Transcript Why I Believe In Jesus

Why did God have the book of Jonah written?
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There were lessons for both the Jews of old
and for Christians today. (Rom 15:4)
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?
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(Romans 15:4 NKJV) “For whatever
things were written before were written for
our learning, that we through the patience
and comfort of the Scriptures might have
hope.”
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?
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Have you ever thought of an individual or a
race of people as being beyond redemption?
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?
Have you ever thought of an individual or a
race of people as being beyond redemption?
 Often we have such a confidence in our
"wisdom" that we fight God.
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Why did God have the book of Jonah written?
Have you ever thought of an individual or a
race of people as being beyond redemption?
 Often we have such a confidence in our
"wisdom" that we fight God.
 In the book of Jonah we learn some
important lessons about God.
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Why did God have the book of Jonah written?
Have you ever thought of an individual or a
race of people as being beyond redemption?
 Often we have such a confidence in our
"wisdom" that we fight God.
 In the book of Jonah we learn some
important lessons about God.
 As Christians we must come to think like
God! (2 Cor 10:5)
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Why did God have the book of Jonah written?
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(2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV) “casting
down arguments and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ,”
Why did God have the book of Jonah written?
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The same problem within Jonah is faced by
Christians today.
Background of the book of Jonah
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Who was Jonah?
Background of the book of Jonah
Who was Jonah?
 Jonah's name means, "dove." He was the
one to make peace between the heathen city
of Nineveh and God.
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Background of the book of Jonah
Who was Jonah?
 Jonah's name means, "dove." He was the
one to make peace between the heathen city
of Nineveh and God.
 Jonah lived about the time of Jeroboam II
(II Kings 14:23-25).
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Background of the book of Jonah
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(2 Kings 14:23-25 NKJV) “In the fifteenth
year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of
Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of
Israel, became king in Samaria, and reigned
forty-one years. {24} And he did evil in the
sight of the LORD; he did not depart from
all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
who had made Israel sin.
Background of the book of Jonah
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{25} He restored the territory of Israel from
the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the
Arabah, according to the word of the LORD
God of Israel, which He had spoken through
His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the
prophet who was from Gath Hepher.”
Background of the book of Jonah
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Lived in Gathhepher about 20 miles north
of Joppa.
Background of the book of Jonah
Lived in Gathhepher about 20 miles north
of Joppa.
 He was a truly zealous prophet for God. He
wants all nations who refuse the Lord to be
destroyed.
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Background of the book of Jonah
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What do we know about Nineveh?
(Jonah 1:2)
Background of the book of Jonah
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(Jonah 1:2 NKJV) “”Arise, go to Nineveh,
that great city, and cry out against it; for
their wickedness has come up before Me.””
Background of the book of Jonah
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This is one of the oldest cities in history.
Background of the book of Jonah
This is one of the oldest cities in history.
 This city was mentioned shortly after flood
(Gen 10:8-12).
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Background of the book of Jonah
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(Genesis 10:8-12 NKJV) “Cush begot
Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the
earth. {9} He was a mighty hunter before
the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like
Nimrod the mighty hunter before the
LORD.” {10} And the beginning of his
kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and
Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Background of the book of Jonah
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{11} From that land he went to Assyria and
built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, {12} and
Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is
the principal city).”
Background of the book of Jonah
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Nineveh was located on the Tigris River.
Background of the book of Jonah
Nineveh was located on the Tigris River.
 It was approximately 8 miles in
circumference. The walls enclosed 1800
acres of land.
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Background of the book of Jonah
Nineveh was located on the Tigris River.
 It was approximately 8 miles in
circumference. The walls enclosed 1800
acres of land.
 Hence, it was three days' journey around the
city (Jonah 3:3)!
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Background of the book of Jonah
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(Jonah 3:3 NKJV) “So Jonah arose and
went to Nineveh, according to the word of
the LORD. Now Nineveh was an
exceedingly great city, a three-day journey
in extent.”
Background of the book of Jonah
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At this time it was the capital of Assyria.
Background of the book of Jonah
At this time it was the capital of Assyria.
 Nineveh was known for its wickedness and
cruelty of its people.
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Background of the book of Jonah
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It was called "the Robber city" because it
overran and robbed other countries to make
itself rich.
Some lessons about God
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He is concerned for all men.
Some lessons about God
He is concerned for all men.
 How could God show concern for such a
wicked people? He did! (Jonah 1:1-2)
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Some lessons about God
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(Jonah 1:1-2 NKJV) “Now the word of
the LORD came to Jonah the son of
Amittai, saying, {2} “Arise, go to Nineveh,
that great city, and cry out against it; for
their wickedness has come up before Me.””
Some lessons about God
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How did God view these people?
(Jonah 4:11)
Some lessons about God
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Jonah 4:11 (NKJV) - And should I not
pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are
more than one hundred and twenty thousand
persons who cannot discern between their
right hand and their left—and much
livestock?”
Some lessons about God
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Do we have the mind of Christ concerning
the gospel and the wicked?
