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.” Jonah 1:1-2 NIV

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 1:3 NIV

If you want to run from God, the devil will always offer you a ride.

Rationalizing sin: when our mind makes an excuse for what our spirit knows is wrong

Delayed obedience is disobedience.

Spiritual maturity: a short time between God’s command and our obedience

• Jonah went down to Joppa.

  • 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 1:3 NIV

• Jonah went down to the bottom of the ship.

  • All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. Jonah 1:5 NIV

• Jonah was thrown down to the bottom of the sea.

  • You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. Jonah 2:3 NIV

Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. Jonah 1:4-5 NIV

So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? …” [Jonah] answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” Jonah 1:8-9 NIV

Where in your life are you rationalizing sin and running from God?

The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked [Jonah], “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” 12 “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.” Jonah 1:11-12 NIV

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. Jonah 1:15-16 NIV