1. His Rebellion

2. His Affliction

3. His Mission

Today's sermon explored the life of Jonah and the consequences of running from God's calling. Through Jonah's journey—from his rebellion and flight to Tarshish, through his affliction in the belly of the fish, to his eventual mission in Nineveh—we saw how sin always costs us more than we want to pay and takes us farther than we want to go. Yet we also witnessed God's incredible mercy, not only toward the wicked people of Nineveh, but also toward His rebellious servant. This message challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we sleeping while storms rage around us? Are we running from God's clear calling? And do we care more about our own comfort than the eternal destiny of lost souls?

Takeaways:

- God's call is clear and direct, but obedience is our choice. Just as God told Jonah to "Arise, go to Nineveh," He has called each of us with a higher purpose. We must ask ourselves: Who has chartered our course? Are we sailing toward God's priorities or our own?

- Running from God always leads downward, and sin will cost us. Jonah paid the fare, went down into the ship, and descended into the belly of the fish. When we rebel against God's calling, we always go down—spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. The good news is that God's mercies are new every morning, and He is the God of second chances.

- Our concern for souls should outweigh our concern for comfort. Jonah cared more about a plant that gave him shade than 120,000 people who escaped eternal judgment. We must examine our hearts: Do we have urgency to reach the lost and lonely with the message of hope, or are we more focused on our own convenience and comfort?

As we move forward this week, let's commit to listening to God's voice, responding to His calling with urgency, and extending His love and mercy to those around us who desperately need to hear the Gospel.