(2 Pt 3:9; Mk 6:34; 2 Tim 2:24-26)
Some lessons about God
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(Mark 6:34 NKJV) “And Jesus, when He
came out, saw a great multitude and was
moved with compassion for them, because
they were like sheep not having a shepherd.
So He began to teach them many things.”
Some lessons about God
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(2 Timothy 2:24-26 NKJV) “And a
servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be
gentle to all, able to teach, patient, {25} in
humility correcting those who are in
opposition, if God perhaps will grant them
repentance, so that they may know the truth,
{26} and that they may come to their senses
and escape the snare of the devil, having
been taken captive by him to do his will.”
Some lessons about God
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(2 Peter 3:9 NKJV) “The Lord is not slack
concerning His promise, as some count
slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,
not willing that any should perish but that
all should come to repentance.”
Some lessons about God
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He is able to accomplish His purpose.
Some lessons about God
He is able to accomplish His purpose.
 God wanted him to go. Would you have
questioned the wisdom of this? (Jonah 1:3)
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Some lessons about God
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(Jonah 1:3 NKJV) “But Jonah arose to
flee to Tarshish from the presence of the
LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found
a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare,
and went down into it, to go with them to
Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.”
Some lessons about God
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Unlike Jonah, God does not directly make
us aware of when a door of opportunity
opens in the life of an individual. Still we
are to teach all men. (Mt 28:18-19)
Some lessons about God
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(Matthew 28:18-19 NKJV) “And Jesus
came and spoke to them, saying, “All
authority has been given to Me in heaven
and on earth. {19} “Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit,”
Some lessons about God
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Are we ready for the opportunity of the
open door. (Esther 4:14-15)
Some lessons about God
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(Esther 4:14-15 NKJV) “For if you
remain completely silent at this time, relief
and deliverance will arise for the Jews from
another place, but you and your father’s
house will perish. Yet who knows whether
you have come to the kingdom for such a
time as this?” {15} Then Esther told them to
reply to Mordecai:”
Some lessons about God
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He is no respecter of persons.
(Acts 10:34-35)
Some lessons about God
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(Acts 10:34-35 NKJV) “Then Peter
opened his mouth and said: “In truth I
perceive that God shows no partiality. {35}
“But in every nation whoever fears Him and
works righteousness is accepted by Him.”
Some lessons about God
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What would God do if they repented?
(Jonah 3:10)
Some lessons about God
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(Jonah 3:10 NKJV) “Then God saw their
works, that they turned from their evil way;
and God relented from the disaster that He
had said He would bring upon them, and He
did not do it.”
Some lessons about God
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Do we think that God will allow us to go to
heaven if we do any less? (Mt 12:41)
Some lessons about God
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(Matthew 12:41 NKJV) “The men of
Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with
this generation and condemn it, because
they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and
indeed a greater than Jonah is here.”
Some lessons Jonah learned
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You cannot hide from God.
Some lessons Jonah learned
You cannot hide from God.
 Jonah was one who allowed his emotions to
overcome him. He knew this in his heart,
but he ran anyway. (Jonah 1:3; 2:1-3)
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Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Jonah 1:3 NKJV) “But Jonah arose to
flee to Tarshish from the presence of the
LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found
a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare,
and went down into it, to go with them to
Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.”
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Jonah 2:1-3 NKJV) “Then Jonah prayed
to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly.
{2} And he said: “I cried out to the LORD
because of my affliction, And He answered
me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And
You heard my voice. {3} For You cast me
into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And
the floods surrounded me; All Your billows
Some lessons Jonah learned
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Listen carefully to this verse.
(Psa 139:1-10)
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Psalms 139:1-10 NKJV) “O LORD, You
have searched me and known me. {2} You
know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off. {3}
You comprehend my path and my lying
down, And are acquainted with all my ways.
{4} For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it
altogether.
Some lessons Jonah learned
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{5} You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me. {6} Such
knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is
high, I cannot attain it. {7} Where can I go
from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from
Your presence? {8} If I ascend into heaven,
You are there; If I make my bed in hell,
behold, You are there.
Some lessons Jonah learned
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{9} If I take the wings of the morning, And
dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, {10}
Even there Your hand shall lead me, And
Your right hand shall hold me.”
Some lessons Jonah learned
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There in no place in the universe where we
can run from God. (At work with nonChristians, on a date, filling out taxes, on
vacation.)
Some lessons Jonah learned
There in no place in the universe where we
can run from God. (At work with nonChristians, on a date, filling out taxes, on
vacation.)
 We cannot even run from Him in our
imaginations!
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Some lessons Jonah learned
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There is a great power in prayer
Some lessons Jonah learned
There is a great power in prayer
 Jonah knew the character of God and
pleaded with God on that basis.
(Jonah 2:1, 7-9)
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Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Jonah 2:1 NKJV) “Then Jonah prayed to
the LORD his God from the fish’s belly.”
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Jonah 2:7-9 NKJV) “”When my soul
fainted within me, I remembered the
LORD; And my prayer went up to You, Into
Your holy temple. {8} “Those who regard
worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy.
{9} But I will sacrifice to You With the
voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I
have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.””
Some lessons Jonah learned
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Jonah is honest with God in his prayer.
