get the point, right? You get the point, right? You get the point, right? It spills out from just the sea storm It spills out from just the sea storm It spills out from just the sea storm just in case. just in case. just in case. God God is sovereign over the birds God God is sovereign over the birds God God is sovereign over the birds nesting in my garden and your garden. nesting in my garden and your garden. nesting in my garden and your garden. God is sovereign over the squirrels in God is sovereign over the squirrels in God is sovereign over the squirrels in your neighborhood and the squirrels your neighborhood and the squirrels your neighborhood and the squirrels eating the apples in my apple tree in my eating the apples in my apple tree in my eating the apples in my apple tree in my house. house. house. God is sovereign over the possum that God is sovereign over the possum that God is sovereign over the possum that scared the life out of me the other scared the life out of me the other scared the life out of me the other night. night. night. nasty, ugly-l looking creature. God is sovereign over the other side of God is sovereign over the other side of the moon that humanity had never seen the moon that humanity had never seen the moon that humanity had never seen until recently. until recently. until recently. God is sovereign over Mars and Saturn. God is sovereign over Mars and Saturn. God is sovereign over Mars and Saturn. God is sovereign over every single dust God is sovereign over every single dust God is sovereign over every single dust particle that's flying in whatever which particle that's flying in whatever which particle that's flying in whatever which direction in whatever galaxy out there direction in whatever galaxy out there direction in whatever galaxy out there heading. It seems nowhere. You get it right. God is sovereign. You get it right. God is sovereign. Just to be clear, Just to be clear, Just to be clear, God is sovereign over Trump.

God is sovereign over Trump. God is sovereign over Trump. God is sovereign over Putin. God is sovereign over Putin. God is sovereign over Putin. God is sovereign over Gi Jingping. God is sovereign over Gi Jingping. God is sovereign over Gi Jingping. God is sovereign over the Pope. God is sovereign over the Pope. God is sovereign over the Pope. God is sovereign over Mr. Abel, the God is sovereign over Mr. Abel, the God is sovereign over Mr. Abel, the janitor at my kid's school. janitor at my kid's school. janitor at my kid's school. God is sovereign over all of us. He's God is sovereign over all of us. He's God is sovereign over all of us. He's sovereign over your days. He's sovereign sovereign over your days. He's sovereign sovereign over your days. He's sovereign over my days. He's sovereign over your over my days. He's sovereign over your over my days. He's sovereign over your bank account and my bank account. He's bank account and my bank account. He's bank account and my bank account. He's sovereign over our godly kids. And he's sovereign over our godly kids. And he's sovereign over our godly kids. And he's sovereign over our prodigal kids that we sovereign over our prodigal kids that we sovereign over our prodigal kids that we want back. want back. want back. God is sovereign over every hair on my God is sovereign over every hair on my God is sovereign over every hair on my head, on your head, and on your cute head, on your head, and on your cute head, on your head, and on your cute fluffy dog's head. fluffy dog's head. fluffy dog's head. So, please don't miss the point. It So, please don't miss the point. It So, please don't miss the point. It spills out from just the categories in a spills out from just the categories in a spills out from just the categories in a seatorm in Jonah chapter 1. God is seatorm in Jonah chapter 1. God is seatorm in Jonah chapter 1. God is sovereign over all sovereign over all sovereign over all total control. Not just storms and stones and sailors Not just storms and stones and sailors and servants who have gone rogue and and servants who have gone rogue and and servants who have gone rogue and fish and plants and worms.

