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Jul 05, 2009

The Downward Spiral

Passage: Jonah 1:3-16

Preacher: Tim Badal

Series:The Fugitive: Jonah The Runaway Prophet

Summary:

Part 2 “The Downward Spiral” Jonah 1:3-16 God commands Jonah to go and preach in Nineveh, fulfilling his calling as a prophet of God. But instead of obeying and following this command, Jonah heads in the opposite direction. He heads to Joppa and boards a ship to get as far away from God as possible. While God had called Jonah to head east, he instead heads west, and with every step he shows his ongoing rebellion against God. As the story continues to unfold, it shows us our own rebellion, the places it can lead and whom it can affect, as well as God’s response to the downward spiral of sin. The downward spiral of sin: 1. Brings great disruption to our lives. This disruption: Can be costly. Often impacts the company that we keep. Can be quite chaotic. 2. Results in the full disclosure of our wrongdoing. This disclosure: Often comes when we least expect it. Involves the exposure of our sin. 3. Subjects us to God’s discipline. This discipline has both negative and positive dimensions: Negative: The discipline of God: Can’t be undone by human effort. Sometimes forces others to make unpleasant decisions. Positive: In God’s disciplining of Jonah, we see His: Compassion for his children. Conviction of unbelievers.

Detail:

Part 2

“The Downward Spiral”

Jonah 1:3-16

 God commands Jonah to go and preach in Nineveh, fulfilling his calling as a prophet of God.  But instead of obeying and following this command, Jonah heads in the opposite direction. He heads to Joppa and boards a ship to get as far away from God as possible.

While God had called Jonah to head east, he instead heads west, and with every step he shows his ongoing rebellion against God. As the story continues to unfold, it shows us our own rebellion, the places it can lead and whom it can affect, as well as God’s response to the downward spiral of sin.

 

The downward spiral of sin:

 

1.       Brings great disruption to our lives.

This disruption:

  • Can be costly.
  • Often impacts the company that we keep.
  • Can be quite chaotic.

 

2.       Results in the full disclosure of our wrongdoing.

This disclosure:

  • Often comes when we least expect it.
  • Involves the exposure of our sin.

 

3.       Subjects us to God’s discipline.

This discipline has both negative and positive dimensions:

Negative:

The discipline of God:

  • Can’t be undone by human effort.
  • Sometimes forces others to make unpleasant decisions.

        Positive:

In God’s disciplining of Jonah, we see His:

  •   Compassion for his children.
  • Conviction of unbelievers.