We sacrifice to join God in His mission — The same mission He’s had since the Beginning — To restore mankind to the proper relationship with Him, forgiving our sins, coming alongside to give us an Abundant Life, teaching us all we need to know about Our Creator.

Israel wanted a physical king they could see and touch. Real issue was they were rejecting God as their King. They were looking for a king who would “go out before us, and fight our battles.” (8:20)

Lack of complete trust in God is what led Israel to call for a National King.

Life's fresh starts begin with true repentance.

Jonah 3:1-5 -- As Jonah goes to Ninevah, he must be the bearer of bad news...but in giving the bad news, the Good is just around the bend for those who listen. The people of Ninevah learn discover that God is the God of a multiplicity of chances!

Jonah 2:1-9 -- From within the depths of his distress, Jonah found his voice -- and God answered! We can be confident that God always answers the prayers of his people.

Jonah 1:4-17 -- God interrupts our self centeredness to stop us abruptly from moving forward with what we're doing to turn us back to His plan. It's part of redeeming the lost and sanctifying the redeemed.

Jonah 1:1-3 -- At the end of the day, God is less concerned with what we do for Him than who we are in Him.

The Church needs to get involved in the lives of the weak and needy.