fish and plants and worms. fish and plants and worms. His control is total and his control is His control is total and his control is His control is total and his control is good because he is good. He's not good because he is good. He's not good because he is good. He's not pursuing Jonah to squish Jonah. He's not pursuing Jonah to squish Jonah. He's not pursuing Jonah to squish Jonah. He's not pursuing Jonah and sending the storm to pursuing Jonah and sending the storm to pursuing Jonah and sending the storm to drown pagan sailors who have no thought drown pagan sailors who have no thought drown pagan sailors who have no thought for him. He's not wanting to send Jonah for him. He's not wanting to send Jonah for him. He's not wanting to send Jonah to to Nineveh with a message of doom so to to Nineveh with a message of doom so to to Nineveh with a message of doom so that he can squish the Ninevites as we that he can squish the Ninevites as we that he can squish the Ninevites as we will see in chapter 3, will see in chapter 3, will see in chapter 3, but out of love, but out of love, but out of love, out of compassion, out of compassion, out of compassion, because he is slow to anger and he's because he is slow to anger and he's because he is slow to anger and he's abounding in love. So take comfort in abounding in love. So take comfort in abounding in love. So take comfort in that truth. That is true. That is gospel that truth. That is true. That is gospel that truth. That is true. That is gospel truth from from God's own truth from from God's own truth from from God's own self-disclosure of himself in his book. self-disclosure of himself in his book. self-disclosure of himself in his book. God is in control of all and he is good God is in control of all and he is good God is in control of all and he is good and he wants inside your marriage and he and he wants inside your marriage and he and he wants inside your marriage and he wants inside your family and he wants wants inside your family and he wants wants inside your family and he wants inside your workplace and he wants to be inside your workplace and he wants to be inside your workplace and he wants to be with you in whatever storm you're facing with you in whatever storm you're facing with you in whatever storm you're facing tomorrow morning tomorrow morning tomorrow morning to take comfort in that truth. But to take comfort in that truth. But to take comfort in that truth. But there's a second beautiful uh there's a second beautiful uh there's a second beautiful uh applicational uh principle I think that applicational uh principle I think that applicational uh principle I think that emerges here and it comes to us as a emerges here and it comes to us as a emerges here and it comes to us as a piece of advice piece of advice piece of advice which means you can take it or you or which means you can take it or you or which means you can take it or you or you don't have to take it. It's you don't have to take it. It's you don't have to take it. It's practical advice given the teaching that practical advice given the teaching that practical advice given the teaching that emerges here. But it's it's scattered emerges here. But it's it's scattered emerges here. But it's it's scattered all over the scriptures. And the advice all over the scriptures. And the advice all over the scriptures. And the advice is this. Position your life, please, in is this. Position your life, please, in is this. Position your life, please, in the providential hand of God, not the the providential hand of God, not the the providential hand of God, not the dirty hand of Satan.

You have a role to play here. You have a role to play here. Position your life into the providential Position your life into the providential Position your life into the providential hand path of a sovereign God. Not the hand path of a sovereign God. Not the hand path of a sovereign God. Not the not the environment, not the path, not not the environment, not the path, not not the environment, not the path, not the ways, not the terrain of the dirty the ways, not the terrain of the dirty the ways, not the terrain of the dirty hand of Satan. Now, let me explain. hand of Satan. Now, let me explain. hand of Satan. Now, let me explain. The providence of God is an aspect, a The providence of God is an aspect, a The providence of God is an aspect, a part of the sovereignty of God. It's one part of the sovereignty of God. It's one part of the sovereignty of God. It's one of the ways in which he exercises his of the ways in which he exercises his of the ways in which he exercises his rule and it is one of the most beautiful rule and it is one of the most beautiful rule and it is one of the most beautiful truths in the scriptures. Comforts me truths in the scriptures. Comforts me truths in the scriptures. Comforts me every day. every day. every day. As you know, God created this realm and As you know, God created this realm and As you know, God created this realm and he did so with builtin he did so with builtin he did so with builtin natural laws that he designed natural laws that he designed natural laws that he designed operate according to these laws, natural operate according to these laws, natural operate according to these laws, natural laws. laws. laws. But but God is sovereign. He can But but God is sovereign. He can But but God is sovereign. He can directly interrupt their flow. And he directly interrupt their flow. And he directly interrupt their flow. And he has has has splitting a Red Sea in half so that his splitting a Red Sea in half so that his splitting a Red Sea in half so that his people walk is is interrupting the people walk is is interrupting the people walk is is interrupting the natural order and flow of the laws that natural order and flow of the laws that natural order and flow of the laws that he designed his creation to function he designed his creation to function he designed his creation to function according to.

