09/08/2026 - Vincent Gulay
The story of Jonah is not just about a man and a fish. It is a story about the grace of God.
God extends grace to Jonah, to the sailors, to Nineveh, and even to a reluctant prophet who
keeps getting it wrong.
We are all recipients of God’s grace, but we are also called to become carriers of it.
The question is: Will we allow God’s grace to flow to us, through us, and to others?
ACT 1: BEFORE FISH
1. A STORM OF MERCY
Scripture: Jonah 1:4
Sometimes the storm is not punishment. Sometimes it is mercy.
Jonah was moving away from God, and the storm became the very thing that redirected him.
If a challenge in our life is drawing us back toward God, it may actually be an expression of
His grace.
God’s grace TO me.
Question:
Could the storm I am facing be God’s mercy redirecting me?
2. PREACH WITH YOUR LIFE
Scripture: Jonah 1:9–13
Jonah said he worshipped the Lord while actively running away from Him.
When our lives contradict what we say we believe, it can create confusion for the people
around us.
Our obedience matters. Our disobedience rarely affects only us.
Don’t let the life you live block the grace you preach.
God’s grace THROUGH me.
Question:
Where am I rationalising disobedience, and how is it affecting those around me?
ACT 2: AFTER FISH
3. LET GRACE FLOW
Scripture: Jonah 3; Jonah 4:1–3
Jonah did not want Nineveh to receive the grace of God.
But our job is not to decide who is ready for grace or who deserves grace.
Our job is to faithfully carry it.
We do not know what God has already been doing in someone’s heart before He asks us to
act.
Jonah wanted grace for Israel.
Jonah wanted grace for himself.
He just did not want grace for his enemies.
Do we love grace, or only grace extended to us?
God’s grace FOR others.
Question:
Who am I withholding grace, forgiveness or mercy from?
4. BE HUMBLE.
Scripture: Jonah 3:6
The king of Nineveh stepped down from his throne, removed his robes and humbled himself
before God.
Grace requires humility.
There are areas of our lives where we need to stop relying only on our own strength and
surrender again to the Lord.
Our humility can also create space for the people we lead and influence to experience God’s
grace.
Sometimes grace enters the room when we are willing to get off the throne.
My SURRENDER to grace.
Question:
Where do I need to humble myself and surrender control to God?
RESPONSE: A SECOND TIME
Scripture: Jonah 3:1
“The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.”
Jonah ran.
Jonah resisted.
Jonah got it wrong.
And still, God came again.
That is grace.
Jonah ultimately points us toward Jesus, who entered death and rose again so that anyone
who calls on His name can receive forgiveness, restoration and new life.
The invitation of Jesus is still being extended today.
RESPONSE QUESTIONS
● Are you in a storm? Could God be redirecting you?
● Are you rationalising something you know is wrong?
● Who are you withholding grace from?
● Where do you need to humble yourself before God?
The good news is not that you have to fix yourself before you come back.
The word of the Lord can come to you a second time.
And His invitation requires a response.
