19d • Sunday Sermon Discussion
Sunday Sermon Sept 13 2025 - Jonah 1 The Running Man
Sermon Summary: "The Running Man" (Jonah 1)
This sermon, preached at Covenant Church of Perrysburg on September 14, 2025, explores the opening chapter of the Book of Jonah, focusing on the theme of human rebellion against God's call and His sovereign pursuit in response. Titled "The Running Man," it portrays Jonah as a reluctant prophet who flees from divine mission, highlighting God's relentless grace amid disobedience. The message draws directly from Jonah 1 (ESV), emphasizing that no one can outrun God's purposes. Below is a structured summary with main points, subpoints, and key Bible verses quoted verbatim from the English Standard Version (ESV).
Main Point 1: God's Sovereign Call
God initiates His plan by commissioning Jonah, revealing His concern for even the most unlikely recipients of mercy (Nineveh, Israel's enemy).
- Subpoint 1.1: The Word Comes to Jonah God speaks directly to His prophet, underscoring that divine missions often involve uncomfortable obedience. Key Verse (Jonah 1:1-2 ESV): "Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.'"
- Subpoint 1.2: The Urgency of the Task Nineveh's wickedness demands immediate action, showing God's heart for repentance over judgment.
Main Point 2: Jonah's Foolish Flight
Despite knowing God's character, Jonah chooses self-preservation over submission, illustrating the futility of running from the Creator.
- Subpoint 2.1: Deliberate Rebellion Jonah heads in the opposite direction, from Israel's heartland toward the distant Tarshish, symbolizing a rejection of God's global compassion. Key Verse (Jonah 1:3 ESV): "But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord."
- Subpoint 2.2: The Illusion of Escape Jonah's actions reveal a deeper prejudice against God's mercy for outsiders, a common human tendency to limit divine love.
Main Point 3: God's Disruptive Pursuit
God responds to rebellion not with abandonment but with a storm that exposes sin and draws others to Himself, demonstrating His control over creation.
- Subpoint 3.1: The Tempest Unleashed A divinely sent storm endangers the ship, forcing confrontation with the consequences of disobedience. Key Verse (Jonah 1:4 ESV): "But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up."
- Subpoint 3.2: Jonah's Indifference Contrasts the Sailors' Fear While pagan sailors cry to their gods and lighten the ship, Jonah sleeps— a picture of spiritual numbness amid crisis. Key Verse (Jonah 1:5-6 ESV): "Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. So the captain came and said to him, 'What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.'"
Main Point 4: The Exposure and Confession
Truth comes to light through supernatural means, leading to Jonah's admission and the sailors' awakening to the true God.
- Subpoint 4.1: Casting Lots Reveals the Culprit The lot falls on Jonah, prompting questions that uncover his identity and flight. Key Verse (Jonah 1:7-8 ESV): "And they said to one another, 'Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.' So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, 'Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?'"
- Subpoint 4.2: Jonah's Honest Testimony Jonah confesses his faith, which terrifies the sailors but sows seeds of conversion. Key Verse (Jonah 1:9-10 ESV): "And he said to them, 'I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.' Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, 'What is this that you have done!' For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them."
Main Point 5: The Cost of Obedience and God's Mercy
Jonah's self-sacrifice calms the storm, but God uses it to save both Jonah and the sailors, pointing to ultimate redemption.
- Subpoint 5.1: Jonah's Proposed Solution Aware of his guilt, Jonah offers himself as the remedy, showing partial awareness of God's justice. Key Verse (Jonah 1:11-12 ESV): "Then they said to him, 'What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?' For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. He said to them, 'Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.'"
- Subpoint 5.2: The Sailors' Response and God's Intervention Reluctant at first, the sailors pray and act, leading to their worship of Yahweh—ironic fruit from Jonah's failure. Key Verse (Jonah 1:14-16 ESV): "Therefore they called out to the Lord, 'O Lord, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.' So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows."
Main Point 6: God's Gracious Provision
Even in judgment, God prepares deliverance, foreshadowing resurrection themes and His commitment to redeem rebels.
- Subpoint 6.1: The Great Fish as Divine Appointment The fish is not punishment but preservation, giving Jonah space for reflection. Key Verse (Jonah 1:17 ESV): "And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights."
- Subpoint 6.2: A Foreshadowing of Hope This sets up Jonah's prayer and return, reminding listeners that God's pursuits lead to restoration, not destruction.
Overall Application: The sermon challenges hearers to examine areas of "running" in their lives—whether prejudice, fear, or disobedience—and to trust God's sovereign mercy that turns flights into faithful journeys. It encourages embracing God's global mission, as no one is beyond His reach.
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Sunday Sermon Sept 13 2025 - Jonah 1 The Running Man
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