Matthew 12:39-40 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Jonah 1:1-3 The word of the LORD came to Jonah, son of Amittai “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
Jonah 1:2 Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because its wickedness has come up before me.
He would be rejected.
He was unconcerned.
It would be difficult.
It would succeed.
Jonah 4:2 He prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
It’s not a great suggestion but a great commission.
If you want to run from God, there’s always a ship to take you there.
Do you believe God has a right to speak in every area of your life?
Jonah 1:4, 7-10 Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” He answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” This terrified them, and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the LORD because he had already told them so.)
Your disobedience to God affects other people.
Jonah 1:11-12, 15-17 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this, the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him. Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.
Every step away from God is a step-down.
Have you surrendered to God in the midst of your storm?