according to. according to. Stilling the sun like he did under Stilling the sun like he did under Stilling the sun like he did under Joshua is the same. Having an ax head Joshua is the same. Having an ax head Joshua is the same. Having an ax head float to the surface of water rather float to the surface of water rather float to the surface of water rather than sink to the bottom like he did with than sink to the bottom like he did with than sink to the bottom like he did with Elisha was an interruption into the Elisha was an interruption into the Elisha was an interruption into the natural flow of the of the laws of of natural flow of the of the laws of of natural flow of the of the laws of of nature that God designed. nature that God designed. nature that God designed. Jesus walking on water is another Jesus walking on water is another Jesus walking on water is another example. example. example. So it's very clear that that in the So it's very clear that that in the So it's very clear that that in the scriptures we have God interrupting scriptures we have God interrupting scriptures we have God interrupting pausing how he has made the world to pausing how he has made the world to pausing how he has made the world to function according to and we tend to function according to and we tend to function according to and we tend to call those miracles miracles but but God call those miracles miracles but but God call those miracles miracles but but God doesn't always work like that in his doesn't always work like that in his doesn't always work like that in his sovereignty he has also chosen to to sovereignty he has also chosen to to sovereignty he has also chosen to to work indirectly work indirectly work indirectly working within the system essentially working within the system essentially working within the system essentially Messiah ing the the natural flow of Messiah ing the the natural flow of Messiah ing the the natural flow of things, tweaking them so that they're things, tweaking them so that they're things, tweaking them so that they're redirected toward his purposes. We see redirected toward his purposes. We see redirected toward his purposes. We see it all over the scriptures.

it all over the scriptures. it all over the scriptures. Take the life of Joseph. Take the life of Joseph. Take the life of Joseph. Joseph's brothers weren't happy with Joseph's brothers weren't happy with Joseph's brothers weren't happy with Joseph telling them that he had a dream Joseph telling them that he had a dream Joseph telling them that he had a dream and his dream for life was that one day and his dream for life was that one day and his dream for life was that one day they would bow down to him, that he they would bow down to him, that he they would bow down to him, that he would be over them. So, they sell him would be over them. So, they sell him would be over them. So, they sell him into slavery, which was an evil thing to into slavery, which was an evil thing to into slavery, which was an evil thing to do. let's get rid of Joseph. But in the do. let's get rid of Joseph. But in the do. let's get rid of Joseph. But in the providence of God, God actually uses providence of God, God actually uses providence of God, God actually uses that to get Joseph to Egypt so that he that to get Joseph to Egypt so that he that to get Joseph to Egypt so that he becomes the boss of Egypt and ultimately becomes the boss of Egypt and ultimately becomes the boss of Egypt and ultimately brings deliverance to them. brings deliverance to them. brings deliverance to them. They end up bowing the knee to their They end up bowing the knee to their They end up bowing the knee to their brother Joseph. brother Joseph. brother Joseph. Or or take take the example of King Or or take take the example of King Or or take take the example of King Cyrus [snorts] of Persia, Iran. That's a Cyrus [snorts] of Persia, Iran. That's a Cyrus [snorts] of Persia, Iran. That's a wicked king. He's no thought for for our wicked king. He's no thought for for our wicked king. He's no thought for for our God. And yet God tweaks his God. And yet God tweaks his God. And yet God tweaks his international foreign policy as to what international foreign policy as to what international foreign policy as to what to do with displaced people so that he to do with displaced people so that he to do with displaced people so that he sends the Jews back to Israel to rebuild sends the Jews back to Israel to rebuild sends the Jews back to Israel to rebuild the temple and the land, which was what the temple and the land, which was what the temple and the land, which was what God had promised his people long ago.

