Jonah, Week 1: An Unflattering Mirror

Jonah 1: 1-17 | Matthew 12:38-41

The is important but it is not the point. 

[Notes]

God loves you.

God is on your side.

He is coming after you.

He is relentless.

– Eugene Peterson

[Notes]

Some Background:

• Who is Jonah/prophets?
• Who is reading this?
• Why are they reading this?

[Notes]

There are competing visions as to what leads to human flourishing and the fight for our allegiance. The role of the prophet is to remind the world that God alone is the one true source of life. Anything else, in the prophetic imaginations, to ruin. 

Everytime I find myself saying “Jonah is such an idiot” is an invitation for me to recognize how I am Jonah. 

Am I going to be faithful to God’s vision for what it means for me and the earth to flourish? 

Like Jonah we run from the incredible call God has on our lives.  

Like Jonah, we have fallen asleep at the spiritual wheel of our lives.  

[Notes]

Having the correct theology doesn’t automatically mean that we will… 

1. live faithfully.
2. not endanger those around us with our spiritual apathy. 

God has the power to work of you but He would prefer to work you.

There are times when the only thing that will wake us from our slumber is a . 

Two questions to bring to God tonight: 

1. How are you running from God right now?
2. Where are you asleep at the spiritual wheel?