AM Scripture Reading: Jonah 2.1-10

This Morning’s Sermon:

Brent T. Willey

“The Voice of Thanksgiving”

(Within the Belly of the Great Fish)

Introduction:

1. Deep within the belly of the “great fish” [dawg gadowl], Jonah prayed perhaps his most ardent prayer ever. He cried, “But I will sacrifice to Thee with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay” (Jonah 2.9 – nasb).
2. How many times do we find ourselves resorting to fervent prayer because some calamity has come our way?
3. Can we learn “Thanksgiving” lessons from this account?

THANKFUL THAT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR US!

1. God had a plan for Jonah. What happened?
   1. Chapter 1: Jonah ran away from God’s plan.
   2. Chapter 2: Jonah ran back to God’s plan.
   3. Chapter 3: Jonah ran with God’s plan.
   4. Chapter 4: Jonah tried to run ahead of God’s plan.
   5. Jonah lacked faith & thankfulness, which go hand in hand!
2. God has a plan for us!
   1. He always has… (Psa. 33.10-12)
   2. God can & wants to use us! (Isa. 1.19; Matt. 21.28-31)
   3. We must be faithful & thankful! (Jam. 1.17-18; Eph. 1.3)

THANKFUL THAT GOD HAS SPARED US!

1. God spared Jonah!
   1. He should have perished by drowning or consumption…
   2. The signal judgement of God was reversed in three days, and Jonah was delivered to complete his assignment.
   3. Jonah’s deliverance brought about Nineveh’s deliverance! (Matt. 12.41)
2. We are spared through Christ’s death, burial & resurrection!
   1. Jesus’ allegorical illustration. (Matt. 12.38-41)
      1. His death & burial “in the heart of the earth” (v. 40).
      2. He was raised up in three days! (John 2.19; Acts 2.24)
      3. “Indeed a greater than Jonah is here” (v. 41) – Jesus!
   2. Jesus was raised that we might be delivered from sin and then live to serve Him! (Luke 1.74-75; Rom. 6.22)

Conclusion: For what shall we be thankful this week?