God had promised his people long ago. God had promised his people long ago. God God works indirectly massaging God God works indirectly massaging God God works indirectly massaging events and encounters and people inside events and encounters and people inside events and encounters and people inside of creation. He's sovereign. He can of creation. He's sovereign. He can of creation. He's sovereign. He can directly suspend the natural laws that directly suspend the natural laws that directly suspend the natural laws that he's laid out for the functioning of the he's laid out for the functioning of the he's laid out for the functioning of the planet or he can indirectly puppeteer planet or he can indirectly puppeteer planet or he can indirectly puppeteer their natural flow to his purposes. their natural flow to his purposes. their natural flow to his purposes. That's how sovereign he is. That's how sovereign he is. That's how sovereign he is. But as it relates to you and my life But as it relates to you and my life But as it relates to you and my life from what I see in the world around me, from what I see in the world around me, from what I see in the world around me, as I filter what I see through the as I filter what I see through the as I filter what I see through the scriptures in light of what I see in the scriptures in light of what I see in the scriptures in light of what I see in the scriptures, it seems to me that God more scriptures, it seems to me that God more scriptures, it seems to me that God more often than not chooses to indirectly often than not chooses to indirectly often than not chooses to indirectly massage the natural flow of regular massage the natural flow of regular massage the natural flow of regular circumstances. circumstances. circumstances. We call that the providence of God. We call that the providence of God. We call that the providence of God. God working within his system, working God working within his system, working God working within his system, working within the ordinary routine activities within the ordinary routine activities within the ordinary routine activities and events and encounters of life as you and events and encounters of life as you and events and encounters of life as you walk with him, walk with him, walk with him, learning to discern his voice, learning learning to discern his voice, learning learning to discern his voice, learning to detect his presence, learning to feel to detect his presence, learning to feel to detect his presence, learning to feel his nudging in his hand.

his nudging in his hand. his nudging in his hand. And so you have to position your life in And so you have to position your life in And so you have to position your life in the providential hand of God. the providential hand of God. the providential hand of God. or else he might send a storm. or else he might send a storm. or else he might send a storm. We could have avoided chapter one and We could have avoided chapter one and We could have avoided chapter one and two of Jonah two of Jonah two of Jonah had Jonah just gone to Nineveh. had Jonah just gone to Nineveh. had Jonah just gone to Nineveh. So, position your life. If you're a So, position your life. If you're a So, position your life. If you're a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, you follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, you follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, you position your life into the path that position your life into the path that position your life into the path that God wants to walk with you on. And when God wants to walk with you on. And when God wants to walk with you on. And when you do, he begins to direct you in the you do, he begins to direct you in the you do, he begins to direct you in the ordinary to fulfill his purposes. ordinary to fulfill his purposes. ordinary to fulfill his purposes. How do you position your life where his How do you position your life where his How do you position your life where his hand works? Well, I mean, I think you're hand works? Well, I mean, I think you're hand works? Well, I mean, I think you're doing it this morning. Get into his word doing it this morning. Get into his word doing it this morning. Get into his word regularly. It seems so basic, but it is regularly. It seems so basic, but it is regularly. It seems so basic, but it is true. true. true. Get into the word of God regularly. Get into the word of God regularly. Get into the word of God regularly. Gather with God's people regularly. Gather with God's people regularly. Gather with God's people regularly. These are environments where God shows These are environments where God shows These are environments where God shows up and wants to work and walk with you.