(Jonah 4:2-3)
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Jonah 4:2-3 NKJV) “So he prayed to the
LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I
said when I was still in my country? Therefore I
fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You
are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger
and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents
from doing harm. {3} “Therefore now, O LORD,
please take my life from me, for it is better for me
to die than to live!””
Some lessons Jonah learned
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Some may say things in prayer and not
mean it. (Ex. What a great opportunity to be
here…but often forsake the assembly.)
Some lessons Jonah learned
Some may say things in prayer and not
mean it. (Ex. What a great opportunity to be
here…but often forsake the assembly.)
 If you have a bad attitude, tell God about it.
He can help!
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Some lessons Jonah learned
Some may say things in prayer and not
mean it. (Ex. What a great opportunity to be
here…but often forsake the assembly.)
 If you have a bad attitude, tell God about it.
He can help!
 Jonah knew the power of preaching God's
word.
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Some lessons Jonah learned
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He knew that God's word would do its
work. (Jonah 1:3; Heb 4:12-13)
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV) “For the word of God
is living and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the division of soul
and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
{13} And there is no creature hidden from His
sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes
of Him to whom we must give account.”
Some lessons Jonah learned
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He knew that direct, courageous preaching
is the only way to teach! (Jonah 3:3-4)
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Jonah 3:3-4 NKJV) “So Jonah arose and
went to Nineveh, according to the word of
the LORD. Now Nineveh was an
exceedingly great city, a three-day journey
in extent. {4} And Jonah began to enter the
city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried
out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh
shall be overthrown!””
Some lessons Jonah learned
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Jonah left the results up to God. Many today
try to hold back and use their "wisdom" to
change His word. This will not give God's
results. (1 Cor 3:6-7)
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(1 Corinthians 3:6-7 NKJV) “I planted,
Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
{7} So then neither he who plants is
anything, nor he who waters, but God who
gives the increase.”
Some lessons Jonah learned
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Jonah learned that country must not be more
important than souls. (Mt 16:26)
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Matthew 16:26 NKJV) “”For what profit
is it to a man if he gains the whole world,
and loses his own soul? Or what will a man
give in exchange for his soul?”
Some lessons Jonah learned
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Jonah learned of the crippling power of selfpity. (Jonah 4:3,8)
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Jonah 4:3 NKJV) “”Therefore now, O
LORD, please take my life from me, for it is
better for me to die than to live!””
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Jonah 4:8 NKJV) “And it happened,
when the sun arose, that God prepared a
vehement east wind; and the sun beat on
Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he
wished death for himself, and said, “It is
better for me to die than to live.””
Some lessons Jonah learned
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Jonah learned to see things as God does.
(Jonah 4:6-11)
Some lessons Jonah learned
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(Jonah 4:6-11 NKJV) “And the LORD
God prepared a plant and made it come up
over Jonah, that it might be shade for his
head to deliver him from his misery. So
Jonah was very grateful for the plant. {7}
But as morning dawned the next day God
prepared a worm, and it so damaged the
plant that it withered.
Some lessons Jonah learned
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{8} And it happened, when the sun arose,
that God prepared a vehement east wind;
and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he
grew faint. Then he wished death for
himself, and said, “It is better for me to die
than to live.” {9} Then God said to Jonah,
“Is it right for you to be angry about the
plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be
angry, even to death!”
Some lessons Jonah learned
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{10} But the LORD said, “You have had
pity on the plant for which you have not
labored, nor made it grow, which came up
in a night and perished in a night. {11} “And
should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in
which are more than one hundred and
twenty thousand persons who cannot
discern between their right hand and their
left; and much livestock?””
God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
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Consider the weaknesses of Abraham, Peter,
and Jonah.
God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
Consider the weaknesses of Abraham, Peter,
and Jonah.
 These men had some good traits in
common.
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God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
Consider the weaknesses of Abraham, Peter,
and Jonah.
 These men had some good traits in
common.
 They acknowledged their weaknesses.
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God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
Consider the weaknesses of Abraham, Peter,
and Jonah.
 These men had some good traits in
common.
 They acknowledged their weaknesses.
 They were honest. (Lk 8:15 KJV)
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God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
Consider the weaknesses of Abraham, Peter,
and Jonah.
 These men had some good traits in
common.
 They acknowledged their weaknesses.
 They were honest. (Lk 8:15 KJV)
 They were willing to repent.
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God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
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All of us have some weaknesses.
(1 Jn 1:10-2:1)
God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
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(1 John 1:10 NKJV) “If we say that we
have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and
His word is not in us.”
God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
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(1 John 2:1 NKJV) “My little children,
these things I write to you, so that you may
not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an
Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous.”
God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
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God can still accomplish His will through
you.
God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
God can still accomplish His will through
you.
 Can you be humble, honest and penitent?
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God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
God can still accomplish His will through
you.
 Can you be humble, honest and penitent?
 Some have the false concept that you are
either perfect or a hypocrite.
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God can use men in spite of their
weakness.
God can still accomplish His will through
you.
 Can you be humble, honest and penitent?
 Some have the false concept that you are
either perfect or a hypocrite.
 What have you learned from Jonah?
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