up and wants to work and walk with you. up and wants to work and walk with you. Make sure that you're regularly coming Make sure that you're regularly coming Make sure that you're regularly coming clean before God. Making sure that clean before God. Making sure that clean before God. Making sure that you're not dabbling in some form of you're not dabbling in some form of you're not dabbling in some form of disobedience or sin. Making sure you're disobedience or sin. Making sure you're disobedience or sin. Making sure you're not snoring your head off in some ship not snoring your head off in some ship not snoring your head off in some ship toward Tarses. toward Tarses. toward Tarses. You position your life I in the path You position your life I in the path You position your life I in the path that God walks and his hand will begin that God walks and his hand will begin that God walks and his hand will begin to direct your days. But here's the thing. Satan has plans But here's the thing. Satan has plans for your life, too. That's very clear in the scriptures. That's very clear in the scriptures. Satan has plans for your life, too. He Satan has plans for your life, too. He Satan has plans for your life, too. He had plans for Jonah. had plans for Jonah. had plans for Jonah. I'm convinced. While it doesn't say in I'm convinced. While it doesn't say in I'm convinced. While it doesn't say in the text, so don't hold me to it. I'm the text, so don't hold me to it. I'm the text, so don't hold me to it. I'm kind of convinced that Satan was kind of convinced that Satan was kind of convinced that Satan was whistling down to Japa with Jonah. whistling down to Japa with Jonah. whistling down to Japa with Jonah. Probably got him that good deal on his Probably got him that good deal on his Probably got him that good deal on his Hawaiian shirt. Nothing made him happier. Nothing made him happier. He's always looking for a foothold. He's always looking for a foothold. He's always looking for a foothold. He's always looking for a bad attitude.

He's always looking for a bad attitude. He's always looking for a bad attitude. He's always looking for some temptation He's always looking for some temptation He's always looking for some temptation to to lure your heart. He's always to to lure your heart. He's always to to lure your heart. He's always looking for a gossipy tongue. He's looking for a gossipy tongue. He's looking for a gossipy tongue. He's always looking for a sleepy Christian. always looking for a sleepy Christian. always looking for a sleepy Christian. anything to sabotage God's plans for anything to sabotage God's plans for anything to sabotage God's plans for your life and stick it to God. your life and stick it to God. your life and stick it to God. And Satan's hand is powerful. He's no And Satan's hand is powerful. He's no And Satan's hand is powerful. He's no match for God. He's a created being. match for God. He's a created being. match for God. He's a created being. He's It's not like there's God and Satan He's It's not like there's God and Satan He's It's not like there's God and Satan and they're equal. But he is powerful and they're equal. But he is powerful and they're equal. But he is powerful and he is very experienced. He's got a and he is very experienced. He's got a and he is very experienced. He's got a lot more experience with the human heart lot more experience with the human heart lot more experience with the human heart than you do. He's dirty He's dirty and he wants to bait you. And he's and he wants to bait you. And he's and he wants to bait you. And he's experienced betting people away from experienced betting people away from experienced betting people away from God. Satan can send you very tempting God. Satan can send you very tempting God. Satan can send you very tempting opportunities that you've no business opportunities that you've no business opportunities that you've no business pursuing. pursuing. pursuing. Satan knows how to work with flattery. Satan knows how to work with flattery. Satan knows how to work with flattery. Satan can organize lots of boats to Satan can organize lots of boats to Satan can organize lots of boats to Tarses. Tarses. Tarses. Satan can Amazon prime you a new pair of Satan can Amazon prime you a new pair of Satan can Amazon prime you a new pair of sneakers to your front porch so that you sneakers to your front porch so that you sneakers to your front porch so that you run from God comfortably and fast.

Satan can also organize a chauffeur Satan can also organize a chauffeur driven, you know, luxury Uber to get you driven, you know, luxury Uber to get you driven, you know, luxury Uber to get you away, away, away, but he will if you give him the but he will if you give him the but he will if you give him the opportunity. He's active, opportunity. He's active, opportunity. He's active, but he's a snake but he's a snake but he's a snake who waits in the long grass to strike. who waits in the long grass to strike. who waits in the long grass to strike. He's a lion He's a lion He's a lion who prowls around who prowls around who prowls around waiting to pounce waiting to pounce waiting to pounce hunting hungry. hunting hungry. hunting hungry. And if you position your life And if you position your life And if you position your life where God wants where God wants where God wants rather than in disobedience [snorts] rather than in disobedience [snorts] rather than in disobedience [snorts] from God, you'll be fine. But if you from God, you'll be fine. But if you from God, you'll be fine. But if you position your life position your life position your life in the way of rebellion, you become easy in the way of rebellion, you become easy in the way of rebellion, you become easy prey. prey. prey. You make it easy for the evil one. Jonah doesn't realize that he dodges a Jonah doesn't realize that he dodges a bullet not making it to all those bullet not making it to all those bullet not making it to all those all-inclusive resorts in Tarsish.

all-inclusive resorts in Tarsish. all-inclusive resorts in Tarsish. I'm pretty sure Satan was waiting there I'm pretty sure Satan was waiting there I'm pretty sure Satan was waiting there to welcome him and to ruin his life. to welcome him and to ruin his life. to welcome him and to ruin his life. So advice from Jonah 1 So advice from Jonah 1 So advice from Jonah 1 on the sovereignty and providence of on the sovereignty and providence of on the sovereignty and providence of God, God, God, which is not to be contained to the which is not to be contained to the which is not to be contained to the categories of Jonah 1, is that you categories of Jonah 1, is that you categories of Jonah 1, is that you should position your life in the should position your life in the should position your life in the providential hand of God, not the dirty providential hand of God, not the dirty providential hand of God, not the dirty hand of Satan. hand of Satan. hand of Satan. You have a responsibility You have a responsibility You have a responsibility as it comes to that. as it comes to that. as it comes to that. Okay, our time is gone. I've said a lot Okay, our time is gone. I've said a lot Okay, our time is gone. I've said a lot again today, but it's good stuff. again today, but it's good stuff. again today, but it's good stuff. This is God's word and it's living and This is God's word and it's living and This is God's word and it's living and it's active and it's sharp. it's active and it's sharp. it's active and it's sharp. Don't forget the sovereign God rules Don't forget the sovereign God rules Don't forget the sovereign God rules over all. over all. over all. He's the only reason you perhaps had He's the only reason you perhaps had He's the only reason you perhaps had some vanilla in your latte this morning. some vanilla in your latte this morning. some vanilla in your latte this morning. He's the reason that we can have donuts He's the reason that we can have donuts He's the reason that we can have donuts in the lobby from time to time. He's the in the lobby from time to time. He's the in the lobby from time to time. He's the reason that there were socks in your reason that there were socks in your reason that there were socks in your sock drawer.

sock drawer. sock drawer. He's the reason that there's air in your He's the reason that there's air in your He's the reason that there's air in your lungs. lungs. lungs. So submit to him. Don't subvert his So submit to him. Don't subvert his So submit to him. Don't subvert his authority. authority. authority. Learn the lessons from and the warnings Learn the lessons from and the warnings Learn the lessons from and the warnings from Jonah's setorm experience. from Jonah's setorm experience. from Jonah's setorm experience. Let me pray and then we're going to Let me pray and then we're going to Let me pray and then we're going to stand to our feet and we're going to stand to our feet and we're going to stand to our feet and we're going to sing of the greatness of God. Heavenly sing of the greatness of God. Heavenly sing of the greatness of God. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word. I Father, we thank you for your word. I Father, we thank you for your word. I thank you for your people. thank you for your people. thank you for your people. I thank you for for what you're doing in I thank you for for what you're doing in I thank you for for what you're doing in their lives. And I pray that they will their lives. And I pray that they will their lives. And I pray that they will spend time with you in what you have spend time with you in what you have spend time with you in what you have said through Jonah 1 this week said through Jonah 1 this week said through Jonah 1 this week and that your spirit would tear down and that your spirit would tear down and that your spirit would tear down whatever hardness is there. whatever whatever hardness is there. whatever whatever hardness is there. whatever filters are there that relate to how filters are there that relate to how filters are there that relate to how they view the world that need to be gone they view the world that need to be gone they view the world that need to be gone and that your spirit would would produce and that your spirit would would produce and that your spirit would would produce the fruit of the spirit in their lives the fruit of the spirit in their lives the fruit of the spirit in their lives [snorts] [snorts] [snorts] that they will rise from here on in that they will rise from here on in that they will rise from here on in wanting to live in submission to the wanting to live in submission to the wanting to live in submission to the authority of Jesus Christ.

authority of Jesus Christ. authority of Jesus Christ. It's in his name that we've gathered It's in his name that we've gathered It's in his name that we've gathered today. Amen.